Good Stuff in TEC: Illinois

Different faiths celebrate together

Pilgrims, Indians and ecumenism will be interwoven when Rabbi Charles Rubovits of the Joliet Jewish Congregation delivers the keynote speech message at the area's third Community Thanksgiving Worship Service on Nov. 23.

"The Pilgrims and Indians shared not only food but information," Rubovits said. "I'm sure the Indians taught the Pilgrims all about corn and turkeys and how to survive in the wilderness. And the Pilgrims, I'm sure, taught the Indians about weaving and metal smithing, so it was win-win all the way around."

He sees ecumenism in the same light.

"I think that if we're going to be reasonable individuals living in a community, the idea of sharing ideals and philosophies is vitally important," Rubovits said. "I'm not so certain that Jewish people have the corner on the market and neither does any other religion so we'd better share."

People from various faith communities are invited to worship as one body at the Joliet area's third Community Thanksgiving Worship Service. It begins at 6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Joliet, the third religious institution to open its doors to the event.

In 2006, the Joliet Jewish Congregation hosted the event; St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church hosted it in 2007.

This year's participating faith communities are Faith Lutheran Church in Joliet, St. Edward and Christ Episcopalian Church in Joliet, Joliet Jewish Congregation, St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Joliet, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Joliet and First Presbyterian Church in Joliet.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/lifestyles/1288119,4_5_JO20_GIVETHANKS_S1.article

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