Local Congregations to Hold Thanksgiving Interfaith Gathering Today

Locals of different faiths will be coming together for a Thanksgiving interfaith gathering centered on gratitude and hospitality at the Forked River Presbyterian Church on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Faith communities including the United Methodist Church, St. Pius the Tenth Church, the Christian Fellowship Church, and the Islamic Center of Ocean County will be joining together in unity, she said. The focus of the ceremony will be gratitude and hospitality.

“This is the second interfaith initiative we’ve done this year,” Louise Ille of Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center.

Congregations throughout Ocean County gathered on Sept. 11 to remember all those who lost their lives to the terrorist attacks in an interfaith ceremony.

“Thanksgiving is another time when we could lay aside denominational and holiday differences and come together in thanksgiving and gratitude,” Rev. Linda Applegate of the Lacey United Methodist Church said.

“I’m very excited about it,” Applegate said. “We’re just all coming together to finally build bridges between our communities.”

Joint choirs will perform songs and leadership from each congregation will speak on thanksgiving and gratitude.

Refreshments will also be served, Ille said.