Email this article
Printable version
Local religious groups give thanks
Herald Staff Writer
Photo by YODIT GIDEY/Herald
Giving Thanks
A few of the clergy members who participated in the Community Service of Thanksgiving shared the things for which they are most grateful this year:
The Rev. Roger Haney of the First United Methodist Church of Durango is grateful for "family, his church community and to be alive."
Alan TeBrink, who is a community lay pastor with Allison Presbyterian Church, gave thanks for "the freedoms we have in this nation, those that protect us and their families, and that we should never take them for granted."
Joyce Boyer, who represented St. Mark's Episcopal Church, appreciates the wonderful newcomers in our community who add so much to our churches and the community at large.
Mercy Regional Medical Center Chaplain Earl Caudill said he is "thankful for people who give of themselves and take care of others."
The Rev. William Mangrum of First Presbyterian Church of Durango appreciates "the ability to have our imaginations sparked and the possibility of using our imaginations to enrich the world."
Christ the King Lutheran Church's the Rev. John Knutson is grateful "for faith in the midst of so much uncertainty, something solid that we can depend on."
A Community Service of Thanksgiving has been celebrated for several years, and each year it grows in both participating congregations and attendees. About 140 people gathered at Christ the King Lutheran Church this year.
In addition to the hosts, the congregations that were represented included St. Columba and Sacred Heart Catholic, St. Mark's Episcopal, First United Methodist, and First and Allison Presbyterian churches. Chaplain Earl Caudill of Mercy Regional Medical Center was on hand, Congregation Har Shalom joined the gathering for the second year, and the Durango Friends Meeting participated for the first time.
"Every year we've grown a little bit more," the Rev. John Knutson of Christ the King said. "We are so spoiled here because everyone gets along so well. It reflects Durango, how we all care for each other and get along."
Sukkot is an ancient Jewish holiday that may well be the inspiration for our Thanksgiving, said Eli Herb of Har Shalom.
"Both are harvest feasts that are inextricably tied to being charitable and kind to others out of the bounty before us," he said. "In the Torah, it is commanded that in times of plenty, one must give to others."
Frank Leuthold introduced attendees to the Quaker Moment.
"Quakers took to heart the idea of the priesthood of all believers," he said, asking everyone to be silent to thank God directly.
After Bible readings, hymns and a sermon by the Rev. Bill Mangrum, Knutson gave this closing prayer, one that was originally delivered at one of these services by Myron T. "Father Mike" Darmour, who died this summer:
For the laughter of the children,
For my own life breath,
For the abundance of food on our table,
For the ones who prepare tomorrow's sumptuous feast,
For the roof over our heads,
The clothes on our backs,
For our health,
And our wealth of blessings,
For the opportunity to celebrate with family and friends,
For the freedom to pray these words,
Without fear,
In any language,
In any faith,
In this great country,
Whose landscape is vast and beautiful as her inhabitants,
Thank you, God, for giving us all these. Amen
abutler@durangoherald.com
advertisement
Every four weeks, Prudential Triple S Realty publishes our informative newsletter, "real estate review". Current issues and back issues available at www.PrudentialTripleS.com.
Durango Herald Calendar of Events
