Thanksgiving Message from the Presbyterian Church USA

By Pauline J. Chang, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, November 23, 2004

The following is the Thanksgiving message by the moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA, elder Rick Ufford Chase, as released by the PC(USA) news service:

I am thankful for so much.

I’m thankful for how new immigrant fellowships are transforming our denomination. I recently spent time with Presbyterian immigrants from Africa, India, Pakistan, and Brazil. Their spirit and faith in Jesus Christ left me feeling a profound sense of gratitude for the possibilities they offer all of us.

I’m thankful for elders, deacons, and others who reached out to their brothers and sisters in the aftermath of four hurricanes. Responding to one another when we’re in need is what being the church is all about.

I’m grateful for conversations with young people who care deeply about our church and are committed to living God’s will for their lives. I’ve sat with them on the lawn at Ghost Ranch, in a dorm room at the Peace and Justice Conference, in gatherings at several seminaries, on the quad at the Youth Triennium, and at the Hispanic Caucus gathering. This is a generation of church that is on the move.

I’m thankful for the dedicated Presbyterians I’ve met on the General Assembly Council and Committee on the Office of the General Assembly. They’re working hard to articulate a clear vision for who we’re called to be as a denomination and how we’re going to get there. This is an area of my responsibilities as moderator that I was least aware of, and it has turned out to be one of the greatest blessings.

I’m appreciative of the unique opportunity to dialogue with Presbyterians who are committed to listening carefully to one another and sharing our faith with one another. I’m convinced there is a great hunger for thoughtful, respectful dialogue about what we believe and who God calls us to be in the world.

I’m thankful for the release of Christian human rights activist Mauricio Avilez from a Colombian prison. I’m overwhelmed by U.S. Presbyterians who have committed to do the hard work of accompaniment with our Christian brothers and sisters there.

Finally, I’m thankful for the gift of Scripture. We turn to the Bible in moments of hurt and despair, and we look to the gospel for our vision of who we can be if we find the courage to act as Jesus acted, to live as Jesus lived, to believe as Jesus believed.

Blessings on each of you as you seek to live your faith in the world!

Elder Rick Ufford-Chase is Moderator of the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)