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I am most thankful for love. Understanding love came from family, neighbors, friends and, eventually, from knowing God. I am still growing in my outreach to others and learning what God, Spirit and grace mean. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” When I increasingly grow to understand what that means, my thoughts expand to include each person in the whole world and an amazing God who loves everyone. 

Roberta “Connie” Alford, First UMC, Lewiston, Idaho 

I am most thankful for receiving a sense of purpose to and for my life. As a second-career pastor, I took the circuitous route to formal ministry, wondering at the unseen hand that seemed to protect, correct and direct my life’s journey. After responding to my call to ministry, I can utilize all my history, good and bad, as a witness with integrity. I truly can feel and share with those in my mission field. 

The Rev. Bobby G. Black, Washington Hills UMC, Chattanooga, Tennessee

I’m most thankful for children. They place within us sacred trust. Children love to please. When we praise them, their hearts rejoice. Children are filled with wonder, laughter and unbounded love. A child’s hand in ours is the closest we will ever get in this life to touching God. To be hugged by a child is to be hugged by the Holy One. Children take us by the hand and lead us to God. 

The Rev. Jim Bowden, Trinity UMC, Denton, Texas

I am most thankful for God’s grace. Without it, I wouldn’t have my wonderful wife and children. My life has been full, and I look forward to more adventures. What extraordinary thing did I do to deserve what has been given? Absolutely nothing. I don’t deserve it. God’s unending mystery. 

Ron Brown, Ridgewood UMC, Parma, Ohio

I am most thankful for my relationship with Jesus. Being obsessive and compulsive often lands me in situations that are familiar but taxing emotionally and spiritually. Tears flow frequently in the quietness of my prayer life while laughter and excitement exude around other people. My prayers are filled with forgiveness and strength requests. Having a strong relationship with God gives me peace, happiness, joyfulness and love in my heart. What would I do without him? 

Sandra Marie Conner, Central UMC, Florence, South Carolina

I am thankful for helping hands. Hands that healed my injured shoulder. Hands that massage my neck and back. Hands that pick apples, knead bread, cook meals. Hands that type, make music, fix cars. Hands that touch. Hands that rest. Hands that sustain me on the narrow, shaky paths of life. Family hands. Friendly hands. Godly hands. 

Laura Dennis, Pleasant View UMC, Williamsburg, Kentucky

I am thankful for the privilege of (gift of) relationship with Christ and the responsibility associated with that gift. Both the privilege and the responsibility are associated with rich, deep and relevant life. Each is impacted by the other; each relies on the other. 

Bob Cox, First UMC, Hays, Kansas

I am most thankful for every new day, waking up whole and feeling blessed to have family, friends and a church who love me. What a joy it is to share my gifts and talents with my new church family. I know it may seem strange to be so excited about a part-time job, but it is something that I always thought I would love to do, and wouldn’t you know it? I do! 

Lanita Donhowe, church secretary, Pittsburg (California) UMC

I am so thankful, most of all, for the gift of life. In 2006, I had a brain aneurysm. My family was told I would not live. I was taken off life support. Funeral arrangements were being made. But I did survive, and after a month in the hospital and rehabilitation, I had brain surgery. I thank God every day for all that takes place, both good and not so good! I am very blessed.

Carolee J. Flask, Halstead (Kansas) UMC

I am most thankful for the inner strength I have found. Despite being homeless since February, I have not been given more than I can handle. My church family has gone above and beyond to support both my family and the transitional housing nonprofits in my area. While I would appreciate a shorter test of faith, this has given me the opportunity to explore my values and what is truly important with a fresh perspective. 

Melissa French, Peterborough UMC, Jaffrey, New Hampshire

I am thankful for my church and the pastor who taught us that we are here to serve, not to be served. Every Sunday, our service challenged me to find more ways to be more like Christ to those around me. I was able to travel to Israel and was baptized in the Jordan River. I have been filled with the need to seek ways to serve and make disciples for Jesus Christ!

