Community unifies to pray, give thanks

Scores of East Meadowites of different backgrounds and religious beliefs gathered together on Sunday at the annual interfaith Thanksgiving service.

The ceremony was held at St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church this year. The Rev. Dave Parker, the former pastor of the East Meadow United Methodist Church and the founder of the East Meadow Clergy Association, created the interfaith service in 1982. It has been held every year since during the week of Thanksgiving, and cycles through the various religious communities.

Members of the East Meadow Clergy Association — led by Rabbi Judy Cohen-Rosenberg of the Community Reform Temple in Westbury — said that Thanksgiving was the perfect time of year for one of their largest interfaith programs, as it reminds Americans to be grateful for all that they have and their families, friends and neighbors. Cohen-Rosenberg touched on this concept in her homily, noting that most people in attendance came from immigrant families and should remember and honor their histories and struggles as the pilgrims and Native Americans did at the first Thanksgiving.

“Most of all, we honor our creator for the bounty we experience,” she told the community members. “As we celebrate, let us show our gratitude by being mindful of those who are struggling to make a success of their American experience.”

Cohen-Rosenberg urged all in attendance to help those in need by doing things like volunteering at soup kitchens and donating food and clothing not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year. She said she hopes the good will of Thanksgiving will multiply and fill everyone’s days with gratitude, and that people will show their gratitude by being generous and “welcoming all to our tables to share in the freedom and fulfillment of the American dream achieved by our immigrant ancestors, continued today.”

Community members listened to Cohen-Rosenberg speak, as well as religious leaders from St. Francis Polish National Catholic Church, St. Francis Episcopal Church, the East Meadow United Methodist Church, the East Meadow Jewish Center, Temple Emanu-El and the Long Island Muslim Society. The Rev. Robert Holz, of St. Raphael’s, welcomed everyone to his parish.

The program featured prayers and scriptural readings, in addition to performances by the St. Raphael’s choir and instrumentalists. After community members lined up to meet and greet clergy, they enjoyed light refreshments.