Dear Friends....

Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you more peace and love
than I can express.

I'm curious. What does the phrase "Happy Thanksgiving"
conjure up for you? Does it warm your heart and bring
sweet memories to mind? The joy of children's
laughter, playing among fall leaves, while parents set
the table with homemade whipped potatoes, turkey and
pies? Heads bowed as thanks is given?

Does it remind you of how diversely different groups,
like the Pilgrims and the Native People (American
Indians) came together to celebrate, even in the midst
of great fear and the inability to communicate? And
because of their courage a tradition was born....?
"Enemies" coming together to share peace and harmony.
That is powerful stuff. And not the stuff of fiction.

Well, for me, Thanksgiving is my favorite time of
year. I can reflect on all the kindnesses shared with
my family and me, all the moments where I have been
given an opportunity to expand my thinking, my heart,
my gifts...And, most of all, I can enjoy sharing a
prayer on behalf of, and gratitude with, those I love,
from neighbors next door to friends in faraway places.
I can be thankful for being alive and for the
opportunity to serve.

This week, I experienced something very compelling on
why courage is necessary in our world, which is
forever growing smaller and seemingly, on some fronts,
more fearful. Bear with me as I share this
amazing true story. It is a Thanksgiving gift wish I
long to share with you.

A local church here in Austin had agreed to allow the
Austin Area Interreligious Ministries to hold it's
annual interfaith Thanksgiving
feast. After six months of planning, complete with
invitations mailed and caterers pre-paid and only four
days before the event, the church backed out. Here was
what they shared with us:

"Although individuals from all faiths are welcome to
worship with us, the church cannot provide space for
the practice of these non-Christian religions on
church property. We hope that AAIM and the community
of faith will understand and be tolerant of our
church's beliefs that have resulted in this decision."

It just happens that I am blessed to sit on the board
of AAIM, where I am honored to work with and know
people of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Baha'i, Catholic,
Hindu and many other faith traditions. We believe that
together we can enhance community well being and the
quality of life in Austin better than any of us could
do on our own. Our goal is to bring faith communities
together to foster mutual partnership and
transformation in the interest of the common good.
Because, as I said: It's a small world.

Alongside helping to organize the Thanksgiving
celebration (which has been gathering for 23 years
violence free), we have Hands on Housing, which, for
example, brings Jews and Muslims together to help fix
low-income homes.

So, being informed of the fact with, now, only three
days to find a new location, knowing that hundreds of
people would be going to a place that no longer
welcomed us, was heartbreaking and shocking to each of
us on the board, Christians included.

And, then, the proverbial miracle happened.

Congregation Beth Israel welcomed the entire event to
come celebrate in their place of worship. Immediately.
Without hesitation. Knowing full well that this year
the event was being hosted by the Muslim community.

And, so, on Sunday, almost 2000 people of varying
religions came together to share their prayers, to
share food and laughter, and to learn more about one
another so that we can be a world of tolerence,
understanding, and peace.

My hope is that, one day, all hearts can be moved to
recognize that God is too big to fit inside one
religion. That the Golden Rule applies to each of us
as individuals, which might be why religion has their
own version of the same thought. I've included four
here:

Christian
In everything, do unto others as you would have them
do unto you, for this is the law and the
prophets.....Jesus, Matthew 7:12

Islam
Not one of you truly believes until you wish for
others what you wish for yourself...The Prophet
Muhammad, Hadith

Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.
This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary.
Hillel, Talmud, Shabbat 13a

Buddhism
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find
hurtful.
The Buddha Udana-Varga 5.18

Or, returning to my first paragraph of people of
different idealogy coming together, I'd like to end
with a quote from Chief Dan George:
" We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive."

Thank you for blessing me, and Happy Thanksgiving with
those you love...
Gratefully,
Sara

UPCOMING DATES:

11/24, Saturday
Chuy's Parade!
Austin, TX
Join Sara and her Super Pals as they float down the streets of Austin in the Children Giving to Children Parade! Parade starts at the State Capitol, heads south on Congress, then west on 6th to Guadalupe. Bring a toy to donate to needy children and have a rockin' good time!
More info at http://www.chuysparade.com/

11/30, Friday
Uncle Calvin's
555 N Central Expy
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 363-0044
25th Anniversary Celebration with:
Sara Hickman, Ruthie Foster, Carrie Newcomber & Tracey
http://www.unclecalvins.org for more info

12/1, Saturday
Crossroads Coffeehouse
216 N. Main Street
Winnsboro TX 75494
903-342-1854
7 pm
$15 advance/$18 door
http://www.crossroadsmusiccompany.com

12/8, Saturday
First Unitarian Universalist Church
7150 IH-10 West
San Antonio, TX
210-344-4695
The Music for Life Tour continues w/ Shelley King.
6pm

1/14/2008, Monday
Burning Bush Coffeehouse
Corpus Christi
Continuing the dialogue with the Music for Life Tour, with Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart.

1/25/2008, Friday
Austin Acoustic Series
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
4700 Grover Avenue, Austin TX
8pm
Sara kicks off the 2008 Austin Acoustic Series Season with a show in her beloved hometown. Tickets for this event are $20. http://www.austinacousticseries.com for more information.
Tickets 888.512.SHOW