Giving thanks ... for 25 years!

Saturday

"Give thanks with a grateful heart..."
This evening our church held a Thanksgiving dinner to celebrate its 25th anniversary. When we were last in France, from 1986-96, we initially went to church at Saint Michael's up in Paris, but we were also part of a home group which would meet in different homes in and around Fontainebleau. After a while, with help and support from St. Michaels, we began to have monthly services in Fontainebleau, which in turn led to weekly services, and our own chaplain. So having been there for the beginning of the church, we were so pleased to be back in France at this time to celebrate 25 years. The dinner was held at a hotel near Melun, which is run by one of our members, but with the exception of the cake which was made by outside caterers, everything else was lovingly prepared by members of the church. I helped out in the morning peeling 30 kg of potatoes! There were nine of us, and it was amazing how quickly we got them done! We were then rewarded with coffee and a croissant! My other contribution to the dinner was a "carrot pudding" which was served with the turkey. This was new to me, despite our years in the States. Six people roasted turkeys with stuffing. There were 76 of us altogether and a great time was had by all. As part of the evening, we were each given a colored leaf for us to write on what we were thankful for, especially with relation to the church, and these were stuck onto a "tree". Before the meal we sang the wonderful praise song, Give thanks with a grateful heart:

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
Give thanks

Many thanks are also due the organizing team, especially Annabel who coordinated the effort!
My collage shows the program, Roger serving kirs at the bar(!), the fabulous cake, and the thanksgiving tree!