Rockville Centre voices raised in thanks and praise

In what has become an annual pre-holiday tradition, clergy from a number of local congregations gathered at the United Church of Rockville Centre on the evening of Nov. 23 to lead residents in the village’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

After a musical introduction that included the processional hymn of “We Gather Together,” accompanied by organist Lin Hong, the Rev. Dr. Robert Gunn offered a welcome to the guests who filled the pews of the venerable wood-beamed church at the corner of Morris Avenue and Hamilton Street.

Rev. Dr. Roger D. Johns of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church next led the congregation in the first reading and Rev. Gunn delivered the invocation. The combined choirs of the participating congregations then sang “One God,” an anthem, and Rev. Jeffrey Laustsen from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church followed by lighting a Candle of Hope.

“Eternal God of all peoples and races,” he read, “may all your children learn to live together in peace and friendship. Let the day come when oppression, discrimination, bullying and prejudice will be forgotten, and all the world filled with Your spirit.”

Cantor Rachel Kohlbrenner, from Central Synagogue of Nassau County, sang “A Simple Song,” and Msgr. William Koenig of St. Agnes Cathedral then led A Call to Repentance, followed by silent prayer.

Rev. Johns performed the second reading from Corinthians and the combined choir again raised their voices in a choral anthem, “Kol Haneshamah Tehalel Yah.” Rabbi Marc Gruber of Central Synagogue quoted from Isaiah for the third reading and Rabbi Howard Diamond from Temple B’nai Sholom next delivered a Thanksgiving address that was a humorous story about faith, a lesson in faith. “We pray for understanding, a strength to our faith,” he said. “Then all of us will know where our thanks go on Thanksgiving.”

Before a reading led by Cantor Kohlbrenner, ushers collected an offering to be donated to the Interfaith Nutrition Network of Hempstead that provides food, shelter and various social services to the poor, hungry and homeless of Nassau County.

The 45-minute ceremony ended with the entire congregation joining in a rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

“May God grant us a year of prosperity, good health, wisdom and understanding,” said Rabbi Diamond in his benediction, before everyone was invited to enjoy the spirit of community along with refreshments in the church’s Rickert Hall.

These same participants, members of Rockville Centre’s Interfaith Clergy Association, are scheduled to meet on the evening of Jan. 20, as they have in the past, to participate in a forum of questions and answers on each religion’s beliefs and practices. Check the Herald for the time and venue of the forum.

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