Churches, synagogues join for annual interfaith service
Daily Herald
11-19-05
By Steve Zalusky
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Thanksgiving is about more than just eating turkey.
It’s about bringing people together.
In Buffalo Grove each year, this is done through prayer during the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council’s annual interfaith Thanksgiving service.
This year, the 14th edition will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove.
The service brings together eight synagogues and churches from the area.
Following the service, refreshments will be offered and guests can mingle with the clergy and the community.
Diane Popper, the council’s president, said the service is open to anyone, adding that one does not necessarily have to belong to a synagogue or church.
“The intent is to bring together the entire community to give thanks,” Popper said, noting that Thanksgiving is the one nonreligious holiday where people of all faiths can come together and pray.
Speakers at the service will include the Rev. Marc W. Reszel, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove; Rabbi Matthew Berger of Temple Chai in Long Grove; and the Rev. Margaret Gramley, senior pastor of Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove.
The service will also feature music, including a combined bell choir, directed by Pat Avery, from Hope Lutheran Church in Long Grove and Kingswood United Methodist Church.
There will also be a combined children’s chorus directed by Beth Am’s Lori Lapping and an adult choir directed by Beth Am’s Mary Ann Alexander.
Beth Am Cantor Diane Yomtov will perform the cantorial solo.
Yomtov said she has also been working with Alexander, the congregation’s music director, preparing the choirs.
“It has been wonderful,” she said, adding, “We would like to do more things to reach out to the community at large.
top
|
