The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Faiths unite for peace at Thanksgiving service

Photos: Interfaith church service

Bishops: New birth control rule ‘a first step’
2/11/12
Police headlines for Feb. 11
2/11/12
Local Focus: Clark County for Feb. 11
2/11/12
Local Focus: Champaign County for Feb. 11
2/11/12
Cold, wind to keep roads slick today
2/11/12
> More headlines

Rabbi Janice Garfunkel of Temple Shalom presents a story of peacemaking Tuesday Nov. 24, during an interfaith service for Thanksgiving held at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Jews, Muslims, Christians pray, sing together

By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer Updated 1:07 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — When Jeff Mohlman heard about an interfaith Thanksgiving service to be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, he knew it was something he wanted to be a part of.

“This is exactly what we need right now — a service about peace because there is so much injustice and fighting everywhere,” the youth leader for St. Raphael Catholic Church said. “Even in our own backyard ... especially in light of the beating death of the Fairborn High School student at Kent State.”

So on Tuesday Nov. 24, Mohlman and members of St. Raphael’s youth group joined the city’s Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities in giving thanks and pledging to promote the work of peace.

More than 200 people, representing nine local communities of faith, prayed and sang songs of peace, while individuals came to the front to present olive leaves and read peace quotes from historical and religious figures as well as children as young as 10.

Ramona Henry, board president of the Springfield Peace Center, gave an overview of the organization’s initiatives, including the annual peace camp open to area youth. She went on to thank attendees for their support as an offering was taken up for the organization.

Maxine Leventhal, a member of Temple Shalom, said she and her husband attend the service each year.

“We always think it’s a very good thing and our temple is always a part of it,” she said, adding that she thought the turnout was very good.

Mohlman agreed that the service was well worth attending.

“It’s just a different feeling having all these different faiths here represented,” Mohlman said. “Not just the Christian faiths, but all these faiths that gathered today in this same room to talk about one common goal ... peace on earth.

“I think it’s fantastic.“

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.

Share this article