| Now thank we all our God ... Staff and employees of the Baltimore-Washington Conference were recently asked to share some of the things they were grateful for this Thanksgiving season.  For recognizing whats important By Natalie Davis, facilities manager I came to work at the Conference Center at an unfortunate time, during the midst and upheaval of the staffs evacuation of their eight-year home on Patuxent Woods Drive. Although they were concerned about the unknown affects of the mold, the spirit of those who came into a much less comfortable place to work was unrelenting. I noticed that although they were unsure of where they would be and sometimes afraid of what would come next, each and everyone found something to laugh about, a ministry or cause to get excited about, and more importantly, they always had a great deal of hope. In the mornings before a day of work, we would gather for devotions and remarkably no one asked for prayers for themselves, they were always more concerned for others. Some had very traumatic health failures but continued to come to work regularly. As a witness to their circumstance and relentless spirit to continue the mission of The United Methodist Church, I have become more spiritual and I am thankful for that. Rarely does anyone on the staff look back for the personal possessions they had to leave behind. They only look forward to ways in which they can continue to improve current ministries, and for that, we can all be thankful. For hope delivered by friends By Sheila Hawkins, receptionist Life can be challenging. In September, when Hurricane Isabel left her calling card, she left a lot of devastation and pain behind. I lost my car. Instead of counting my blessings for what remained, I went into seclusion. I could not see at the time that, even in the midst of all this, I was still blessed. I gave up. I am thankful for the great and merciful God who allows trials and tribulations to make us see things in a different perspective. He also has a way of placing angels in our lives. Just as a candle can help you navigate a dark room, one spark of illumination can resolve many of lifes trials and tribulations. For me those sparks have been Don Stewart, my co-workers at the conference center and my pastor, the Rev. Dred Scott. They have reminded me of my faith and loved me in spite of myself. God has blessed me many times over. For thanks-living By Donald Stewart, director of connectional ministries My heart and my life overflow with thanks. I am thankful for a wonderful wife and 40 years of marriage with her. I am thankful for my two children, grandchildren, my home on the Chesapeake Bay, those who have sat with me at Thanksgiving feasts over the years, for this nation of immigrants, and those with whom I work in ministry who know what it means to be a community of grace under pressure. Most of all, I am thankful that God knows me, loves me, and has called me by name to be a servant of Jesus Christ in this world. Without a grateful heart and thankful faith, my life would be empty, hollow and joyless. I am thankful for the personal knowledge that Jesus Christ is my savior. I hope that for each of us, our thanksgiving will be another reminder to be thanks-living in our daily existence as Gods people. For Gods sufficient love By Michell Y. Savoy, secretary In years past I have been thankful for many things, mostly people and things that made me happy. However, in the past four years I have realized how thankful I am for my personal trials and tribulations, for it is through them that I have learned to truly lean and depend on Jesus. I have gone through some trying times; but it has been during these times that I have learned some of my most valuable lessons, one of which is that Gods love is sufficient. It has been in the trying times that God has spoken to my soul. I now know that every experience in my life is used to draw me closer to him. So, this Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for the love of God. For heart-felt principles By Maynard Moore, stewardship center consultant Gratitude (rooted in Gods grace that comes to us every day) is a concept basic to our understanding as Christians. It is also significant that Thanksgiving is the one holiday in which Americans (uniquely among the nations of the world) can join with each other in full celebration for their freedom of religion and a spirit of tolerance. Increasingly nonprofit organizations in communities around the country join together each year to celebrate the principles of philanthropy, voluntarism and service to humankind. I am grateful that we still live in a climate in which these principles have meaning and value. | 
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