13 Aurora area faith communities join in ‘Thanksgiving Celebration of Music and Friendship’

Christians, Jews, Muslims and 10 other faith communities spanning Kane and Kendall counties came together Sunday, Nov. 24.

InterFaith Aurora, an ecumenical nonprofit, sponsored its 16th annual “Thanksgiving Celebration of Music and Friendship” at New England Congregational Church in Aurora. An estimated 150 people attended the program themed “Unity Through Diversity.”

Faith leaders presented songs and reflections from diverse groups throughout the Aurora area. The Rev. Brandon Perrine, New England senior pastor, opened the program with a welcome to attendees.

Michelle Curiel of Aurora Wesley United Methodist who gave a land acknowledgment to former Native American tribes that occupied the Fox Valley. Pamela Stutzman, Trinity United Methodist, gave the invocation.

The voices of unity through diversity were Syed Warsi, Islamic Center of Aurora; Rev. Eric Miller, Our Savior Lutheran, Aurora; Rabbi Edward Friedman, Temple B’nai Israel, Aurora; Rev. Paige Wolfanger, Congregational Church of Batavia; Baha'i Community, Aurora; United for Peace, Aurora; Karen Christensen, Aurora Jewish Renewal Congregation; and Susan Bachmeier, Aurora Human Relations Commission.

Betsy Santana, the advancement director at the Mutual Ground domestic violence shelter and substance use disorder center, received the freewill offering. The Rev. Scott Hull, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, led a litany.

Special music was offered by Aurora St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church's Praise and American Sign Language choirs who presented “I Need You to Survive.” Mary Hawking directed. New England's Daniel Segner provided a prelude and postlude.

Tammy Helfrich, celebration coordinator, said “This event highlights how different faith communities work to bring understanding, inclusion, awareness, and friendship to work toward a more harmonious and just community.”

Founded in 1999, InterFaith Aurora is a nonprofit ecumenical group whose mission is based on the common belief that we are all children of God. Helfrich added, “We set for ourselves the mission of sharing and connecting. We believe that building understanding, acceptance, and love within the community in which we make our homes will help transform and heal the world in which we live.”