Thanksgiving Feast

by Maggie Vande Vrede

Thanksgiving is a fantastic holiday! What other holiday truly has us focus on how blessed we are, and invites us to share those blessings with others? This past Sunday, the Reliant family gathered to do just that.

We had over 60 people join us at Crave Coffeehouse, some of for whom this was their first exposure to Reliant. A few of the guest were people who are intimated by church, but hopefully after a positive experience at this event, they will feel a little more welcome.

After a HUGE meal (the bounty of the table was truly overwhelming- thanks to everyone who helped to prepare food!), there was the much anticipated pie contest. Four judges (Bobbi Cloeter, Jon Graf, Julia Gorski, & Michael Vande Vrede) selflessly tasted over a dozen pies to determine the winners. Connie Kruse & Bryan Powell came in first with a scrumptious chocolate-pecan pie. Maggie Vande Vrede placed second with a non-traditional caramel-apple cheesecake-pie, and Megan Rouse won third place with her first-ever pie, “Mom’s Cherry Pie”. These pies, along with many other amazing pies, were quickly devoured by all.

Reliant also took this time to remember and pray for our members who have left Reliant to go to other mission fields. We still consider these people to be part of our family and they are never far from our hearts! We sent messages to them with the following Bible verses:

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-5

The Thanksgiving Feast was truly that- a feast- for both our bodies and our spirits. Our bodies were filled with incredible food, and our spirits were replenished with fellowship and love. Happy Thanksgiving from Reliant!