The 7th Annual Fountain Hills Interfaith Thanksgiving service will be at Ascension Catholic Church, 12615 N. Fountain Hills Blvd, on Sunday, November 23rd at 2pm. The theme of this year’s celebration is Peace and will once again feature an Interfaith Community Choir made up last year of over 50 singers from the various faith groups participating. Those joining together in the celebration include Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Buddhists, Baha’i, Religious Science, and practitioners of other faiths living in and around Fountain Hills. Latter Day Saints Bishop Jerry Olson says, “I have been impressed by the cooperation and sincere concern for others demonstrated by all that have been involved.”
Rev. David Felten of The Fountains United Methodist recently interviewed Muslim scholar and author Eboo Patel, founder of the Interfaith Youth Core. “Patel said that his ‘favorite line from the Qur’an is from Surah 49:13, which says that God made us different nations and tribes that we may come to know one another, in the sense that diversity is holy and it was created by God. What we humans are meant to do with that diversity is engage in positive interaction with each other and to come to know one another.’ Felten says that it’s just that kind of conviction that inspires the Fountain Hills’ Interfaith Alliance to embrace diversity, pluralism, and positive interaction with others as holy pursuits. “Our diversity is a wonderful gift,” adds New Journey Lutheran’s Rev. Jerry Ebbinga.
This year, those attending are encouraged to bring an offering to help support the work of the international aid organization, Doctors Without Borders. Attendees are encouraged to make a cash offering or to make their check out to Ascension Catholic with “Interfaith” in the memo line. Immediately following the service, refreshments will be served to provide a time for fellowship and conversation.
Thanksgiving is a unique opportunity to come together and acknowledge the richness of America’s religious diversity. Those who have attended in past years have called it an “amazing experience.”
If you are interested in singing in the Interfaith Community Choir, rehearsals are on Wednesday, November 19th at 6:30pm and Saturday, November 22nd at 1:00pm at Church of the Ascension (12615 N. Fountain Hills Blvd). For more information on the choir or the service call 480.837.7627 – or CLICK HERE to find out more on Facebook