Interfaith Thanksgiving worship

Elgin area: The public is invited to attend "Thanksgiving Among Neighbors: A Community Interfaith Worship Celebration," at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Epworth United Methodist Church, Randall Road and Highland Avenue, on Elgin's far west side. Organizing the event is the Coalition of Elgin Religious Leaders, an interfaith clergy and lay leadership group comprised of more than 70 congregations representing an interfaith array of faith traditions.

Expanding on the theme for the evening, the worship service is designed to provide statements of the experience of the broad spectrum of immigrants, often refugees, from foreign lands who arrived in Elgin in overlapping waves because of famine, political or religious persecution, or cultural upheavals.

Beginning with the first wave of Irish in the 1840, the service traces the arrival of groups from Germany, Africa, Scandinavia, Scotland and England, Jewish populations, Hungary, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Laos.

Leading the worship service will be members of a host of faith communities across the Elgin area. Sacred readings will be heard from the Bahai sacred writings, Christian Bible, Qur'an, and Talmud, and there will be a special time for children. In addition to hymns, special music will be provided by El Mesias Praise Team, First Congregational Bell Choir, Second Baptist Choir, and a joint choir selection with praise band and bells.

For information, call (847) 931-5400, or visit the Web site for the Coalition of Elgin Religious Leaders at www.elginreligiousleaders.com, and click on the Thanksgiving link on the front page.

Algonquin area: On Tuesday, Nov. 25, there will be a Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service at 7:30 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary's Church, 111 S. Hubbard St. in Algonquin. This service includes local churches, including Congregational Church of Algonquin. Join this opportunity to gather with others of the community as they give thanks and worship inter-denominationally.

Crystal Lake area: On Sunday, Nov. 23, join with neighbors, families and friends from various faith communities to give thanks, enjoy fellowship and make an offering for the benefit of others. The second annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, 8505 Church St., in Crystal Lake. The theme of the gathering will be "Giving Thanks - Sharing the Blessing." The evening will include texts, prayers, music and participants from our various traditions. An offering will benefit the Crystal Lake, Harvard and Palatine food pantries. This gathering is sponsored by FaithBridge Interfaith Association. For details, call the church at (815) 459-1132.