While there won’t be any turkey or stuffing at the upcoming Belmont Religious Council’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 23, there will be plenty of food for the soul.
The council, founded in 1954, has been holding the holiday gathering for decades, according to Rabbi Jonathan Kraus of Belmont’s Beth El Temple Center.
The event, which is open to the public, is “an annual opportunity to celebrate together, express gratitude and build relationships across differences of faith identity,” he said.
While members of varied religions celebrate different holidays, “We all come together for Thanksgiving,” said the Rev. Chris Jablonski, senior minister at The First Church in Belmont.
This year. Plymouth Congregational Church on Pleasant Street, will host the event, where 10 speakers will address the theme of gratitude.
The idea is to show we are “connected across the generations,” said Jablonski.
An important part of the service is to help those less fortunate by donating to the Belmont Food Pantry.
This is “especially important now because so many are stretched thin,” said Jablonski.
With residents facing financial uncertainty, “the holiday this year … is really about appreciating the gifts and the bounties that we do have” and reaching out and helping others, said Jablonski.
Thanksgiving is also about spending time with family, being grateful for any abundance of resources, and sharing with those who are struggling, he said.
“The money from the offering we receive that evening will go directly to the Belmont Food Pantry,” said the Rev. Wayne Earl, of the Plymouth Congregational Church. “This will also include any nonperishable food items that folks are encouraged to bring along to donate that evening.”
The Belmont Religious Council’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will take place on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m., at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 582 Pleasant St., in Belmont. For more information, visitsites.google.com/view/belmontrc/events/thanksgiving-service
For more information on the Belmont Religious Council, visit shttps://sites.google.com/view/belmontrc/home?authuser=0
For more information on the Belmont Food Pantry, visit belmontfoodpantry.org/
