InterFaith Aurora will present its 16th annual “Thanksgiving Celebration of Music and Friendship” at New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Boulevard in Aurora Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3 p.m..
The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.
Representatives of 17 congregations will present songs and reflections from diverse groups throughout the Aurora area. The theme is: “Unity Through Diversity.”
“This event highlights how different faith communities work to bring understanding, inclusion, awareness, and friendship to work toward a more harmonious and just community,” said Tammy Helfrich, the organization’s coordinator.
There will be readings from members of the Jewish, Sikh, Muslim, Baha’i and Christian communities, as well as music from Wesley United Methodist and St. John AME singing and sign-language choirs.
Offerings raised from the celebration will be donated to Mutual Ground in Aurora. Their mission is to create a safe environment where individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence and substance use are able to reclaim their power. They support the healing of our community through education, awareness, and life changing services as a commitment to equity for all.
Prior year recipients were: 2022 The Community Fridge, 2021 Simply Destinee, 2020 Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, 2019 The Neighbor Project, 2018 Jesse Torres Boxing Club; 2017 CASA Kane County; 2016 Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry; and 2015 Family counseling Service of Aurora, IL.
Participating congregation this year are Temple B’nai Israel St., John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, The Orchard Community, The Sikh Community, Aurora Human Relations Commission, Our Savior Lutheran, Al Aqsa Mosque, Aurora Jewish Renewal Community, New England Congregational, Unitarian Universalist Society ( Geneva), Baha’is of Aurora, United for Peace Congregational Church (Batavia), St. Joseph Catholic Church, Trinity United Methodist Church and New Hope Advent Christian Church of Aurora.
For more information, email tammy@society57.com.
—Tammy Helfrich