By Fred Grossenbach –
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic church hosted a city-wide Thanksgiving Service on Monday, November 21, 2022, that drew close to 1000 people from many different denominations to worship, pray, give thank offerings and enjoy fellowship.
This service was co-sponsored by 26 different organizations. In this era of conflict and division it was heartwarming to see people from different perspectives and traditions come together for one purpose: to give thanks to the One who has blessed us all.
Bishop Donald Hying of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison gave a message of Reflection. He pointed out that this event was a demonstration of the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17. He reminded us that we give thanks for the gift of life, the gift of Jesus, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“This is our identity as Christians”, he said. “Thanksgiving is our stance before Christ. Everything we have is a gift from God and gratitude finds its fullness in generosity which benefits the less fortunate among us.”
During the Presentation of Gifts for Sharing the participants were invited to bring forward gifts of cash and food which would be distributed to the River Food Pantry, Extended Hands, and St. Vincent de Paul.
In closing, Jon Anderson of the Collaboration Project invited the audience to plan for next year’s Thanksgiving Service to be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, and added:
(Thanks to Phil Haslanger for photos.)