Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration
The Grand Rapids Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration has been celebrated annually since the year 2000. The event features participation from a wide variety of Christian denominations and representatives of Native American, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, secular, and inclusive religious communities. We come together to give thanks for the blessings we have received. Prayers, music, sacred writings, reflections and meditation will be woven together with a common theme of gratitude from many traditions.
The human desire to express gratitude is felt among all religious traditions and in secular society. How people express thanksgiving takes many different shapes and styles. The Grand Rapids Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration is an opportunity for people of diverse traditions to listen, to share, and to better understand one another. No one is asked to compromise their beliefs, just to come together and share their stories, their cultures, and their gratitude.
This event is organized by a committee of representatives that are Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, secular, and other inclusive religious communities. The committee is chaired by Larry Barton of St. Mary's Catholic Church. If you are a congregation interested in partnering with the Interfaith Thanksgiving Planning Committee contact Kyle Kooyers, [email protected].
2025: Coming Together in Gratitude
2025 marked the 26th year of our annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration hosted by First (Park) Congregational Church!
We heard from members of our community, representing an array of religious, spiritual, and secular worldview identities, as they discussed coming together in gratitude during this and all seasons.
A free-will offering was collected to support the new Community and Service Center. The Community and Service Center provides both emergency services (a warming and cooling center, and access to food) and empowerment services (resource navigation support and case management). It offers one space where people experiencing homelessness can get help with housing, employment, income support, health care, mental health care, transportation, case management, medical and food benefits activation, legal services, and more. The Community and Service Center is made possible by a collaboration between Mel Trotter Ministries, Dégagé Ministries, Catholic Charities, and seven downtown churches.
2024 - Gratitude for Our Shared Home
The 25th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving marked a quarter of a century of community organization and reaching across lines of difference to build connection, trust, and a future where everyone feels like they belong. Westminster Presbyterian Church welcomed members of the Grand Rapids Interfaith Community as host of the celebration. The evening was filled with various songs, recitations and dances from various traditions and cultures from communities around Grand Rapids.
Donations were collected for Kids Food Basket a grassroots, community solution to childhood hunger.
2023
The 24th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving hosted by Fountain Street Church continued the tradition of bringing together the interfaith community of Grand Rapids in their multitude of culture, traditions and beliefs to share a common stage in celebration.
A freewill offering was made to the Refugee Education Center which supports refugees in their journey to become fully participating members of the West Michigan community.
2022 - Choosing Gratitude
The 23rd annual Interfaith Thanksgiving again brought together members of various traditions and cultures at Temple Emanuel to celebrate the act of choosing gratitude in an increasingly divided world.
An offering was made to Feeding America West Michigan.
2021 - Resilience and Thanksgiving in Uncertainty
On Monday, November 22, we celebrated with many traditions and cultures who came together to give thanks for one another, even in the midst of uncertainty and division. Through song, dance, prayer, and storytelling we shared gratitude with and for our West Michigan neighbors.
A virtual freewill offering was taken for the Afghan refugee resettlement work of Samaritas and Bethany Christian Services.
2020 - Gratitude in Times of Challenge
Due to COVID19, our 21st Annual Thanksgiving Celebration happened virtually on Monday, November 23, 2020.
This year our freewill offering benefitted Family Promise, which works to eliminate homelessness in our community. Donation link.
2019 - Gratitude for the Past: Hope for the Future
Our 20th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration took place on Monday, November 25 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. A free will offering was taken for the work of God's Kitchen which serves the Heartside community.
2018 - Living and Serving Together
In 2018, we gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our keynote speaker was Dr. Aly Mageed, reflecting on "Living and Serving Together."
We came together to give thanks for the blessings we have received. Prayers, music, sacred writings, reflections and meditation were woven together from many traditions, welcoming all. A free-will offering will was taken for the refugee resettlement work of Samaritas and Bethany Christian Services.
2017 - Building Community Together
In 2017, we celebrated at Trinity Lutheran Church and donations went to UCOM Client Choice Food Pantry and Family Promise Grand Rapids.
Family Promise of Grand Rapids, founded in 1997 as the Greater Grand Rapids Interfaith Hospitality Network, partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations, and corporations to provide emergency shelter and viable solutions for families with children who are facing a housing crisis. The mission of Family Promise of Grand Rapids is to engage community and faith-based organizations in ENDING HOMELESSNESS . . . one family at a time.
