We did miss those who could not be with us. In this session, Thanksgiving in Creation , Michael talked about co-operating with creation as the primary role of mankind, using as examples the three Hebrew Pilgrim Feasts of thanksgiving. This involves being responsive to each other. Every congregation must be thankful for its diversity, not only of age, range of life experience and interests, but also temperament. We are ingathered by God as we ingather our crops.
Fruitful harvest means life.
During the second session, Thanksgiving in Art , we were shown various perspectives through paintings. Ann made a funny when Michael told us of how when some artists used mathematics to try to draw the perfect body form, of course it was all out of proportion. This of course was not Michael s thought - or ours. The congregation is God s sacramental gift to itself . We are the first fruits of God s harvest, but a free people.