Jeff Hornacek would choose shooting free throws in front of a large crowd over speaking in public any day — that's a given. On Sunday, he probably could have done both had he really wanted to.
The former Jazz star was the featured speaker at one of the Thanksgiving Interfaith services that took place Sunday.
The congregation packed the Holladay South LDS Stake Center chapel, where Hornacek spoke, and overflowed into the gymnasium. It seemed appropriate that the crowd hearing his remarks was mostly seated on a hoops court and underneath basketball standards.
The setting was much different at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, but hundreds of participants eager to find some common ground for gratitude also filled its pews. They didn't let Sunday's soggy cold snap dampen their spirits.
Messages at the interfaith services were intertwined. Gratitude and unity were major topics, and proclamations were made by elected officials.
Lt. Gov. Olene Walker read Gov. Mike Leavitt's proclamation, designating Nov. 24 as Interfaith Thanksgiving Sunday in Utah. Holladay mayor Dennis Larkin summoned residents to be "champions of religious freedom," to give thanks and to unify.
In his invocation at the cathedral, the Rev. France Davis of Calvary Baptist Church acknowledged the vast differences represented by those attending, "yet we have so much in common . . . bless this place . . . so that as we depart we will know that we have been with thee."
Hornacek joked that he has more experience reading cue cards in his America First commercials and talking to kids at basketball camps, so he was a little nervous about speaking to this gathering. "You probably don't want to learn how to shoot baskets or set picks."
He didn't address these issues or put on a free-throw shooting clinic. He shared something that has helped him keep a proper perspective throughout his life — on and off the court.
When he was a boy, Hornacek was deeply moved by the classic movie, "Brian's Song." It portrays the relationship between National Football League legend Gale Sayers and his teammate and unlikely friend Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer. Sayers shared lessons about this tragic yet touching tale in his book, "I Am Third."
Hornacek, an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, urged the congregation to live by this selfless set of priorities: "God is first. Family and friends are second. And I am third."
"That's what life is about," he said. "It's helped me in my life, and I'm thankful for that. I know God has blessed me."
Hornacek related his basketball career to real-life situations and emotions that everybody faces. Everybody will feel "elation and happiness" at times. Other times, life will be full of "sadness and disappointment."
"Why do I keep bringing up the NBA Finals with sadness and disappointment?" he joked.
Anger and embarrassment also creep in. Like the time he learned he was being traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Philadelphia 76ers via his son's godparent who lived in Chicago, or when he missed two last-second free throws and his team lost by one point. (Not to mention the 1997-98 NBA Finals.)
"Not everything has been good in my life," he said. "I'm thankful for that. It's taught me how to persevere and bounce back."
Hornacek stressed that people should jump at opportunities, respect coaches (leaders) and value teamwork. Having thousands of worshippers from different churches converge was an example for him.
"Teamwork is what has made this community a great place," he said. "That's why we decided to live here."
Barbara Lochmar, representing the Baha'i faith, said it is "our love for our creator that brings us all here." She called on God "to help us recognize our common humanity and the oneness of all religions. May they all live together in perfect harmony."
Lance Harris, who represented American Indian spirituality, welcomed "all of you here to my land" for the service. "To come together as spiritual beings we become strong, we become one people, we become like the rainbow, with all the colors together in a united process as the creator intended."
Elder Dale Renlund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recalled Abraham Lincoln's proclamation of a national holiday for Thanksgiving. "It is the duty of all nations as well as all men to show their dependence on the overruling power of God and to recognize that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord," he said. Understanding "our indebtedness to God should make us better neighbors and better friends."
Tariq Kergaye of the Islamic Society reminded participants that Muslims share a common spiritual ancestry with Christians and Jews through the biblical prophets of old. Though Sept. 11, 2001, was "a tragedy for our nation, it was a disaster for Muslims" whose religion "was hijacked," he said. "Islam is a beautiful religion that emphasizes love, peace and justice and a belief in one God." Thanksgiving is a time to praise Allah, to worship in peace and to remember man's dependence on God, he said.
David Sonnereich, president of the Congregation of Kol Ami, recited from the Jewish "Gates of Prayer." He suggested to "remember it is the Lord who gives you power to prosper. Remember to serve the Lord . . . and share our gifts with those in need."
Other religious leaders shared spiritual and patriotic messages. The Prophet Elias and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Choir and Salt Lake Men's Choir offered soul-soothing music.
At Holladay, members of the local LDS Relief Society provided refreshments. James Williams, president of Holladay South Stake, said this year's food probably wouldn't match the spread the Greek Orthodox Church had in 2001.
"We thought of green Jell-O and carrots, but we have no other cultural foods we could think of."
What was served didn't matter for most. They were happy to be eating and edified together.
E-MAIL: jody@desnews.com ; carrie@desnews.com