Gratitude reminds us that even in difficult times, we are surrounded by people, places, and resources that can lift us up. When we pause to notice what we are thankful for, family, friends, community, faith, or even small daily joys, we strengthen our ability to stay healthy and resilient. Protective factors like connection to friends and family, generosity, and belonging help guide us toward positive choices and away from harmful ones.
It is also important to remember that we do not need to face struggles like loneliness or food insecurity alone. Reaching out for support, whether from loved ones, neighbors, or local organizations, can make all the difference. Here in Holliston and surrounding towns, we are fortunate to have strong networks of care that help ensure no one has to carry life’s challenges by themselves.
- Mental Health Services: Holliston Youth and Family Services
- Substance Misuse Services: Holliston Drug & Alcohol Awareness Coalition
- Financial Assistance: Community Action Fund
- Food Insecurity Support: Food Pantry
As we enter November and begin planning for Thanksgiving, the season invites us not only to give thanks but also to practice gratitude in ways that strengthen our community. Conversations with Reverend Nathan Detering of the Unitarian Universalist Area Church next door in Sherborn and Reverend Bonnie Steinroder of the First Congregational Church in Holliston show how gratitude, generosity, and spiritual reflection can turn a holiday tradition into a daily act of resilience.
Introducing Local Faith Leaders
Reverend Nathan Detering serves as Senior Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Area Church, First Parish in Sherborn, where he has led since 2003. A Holliston resident since 2007, Rev. Detering also participates in interfaith collaborations with local clergy.
Reverend Bonnie Steinroder is the minister at the First Congregational Church in Holliston, a congregation rooted in the Christian and Congregationalist tradition. Her leadership centers on service, compassion, and community response.
Practicing Gratitude
Within their congregations, both leaders emphasize gratitude as an action. Rev. Steinroder described her church’s long-standing commitment to generosity, dedicating about 30% of its annual pledge income to outreach. Recently, they helped replace broken freezers at Daniel’s Table, a local food pantry, an act that directly supported food access, a protective factor that helps community members thrive.
Rev. Detering shared that his congregation now gives away their entire Sunday offering to community organizations, raising more than $35,000 last year. “What is beautiful,” he noted, “is that giving has not gone down. If anything, people give more because they see generosity in action.” He also emphasized making sure no one in the community spends Thanksgiving alone, pointing to the role connection plays in protecting against isolation and despair.
Both churches also highlight the importance of food access during the holiday season. Supporting local organizations like the Holliston Pantry Shelf helps ensure neighbors have what they need to thrive, reducing stressors that can otherwise weigh people down.
Messages of Hope
When asked to offer words of hope for this season, Rev. Steinroder reflected, “What happens in our community is in our hands. We already have what we need to ensure everyone is cared for. Too often, people wait for someone else to act. But we all have the agency to make a difference.” She also emphasized honesty and openness, “People often think they are the only ones struggling. But they are not. If we share more openly, about both joys and hardships, we can truly support one another.”
Rev. Detering added, “Let Thanksgiving be a time not just for celebration, but for listening and learning. If someone sees Thanksgiving as a day of mourning, do not dismiss it, ask why. Curiosity leads to deeper connections.” He continued, “If we believe in dialogue, in community, in compassion, then we need to act like it. Put your body where your beliefs are.”
Final Reflections
Both leaders emphasized that gratitude and connection do not require formal religious affiliation. “You do not have to be part of a church or synagogue to find grounding,” said Rev. Steinroder. “It could be a hiking group, a knitting circle, or a volunteer team. But being part of something where people care about each other, that makes all the difference.”
Rev. Detering echoed, “Gratitude does not ignore the pain of the world, it helps us move through it. When we connect with others, give generously, and listen deeply, we create something sacred. Not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.”
This season, whether you gather around a table, serve in your community, or spend quiet time in reflection, remember that gratitude and connection are not only traditions, they are protective factors. As a coalition, we share these reflections because being thankful and celebrating community are more than seasonal themes, they are essential parts of prevention. By highlighting the ways faith leaders and community members are supporting one another and creating spaces of belonging, we shine a light on the factors that reduce the risk of substance misuse and other risky decisions. Our goal is to remind everyone that while challenges like loneliness, food insecurity, and addiction are real, so are the resources, relationships, and strengths within our community that help us stay healthy all year long.
If you or someone you love in Holliston is looking for assistance, please reach out to us at 508-429-0620 and we can point you in the right direction of resources. Happy Holidays!