Karen Harris, Trinity UMC, Fremont, Ohio

I am thankful for three pieces of technology: neonatal heart surgery, rapid genetic sequencing and Facebook. When my granddaughter was a month old, doctors found two enormous holes in her heart, and lung and eye problems. She had emergency heart surgery. When she was 1 1/2, we finally had an explanation: a very rare genetic mutation caused her condition. On Facebook, we found a support group for people with that mutation. God has answered our prayers throughout this experience, and my 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter today is happy, bright, active and beautiful.

Nels Hoffman, First UMC, Los Alamos, New Mexico

What I am most thankful for is the ability to walk into a church and worship freely. Second only to that is the sense of being a part of worldwide Christianity, no matter what our nationality or denomination.The barriers that keep us separated are coming down!

The Rev. Kelly Jahn, Johnson Creek (Wisconsin) UMC

In 2011, my husband, Donnell, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. God guided us through the intense process and surgery. But God was not finished with us. In 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. God told me, “Betty, I am in control, so step away and let me lead.” When I moved out of his way, I found peace within. My surgery was successful, and I received 33 radiation treatments. Now both Donnell and I are cancer free. I am thankful to God for life. 

Betty Jeffcoat-Void, district lay leader, Wesley UMC, Columbia, South Carolina

I am most thankful for prayer. Many times, I find myself in situations when I have lifted up a prayer to be filled with the right words, to have an open mind and heart, to try to see things with a new perspective. Instantly, my approach to the issue is more peaceful and I feel guided, supported and no longer alone. I know God is in charge of my life. 

Judy Lang, Nichols UMC, Trumbull, Connecticut

What I am so thankful for in my life is that Jesus came to save us from eternal pain. There is nothing in the world to compare to the joy, peace and eternal life in heaven. 

James Odhiambo Lwande, Oyugs UMC, Homa Bay, Kenya

I experience different levels of being thankful: Being in awe of nature – it stops me in my tracks, enjoying a “God moment.” Being able to provide a “safe house” for friends with no other place to go. Being a parent of a 17-year-old son who constantly amazes me. Finally, I see the importance of how little things in life make such big differences through simple acts of random kindness. 

Ann C. Mottley, First UMC, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

I am most thankful for the supportive, nonjudgmental, compassionate women at my church. Through a challenging journey, they have kept me trusting in God. 

Leslie Murray, Lafayette (California) UMC 

I am thankful for every place I have lived, every pet I have had, every person I have loved and every person who has loved me, every church I have been in and every verse of Scripture I have read. Why? God’s steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136). 

William Rainbolt, Newtonville (New York) UMC

I am most grateful to live in the security of God’s love, grace and hope. 

The Rev. Rochelle Shoemaker, retired, Wesley Memorial UMC, Charlottesville, Virginia

I am most thankful for the faith of my late husband and me that enabled us to risk helping refugees from the other side of the world by taking them into our home over a 30-year period. Most were young male teens, who stayed four to seven years. Along with my daughter, these newcomers continue to be my family. The joy they bring to my life is immeasurable and truly a gift from God! 

Judy Snyder, St. Paul’s UMC, Warrington, Pennsylvania

My doctor explained a new type of corneal transplant using donor tissue and manmade materials. Since I had vision in only one eye, this was risky. The pastor and people of our small, rural church anointed me with oil and prayed fervently. The minute my old cornea was removed and the new one placed, I could see! My vision is now 20/60! I am thankful for modern technology, for talented medical professionals, and for faithful, prayerful family and friends. I am most thankful for the precious gift of sight. 

Betty Stover, Iliff UMC, Crooksville, Ohio

As I step into the shower in this drought-ridden state, I am thankful for clean water. I shower with a bucket so I can use wastewater on a shrub in my garden. I conserve water at every contact with a faucet. In the evening, my thankfulness is further heightened by the stories of refugees fleeing from Syria. After days walking on a dusty road, a small child looks into the camera with woeful eyes, too dehydrated to cry. I say a silent prayer for her that, someday soon, she will know the joys of clean water. 

The Rev. Robert J. Wagener, retired, Foothills UMC, La Mesa, California