Each week in the Viewpoints feature FāVS asks its writers to respond to a timely question about faith and ethics.
This week’s question comes on the heels of Thanksgiving:
What pieces of advice would you pass on to the next generation as they establish their own Thanksgiving (holiday) traditions?
Andy Castrolang: Right off the bat I would say this: focus FIRST on the relationships, and only after you prioritize the people, then you can focus on the food, the dishes, the pretty decorations.
Too many meals are ruined by perfectionism, some “ideal” that has been put in the heads of the hosts by magazines, by pictures. Get rid of them and focus on friendship, laughter, human connection.
Luke Grayson: Family is the people you have built, not always the ones you’re born into. Going home for the holidays can be stressful, so it’s good to do something a few days after to build yourself back up.
For my kids this means we do queer Thanksgiving the Saturday after, where they all come home, hang out with their chosen/adopted family, and get reminded that being who they are doesn’t make them worth any less or any less lovable, and that their chosen names will always be respected. It means that they will always be loved as they are, and they will never be asked to dull down who they are to be accepted in our home.
- Silence the anger and add forgiveness, mercy to the media conversations - April 10, 2018
- Viewpoints: Thanksgiving Traditions - November 29, 2017
- “Prayer is my communion” - November 25, 2017
- Showing up for our young people - September 27, 2017
- Generosity and compassion appear at the most unexpected moments - May 24, 2017
- To speak, or to be silent? - April 27, 2017
- Organizing: Turning fear into anger, despair into courage - February 1, 2017
- Eco theologian to speak tomorrow at Westminster about earth, need for change - October 31, 2016
- Viewpoints: Faith and accountability - October 10, 2016
- Bullying in politics - September 27, 2016
- Chase Youth Awards recognizes Freeman High - March 19, 2018
- Viewpoints: Thanksgiving Traditions - November 29, 2017
- Spokane’s heart problem - October 28, 2017
- Millennials feeling righteous anger - May 7, 2017
- How to be a better ally to the transgender community - October 17, 2016
- Prayer for abusers, but pray for victims too - August 16, 2016
- For many people gay clubs are a sanctuary - June 13, 2016
- South Carolina – An Issue of Human Rights - April 10, 2016
- Finding closure by saying goodbye to an old church - March 9, 2016
- What Christmas means when you don’t have a family - December 29, 2015