Emporia Presbyterian Manor
NOVEMBER 2021
What are you thankful for? It’s November, a month for giving thanks. Psalm 100 advises us to, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name” (KJV). It should be no surprise that the psalmist was onto something: Some contemporary researchers have found a link between gratitude and better emotional and physical health. Thanksgiving continues a tradition begun in 1621, when Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people shared an autumn harvest feast. Colonies and states continued Maria Lane, director of social to celebrate different days of Thanksgiving services until 1863. Then, when the country was torn apart by the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln instituted a National Day of Thanks.
Reserve your holiday luminaria today The 4th Annual Emporia Presbyterian Manor Luminaria Lighting Ceremony is just around the corner, so don’t miss your opportunity to reserve a luminaria for yourself or in honor of someone you love. Each Luminaria is $25 and are available through Nov. 29. All proceeds benefit the PMMA Good Samaritan Program. To reserve yours, visit giving.presbyterianmanors.org/up coming-events or call 620-3432613. Be sure to attend the drive-thru ceremony for cookies and cocoa at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. Luminarias will stay lit through Jan. 7, 2022. u
Perhaps Lincoln was thinking of Psalm 100. Or maybe he sensed what positive psychology researchers have been telling us: that giving thanks brings people together and improves their well-being in the process. We sat down with a few Emporia Presbyterian Manor residents and staff members to find out what they are thankful for. Virginia Pester, resident “I am thankful for having a nice place to call home, my friends and my faith.” Maria Lane, director of social services “I am grateful for being able to provide window and iPad chats when visitor restrictions are in place. I enjoy connecting residents and their families.”
Thankful – continued on page 3
Mason jar luminaries with solarpowered lights are hung from hooks placed along the sidewalks. Each has a tag with the name of the person for whom the luminary was purchased.
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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