Plymouth Magazine-Fall26-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 57
ABOUT THE POTLUCK
You can also celebrate this day by
bringing a special potluck dish for the
meal that will precede the service and
flow into the traditional “table talk”
component that is Plymouth on a
Saturday night. This potluck has been
a part of the Saturday Night All Saints
service for several years now. Many of
those who contribute bring in a special
family recipe to share, such as their loved
one’s favorite cookies or casserole, etc.
We encourage all potluck participants to
plan that their dish can serve at least 10.
Distribution of copies of the recipe or a
placard that names the recipe and your
loved ones are encouraged!
YOU ARE ALSO INVITED TO
HONOR YOUR DEAD AT HOME
To enrich your own spiritual experience
of honoring deceased friends and
family, learn about the history and
cultural aspects of Dia de los Muertos
or of other faith traditions. Read, watch
documentaries, or attend talks, such as
those from Mexican cultural centers.
Understanding Christianity’s All Saints
traditions across Indigenous or personal
roots can deepen your connection
to meaningful spiritual practice and
prevents superficiality.
1. Attend a community event rather than
hosting a themed party. For example, in
Des Moines, cultural organizations often
hold public Día de Muertos events. Go
as a learner, not a performer. Observe
how families honor their loved ones.
Participate quietly or with enthusiasm,
but above all, participate respectfully.
2. Honor your own dead or ancestors
in your own cultural language. You
don’t need to adopt Mexican symbols if
they don’t feel authentic. You can blend
traditions, using ideas like these (or your
own) that keep the observances tied to
deeper meaning than mere decoration.
All Saint’s celebrations are about
connection, not aesthetics.
• Light a candle like your family might
have.
• Say a prayer from your own
background.
• Share stories of your loved ones or
find a poem that brings elements of
their life or of your grief into focus.
Laugh. Cry. Celebrate your loved
one’s quirks.
• Cook their favorite meal, play their
favorite song, and enjoy your favorite
photos.
3. Make offerings of gratitude. Offerings
can be symbolic: A letter expressing what
you learned from them, perhaps mailed
to another family member- or perhaps
kept in a keepsake box for yourself. An
annual reading of this type of letter or
written material can help us all trace
our grief journey and how we might be
growing through it.
4. At both Plymouth and community
celebrations, avoid costume elements
unless invited or unless they are authentic
to you and yours. For example, sugarskull face paint and stylized skeleton
costumes have deep cultural meaning in
the Mexican traditions. Wearing them
casually can feel disrespectful. But if
you have family garments or are invited
to a community celebration where it’s
appropriate, relish the chance to express
yourself through clothing.
JOIN THE PLANNING TEAM
OR FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Plymouth Member Robin
Heinemann (robinheinemann.pres@
gmail.com) or Pastor Luke Stringer
(lstringer@plymouthchurch.com).
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