After weeks of preparation, Newtown Interfaith Council held its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering. Presented November 24, the event this year was hosted by Love Has A Home Here, at Sticks and Stones Farm.

The event moved from Trinity Episcopal Church, last year's host, to the Huntingtown Road farm, offering a smaller, more intimate venue for the occasion. Regardless of location, the goal of NIC’s Thanksgiving gathering has remained the same: to be a place where people across all faiths can join together through conversation, prayer, and music.

Two dozen people from local and surrounding communities attended the event. Everyone sat together in a circle, with all having a chance to participate. Guests had been encouraged to bring readings, reflections, or prayers to spark conversation and tie into the event’s theme of “Nourishing Community.”

Newtown Congregational Church Lead Pastor Matt Crebbin said on Sunday that the council had picked the theme for its ties to Thanksgiving and how it champions showing gratitude and compassion toward one another.

“At this time of year with Thanksgiving, it’s a given that we think about food and nourishment. However, nourishment is more than just food, it’s also giving back to the community that we’re all a part of,” he explained. “How do we nourish and foster love, unity, and well-being? How do we do that and celebrate the ways we come together as a community?”

To that end, NIC had also encouraged attendees to bring either a financial donation or a non-perishable food donation for FAITH Food Pantry as a way to give back to those who need the support at this time of year.

People continued to speak on those themes throughout the event. Each speaker shared their own thoughts and feelings on various topics, such as how they can strengthen and foster community in an increasingly technological, independent world. Some people shared short personal stories and anecdotes from growing up, while others shared prayers as a way to express gratitude for those in their lives.

Singer and guitarist Dean Snellback played songs related to themes of community and nourishment throughout the evening, such as “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King. When Snellback closed out the gathering with “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, he had everyone stand up and sing together.

Many people stayed after the event officially ended to continue the conversation among themselves. People also gravitated towards the table at the back of the room, filled with fruits, sweet cider, cheesecake, muffins, and macaroni and cheese.

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