Bishop Bos's Thanksgiving Message 2025

Dear family of God,

In the United States, we celebrate a day of Thanksgiving each November. While many of our immigrant neighbors did not celebrate this day in their homelands, they often join in our national holiday as they integrate into American society. This day was started as something of a religious observance but has easily transformed into a time of feasting with loved ones, even for those who do not have a faith tradition.

In other words, the day has become about food, often called “Turkey Day.” I have always been uneasy with the focus on the meal, but I understand it is a joyful way to talk about a time to be together.

As Christians, we praise a gracious God who cares about our basic needs. Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread. He taught that even the sparrows do not worry about their food, that God will provide. And yet, we know many people in our nation will not have enough food this Thanksgiving, or into the winter months. What do people of faith do? As Pope Francis taught, “We pray for the hungry. And then we feed them. That is how prayer works.”

Victoria Villa, Pastor Jim Mericle and I were with Altadena Meals on Wheels last week, celebrating the $50,000 grant they received from Lutheran Disaster Response. They shared that much money would cover their food costs for nearly two years. I produced a video last week recounting my witnessing a massive food distribution in Altadena. Over the weekend I met a man with two very young children outside a grocery store, the youngest crying with hunger. “We are struggling,” he admitted. The hungry are everywhere, probably in our congregations, definitely in our children’s schools and in our neighborhoods.

Remember, we serve a God of abundance. While our congregations cannot solve hunger issues in our nation, we can make intentional, impactful steps to make sure people have food. Our gratitude this year can include donations, volunteering, asking those who work in food ministries what they need. If you are not able to donate food or money, you can still be part of the solution: pray for those in need and see where you might assist.

If you are a hungry person, ask your pastor where you can get resources. There is no shame in being hungry. The tragedy is in suffering alone. We must work together to care for the Body of Christ.

Remember the teaching: “We pray for the hungry. And then we feed them. That is how prayer works.” May our prayers be fervent this holiday season.