The First United Methodist Church of Santa Maria will host the 10th annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Service on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. Located at the intersection of Cook Street and Broadway, the church invites everyone to attend for a night of music, prayer, and fun.
The event was established a decade ago by Nipomo resident and choir director Kathy Wilding; it’s since become a Thanksgiving Eve tradition. The service now involves eight different churches: Bethel Lutheran; Christ, First, and Saint Andrew United Methodist churches; Heritage Evangelical Presbyterian; St. Peters Episcopal; and two newcomers: Santa Cruz Lutheran and Bethel Korea United Methodist Church. A team of pastors from the involved churches will offer prayers, scripture readings, and communion.
“Each individual congregation can’t afford to put on something like this because it can be expensive,” Wilding explained.
Thus, the churches decided to create a joint service.
Music will be provided by a bevy of accomplished musicians. Hear the Burnished Brass Ensemble, timpani drums, a children’s choir, hand bells, and one of the largest pipe organs on the Central Coast. A 40-member choir will also highlight the service. According to organizers, the music has always been the backbone of this event.
“Music is major to this,” Wilding said. “We try to pull out all the stops.”
The service benefits the Good Samaritan Shelter and Salvation Army through a free-will offering. Containers will be provided to receive donations of non-perishable food items for the Foodbank. Even though the cost of the event can be quite expensive, all of the money raised will be split evenly between the Good Samaritan Shelter and Salvation Army.
“What people are putting in the offering plate is strictly to help other people,” Wilding said.
Light refreshments will be served in the social hall following the program. Enter the church from the old Mervyn’s parking lot or the church parking lot off Cook Street.
For more information about the service, visit santamariafumc.net.
Intern Jacob Lopez compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 18-25, 2010.