For three consecutive years during Thanksgiving week, community faith leaders here in Vero Beach have gathered together to celebrate their “Unity in Diversity.” This year’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach, coordinated by Reverend Scott Alexander.
“In this divisive times when there are still so many fears and misunderstandings between people of differing faiths, it is so important for us to come together as one community here in Vero Beach, to express our gratitude for one another, and express our appreciation for the tapestry of faith that we so richly have here on the Treasure Coast,” said Rev. Alexander.
This local tradition began as an outpouring of love following the June 12, 2016, Pulse nightclub terror attack in Orlando. Answering that violence with peace, an Interfaith Service of Thanksgiving was initiated by Community Church of Vero Beach, led by Reverend Bob Baggott. Since that time, senseless violence has continued to strike too many, including Jewish and Muslim communities around the world.
Rabbi Michael Birnholz says of the event, “This celebration of community ahead of Thanksgiving is awesome and vital. We have to come together with our different voices and traditions so that we can make our offering of appreciation of the blessings of our lives into something more than the sum of its parts. Metaphors abound as we weave tapestries and create harmonies, reinforcing, lifting up and appreciating each other.”
Local Hospital Chaplain Mindy Serafin and Pastor Jack Diehl, of Our Savior Lutheran Church, host a monthly Interfaith community ministers luncheon at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital to further interfaith dialogue and action.
Pastor Diehl writes, “This is also a part of ongoing interfaith lunch conversations held on the last Tuesday of every month at the hospital, where some wonderful connections are made between our various and diverse faith communities.”
This year’s shared voices of Thanksgiving will include Reverend Dan Holloway, of Unity Spiritual Center, Swami Dhumavati, of Kashi Ashram, Imam Derrick Peat, of the Islamic Center of the Treasure Coast, and Rabbi Michael Birnholz, of Temple Beth Shalom.
A rich musical tapestry will be woven with the spoken word representing Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and numerous other faith traditions. A combined choir, conducted by Dr. Jason Hobratschk, Music Director of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Vero Beach will fill the hall with music of thanksgiving. Paula Herger, Music director of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach will be a the grand piano.
A free will offering will allow participants to show a tangible expression of thanks. Proceeds will benefit the Food Pantry of Indian River County.
All are invited to the service, which will begin at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served in the lobby following the service, to give attendees a chance for fellowship and conversation.
For more information, call the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach 772 778-5880, or write office@uufvb.org
