Different religions worship together in Buffalo Grove

A procession of clergy members from 10 churches and synagogues made their way down the center aisle of St. Mary's Church in Buffalo Grove Sunday night, serving as a tangible symbol for the community's annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

For 17 years, residents in Buffalo Grove and its surrounding communities have kicked off the holiday season with the uplifting service, rotating the site each year.

"For more than a century, people of faith in Buffalo Grove and the surrounding communities have known this space as a place of worship," said the Rev. Marc Reszel, St. Mary's pastor. "It is my feeling this space is made holy by what is going on here tonight."

The ecumenical service filled the church with nearly 1,000 worshipers, who sat back for a celebration filled with reflection and music provided by a combined adult choir, a children's ensemble, and instrumentalists from the different churches.

Even members of the puppet ministry from Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove played a role. Their children's presentation was set to the Elton John song "Circle of Life" from the movie "The Lion King."

"This is always so incredible," said Rich Rosen of Wheeling, a member of the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council that sponsors the event. "There's something inspirational about working with one another on this kind of community event."

Members of the Interfaith Council started the event to foster understanding among the different faiths, but then began efforts to address some of the social needs in the community, including hunger.

Consequently, the worshippers who attended Sunday's service were encouraged to bring nonperishable canned goods to stock the area's three food pantries.

When we started this, we never knew there were hungry people in Buffalo Grove," said Rochelle Greenwald of Buffalo Grove, who with her husband, Neal, were among the residents to form the council.

This year more than ever, with economic uncertainties on the minds of residents, clergy members found the effects of the service to be healing and even transformative.

Rabbi Stephen Hart of Temple Chai in Long Grove encouraged worshipers to "embrace the transformative power of gratitude and blessing."

"I believe this inspirational and upbeat Thanksgiving service has the power to transform our lives and the way we look at the world around us," Hart said. "Never lose touch with gratitude and blessing. They are your gateway to peace and Thanksgiving."