Moments of Grace: Gratitude in Service

As we enter this Thanksgiving season devoted to gratitude, it can be challenging to notice grace amid the many pressures facing our ministries and the communities we serve. On November 11, CHHSM agencies in the UCC’s Missouri Mid-South Conference gathered for Tending to the Cuts: How Changes in Federal Funding Are Affecting Our Collective Ministries. Representatives from ministries such as Unleashing Potential and Isaiah 58 Ministries, both based in St. Louis, shared firsthand how federal funding changes have threatened essential services, what they anticipate in the months ahead. Their stories highlighted a reality many CHHSM organizations across the country are experiencing: rising needs, stretched resources, and the weight of uncertainty that comes with federal cuts affecting food, healthcare, housing support, and other basic services.

These challenges are compounded by the recently-ended government shutdown, which has already disrupted paychecks, social programs, and travel at a time when people long to be with family. Economic instability ripples through households and organizations alike, adding stress to the very communities our ministries exist to serve. Yes, in moments like these it can be hard to see grace. 

And yet, grace continues to appear; often quietly and unexpectedly. It is evident in the resilience of the people our organizations serve, and it is revealed in the steadfast presence of the staff and volunteers who show up day after day, committed to offering dignity, care, and hope as they fulfill their mission despite unprecedent uncertainty. Their courage to continue, to hope, and to seek connection amid challenging circumstances is a profound witness to the enduring presence of God.  

These small, sacred moments may not erase the challenges our ministries face in this moment, but they anchor us in the truth that our work is meaningful because it meets human needs with compassion and care. These moments of grace demonstrate the holy work that occurs at CHHSM ministries every day, work that quietly transforms lives. Grace does not wait for perfect conditions; it rises amid struggle and sustains those who keep serving and those who are served.

So, as we move into this season of gratitude, let us all take time to notice the grace that persists around us despite the turmoil that surrounds us. Gratitude is not a denial of hardship; it is a spiritual practice that helps us see God’s presence even when circumstances are uncertain, and it strengthens us for the work we are called to continue to do.