Giving Thanks

While sitting at the Secondary Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday night, I was struck once again by how important the act of giving thanks truly is. When we express thanks to others it builds stronger, more positive connections.  It shows appreciation for others’ actions and acknowledges their impact on our lives. This act of pausing to acknowledge others has been linked to improved mental, emotional and physical health, provoking a sense of purpose and encourages generosity. So maybe Paul was on to something when he encouraged the early followers of Jesus in Thessalonica to give thanks in all circumstances. 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

At the end of this month, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving to honour the blessings of the past year, which is thought to be modelled on the Harvest Feast of the early Pilgrims. But did you know, there are eight other nations who officially celebrate Thanksgiving? 

Canada: Originally to give thanks for the safety of the 1578 expedition fleet. 

Germany: Erntedankfest gives thanks for the good fortune of the church congregations that year.  

Liberia: A Christian holiday originating from freed slaves from the United States in the early 1820s. 

Japan: Kinro Kansha no Hi, gives thanks for the rights of Japanese workers. 

Norfolk Island: Adopted Thanksgiving after some American traders introduced the day. 

Grenada: Marking the anniversary of joint Caribbean and U.S military invasions of Grenada. 

The Netherlands: The city of Leiden’s annual commemoration of breaking the Spanish siege in 1574. 

Puerto Rico: Adopted Thanksgiving in response to becoming a USA Territory in the 90’s. 

At DCC, the Primary and Secondary Thanksgiving Services provide a wonderful opportunity to give thanks corporately, enabling our community to come together to celebrate God’s goodness each year. We also give thanks for the actions that happen each day, across the course of the school year.   

In my role as Director of Teaching and Learning, I have the privilege of seeing the incredible work our children do each day; learners who develop academically, socially, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  

Learning is not an easy process. Much of the time it is difficult and requires some form of challenge for real learning to occur. Learning happens in all sorts of spaces, doing all sorts of activities, at all sorts of times. National holidays are times for nations to give thanks for many reasons, so with that in mind, let us take the opportunity to pause and acknowledge everyone involved in all the learning that has happened at Donvale this year.  

We give thanks for learners who have stretched themselves, pushed a little further, and challenged themselves to ‘do hard things’. 

We give thanks for the dedicated group of teachers who foster a learning environment for them to flourish. 

We give thanks for each report formed – as we acknowledge how each learner has progressed in their knowledge, skills and dispositions in each subject. 

We give thanks for the hard work each learner has made this year to take responsibility for their learning. 

We give thanks as each learner leans into their God-given gifts and sought to use them to serve others. 

We give thanks as each learner has tried new things, demonstrating a willingness to have a go, even when situations were hard or scary or unfamiliar. 

We give thanks for the learning spaces, both inside and outside the classroom, which provided space to care for God’s creation and engage in creative and critical thinking. 

We give thanks for learners seeking to demonstrate kindness, listening and respecting one another as they contribute to our learning together in community. 

We give thanks for all staff who support learning directly and indirectly; for each person who contributes to God’s work at the college. 

We give thanks in knowing that the knowledge and skills developed within students at the College will one day be used for Kingdom purposes. 

We give thanks for all parents and families who partner with us as we encourage each child to use their God-given talents. 

Most of all, we give thanks to Jesus for the privilege of learning about His world, in a community that seeks to honour Him in all that we do.