Mayor’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Program Nov. 20 at Rockford College’s Fisher Chapel

Online Staff Report

Rockford Interfaith Council will present its 22nd Annual Mayor’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Program starting at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20.

The event, titled “Answer the Cry of Hunger at Thanksgiving,” will be at Rockford College’s Fisher Memorial Chapel, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. The program will last 90 minutes.

The program features the executive director of Rock Valley United Way, Paul Logli, who will address “The Cry of Hunger at Thanksgiving.” Also, representatives from major faith groups will share Thanksgiving prayers, focusing on the theme of helping the hungry.

Special music will be provided by Womansong Chorale directed by Roberta Flaherty, gospel singer Aaron Bolden, the Harmony Men’s Singing Society, directed by Paul Steffans, and the Vietnamese Youth Dancers.

Faith communities offering one- to two-minute prayers include Hindu, Native American, the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, Jewish, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Christian, Buddhist, Unitarian Universalist, Pagan, and Muslim. Refreshments will be provided.

A free-will offering will be given to the United Way for its hunger programs. People are invited to bring canned goods for local food pantries. The event is free and open to the public.

The Rockford Interfaith Council co-sponsors the Thanksgiving Interfaith program with the Rockford mayor’s office. They host regular meetings and have representatives from every major faith and many denominations who pray and work for a tolerant community.

“The City of Rockford is committed to partnering with faith-based organizations to support our mission to provide assistance and guidance to the members of our community,” said Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey (I).

Call Phyllis Peterson, treasurer of Rockford Interfaith, at (815) 633-0492 for more details.