Published in the November 21, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Wakefield’s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Organized by the town’s Protestant, Catholic, Unitarian Universalist and Jewish clergy and musicians, the service includes scripture readings, prayers, choral anthem, hymns and instrumental music. This year’s sermon will be offered by Rabbi Greg Hersh, recently inducted rabbi of Temple Emmanuel.
Thanksgiving-themed music will be led by a combined choir, under the direction of Michael Salvatore of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Donna Burns of First Baptist, Don Hodgkins of First Parish and Tom Meacham of the Wakefield/Lynnfield United Methodist Church. Dr. Caroline Lieber, violinist and concertmaster of the Reading Symphony Orchestra, will perform “Méditation” from the opera Thaïs by French composer Jules Massenet. The musical benediction will be the well-known Hebrew song, “Shalom chaverim” (“shalom my friends”).
The collection supports the ministry of the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry, now in its 34th year. The Food Pantry has provided food to as many as 225 local families and has seen increased demand in recent years, with an average of 350 visits each month.
“As the largest ecumenical and interfaith event in Wakefield, the annual Thanksgiving service is always inspirational with communities and individuals of diverse faith traditions coming together to give thanks for the many blessings of life,” said the Rev. Dr. Matthew P. Cadwell, Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and President of the Wakefield Interfaith Clergy Association. “With our nation and world feeling divided and uncertain, this service of Thanksgiving allows us the opportunity to bring all our diverse gifts and perspectives together in prayer, in praise and in faith for what God can and will do among us.”
A reception hosted by parishioners of Emmanuel Church will follow the service in the church’s Parish Hall.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church is located at 5 Bryant St. (corner of Main and Bryant streets), adjacent to the Veterans Memorial Common. The church is handicapped accessible. For more information, contact the church office at 781-245-1374 or eecw@verizon.net.
