Community worship a Thanksgiving tradition
Thanksgiving isn't just about feasting on turkey and pumpkin pie. It's about our nation coming together to give thanks.
In 1941, Congress ruled that the fourth Thursday in November would be a federal holiday proclaimed by the President each year. It's a day to celebrate the blessings of life and be thankful for all that we have been given.
"As Americans, we have this celebration that is uniquely ours," said Father Mike Rasicci of Calvary Episcopal Church. "And it gives us the opportunity to come together as a community of faith and give thanks."
This year's community Thanksgiving service takes place at 7:30 p.m. today, Nov. 26, at Bethany Lutheran Church.
According to Rasicci, the Thanksgiving community service is more than 30 years old, and has been celebrated in various churches throughout Batavia. Through the years, the focus of the service has been on why we should be grateful and, also, about celebrating our diversity as a community.
"Basically Thanksgiving is a secular holiday declared by presidential proclamation," said Pastor Steven Srock of Bethany Lutheran. "It's important to have this time to come together as a community."
The message for the service will be given by Pastor Christopher Ek of Batavia's Covenant Church. He also believes it is important to come together as a community.
"I grew up in an Irish Catholic community outside of Boston," said Eck. "Basically, the town was made up those who went to the Catholic Church and our family. Batavia is different. The people here know one another, and even though they go to different churches, they enjoy coming together."
The importance of Batavia churches coming together benefits the community in many ways.
"It helps to have that community connection for times of service and for helping those in need," said Eck.
New to the service this year is a time for fellowship, enjoying pie and coffee.
"You know what they say, 'Life's uncertain, eat dessert first,'" said Srock. "Enjoying a piece of pie with friends from other churches is an important part of community."
For Srock, pie is part of a family tradition. His mother, Betty Srock was known throughout the Dearborn Heights, Mi., area as the "Betty Srocker" of Detroit.
"She baked pies all her life," he said. "She first learned to bake pies when she was eight years old on an old wood fired stove. It was especially hard because she had to get the heat just right to not burn the pies."
Since those early days Mrs. Srock has made a countless number of pies for church and community activities.
"Pie was always part of our family and church celebrations, " added Srock. "My mother is known for her pies, especially at Emmanuel Lutheran Church bake sales. "Most of the time, her pies never make it out of the kitchen; the ladies in the kitchen buy them up first "
Srock promises to bring one of his mother's pies to the fellowship hour. Look for apple, her specialty.
Everyone is busy preparing for the Thanksgiving dinner but why not take a break this evening and join your fellow members of the community in a service of Thanksgiving?
<p class="factboxheadblack">Batavia Community Thanksgiving Service</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 26</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 South Lincoln St., Batavia</p>