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Dear Ed,

This season of gratitude comes in a heavy year—war and violence abroad, division at home, and quiet griefs that never make the news. It can feel hard to find space to give thanks.

But as people of faith, we believe that noticing small, everyday gifts is one way we resist despair. Gratitude doesn’t ignore injustice; it reminds us why the struggle for justice matters.

So our SojoAction team is sharing one glimpse of gratitude from each of our lives—a family moment, a community gathering, a spiritual practice, a simple joy. We hope these snapshots offer a more human picture of the people behind your action alerts and show how grateful we are to be in this work with you.

Cortnie Brooks - Digital Education and Outreach Specialist

I am grateful for spontaneous adventures with my family that will build lasting memories together. We captured Northern lights for the first time. Recently, we jumped into the car at night to drive to a dark field to stand out in the cold and experience wonder. We had never seen them so vividly before, we were completely awestruck.

Chad Stanton - Political Director

This year, I’m thankful for all of the people who have decided to take actions both large and small to protect and uplift each other. In this moment of duress, people are showcasing their ability to build and live in community with intention and care. So many people across the country are working together right now, and thinking strategically about how to work more effectively; it’s the most important and hopeful sign for us all.

Kassandra Tapia - Digital Content and Community Specialist

I’m grateful for my local church and the amazing community of women who inspire me to stay faithful in my walk with Jesus and remind me that I am deeply loved. Together we pray, laugh, and lift each other up. This month, I lost my grandmother, and while it has been hard, I’ve felt an overwhelming outpouring of love through calls, texts, home visits, and more. Even in the midst of loss, I feel blessed to know I can count on my community of faith.

Bryan Epps - Chief Program and Impact Officer

I am so grateful for the gift of fatherhood and for my son’s ascendance into health after a few challenging years. Watching him find his footing has deepened my sense of hope and reminded me why nurturing resilience, at home and in the world, matters. That same spirit shows up for me every day in the Sojo Action team: the creativity, compassion, and insistence on building a more just future by this team is inspiring. I’m thankful to be surrounded by colleagues who move with heart, and who make freedom more real every day.

Trinity Williams - Policy and Action Assistant

This Thanksgiving I am reflecting on how blessed I am to see a number of my family members reach incredibly high ages with good health. This month, my great aunt turned 100 and my grandpa turned 90, and the result has been such beautiful conversations with family, storytelling, sharing gifts, and being all together. Here’s a photo of my grandpa with his birthday present I bought in from NY. He’s the biggest NY Mets fan on the planet.

Moya Harris - Senior Director of Programs

I am thankful for sweet potato pie. This holiday season, I’m thankful for sweet potato pie and the memories it holds. My father, who passed away earlier this year, used to bake them for Thanksgiving and Christmas—a tradition that began with a recipe he found in a Pet Milk ad when I was a little girl. Over time, he made it his own, and now I’ve done the same. As I bake, I feel his presence in the warm spices, the smell of sweet potatoes, and the joy on my family’s faces. Though I can't see him, I know he's with me—and for that, I’m deeply grateful.

As you scroll through our stories, we hope you recognize a shared longing for a more just, compassionate, beloved community—and a stubborn belief that such a future is still possible.

We’re deeply thankful for you: for your prayers, presence, actions, and generosity. Your partnership is one of the gifts we carry into this work.

Wherever you are this season, may you find rest, connection, and courage. We’re grateful to be on this journey with you.

With gratitude, on behalf of the SojoAction Team,

Cortnie