Thanksgiving is central to worship in all faith communities. It will find many forms of expression at 10am worship November 24 at the Guilford Community Church. Worship will begin, welcoming Shirley Squires and Marguerite Monet, friends of the congregation and devoted supporters of the Brattleboro AIDS Project. Part of Thanksgiving at Guilford will include gathering meals for local families affected by AIDS and celebrating the first graduation of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS is Kaiguchu, Kenya from a secondary school founded by the church. Today the first senior class will graduate from the school and tomorrow the church will offer prayers in support of the students as they go forth into their bright futures. The service will also include the baptism of Canaan Thormann, lifted up by the deacons and the choir who will offer three anthems: “Sweet Canaan”, “Take Me to the Water” and ““Hold On to God’s Unchanging Hand”f or the service.
It is Reign of Christ Sunday and the end of the church year, a day to celebrate Christ’s life and sacrifice as well as the eternal presence of the Holy Spirit and God’s unchanging love. Rev Sparrow will offer the day’s homily and the Sunday School children will prepare the Thanksgiving boxes. Next week will be the beginning of Advent and the church year and the start of pageant practice for the children.