“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Mural by the Young Artists at Work program of the Toledo Arts Commission
Often when we talk about giving thanks, we use language of acclamation: shouts of gratitude, songs of praise, great exaltation! At this time of year, it is common practice to express our thanks as we gather together for fellowship, worship, and prayer.
While acclamation is a faithful way to express thanksgiving, this year the Northwestern Ohio Synod Staff is wondering about listening as an act of gratitude. Could our listening be an act of thanksgiving to God?
“Being listened to is so close to being loved that most
people cannot tell the difference.” — David Augsburger
In the Northwestern Ohio Synod, 2025 will be The Year of Listening. As our staff prepares for this theme, we’d like to invite you to join us in the practice of listening with gratitude during this holiday season.
One resource to guide this practice is The Great Thanksgiving Listen, a Story Corps project that encourages people of all ages to create an oral history of our time by interviewing someone in their life. Participants can use the StoryCorps App to record their interview and upload it to the Library of Congress. “Truly listening to someone reminds them that their lives matter, and reminds us all of what matters most,” says the StoryCorps team. What questions might you ask of a loved one? Check out some powerful questions here. What might help you better understand someone’s unique perspective? How might you express gratitude as you listen?
Whether you choose to record and archive a conversation or simply enjoy the gift of storytelling around a table, we commend to you the practice of listening in a way that may deepen your gratitude to God and your neighbor.
Happy Thanksgiving from the NWOS Synod Staff