Thanksgiving Evening at Reunion--To Be a Pilgrim

My sister Joella had suggested that on Thanksgiving evening all the school age children have a presentation about the First Thanksgiving, which came under the title, "To Be a Pilgrim." Each child shared a little bit of history about his choice of character in the First Thanksgiving story. I had lost my camera along the way somewhere, and only have a few pictures of that most interesting evening. Candace and the other girls made cute white paper Pilgrim caps and capes for the girls, and the boys had various costumes.

Here the boys are getting ready. One was Governor Bradford. Gabey was naughty Francis Billington.  Jonathan Bradford, wearing a coonskin, was the son of Samoset. Danny Morley and Jonathan Bradford were all Indians. My Danny was an Indian brave who chased the turkey for the Thanksgiving feast. (see Jonathan in the feedsack turkey costume below)

Rose represented Rose Standish, who perished from falling into icy water from the Mayflower ship in January of that awful first year in America. Charity Bradford had quite a little history about Priscilla Alden. I was amazed at how much work the other families had put into this lovely presentation.

Then the younsters sang patriotic songs together, "Land of the pilgrim's pride..." and "O beautiful for pilgrim feet...."

Kezia's girls quoted the 100th Psalm. 

My mom and Dad sang a cute little song, "Side by Side."

Then different family groups shared a song or two each. Gabriel's family sang a beautiful rendition based on Psalm 100.

Elon and Fain's family sang a new song they had learned.

Elon led in singing a couple familiar Thanksgiving hymns, and Fain slipped up to try to play Dad's bass fiddle. 

He did a great job!

Strangers and pilgrims we are on this earth. 

Flawed and faulted, not one of us worthy of others looking unto for their salvation.

Ceasing to look to ourselves or to others,

we pilgrims follow the only Perfect Leader, Shepherd, King and Priest. 

And as we journey, we sing.

And the songs we sing have such a way of lifting our spirits,

and lifting our sights above this world of sin and pain 

to Christ, and the City to which we travel.