Interfaith Thanksgiving Service to Be Held in South Windsor

From a release:

Temple Beth Hillel (TBH) of South Windsor will be hosting the 30th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Monday, November 25 at 7 p.m.

Several local Jewish, Christian and Muslim congregations have been invited including: Wapping Church, First Church, St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Connecticut Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church, Unity Church, South Windsor Islamic Community and St. Margaret Marys Catholic Church. 

This interfaith service will consist of clergy leaders from a wide variety of congregations leading different portions of the Thanksgiving service.

Over 200 people are expected to attend this interfaith Thanksgiving service which is open to the public. South Windsor, Connecticut Mayor Saud Anwar will be attending.

“Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season with Hanukkah and Christmas just weeks away,” said TBH Co-Vice President of the Religious Practices Committee Carrie Ward.” 

“These holidays focus on religion. Thanksgiving focuses on the blessing of the harvest. Thanksgiving is celebrated throughout the United States by almost all religious and spiritual organizations being a non-sectarian holiday. Whether you are an interfaith couple or family, this is a great opportunity to come, share, celebrate, learn, and grow by experiencing a wide and diverse variety of prayer, thought and culture. By doing so we have the opportunity of witnessing how similar we all are.” 

Ward adds: “A community event such as this builds greater understanding, tolerance, respect and warm bonds between us all. I trust that this special cultural event in the Greater Hartford, Central Connecticut area will serve as an inspiration to other congregations throughout Connecticut and the United States.”

Temple Beth Hillel President Jeff Weinman said: “We are very proud and excited to be hosting this year's Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. It is a great opportunity for the Greater Hartford, South Windsor, West Hartford, East Hartford, Middletown, Vernon and Manchester, Connecticut communities to come together with a common spirit and offer thanks.

“Thanksgiving is the perfect time for us to come together. Originally intended to rejoice in our bounty, President Abraham Lincoln saw it as the most effective way to bring the North and South together after the Civil War,” said Rabbi Jeff Glickman of Temple Beth Hillel. “We in South Windsor, Ct. are finding the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service as a way to rejoice in our diversity.” 

Temple Beth Hillel is seeking volunteers to help with the ushering and welcoming of visitors to their house of worship. If interested in helping to prepare for this special event, please contact Carrie Ward at Carriekw4 at gmail.com.