Interfaith Thanksgiving service set

By BRIAN LYMAN
Norwich Bulletin

NORWICH -- The Norwich Area Clergy Association believes there are many things for people to give thanks for this year.

In that spirit, the organization will hold an interfaith Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Park Congregational Church on Broadway.

The clergy association held a similar interfaith service last year, reviving a tradition that had been long dormant.

That service was held in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, and the Rev. Sidat Balgobin, the minister at Park Congregational, said this year's service would try to remind people of the peaceful ways to work with each other.

"I think we all need to time to give thanks," said Sister Maryanne Guertin, president of the Norwich Area Clergy Association. "This past year, we've spent so much time asking god for blessings, for things, we don't take time to say thank you."

The service will feature representatives from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Bahai communities.

Two Dogs, the ceremonial pipe carrier for the Mohegan tribe, also will be on hand. Grace Jones, president of Three Rivers Community College, will deliver a message to the congregation.

"She's outside the narrow confines of the faith community, but she's certainly a woman of faith," Guertin said.

Newly elected state Rep. Melissa Olson, D-Norwich, will read a proclamation of Thanksgiving to the congregation.

Collections will be taken up at the service for the clergy association's Emergency Food Pantry and Emergency Fuel Fund.

Organizers aren't sure on numbers, though Balgobin expects between 200 and 300 people to attend.

The service held last year at Beth Jacob Synagogue drew a standing-room only audience.

bmlyman@norwichbulletin.com