The Stanislaus County Interfaith Council, Modesto’s unique organization bringing together the area’s most diverse spectrum of spiritual communities, will hold its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration at the Modesto Centre Plaza next Monday, November 23, beginning at 7pm.
The event is co-hosted this year by the Islamic Center of Modesto, and is free to the public.
“This will be our nineteenth Thanksgiving Celebration,” said Mark Haskett, President of SCIC, “and following last week’s tragic events in Paris, the first since 9/11 that may be the most-needed.”
“Hopefully this Celebration will help reassure many in our County that our faith communities have much more in common than not, just as it always does,” Haskett continued. “After all, the goals inspiring all our traditions—without exception—are peace and tolerance and the material blessings that enable us to live joyful lives in harmony with each other… which is why you’ll find the giving of thanks so universal, and so unifying.”
There are almost 400 churches and spiritual venues in Greater Modesto. “Our area has always supported a rich spiritual diversity rivaling America’s larger, more-populous cities,” Haskett noted. “We are blessed to live where Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and many other spiritual communities can peacefully pursue their spiritual lives.”
A collection will be taken for the benefit of the Inter-Faith Ministries’ Emergency Food Pantry and Clothes Closet. Donations of low-sodium, low-fat, non-perishable protein (canned tuna, chili, beans, peanut butter), are especially needed along with your financial support, according to IFM executive
Elizabeth Greenlee-Harrison.
Attendees will find free parking in the large lot at the corner of 11th & L Streets.
For additional information about SCIC and its November 23rd Thanksgiving Celebration, please contact Bob Dowd at 209-595-9158.
