Area churches to join in celebration of Thanksgiving

WEST HARTFORD>>St. John's Episcopal Church and the clergy, choirs and congregations of St. John's and Congregation Beth Israel (next door to St. John's) will combine in the season of Thanksgiving at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24.
After the 1992 fire at St. John's which moved its worship temporarily to Beth Israel, an interfaith Thanksgiving service was a regular annual celebration for a decade; after a lapse, the service has been reorganized in celebration of strong common ties that continue. Next year it will be held at Congregation Beth Israel. Come and give thanks.
 "St. John's Church and Congregation Beth Israel have a relationship not because we are seeking to experience diversity of faith but because our connection to each other was forged in fire," said Rev. Hope Eakins, Interim Rector of St. John's.  "Beth Israel opened its doors to us when our church burned down in 1992.  Since then we are bound to each other in friendship and gratitude that forms a basis for giving thanks together."
This service is an opportunity for Jewish and Christian congregations to combine in worship, particularly the many volunteers from both faith traditions which serve the West Hartford community. Prayers and readings from sources as diverse as former Connecticut Governor Wilbur Cross, George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, and an adaptation of Woodrow Wilsons's "How the Nation can Best Show its Gratitude" are supplemented by Scripture, a Litany of Thanks and a Litany of Peace. Choral music includes compositions by Congregation Beth Israel's and St. John's own Directors of Music, J.S. Bach, Mary Plumstead, and Erik Contzius, some repeating joint repertoire sung in concert by the combined choirs in a Celebration of Psalms this past May. Hymns for all to sing round out the service.
A collection of non-perishable food items for the West Hartford Food Bank will be blessed during the service.
For further information, please contact St. John's Church at (860) 523-5201 or visit www.sjparish.net; or contact Congregation Beth Israel at (860) 233-8215 or visit www.cbict.org.