Newtown Interfaith Council presented its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering last week. Trinity Episcopal Church hosted this year’s event, which moved from the pre-Thanksgiving Sunday evening to a Thursday evening presentation this year.

Reverend Andrea Castner Wyatt, rector of Trinity Church, welcomed those who attended. Trinity Church Choir opened with a performance of “Come, ye thankful people, come.”

Members of the Interfaith Council shared readings and prayers from their respective faiths, including a Gathering Prayer by Reverend Matt Crebbin, senior pastor of Newtown Congregational Church; Dr John Woodall, of Ba’hai faith, offering a prayer; Reverend Bill Donaldson, founder and president of Love Has A Home Herem sharing a poem and discussing “Land Acknowledgement.”

Grandmother Nancy Andry, an elder and grandmother in her Algonquin and French heritage communities, shared a reflection on what Thanksgiving means to the indigenous people. The Reverend Leo McIlrath, chaplain at The Lutheran Home in Southbury, Congregation Adath Israel member Steve Bamberg both did scripture readings.

Newtown United Methodist Church Pastor Steve Bamberg offered a “Litany of Thanksgiving.”

In addition to the choir, Atara Horrigan performed on a charango (a traditional Peruvian stringed instrument) and shared a musical reflection.