Baha’is of New Castle Children’s Choir
By Rachel Rosin
November 23, 2007
Thanks to George Washington, America celebrated its first Thanksgiving on November 26, 1789.
In his proclamation to Congress our first president asked that:
“The day be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be——that we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks.”
Americans have certainly taken his proclamation seriously and over the course of the last 218 years as a nation we’ve found diverse ways of thanking each of our own “glorious Beings.”
Interdenominational Thanksgiving service observes diverse traditions
One wonderful example of that religious diversity was illustrated by the Chappaqua Interfaith Council at its Thanksgiving service and dinner held on Sunday night, Nov. 18, at the First Congregational Church. Each of the member faiths of the council participated in this annual event, a town tradition for over twenty years. Members of the Chappaqua Interfaith Council include the Baha’is of New Castle; the Chappaqua Friends Meeting; the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Episcopal; the First Congregational Church: the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer; the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco; St. John and St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester; and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society.
The service was led by Rabbi Joshua Davidson, president of the Chappaqua Interfaith Council. He stated, “We who represent nine different faith communities can learn something about one another by listening to the way we pray. So in creating this service tonight, we chose to invite representatives from our various communities to contribute in the manner of their own traditions, calling on God by the names to which they are accustomed … even incorporating their sacred languages.”
And so they came to the front of the sanctuary, to pray and to sing: the children’s choruses; the Bell Ringers; the men’s choir; and the various clergy and speakers, each contributing in their own way to the richness of the service.
Council’s Faith in Action initiative
In addition, Elinor Griffith, a member of the Council from St. John and St. Mary’s Church, spoke about the council’s current Faith in Action initiative. In the past the council has been involved with A-HOME, Neighbor’s Link and My Second Home. This year the council is supporting the Open Door Family Medical Center in Mount Kisco, which provides critical primary care and treatment to the uninsured and underinsured. “With help from all our congregations, and with additional financial support from the Rotary Club,” reported Griffith, “we will be able to equip an empty examination room. And, surprise, we’re even able to provide a little extra money so that Open Door can start [furnishing] the next one.”
Pot luck dinner includes contributions from the Kittle House and D’Agostinos
The service was followed by a Thanksgiving buffet dinner for more than 200 people, thanks to the generous contributions of many congregational volunteers and community donors including Crabtree’s Kittle House (all the turkey, gravy, stuffing and potatoes) and D’Agostinos.
At the conclusion of the meal, Rabbi Davidson reminded the attendees, “And so when we come together we should also acknowledge that it’s because of America’s gift of religious liberty that each of us is able to openly be who we are … .and celebrate and worship as we would wish to … and that’s worth giving thanks for.”
Elinor Griffith tells the good news about Interfaith Council funds for Open Door
Bell Ringers from the First Congregational Church
Beth El Junior Choir
Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner
Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner
Imam Ismael, Upper Westchester Muslim Society
Rabbi Josh Davidson
Tej Anand, speaker from the Sikh Community
Copyright 2008 NewCastleNOW.org