November 20, 2004

Interfaith gathering set for Thanksgiving

By Bill Choy
Ashland Daily Tidings

Each Thanksgiving, people of all faiths and denominations join together in the spirit of unity for the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service in Ashland.

The program, in its 21st year and sponsored by the Rogue Valley Interfaith Ministries, is made up of local clergy representing different religious faiths.

The service will be held at the First Methodist Church of Ashland's Wesley Hall and feature music and words from a variety of faith traditions such as Quaker, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, New Age, Methodist, Unitarian-Universalist, and Buddhist.

Robin Noll, an event organizer, said with the tension and problems between religions occurring around the world, it's important for people of different faiths to come together in unity.

"In times of strife in this world, it's neat to see religions get along," she said. "We might not agree on everything, but we can get along together and enjoy Thanksgiving together. It would be boring if everyone agreed on everything."

Noll said about 250 to 400 people attend the service each year. She said the public is encouraged to bring singing bowls and bells, which will be used during the service as "sounds of gratitude."

"When they ring together it's quite an unique sound and quite an experience," Noll said.

Patt Herdklotz, minister at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, has participated in the event for six years. She is pleased to have something like this in Ashland.

"At a time that differences have divided people around the world this is an wonderful statement that we can come together and be a community and to cherish all beliefs," Herdklotz said.

This year, each religious denomination represented will give a song or chant.

"What they bring gives some sense of the integrity of each religion," Herdklotz said.

The service will be held on Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to last an hour. The church is located at 175 North Main Street.