Second annual Community Thanksgiving Service to inspire unity among different faiths

By Lorraine Glowczak

The Windham Area Clergy Association (WACA) invites the public to its second annual ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Service hosted this year by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, 755 River Road in Windham. The Thursday, November 15 gathering will include music of gratitude as the theme. The service will also be interspersed with readings by a variety of area church participants as well as a few prayers of gratitude for a community that comes together during difficult times.

The service will include music provided by area church members

The evening of observances will begin at 7 p.m. with a 60 to 75-person church-combination choir and a finale led by Windham’s community favorite music director and educator, Dr. Richard Nickerson.

The intention of this Thanksgiving service is to encourage the community to come together and give thanks. “The purpose is to recognize that we might come from different traditions, but we are one in belief that we have much to be thankful for,” state Reverend Tim Higgins, Rector of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and a leader of WACA. “The service will also offer social time for the community as there will be food following the event. Also, it’s so important for the community to see us as leaders, stepping up to support one another and respond to trials and tribulations, tragedy, etc. In the midst of these uncertain times, such as partisan politics, division, outward signs of hate towards people different from us, gun violence, exclusivity, etc. the service is a chance for the community to gather as one in unity acknowledging the One God we worship even though we may have different faith backgrounds."

For those who wish to do so, goodwill offerings will be accepted. Products such as paper towels, toilet paper, tooth paste, diapers, tooth brushes, etc. and non-perishable food items will be accepted as part of the community service. “The goodwill offerings will go to the St. Ann’s Episcopal Church’s Essential Pantry,” stated Higgins. “The Essentials Pantry accepts all donations that are not available on EBT cards.

According to St. Ann’s website, the pantry serves all those in need in the Windham area free of charge and is open the last Saturday of every month from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in St. Ann’s downstairs meeting room, 40 Windham Center Road in Windham. The pantry is a ministry of Christian hospitality and service to the community that provides all who enter with a bag of cleaning and personal hygiene products provided by parishioners, local businesses and benevolent organizations in the Greater Windham area.

In addition to the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, the other churches providing musical numbers and contemplative sharing at the Community Thanksgiving Service include Windham Hill United Church of Christ, North Windham Union Church, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and Faith Lutheran Church.

WACA reorganized as a group after a short sabbatical. “We began meeting again as a group in the Spring of 2016,” began Higgins. “The idea of WACA is for area clergy to gather monthly and share concerns and joys, to support one another as well as to exchange outreach ideas. As an organization, we want to remain aware of the community’s needs as well as respond to any tragedies or difficulties the community may experience.”

For more information regarding the ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Service, future community events or if you are a clergy from any denomination from the Windham and Raymond areas and would like to participate in WACA, contact Rev. Higgins at 632-4046 or revtimhiggins@gmail.com.