Thanksgiving

Our Friend Susan Anneveldt invited us to a Thanksgiving Service at the Pieterskerk in Leiden.  The Pilgrims arrived in Leiden in 1609. Their marriages, births, and deaths are recorded in the Pieterskerk and their minister, John Robinson, was buried here. They lived here until 1620 when the went to Plymouth, England, and boarded the Mayflower On Sept. 16, 1620.  The following year to give thanks for their survival, the pilgrims, the Separatists from Leiden, dined with the Native Americans at the first Feast of Thanksgiving.

The American School took part of the program which was about an hour and a half. They presented the colors and gave the pledge of allegiance.  They sang "My Country Tis of Thee", "God Bless America","America the Beautiful" and of course the dutch hymn "We Gather Together". "Amazing Grace", and "God of our Fathers".  The speakers were from different churchs and the Mayor of Leiden spoke.

The church was consecrated in 1121.  Until 1572 it was a catholic church.  Now it is a Dutch reformed church.