2017 Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Interfaith Service, Peekskill Area Pastors Association (PAPA)

November 2, 2017 Contact: papapressservice@gmail.com For Immediate Release: 2017 Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Interfaith Service The 2017 Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Interfaith Service sponsored by the Peekskill Area Pastors Association (PAPA) will be held on Sunday, November 19th at 5:00 PM at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 1969 Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY. Representatives of area Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox, Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist and other congregations have been invited to participate. Archbishop Michael Javchak Champion of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church will be the keynote speaker. The Church of the Holy Spirit choir, joined by members from the diverse local congregations, will provide music for the service. “Our annual Pre-Thanksgiving Interfaith Service is an opportunity for people of different religious traditions in the community to gather and worship together, giving thanks for the abundant blessings of life, while also having a keen eye on those who may not be so fortunate, including our own neighbors and friends. It's not meant to be some abstract concept," says Archbishop Champion, 1st Vice President and past President of PAPA. The service also highlights the religious and cultural diversity of our community and our nation. There will be participants from the various religions represented in our region, musical selections from different cultural sources, as well as a litany of short petitions rendered in some seven languages spoken by area residents. PAPA is looking forward to welcoming a large cross-section of our residents to fill the sanctuary of the Church of the Holy Spirit that afternoon. All are welcome! A segment of the program is dedicated to honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those in public service, giving special thanks to our police officers, firefighters, EMS technicians, hospital emergency room doctors and nurses, and all of the region’s first responders. Regarding the Interfaith Choir, Joan Rojas, Director of Music at the Church of the Holy Spirit, will hold one rehearsal for the combined group of singers. That will take place at 4:00 PM sharp in the Parish Activities Center at the Holy Spirit campus, and all area singers are welcome and encouraged to form part of the choir. All those who wish to sing that day are asked to send an email to Mrs. Rojas at: jrgemo8@aol.com in order to be prepared for choir seating setup. Immediately following the service, everyone is invited and encouraged to join together in fellowship at Division Street Grill, 26 North Division Street, Peekskill, to socialize and enjoy a buffet of pasta, salad, fresh fruit and dessert. The buffet selection, while delicious, will be meatless, and aims to accommodate those of various dietary observances. The reception is complimentary.