As Thanksgiving approaches, we pause to reflect on the many things that make our congregation such a vibrant, compassionate community. At The Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, gratitude isn’t just a seasonal practice — it’s woven into who we are.

We are grateful for our members and friends, whose presence, stories and spirits create the tapestry of this beloved community. We are grateful for the volunteers who give their time to teach, sing, cook, clean, organize and care. We are grateful for our children and youth, who remind us that curiosity and wonder are sacred gifts. We are grateful for our ministers and staff, who help hold the circle — offering wisdom, humor and love.

We are grateful, too, for the wider world that sustains us — for the beauty of the earth, the call to justice and the interdependent web of life that reminds us we are never alone.

If you’ll be in town this week, we invite you to join us for a Thanksgiving potluck lunch at noon on Thursday, Nov. 27, here at the church. Whether you bring a favorite dish or simply bring yourself, all are welcome at the table.

May this week invite each of us to slow down, take a deep breath and notice the abundance already present in our lives. However you spend your Thanksgiving — whether surrounded by family, friends or quiet reflection — may gratitude guide your heart and remind you that you belong to something larger and full of love.