Learning Thanksgiving From The Pilgrims, Pawtuxet and Wampanoags
Every Thanksgiving the Schenck family assembles in our native home of Western New York State to celebrate the epitome of American holidays. I say epitome because Thanksgiving captures what is at the heart of our American culture: gratitude to God for everything we enjoy.
The first generation of European refugees that came to Plymouth in what would become the commonwealth of Massachusetts—that’s right, I said refugees— faced daunting challenges to their survival . . .
Hmm, before before I go on any further though, I probably should explain my use of that term, “refugees.”
The settlers at Plymouth, where that “first Thanksgiving” would take place in 1621, were searching for freedom from fear and intimidation linked to the particular practice of their Christian faith, thus, the moniker of “Pilgrim.” Actually known as “Puritans,” they advocated for a very simple expression of Christian religion. Banned and often brutalized in England, the Puritans searched for a place they could freely and comfortably practice their spirituality. After a false start in the Netherlands, they set sail for North America, landing at Plymouth Rock.
While several other events in the Americas could legitimately lay claim to the title of “First Thanksgiving,” the feast at Plymouth is certainly one of the earliest and most prominent. The whole story is a fascinating one, including, of course, the attending guests of honor, Squanto of the Pawtuxet Nation and members of the Wampanoag. It was because of the help of these native peoples that the European Plymouth inhabitants had survived the nearly intolerable winter.
During the feast the Plymouth Pilgrims and their guests gave thanks to God for the land they tilled, the harvest they had gathered and the aid of the native population that had taught them New World farming techniques. Over time, the relationship between the First Peoples and the Refugees would deteriorate, but for this early celebration, they rejoiced together.
This Thanksgiving, my family and I, like those early Plymouth refugees, have others to thank for helping us to survive. The many friends of Faith and Action—financial supporters, prayer partners, volunteers and other boosters–have been God’s lifeline to us. Our list is too long to invite you to the family feast, but please know we’ll be naming you in our prayers of thanksgiving!
May you and all yours have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Rob +
