Interfaith Works--Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration

Recent Years:

The 2007 Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration "Earth Gratitude" at the United Churches of Olympia on November 18 was a huge success, with about 300 attendees enjoying 11 presentations on Earth Gratitude from various faith communities:

Calling in the Directions by Steve Tracey from Center for Spiritual Awakening

Alleluia! Handbell Ensemble from First Christian Church

Choirs from Temple Beth Hatfiloh, St. Benedict's Episcopal Church,

and Unity Church of Olympia

Readers, Musicians, and Singers from:

Bahá'í assemblies in Thurston County

The United Churches of Olympia

St. Andrew's United Methodist Church

Unitarian Universalist communities in Thurston County

Community for Interfaith Celebration

The almost $900 raised was split between the Nancy Hoff Memorial Housing Assistance Fund and Garden Raised Bounty (GRuB). In his thank you, Blue Peetz of GRuB observed that the money they received could build a family a garden in their Kitchen Garden Project or employ a youth for 3 weeks with their program.

The 2006 Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, "Rejoicing Together in Unity", was held on Sunday, November 19, 2006, at Lacey Presbyterian Church. Over 300 people of all ages enjoyed an interactive experience of expressions of gratitude from diverse faith communities, with instrumental and vocal music, dance, poetry, and prayer:

Benedictine Sisters of St. Placid Priory singing & leading songs of rejoicing,

Kol N'Shama singing Jewish choral music,

"Love" by Mary Baker Eddy,

Kids of the Mosque singing "Give Thanks to Allah",

Joyful Ringers Bell Choir,

A Baha'i prayer set to music, and more!

Non-perishable food items for the Thurston County Food Bank were collected.

The 2005 celebration "We Choose Gratitude" at First United Methodist Church of Olympia raised over $900 for the IW Nancy Hoff Memorial Housing Assistance Fund.

From the IW December 2005 newsletter:

"The 22nd annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration drew about 200 people to First United Methodist Church of Olympia to learn how people of other faith traditions express gratitude. Participants contributed thoughts of thanks to a banner which was then hung at the front of the auditorium. They sang together, talked together, and ate together: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Bahá’ís and more.

Char Simons (who attends Community for Interfaith Celebration) said, “Thanks for a very wonderful Interfaith Thanksgiving service. This is the first time I've been able to attend, and it was amazing.” Carol Liege (a member of Center for Spiritual Awakening) said, “Congratulations on a job very well done! It was WONDERFUL! Hope it was wonderful for the homeless fund, too.” And, in fact, it was. Contributions to the Nancy Hoff Memorial Housing Assistance Fund exceeded $1100.

Subsequent to the Celebration, Alan Corwin submitted the following:

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something

For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations

Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge

Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary

Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings."

The 2004 celebration "Harvest of Gratitude" at St. John's Episcopal Church raised over $400 for the IW Emergency Overflow Shelter and included a responsive interfaith litany about thanksgiving.

The 2003 celebration "Sharing Gratitude" at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd raised $1000 for the Refugee and Immigrant Service Center and for Interfaith Works (at the time, Associated Ministries). The program included a Baha'i benediction, a Qur'an recitation, a liturgical dance, "Giving Thanks" by Mohawk Chief Jake Swamp, and "Mah Gadlu" sung by the Temple Beth Hatfiloh Choir.