InterFaith Aurora to host 'Celebrating Neighbors' with thanksgiving, music and friendship
On Sunday, Nov. 18, InterFaith Aurora will host its 11th annual "Thanksgiving Celebration of Music and Friendship" presenting songs and religious praise from diverse congregations throughout the Aurora area. It will be 3 to 5 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St. in Aurora.
This year's theme is "Celebrating Neighbors."
"This celebration is the consummation of our yearlong activities where different religious denominations work to bring understanding, inclusion, awareness and friendship of each other in order to work toward a more harmonious and just community," said Tammy Helfrich, the organization's coordinator.
There will be readings from members of the Baha'i, Jewish and Sikh communities, music from the Praise Choir of the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Youth and Adult Choir of Wesley Methodist Church and much more. The celebration is open to the public.
Light refreshments will be served after the event, and offerings raised from the celebration will be donated to the Jesse Torres Boxing Club in Aurora, which is a nonprofit organization that empowers and improves the quality of life of youth and Parkinson patients through the physical fitness and the sport of boxing. Prior year recipients were 2017 CASA Kane County; 2016 Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry; and 2015 Family counseling Service of Aurora.
Participants in this year's event include the following: Aurora Jewish Renewal Congregation; Temple B'nai Israel; St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church; Wesley United Methodist Church; The Orchard Community; the Sikh Community; Baha'i Community; St. John United Church of Christ; Our Savior Lutheran Church; and St. Joseph Catholic Church.
InterFaith Aurora, a nonprofit organization, has been in existence for approximately 10 years. Its mission is based on the common belief that we are all children of God. They set for themselves the mission of sharing and connecting. They believe that building understanding, acceptance, and love within the community in which they make their homes will help transform and heal the world.
The group meets monthly. For more information on how your congregation can join InterFaith Aurora, contact Tammy Helfrich at tammy@theorchardcommunity.com or (630) 862-9621.