A congregation of many faiths Sunday night filled the Cathedral of the Madeleine with a united prayer of thanksgiving.
Sponsored by the Utah Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the fourth annual interfaith community Thanksgiving service focused on the importance of meaningful dialogue between the faiths."The starting point of that relationship is our ability to worship together," said Bishop William K. Weigand of the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese. "Worship services such as this are valuable and should not be underestimated."
Participants included the Rev. France Davis, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church; Elder John E. Fowler, member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the Rev. John Kaloudis, pastor of the Greek Orthodox Community of Salt Lake City; Monsignor M. Francis Mannion, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine; the Rev. Robert R. Sewell, pastor of First United Methodist Church; and Rabbi Frederick L. Wegner of the Congregation Kol Ami.
As in past years, people attending the service were asked to make an offering for the homeless. Many participants brought packaged and canned food or bags of clothing, while others gave cash donations.
Monsignor Mannion welcomed the congregation to the cathedral, calling the large turnout - standing room only - a "statement of good will among people of many faiths."
The Calvary Baptist Church Choir sang songs of joy and thanksgiving, and prayers were offered from the holy books of all the faiths represented at the services.
In his sermon, Bishop Weigand said the fraternal relationship between Christians and Jews is important to all of society. Referring to the centuries of hostility between faiths and current global tensions between religions, Bishop Weigand said there can be no peace without peace among faiths. And there can be no peace among faiths without dialogue, he said.
"We must not let the ecumenical movement slip away," Bishop Weigand said, and he added that efforts must be made to include Islam in the cooperative effort.