by Carole Anne Scott

Members of diverse religious communities from Roslindale and West Roxbury once again gathered for worship at the annual interfaith Thanksgiving service, which took place this year on Sunday, November 19, at 3:00 p.m., in the intimate atmosphere of St. John Chrysostom Roman Catholic Church in West Roxbury. Appropriate entitled, "A Place at the Table," the ecumenical service featured a series of reflections centered on the Old Testament passage which commands "When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."

Appropriately, offering the call to worship was St. John's pastor Rev. David Michael who, throughout the past twenty years of his ministry, has faithfully served the Boston Archdiocese as a champion of interfaith relationships. In his opening remarks, Father Michael apologized for the scarcity of programs for the day's event, but assured everyone that "running out is a good sign." It was indeed as the church was filled with over 200 worshippers, an attendance figure markedly up from the prior year.

Pointing out that welcoming the stranger is a theme common to all major religious traditions, Father Michael stated that this basic needed behavior is "part of the fabric of social justice and is part of ensuring peace in the world." Looking around the church, he remarked that the saints depicted on its stained glass windows, Katherine Drexel, Mother Frances Cabrini and Mother Theresa of Calcutta, were all courageous women who welcomed strangers. Commenting that "Peace is always fragile," Father Michael advised the congregation that "We are more than the sum of our parts when we pray," adding, "Above all, we need intense, humble and trusting prayer."

Concluding his weighty remarks on a humorous note, Father Michael held up a box of couscous. He quipped that he was supposed to have put it into the food basket at the foot of the altar as he entered the sanctuary, but had forgotten to do so.

The reading of two passages from Scripture followed. Fifteen-year-old Tali Smookler of Temple Hillel B'nai Torah read Genesis 18:1-8 in Hebrew. She stood beside her temple's rabbi, Barbara Penzner, who took an obvious and justifiable pride in her young charge's skill. The same passage was then read in English by Susan Abbott of St. Theresa of Avila. Recruited to do the reading just minutes before the service, she too did a wonderful job. In keeping with the theme of the day, the reading centered on Abraham's offer of hospitality to the strangers who pass by his home. Unbeknown to him, these visitors are God's own angels.

Msgr. William Helmick, also of St. Theresa, offered the second reading from Hebrews 13: 1-3. The passage featured a line echoing the above theme by stating, "Do not neglect to show hospitality, for by that means some have entertained angels without knowing it."

Offering the main homily was Rev. Brian Murdock of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in West Roxbury. The first word he spoke was a loud, heartfelt and warm "Hello" that reverberated throughout the congregation. Picking up on the theme, he too advised us "to remember to welcome the stranger and thereby some have entertained angels without knowing it." Adding that "Angels are messengers," Rev. Murdock promised that "They come if we are awake to God's word."

Describing an incident he had just experienced, he told the congregation about a probably sixty-year old woman whom he met on a bus ride from the airport to the business district. They were engaging in a lovely conversation about their upcoming plans for Thanksgiving until things soured when the good Reverend's innocent request asking the lady's name met with the stony reply, "I don't give out my name." The sadness of that kind of mistrust speaks volumes about our fears of sharing, of being duped, of being in some way harmed.

Reverend Murdock then asked the children in the audience to answer the question, "How many different than your family kind of people have you had over your house since school started?" Two bold souls answered, one saying "Two blind people engaged to be married," and the other, "Four people from Australia."

Reverend Murdock stated that the kind of compassion that it takes to reach out to the stranger "begins by being at home with yourself." Comparing our Burger King of today to Abraham's desert, he suggested that we pause in our fast-food meal to look out at the stranger next to us and ask, "Hi. How's your Whopper?" This kind of outreach is essential if we are to be welcoming of others.

Following that, each member of the clergy spoke out his or her name and then, Rev. Lilli Nye of Theodore Parker Unitarian-Univer-salist Church and Rev. Sally Thatcher of Roslindale Congregational Church read a section describing the origins of our nation, its struggles, its tragic errors, and its glowing successes. Members of the congregation were then encouraged to shout out the names of their immigrant ancestors. The church erupted in a cacophony of sound as countless names, representing so many parts of the globe, were presented.

Rabbi Penzner and the Chanting Group from Temple Hillel B'nai Torah led those present in the song "Halleluyah." The following words taken from Psalm 92, "How great are your works, O Lord, how deep are your thoughts," were chanted, along with the Halleluyah.

St. John parishioner, Hector D'Souza, who originally hails from Goa in India read a section focused on immigrants. The Holy Name Children's Choir then led the congregation in singing "Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God!" This catchy tune offers thanks in many different languages, including Chamaru, Creole, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Rev. Catherine Michael of Stratford Street United Church then read a unifying statement promising, "In some parts of the world, our differences would be threatening. We feel enriched. In America our differences resonate in our names, language, food, and music. They inspire art and produce champions and leaders. We feel free to disagree. We are a family, and what is a family gathering without debate?"

Rev. Karen Peters of Bethany United Methodist Church then lead all in the "Prayer of the People," asking among other things that God "help us to navigate the waters of difficult and sometimes painful conversations so that in our speaking and in our listening, we might still be in right relationship with you and one another."

As a prelude to the offertory collection introduced by St. John's Sr. Maureen Taaffe, SCN, Sacred Heart's pastor Msgr. Frank Kelley stated, "Our table is brimming, but not everyone receives a fair portion."

Members of the congregation then came forward row by row to place either an offering of food or of money into the baskets in front of the altar. The Theodore Parker Folk Band masterfully sang a folk hymn. Their voices, accompanied by Rev. Lilli Nye's lovely soprano range, again soared and inspired this year.

Rev. George Carlson, pastor of Holy Name, offered a final reflection on progress and creating a more just America. He concluded with the theme, "In America, each of us is entitled to a place at the table." In the final blessing, Rabbi Penzner asked that God grant peace to all those present. The congregation then joined in singing the final song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

A wonderful opportunity for fellowship was then provided as participants gathered for abundant refreshments downstairs in the parish hall. A banner in velveteen letters bearing the words "All are welcome here" greeted those entering the hall. Among the guests joining us for refreshments was Pastor Murdock's adorable dog, well-behaved and kept on leash. The homemade pastries were much appreciated by the attendees who greeted one another over coffee, tea, soda, and cider.

Congregations taking part in this year's service included Bethany First United Methodist Church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church of West Roxbury, Holy Name Church, Roslindale Congregational Church, Sacred Heart Church, St. Theresa of Avila Church, Stratford Street United Church, Temple Hillel B'nai Torah, Theodore Parker Unitarian Universalist Church, and host St. John Chrysostom Church.

The beauty of the liturgy and the fellowship shared between people of different and varied faiths left everyone feeling that no one is a stranger at God's table; we share so much in common. The beauty of the worship session and its reflections provide the congregation with another reason to give thanks during this season of Thanksgiving.