Religious leaders across faiths celebrate unity for Thanksgiving

Jane and Fred Wittlinger, longtime members of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, have been attending the Interfaith Thanksgiving service since the '90s, and they shared how proud they are to live in a community where religious leaders work across faiths to build stronger, kinder relationships among residents.

"I think this ministerial association is a real value to the community of the islands," Fred said. "They transmit that caring and unity to the congregations."

The special Thanksgiving service has been a tradition for 45 years, and parishioners from all the islands' religious institutions packed the hall at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on Nov. 18 to hear messages of unity.

Jane added, "It's a fun evening because a lot of the people here are our friends anyway, so it's nice to worship with them too. ... This is our family of faith."

Participating religious houses included All Angels by the Sea; Christ Church of Longboat Key; Longboat Island Chapel; SAKLC; St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church; and Temple Beth Israel.

St. Armands Lutheran's Rev. Kenneth Blyth welcomed attendees with a message of unity.

"This is a celebration of joy and thanksgiving," he said. "It's a time to smile. It's a time to share love and mutual respect. It is a time for companionship and collegiality."

He continued about the importance of supporting one another while facing the challenges life poses.

"I don't need to tell you that life can be tough," he said. "Life can throw us curveballs and turn on a dime. I'm not telling you anything you don't know. But, we of faith don't journey alone."

Blyth said such gatherings are invaluable in pushing back against rhetoric that aims to divide people.

"The community members of Longboat and St. Armands keys are united as people of God, as Americans, as friends, and as neighbors," he said. "We will not allow the world to define us or to divide us."

Delivering the central sermon of the evening was Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates, who took up the role of senior rabbi at the Longboat Key Temple Beth Israel this summer.

Mates focused her remarks on the theme of "if not now, then tell me when."

"When we go to our individual houses of worship, we have shared vocabulary and language and upbringing, or have chosen that faith for a reason," she said. "Coming together with all different faith traditions is a more complicated thing. Yet, it is something we need to do more."

She continued, "In a world that is so full of pain and suffering, our churches and synagogues and mosques are spaces of comfort. When we come together, the comfort is magnified. So is the confusion. You come and listen to what others have to say, and understand what moves the other's heart. If not now, tell me when."

Guitarist Gabriel Welch followed her sermon with his rendition of Carrie Newcomer's "If Not Now."

Blyth said organizers have always endeavored to rotate the role of the main speaker equally, usually guided by who is the newest member, has a particularly poignant message or is best suited to deal with external factors, like when SAKLC was able to offer virtual service during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year's service collection benefited the Harvest House food pantry through All Faiths Food Bank of Sarasota. Christ Church's Rev. Julia Piermont explained that organizers selected the food bank because it benefits residents of both Manatee and Sarasota counties.

She also read aloud the 1789 Proclamation for a National Day of Thanksgiving.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church's Fr. Robert Dziedziak read Psalm 136, which speaks to the creation of the earth, sun, moon and stars. All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church's Rev. David Marshall read Genesis 17:17-18:12 about the family of Sarah and Abraham.

Blyth noted this tradition has carried on for 45 years, but it used to be the only time the islands' leaders got together. In recent years, they started gathering monthly to review their parishes' celebrations, challenges and upcoming projects.

Their collaboration has strengthened their charitable efforts and other outreach benefiting the whole community, he said.

"When people see us working well together, it gives them the green light to work together as well," he said.