Nov. 16, 2018 – Washington Co., WI – Churches throughout the area will come together to celebrate Thanksgiving in shared ecumenical services next week.
The West Bend Area Ecumenical Group will gather for an open Evening Prayer of Thanksgiving on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. This year’s event will be hosted by Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church in West Bend, with similar gatherings the following evening at Peace United Church of Christ in Kewaskum, and St Luke Lutheran in Slinger.
Several area churches will participate in the services, which will include a shared prayer in both West Bend and Kewaskum.
“While the world around us may emphasize our differences and encourage independence, we gather as one community to thank God and to recognize our shared blessings,” said Pastor David Schoob, Trinity Lutheran West Bend, who penned the shared Prayer of Thanksgiving several years ago.
“As a group of people of faith, we feel it is important to come together with one voice and acknowledge God who sustains each of us.”
Each year a free-will offering is collected in support of area non-profit organizations. The West Bend gathering will feature a conversation with Jay Fisher, Executive Director of Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, as well as several students from the organization. The gathering concludes with an annual Pie Social, featuring a variety of pies brought and shared by volunteers of the participating churches.
This year’s West Bend gathering was planned by Pastor Clarissa Martinelli of Fifth Ave. with Jill Maria Murdy, Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, including ministers from Cedar Community, Holy Angels Catholic Church, St. James Episcopal Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, and others. The Kewaskum gathering includes Peace UCC Church and Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The Slinger gathering at St Luke Lutheran includes ministers from St. Peter Catholic Church, St John’s United Church of Christ, and Faith United Church of Christ.
Photo courtey Good Housekeeping Copyright 1930 Thanksgiving Prayer
