Annual Interfaith Gathering

Monday evening, members from Beth Israel Congregation, Fayetteville Friends Meeting, St. James Lutheran Church, St. Paul's in the Pines Episcopal Church, Crossroads Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with members at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church to "Give thanks for our differences as well as our commonalities."

(Pictured from left to right, Aya Hansen and President Shawn Skinner, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Reverend Jaye White, Crossroads United Methodist; Michelle Downey, Fayetteville Friends Meeting; Reverend Nancee Cekuta, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church; Rabbi Dov Goldberg, Beth Israel Congregation; Susan Lees, Fayetteville Friends Monthly Meeting; Jacky Hummel, St. James Lutheran Church)

Jacky Hummel, read remarks written by Reverend John Locke (who could not attend). "A Thanksgiving Reading and Prayer" discussed how, "If you want to be thankful but you can’t do it, make a list of God’s gifts of creation. ...You’ll run out of ink and paper before you get to the bottom, and like him, you may suddenly realize that “all this is done out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all.”She then offered a prayer.

Michelle Downey shared how she loves to weed her driveway but how it feels it never gets completed, relating to how sometimes we look at all the issues in society and feel overwhelmed, but shared,"Sometimes the scope of our work might encompass a significant area in our life…other times we might only focus on improving a very small spot–perhaps our relationship with just one particular person." When we weed our spot it adds up. She further added that, "Quakers have a phrase, “to see that of God” in everyone. This is not an

automatic behavior for people, but instead must be a consciously made choice, even when that one is a very hard move to make." Treat others seeing them as God does.

Rabbi Dov Goldberg briefly shared a few points about the Jewish culture. One of which is that they recite 100 blessings each day! Jewish blessings are about praising God and expressing gratitude. He then beautifully sang the "Blessing for Differences" which is traditionally recited at the conclusion of the Sabbath.

President Shawn Skinner then offered a prayer of Thanksgiving, thanking the Lord for friends, family, freedoms, our community, and one another.

Reverend Nan Cekuta concluded the meeting with a scriptural reading of Genesis 45:1-15.

Refreshments were provided by the Crossroads United Methodist and The Church of Jesus Christ. 80-85 people attended with others asking to participate next year. It was a beautiful evening for all!