INTERFAITH SERVICE

 

As an annual tradition, an Interfaith Service

held the twentieth of November in honor of

Thanksgiving.

 

Organized by the Grand Valley Interfaith Network,

at the Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley

attendees of many Faiths gathered for the Service.

 

A most delightful, solemn series of presentations

reflecting many faiths of the Grand Valley included;

Prayers led by Rev. Michael Torphy and Hymns by

members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation,

Marta Delgado did a spiritual Native American Blessing,

Pastor Dan Wilkie, First Congregational Church told us a

Thanksgiving Story of soil, farms, for everyone needs food,

Sister Karen Bland, Catholic Outreach, led us in a graceful

Responsive Prayer, Ram Dhan chanted a beautiful Sihk Prayer

while simultaneously playing the tune on the Harmonium,

Kamel Moawwad explained the difference while illustrating a

 Muslim Cleansing, before beginning ritual prayer one must

carry out the prescribed ablutions (ritual acts of washing),

to be followed by the ‘canonical’ ritual prayer (salat),

David Eisner, Congregation Ohr Shalom,  presented an

ancient Hebrew prayer which is a special blessing for the

festival of Sukkot, a Harvest festival, most appropriate for Thanksgiving,

 while Rev. Ron Powers, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church,

gave all a much appreciated Benediction.

 

Personally, I was touched by the common threads

that the various faiths demonstrated in their concern

for the welfare, the spiritual and temporal well being

of all mankind, together with their compassion, their

willingness to perform Outreach services for the needy,

for the oppressed, to help feed, clothe, medicate, nurture -

giving at the same time hope to their depressed spirits.

 

Herbert Holzbauer
© December 2007

"Midi: "Fill My Cup"
(www.grandpaschober.com)

Art : "The First Thanksgiving"
Artist: Jean Louis Gerome Ferris
(commons.wikimedia.org)