Beloved Family,

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting—not just on the blessings we name, but on the grace that carries us when we can’t find the words. Gratitude has never been a single moment on the calendar; it is a rhythm, a posture, a quiet turning of the heart toward God’s steady hand in our lives.

Many of us will gather around tables this week. Some tables will be full, like my own, some smaller than usual, some touched by memory, some touched by hope. Whatever your table looks like this year, I pray that peace will sit with you, and that joy will find its way into the room.

But Thanksgiving is more than celebration; it is recognition.

Recognition of God’s kindness.

Recognition of one another.

Recognition of Christ in the faces we meet every day.

Jesus teaches us that gratitude becomes real when it becomes shared—when it reaches beyond our own homes and touches the lives of others. There are people carrying quiet burdens right beside us: seniors who need a check-in, families trying to make ends meet, neighbors who could use encouragement, youth looking for direction and a reminder that they matter.

This is where our gratitude becomes ministry.

This is where our thankfulness becomes action.

This is where our faith becomes visible.

As we pause to give thanks, let us remain mindful of the call to care, to notice, to extend ourselves in small and meaningful ways. Whether it’s a prayer, a meal, a phone call, a kind word, or a moment of patience—these simple offerings reflect the heart of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.

New Unity, I remain grateful for each of you—your faith, your resilience, your devotion, your willingness to grow together. You are a blessing to this church and to this pastor.

May God’s presence steady you.

May the peace of God surround your home like warm light, and may your thanksgiving be full, generous, and sacred.

Rev. Johnny N. Golden, Sr.

Pastor-Servant-Leader