Interfaith Service Stresses Peace and Generosity

In his book ‘Man’s Eternal Quest,’ Paramahansa Yogananda writes of some of his visions of Krishna and Jesus. On one occasion in Boston he views both of them hand-in-hand on a sea of gold. This is truly a hopeful vision at a time when our world is saturated with religious divisiveness. More than 600 worshippers attended Monday night’s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Corpus Christi Church and heard the all-important message of peace, as expressed by Brother Atmananda’s reading from ‘Man’s Eternal Quest.’ Brother Atmananda represented the Self-Realization Fellowship on Sunset. In music and scripture, clergymen and women from eight of the religious institutions in the Palisades reiterated the call for peace, generosity and appreciation for life’s gifts. As host of this year’s celebration, Monsignor Liam Kidney welcomed the audience and later initiated the sign of peace. Rev. Julie Bryant of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church led the call to worship. Rev. John Nagel of the Community United Methodist Church quoted the passage from ‘Isaiah’ which reminds us, ‘When you are set free, you will celebrate and travel home in peace.’ Nineteen-year-old Griffith Frank, accompanied by his father David Frank, sang ‘L’Dor Vador,’ the Jewish Morning Prayer that is usually translated as ‘from generation to generation.’ This message was followed by a reading from the Qur’an by a Muslim guest, Mehram Mehrtash. The combined church choirs, directed by William Salvini, performed the choral anthem ‘Thanks Be To God,’ and the Corpus Christi Children’s Choir sang ‘Give Us Your Peace.’ Presbyterian Pastor Ed Brandt delivered the Thanksgiving homily, and a special offertory collection was taken to benefit the Malibu Presbyterian congregation, which lost their church in the fire a month ago. The proceedings concluded with a Thanksgiving prayer offered by Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben of Kehillat Israel. The Palisades Ministerial Association inaugurated the interfaith service as an affirmation of community in 1999. The group’s intention is that ‘we come together to celebrate our commonality and our diversity, to give thanks for our many blessings, and to enjoy the religious freedom and pluralism of our country.’