Grace United to host interfaith service

Grace United Methodist Church in Putnam Valley will host an interfaith Thanksgiving celebration at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23. Guests are asked to bring a can of food to share with the Putnam Valley Community Food Pantry, which operates on Saturdays from the church.

The service will be led by the Rev. Jessica Anschutz of Grace United, which is part of the Open Doors Community Parish that includes United Methodist in Cold Spring and South Highland United Methodist in Garrison; Rabbis Steve Altarescu and Laurie Levy of Reform Temple of Putnam Valley; religious leader Steve Axinn of Temple Israel of Putnam Valley; and members of the Hudson Valley Islamic Community Center in Mohegan Lake.

The service will include prayer, poetry and music to commemorate a holiday that celebrates the harvest bounty and honors religious freedom. It will be followed by a dessert reception.

“Thanksgiving is a wonderful American institution because it so beautifully combines our religious sensitivity and our love of family and friends,” Axinn said. Added Rabbi Levy: “Our congregations are just a couple of miles apart and share common friends and neighbors so you can imagine how delighted we are to join together for this service and to welcome the larger community.”

Grace United Methodist Church is located at 337 Peekskill Hollow Road. Reservations are encouraged but not required. Call 845-528-4774 or email [email protected].

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