Reflections on the Community Thanksgiving Event at UU Belfast

This Thanksgiving, I had the privilege of addressing our community at UU Belfast with words of gratitude. What impacted me the most wasn't the speech itself, but the way it was received—the softening of faces, the quieting of conversations, and the comments people made about my message afterward.

The sanctuary was filled with warmth. Rose, our baker and chef, brought joy and rhythm to the cooking, dancing as she worked, while volunteers rolled up their sleeves and joined in. The kitchen buzzed with energy and delightful aromas, while the sanctuary exuded peace, and together they formed a rare and precious harmony.

I spoke of gratitude as a relationship, not a transaction. I saw that truth reflected everywhere: in the volunteers who gave their time, in the donors who provided abundance, in the cooks who transformed ingredients into nourishment, and in every person who came simply to be present. Even the “go‑packages” carried that spirit forward, allowing the meal to ripple out into homes across our town.

Spirit was with us too—the thread that wove together laughter, quiet conversations, and the simple act of sharing food. It reminded me that gratitude is not just something we say; it is something we live, together.

A church member inquired about when I would be attending seminary, giving me the chance to tell her, "I'm an ordained minister." I felt quite at ease speaking to the group, which is only possible thanks to the hypnotherapy I underwent over ten years ago to overcome my fear of public speaking.

As I left that evening, I carried more than the memory of a speech. I carried the feeling of belonging, of being part of a community that knows how to pause, honor one another, and celebrate abundance with joy.