DIVERSE COMMUNITY SERVICE CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING

The 32nd Annual San Bernardino Community Thanksgiving Service will be held on Tuesday, November 23rd at 7:30 pm at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 796 W. 48th Street, San Bernardino.

“This annual event brings the diverse religious community of the San Bernardino area for worship and celebration as the nation observes Thanksgiving Day,” said Rabbi Hlilel Cohn, an event organizer and speaker.

The service is sponsored by the San Bernardino Clergy Association, the interfaith organization of clergy of the community and brings together the Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other communities.

The first service was held in 1978 at St. Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church at the suggestion of His Grace Bishop Anthony, then Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church for the Western States, who was in San Bernardino to address the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. In succeeding years the service was held at Congregation Emanu El, Calvary Baptist Church, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Holy Rosary Church, St. Paul A.M.E. Church and University Church in Loma Linda.

The service has been held each year and continues to be open to all people in the community, members of any or no religious community..

While traditionally held on the eve of Thanksgiving, this year’s service is being held two nights before Thanksgiving so that those whose custom it is to travel elsewhere for Thanksgiving and those occupied with preparing their family Thanksgiving meals might be able to attend more easily.

This year’s service will include reflections by Rev. Larry Campbell, Father Leonard DePasquale, Rev. Petra Malleis-Sternberg and Rabbi Hillel Cohn. Music will be provided by the Bell Choir of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Choir of Congregation Emanu El, Choir of St. Paul’s A.M.E., Mariachi Band of St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church and others.

The service is open to the public. Those attending are encouraged to bring a contribution of non-perishable food to be distributed to the hungry of the community. A reception will follow hosted by Our Lady of the Assumption Church.