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Peace to be the theme of Elgin's annual interfaith Thanksgiving service

The Coalition of Elgin Religious Leaders, Congregation Kneseth Israel and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church are pleased to announce the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19.

The theme for this year will be "Thankful for Peace Through the Voices of Our Children." It will include musical selections from the Elgin Children's Chorus, St. Laurence Catholic Church, and Second Baptist Church.

Several young adults will speak on the topic of peace from a wide range of religious perspectives including Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim. The mayor will present the annual Thanksgiving proclamation. The Saint Johns Bible will be on display.

"This year, we wanted to do something a little different. We are starting at Congregation Kneseth Israel and then walking across the street to Holy Trinity to model that kind of deep peace and reconciliation," said Margaret Frisch Klein, rabbi at Congregation Kneseth Israel.

"We are very grateful for our partners in the city, especially our neighbor Holy Trinity directly across the street from our synagogue," she continued. "We have been partnering together for many years and have renewed that commitment. From things like Elgin Cooperative Ministries and the summer lunch program, to supporting our neighbors who were burned out of their house next to the synagogue to standing together on City Hall Plaza after the racism in Charlottesville.

"So it is important to show everyone that people can worship together in either building. This service is one of my favorites of the entire year," Frisch Klein said.

"I am excited to have the youth and children of our community so heavily involved in the service this year. As we speak to peace and reconciliation, what better group could there be to model these virtues than our kids," said the Rev. Jeff Mikyska, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. "Children tend to be much more accepting of one another and their differences than adults often are. They are proof to us all that discrimination and division are learned behaviors. Kids are the best at breaking down walls and getting to know one another."

There will be an opportunity for worship, for fellowship and for a collaborative art project that will promote peace.

"For nearly 40 years, the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service has modeled religious cooperation and collegiality. Every year we select a charity to receive our offering," said the Rev. Denise Tracy, president of the Coalition of Elgin Religious Leaders.

This year, the Ecker Center for Mental Health is the chosen charity. Since 1955, the Ecker Center has served the Elgin community, providing psychiatry and counseling services to adults, children and adolescents.

"We are pleased to support their good work," Tracy said.

The service will begin at 4 p.m. at Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St., and conclude at Holy Trinity, 357 Division St. Ample parking is available at either congregation. For information, visit www.ckielgin.org.

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