The Grand Rapids Interfaith Thanksgiving Service has been celebrated annually since the year 2000. The event features participation from a wide variety of Christian denominations and representatives of Native American, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, secular, and inclusive religious communities. We come together to give thanks for the blessings we have received. Prayers, music, sacred writings, reflections and meditation will be woven together with a common theme of gratitude from many traditions.

The human desire to express gratitude is felt among all religious traditions and in secular society. How people express thanksgiving takes many different shapes and styles. The Grand Rapids Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is an opportunity for people of diverse traditions to listen, to share, and to better understand one another. No one is asked to compromise their beliefs, just to come together and share their stories, their cultures, and their gratitude.

This year the Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on Monday, November 21 at 7:00 pm. St. Andrew’s has often hosted interfaith events and promoted interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Refreshments to follow. Everyone is welcome!

Gratitude naturally leads to giving. To address one of the needs in the community, an offering will be taken up during the service to benefit the Cathedral Outreach Clothing Center. The Center provides free clothing to disadvantaged people of the Heartside area. In addition, people attending the Service are invited to bring clean used clothing for the Center, which will be collected as people arrive.

Interfaith dialogue is currently receiving increased attention. The year 2012 has been designated the "Year of Interfaith Understanding," led by Grand Valley State University’s Kaufman Interfaith Institute. The effort seeks to promote a yearlong engagement of the topic of interfaith understanding. Such understanding is a vital part of building trust and overcoming prejudice among people.