Hey everyone…a quick heads-up to remind you that we WILL be gathering this Sunday at our usual venue, Creative Manitoba, at the usual time. I thought it was worth leading with that because some years we’ve not gathered on the Sunday nearest to New Years Eve / Day, but this year the calendar didn’t seem to support that approach, so we’re on!

A huge shout out to everyone that helped to make our Christmas celebration such a wonderful evening! To Lisa for helping the space to be beautiful and the food and drink to be organized, to the folks that shared the gifts of their reflections, experiences and traditions (more on that this coming Sunday morning), to the musicians, to the young creative powerhouses of the Kids Table who wrote and performed an original song(!), to everyone that contributed to the feast of both food and conversation – thank you! Christmas can be a complex season, and it felt to me like we were able to celebrate without shying way from that complexity. That felt “right”, at least to me.

This week the Talky Bit will focus on a kind of “year in review”. I know we’re surrounded by lists these days, so I’ll stay clear of that approach and instead focus on the power of gratitude and thankfulness. We’ll have a short primer on the difference between those two ideas and then an opportunity to practice (or at least to consider what those things might look like for us in practical terms). Kids Table will be on; we’ll sing some, we’ll have a chance to connect with one another….it’ll be good.

Also, a reminder that if you wish to support the ongoing existence of The Table as an entity by giving financially and receive a tax receipt for this calendar year, there are still four days remaining in which you can do so. If you are present on Sunday you can do that by cash, cheque or debit machine. Otherwise, cheques made out to “The Table” and postmarked before midnight on the 31st as well as online donations made by clicking on the Donate Now button on our website are also eligible. All donations over $10.00 will be receipted, as long as contact information for the donor is provided. Thank you to everyone that helps to make this community’s ongoing gathering possible. We have so much to be grateful for.

I’ll see you on Sunday.

Peace and Joy to you,

Tim Plett