In Case You Missed It: Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Poor Sylvester, the donkey. He learned a sad lesson, missing the love and companionship of his family when he unwittingly turned himself into a huge, inanimate boulder by wishing on a magic little, purple, shiny pebble. As can only happen in stories where donkeys wish on magic pebbles, Sylvester could see and hear his beloved family, but they could not see or hear him.
Reverend Liz Miller told Sylvester’s story in their Thanksgiving sermon at this year's Interfaith Community Service held in our sanctuary. They reminded us that the gifts of love and family are precious. When we close ourselves off and tuck ourselves into our own boulders, we shut down a powerful thing called Family.
On Thanksgiving every year, we give thanks for the wonderful people we call our own, no matter how many times we may grumble and groan about them. We must remember, they said, not to save those prayers of thanks for just this holiday but to say them every day.
Granby Congregational Church’s new minister admitted their surprise when they were welcomed into the Simsbury Clergy Community with the startling news that the newbie to the group would give the sermon on this special evening, as is a long-standing tradition. They resolved the confusion about North Granby, East Granby, and “South Granby” when they explained to Reverend George Harris that South Granby was actually Simsbury. Hmmm…
Pastor Liz loves to tell stories when they bring their message to the pulpit. They and our own Pastor Gene do that so well. It was a light-hearted moment in an evening of beautiful community spirit and sharing of faith; however, there are many different ways that faith is realized. We heard a mesmerizing intonation of a reading from the Qur’an from our neighbor, Aida Mansoor, of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut. Rabbis Rebekah Goldman and Mira Weller from the Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom canted Psalm 95 and a reading from Deuteronomy from the scrolls of the Torah.
We had appropriately “gathered together” for our evening service while listening to stunning Gathering Music played by First Church’s Music Minister Mark Mercier and Simsbury’s Jim Martocchio.
The traffic was heavy back and forth from the pews to both podiums, all during the evening, following our busy morning of Laity Sunday. Our day at SUM was filled with the wonder of so many who give of themselves to our community, both within our walls and outside. We were blessed to hear the music, spiritual witnessing, and liturgy via our clergy and laity speakers. Lori Catlin Garcia, Sue Lemke, and Glenn Knight led the Laity Service with a sermon written by Lori that included names of many who departed long ago but left a profound legacy of faith.
Pastor Gene, Deacon Deb, Father Stephen Sledesky from St. Mary’s Church, and Reverend Dana Jorgensen from New Life in Christ Fellowship, as well as the Reverends George Harris and Kevin Weikel of The First Church of Christ and Reverend Taylor Albright of Trinity Episcopal Church, offered readings, prayers, and a benediction during the interfaith service. Pastor Gene stepped in for the Venerable Shim Bo, who could not attend the service, reading a passage from the Buddhist writing Karaniya Metta Sutra.
Talented Chancel Choir vocalists of our church, directed by Bridget Scarlato; The First Church of Christ, directed by Mark Mercier; and St. Mary’s Church, directed by Patty Lepak, were accompanied by our own organist, Kari Miller.
SUM’s CAYA Contemporary Choir and Band was directed by Len Bobinski and accompanied by Simsbury musicians.
After the inspiring postlude, “Hymn to Joy,” played by Kari Miller, we made our way to Wesley Hall for refreshments with hopes of chatting with friends we had glimpsed across the pews during the service. It is powerful to find one’s neighborhood friends sitting in YOUR church, sharing a service of faith and love. If you missed it this year, put it on your calendar for next year. Don’t miss it again!
Karen Matheson