UCOM is the ACCESS key resource center for Southwest Kent County serving Grandville, most of Wyoming, and a portion of southwest Grand Rapids. UCOM operates one of the largest pantries in the city. In 2016, UCOM provided over 26,000 food services to more than 9,000 individuals, contributing enough groceries to its neighbors for over a quarter of a million meals.
2016 - Coming Together, Welcoming All
In 2016, we celebrated at Central Reformed Church and donations were given in memory of Addie Timmer, Samantha Bannister, and Sister Sue Tracy. Samantha "Princess Sami" Bannister was a member of Center for Inquiry-Michigan and she and her father Jeremiah Bannister spoke at this service in 2015. On July 17, 2016, Sami lost her fight with a rare form of brain cancer. In 18 months following her diagnosis Sami had a profound impact on tens of thousands of people and was appointed as a Make-a-Wish Ambassador for her passionate resolve to "never give up" and "keep on smiling"! Donations collected went to Make-A-Wish Michigan in memory of Sami. Sister Sue Tracy said about her life as a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, “It has been the best way for me to love and serve God and God’s good people.” Sister Sue coped with cancer no fewer than six times in her life. In her journey with cancer, she was a model of courage and hope, inspiring countless cancer patients with her humor and prayers. Donations were directed to the Interfaith Hospice Coalition in memory of Sister Sue Tracy. Addie's Pantry is a local food pantry (located here at Central Reformed Church) that provides groceries and personal care items to families in need as part of ACCESS Pantry Network of West Michigan. Addie's Pantry is named in honor of Addie Timmer, a lifetime church member who had a passion for volunteering and caring for her neighbors! This donation will help sustain nearby households with their basic needs!
2015 - Unity Through Diversity
In 2015, we celebrated at Trinity United Methodist Church and collected...
- 60 bags of food for the East Paris Food Pantry
- 14 bags of winter wear/coats for Lutheran Social Services
- A bin full of classroom supplies for Congress Elementary
- Over $2000 for all the organizations combined.
Congress Elementary is a local school in the East Hills Neighborhood. The money collected will go to support the children, teachers and staff at Congress Elementary. This donation will allow teachers and staff to purchase items that are used every day in the classroom to keep the children healthy and engaged in their classrooms. The East Paris Community Food Pantry (EPCFP) was established in 2012 by a group of local Muslims looking for a way to put the Islamic teachings into action. The EPCFP is located in the lower level of Masjid At-Tawheed on East Paris Ave. The EPCFP distributes food to anyone in the community that is in need regardless of religion or beliefs. Distribution day is on the last Thursday of the month from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Lutheran Social Services of Michigan (LSSM, now known as Samaritas) creates communities of service. LSSM walks with people in need, offering hope and compassion while upholding their dignity, advocating for equality and justice, and seeking creative solutions. Locally, LSSM has programs for senior living, refugee resettlement, home healthcare, and foster care.
2014
In 2014, we celebrated at Westminster Presbyterian Church and our donations went to the Westminster/Downtown Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County The Westminster/Downtown Food Pantry is housed at Westminster Presbyterian Church and governed by a board that includes representatives from Central Reformed, First United Methodist, Fountain Street, LaGrave Christian Reformed, St. Andrew’s Cathedral and Westminster Presbyterian churches. The Pantry provides emergency supplies of food and personal care items to vulnerable people while also promoting self-sufficiency through referrals and education. Habitat for Humanity of Kent County builds hope and transforms lives through neighborhood revitalization and homeownership for families who otherwise could not afford a home of their own. Habitat also coordinated interfaith service opportunities as a part of our 2015 Year of Interfaith Service initiative.
2013 - The Warmth of Community
In 2013, we celebrated at Temple Emanuel and our donations went to Children's Protective Services. This program is responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect. There are times when children are removed from their homes in nothing but the clothes they have on. CPS does the best it can to provide these children with the basic necessities when they are removed from the home. They most often are in need of winter clothing, underwear and socks. Everything donated went to these needs.
Instead of a monetary donation, we are donating clothes to Child Protective Services, who need helping keeping their community of children warm this winter. We ask that you bring children-sized hats, scarves, socks, and underwear so this organization can continue to support children in the Grand Rapids area.
Our keynote speech was given by the Venerable Deok Wun Russell Pitts, Abbot at the Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple and Zen Center
