Annual Interfaith Service Set for Wednesday Night

Congregants from religious organizations across Three Village will come together Wednesday night at the Three Village Clergy Association's annual Thanksgiving Eve interfaith service, set for 7 p.m. at St. James RC Church in East Setauket.

Members of , , , , North Shore Jewish Center, the Islamic Association of Long Island, and are expected to participate. Organizers said last year's service drew a crowd of about 100.

"It's a really positive kind of thing and we like doing it on Thanksgiving Eve," said Rabbi Stephen Karol of Temple Isaiah. "We feel it really kicks off the holiday season in a great way."

Those interested in taking part in a joint choir performance should arrive at St. James at 6 p.m. The service will start at 7 p.m. and is expected to last about an hour and 15 minutes, followed by a reception. A collection will be taken to support the Welcome INN.

Karol said each year the service has a theme. This year's theme is based on the traditional story "Stone Soup," in which hungry strangers come together to create a meal. The reception following the service will feature a soup based on an actual stone soup recipe which was selected to accommodate the dietary needs of those expected to attend.

"One of the things we all know as clergy is that it's not always the results that are the most important, the process is important as well," Karol said. "The story and the service reflect what our clergy association is about. We try to emphasize what we have in common."