A chorus of thanks

Praise: Interfaith event blends music, messages

VENICE BUHAIN; The Olympian | • Published November 23, 2009

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OLYMPIA - Singers gave thanks a capella in different languages as people gathered Sunday for the 26th annual Interfaith Works Celebration of Thanks.

Interfaith Works, an association of congregations with a variety of spiritual beliefs, holds the Celebration of Thanks every year. This year, the event was held at Temple Beth Hatfiloh and included a story told by Mustafa Mohamedali, a member of the Islamic Center of Olympia; poetry by Robert Lovitt of the South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowship; music by Richard Lopez and Evie Fagergren, a viola and bass flute duo, of the Community for Interfaith Celebration; and choir performances from the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church and Temple Beth Hatfiloh.

Several pastors and others representing various faiths also gave “sermons” reflecting on different aspects of being spiritual, being thankful and giving gifts.

Items collected at the event were split between Interfaith Works and the Thurston County Food Bank.

Past events have included dancing, singing and puppetry as part of the program. This year’s event resembled a church service, with people of different faiths speaking about various aspects of thankfulness and giving.

“We wanted to make it more like a service, like a service you would hold in a religious community,” committee co-chairwoman Carol McKinley said.

Sunday’s event at Temple Beth Hatfiloh was a return visit for the Celebration of Thanks.

“In 2001, we had it here when (the building) still belonged to the First Church of Christ, Scientist,” said Kathy Erlandson, the executive director of Interfaith Works. “In 2000, we had it at Temple Beth Hatfiloh, but at their old building.”

Venice Buhain: 360-754-5445

vbuhain@theolympian.com

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