JUPITER, FL – For over 24 years, since 1996, St. Peter Catholic Church, Jupiter First, and Temple Beth AM have sponsored an incredibly unique Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith service. According to Father Don Finney, from St. Peter, the event attracts over 1,000 people. The service usually takes turns among the houses of worship with the host house of worship rotating host locations every year.
This year, instead of cancelling the service due to COVID concerns, the location is going online and will include music from three combined choirs and music ministries. The event will be led by the heads of the three congregations. Rabbi Alon, Pastor Kevin and Father Don who each take turns delivering the Thanksgiving message.
Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday, it’s an American Holiday so regardless of religion, people can come together to celebrate as a community and show gratitude with friends, and that’s a beautiful thing. ~Rabbi Brett Tancer, Temple Beth AM
According to Rabbi Brett Tancer, of Temple Beth AM, the service is an opportunity for fellowship among the different religions. I asked Rabbi Tancer why this event was so important and he generously shared his thoughts.
“Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday, it’s an American Holiday so regardless of religion, people can come together to celebrate as a community and show gratitude with friends, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Father Don agrees, “The Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service gives our three congregations an opportunity to come together as neighbors and friends to join together to celebrate and give thanks to God for his many blessings. It has allowed us to grow as neighbors, friends and fellow believers to celebrate our uniquely American holiday at Thanksgiving.
This years’ service will be a little different from the previous years, as leaders from all three congregations will be delivering a short Thanksgiving message.
The Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service gives our three congregations an opportunity to come together as neighbors and friends to join together to celebrate and give thanks to God for his many blessings. It has allowed us to grow as neighbors, friends and fellow believers to celebrate our uniquely American holiday at Thanksgiving. ~Father Don Finney, St. Peter Catholic Church, Jupiter
In the light of recent political events and unrest in parts of the nation, faith is something we can all rely on no matter which faith or political party you follow. These three faiths worship the same God. We have more in common than we think, and it goes beyond this world and the things of this world. So goes the saying “Gratitude before Attitude” which reminds us that God is in control of our world, and we need to be thankful and take advantage of the opportunity to come together and rejoice.
This year the service is on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, from 7pm-8pm.
During the service, a collection is taken and is given to support the kitchen outreach at the El Sol Neighbor Resource Center in Jupiter.
You can join the celebration on any of these links:
https://livestream.com/templebethamjupiter/events/9377226
https://www.stpeterjupiter.com/ click on “media”
https://live.jupiterfirst.org/
