Interfaith service leaders call for peace

Local Thanksgiving gathering comes during Israel-Hamas, Ukraine-Russia wars

"We want to pray for peace, not only in Israel and the Palestine territories, but also Ukraine and everywhere else in the world," said Father Lubomir "Lubo" Strecok, one of the organizers of Thursday's 92nd annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

The theme -- Peace and Healing -- was agreed upon without any hesitation, said the pastor of Sacred Heart Church, which will host this year's service.

Rabbi Audrey Korotkin of Temple Beth Israel said the combined themes of peace and healing "are particularly important to us in the Jewish community at this time when Israel is being threatened by Hamas terrorists who brutally murdered 1,400 men, women and children on Oct. 7 -- and when antisemitism is on the rise all over the world, including around us."

Koroktin said many people, both ministers and lay people, have reached out to both her and her congregation "letting us know of their love and support and offering us their prayers."

"We are fortunate we have tremendous support in our own community," she said.

That support is illustrated by Strecok's insistence on using the Hebrew phrases for healing and repair of the world, Tikkun Olam, and peace, Shalom, for sections of the service, Koroktin said.

This year, the service will have "huge participation" from all over the area, Korotkin said. Attending will be members of the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation, Agudath Achim Synagogue, Temple Beth Israel, Sacred Heart Church, St. John the Evangelist Church, Bethany Lutheran Church, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Juniata United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Tyrone, as well as members of both the Baha'i and Unitarian-Universalist communities.

Korotkin said the Muslim community was also invited, but it didn't have anyone available to participate.

Strecok said the event is one of the oldest interfaith services in the country and was moved to the week before Thanksgiving due to so many people traveling.

Prayers, scriptural readings and music from the Sacred Heart and Bethany church choirs will be divided by a sermon by the Rev. Drew McCaffery, Korotkin said. McCaffery, of Bethany Lutheran, will also touch on the situations in Israel and Ukraine.

Everyone is invited.

"It is important to get together and pray for peace in the world," Strecok said.

Mayor Matt Pacifico will read a proclamation, Strecok said, and the closing prayer will be offered by the Rev. Alan Thomas from St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Hollidaysburg.

This year's offering will benefit Family Services Inc., in memory of the Rev. Denise Arpino, who died in July.

"She was the heart and soul of this Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, and we miss her love, her kindness and her leadership in bringing us all together," Korotkin said.

A small reception will be held after the service at the Sacred Heart Formation Center, just behind the church, Strecok said.

"Our hope is that what we start here in our hearts can be carried out to other people," Strecok said.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.