Newtown Interfaith Council (NIC) continued planning for its upcoming annual gatherings during its latest meeting, October 22 at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Led by Newtown Congregational Church Lead Pastor Matt Crebbin and Love Has a Home Here Founder Bill Donaldson, the meeting focused on ironing out the group’s plans for the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering and 12/14 Service of Remembrance. Both events have been continuous efforts from the council to show support for the local community and bring people together from all walks of life through hope, comfort, and compassion.

The annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering is being planned for Sunday, November 24, at 2 pm. It will be conducted at Sticks and Stones Farm, 197 Huntingtown Road. Crebbin and Donaldson both felt that holding the gathering mid-afternoon would give attendees enough time to enjoy the event while also allowing everyone go home before it gets too dark.

The goal of NIC’s Thanksgiving gathering has always been to be a time of compassionate mutual support across people of all faiths through discussions, prayer, and more, the men noted.

When asked by Reverend Andrea Castner Wyatt what form the Thanksgiving gathering would take, Crebbin said he hoped everyone could work together in a large circle and that it would be “very participatory.” People would be encouraged to bring some prayers, reading, or little reflections that not only encourage participation, but also encourage them to think about how they can support each other individually and as a community.

“We want to celebrate each other and engage in a civil community discussion on who we are, and what we want to be,” Crebbin said. “I think that a lot of people want to connect with others in some capacity, so this event will build into that care, concern, and compassion that we have for the people in our community.”

While NIC members are still working to draft a theme for the event, they frequently returned to the idea of “celebrating who we are and who we can become.” Crebbin noted, however, that they want to lean into the first part of the idea — that it is a celebration of who they are already — rather than focusing on pessimism and negativity.

“It’s not necessarily like, ‘Oh, look how terrible our society is, everything is in a handbasket,’” Crebbin continued. “We want to recognize who we are, acknowledge the good, elevate that, and work to do better together.”

The group also discussed about whether to do a collection for a cause or organization. Crebbin noted that in previous years the group has done collections for FAITH Food Pantry, but added that they could choose whatever they want.

“We could ask people to bring a general offering, bring non-perishable food items, or ask them to bring a donation towards whatever we choose,” he suggested.

NIC also touched on plans for this year’s 12/14 Service of Remembrance, which is a public gathering for the community to remember and honor those who died 12 years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Since December 14 this year lands on a Saturday, the group acknowledged that they have to reach out to local schools and see how they would like the council to proceed.

Crebbin noted that when December 14 previously fell on a Saturday, the service of remembrance was offered the previous evening. He added they have to wait and continue planning for the event before they have anything concrete. Regardless of date, the council decided to present the 12/14 Service of Remembrance at Trinity Episcopal Church.

NIC plans to meet again in early November to finish ironing out plans for the Thanksgiving gathering.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.