The Thanksgiving Feast

What are we grateful for? 

Leading up to the Thanksgiving Feast we had been reading stories centering Native American voices and traditions. Indigenous voices are not always heard during this time of the year even though their history is very much intertwined with Thanksgiving. One book we read was titled We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga written by Traci Sorell who is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The book centers the Cherokee community and the blessings they are grateful for and the challenges that each season brings. While reading the book, the children were inspired to share some of the things they are grateful for. 

"The wind because wind does not blow everytime. It makes air." - Seon

"My mommy and daddy."
​- Ford

"Stinky stuff. The trash truck. They help us." - Whit

"My bunny." - Ava

"My Ahi's." - Ellie

"Ice cream and gummy bears. I’m grateful for going to Louisa’s home." 
​- Mimi

"My mommy and daddy." 
- Bailee

"I’m grateful for my mommy and daddy because they makes me yummy food." - Zari

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Chopping Vegetables

For each part of the Thanksgiving Feast the children were involved. To prepare for the feast, the Rainey Room families and children had the task of chopping zucchini and celery. Meredith, Amba, and Paige joined us in the classroom and supported the children with the chopping. Children thought about what we would be doing with the vegetables and shared their observations as the vegetables changed shape.

"Look I'm chopping!" - Ava

"Do you have one of these (choppers) at home, Meredith?"
​- Bailee

"They're almost small." - Zari

"The vegetables are for the thanksgiving feast." - Mimi

Whit uses both hands to chop zuchini.

"The veggies go in the soup. The soup is for us." - Ellie

"I did it! It’s kinda green, right? They’re pretty big, right?" - Seon

"We’re gonna put these in the soup." - Ford

Louisa attentively chops celery.

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Setting the Table With Centerpieces

One of our most cherished traditions at St. John’s is setting the tables for the Thanksgiving Feast. The table setting began in the morning with special help from Rainey Room parents Nan, James Whitney, Jess, and Courtney. Each classroom took time to make beautiful centerpieces for the tables. The children’s participation in this aspect of the feast is so important to their sense of involvement and ownership. 

The children created whimsical wood and wire sculptures. They also had sewn and embroidered fabric with beads and buttons to function as their place settings. Together, they decided where each centerpiece would be placed and chose the space where their families would sit during the feast.

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Stirring the Soup

The vegetables chopped in the morning were brought downstairs to be added to the big soup. The soup was a vegetarian winter minestrone recipe from Ina Garten. The children were again involved in the making of the soup. Each child had the opportunity to stir and smell the soup. The soup truly embodies the love that  connects our St. John’s community. 

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Chapel

Before it was time to feast, St. John’s children and families joined together in the Sanctuary. The Rainey Room children rang bells and invited everyone to take a moment of silence. The Tucker Room children lit the candles. 

We began singing our chapel songs and then we were joined by a special guest of the St. John’s church, Rev. Gini Gerbasi, who read The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague. 

With our hearts and souls full, we headed to Blake Hall to fill our stomachs with the Thanksgiving Feast.

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The Feast

The children were so excited to share their centerpieces and place settings with their families. We were joined by moms, dads, siblings, and even grandparents. A bowl of the soup we had all worked so hard to make was waiting for us at the table. Louisa’s dad, Greg co-organized the making of the soup and also brought in delicious muffins. The sound of conversation and laughter filled the hall. We are grateful for all of the help and support to make the Thanksgiving Feast such a wonderful day and memory for the Rainey Room children!​

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