Be my neighbor: Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium’s Thanksgiving gathering to highlight a Mister Rogers philosophy

The theme is “Giving Thanks for our Neighbors.”

It’s an appropriate title for the annual Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium Community Network’s Thanksgiving gathering on Nov. 20 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Eastmont in Penn Hills.

Caring about everyone in the community is the mission of the group, a partnership of the municipality’s many faith communities that encourages fellowship and dialogue among religious leaders and communities.

“The evening is open to everyone,” said Susan S. Burke of Baha’i, the coordinator for the congregation that is co-hosting with Emmanuel Lutheran Church. “We want to give thanks for everything we have. We appreciate each other, and we respect each other.”

Each year, one of the ministerium’s faith communities hosts. There are co-hosts this year because Baha’i does not have an actual building. The gathering is traditionally held the Monday before Thanksgiving.

The congregations invite everyone to spend an evening sharing scripture and song or prayer, supporting varied beliefs and socializing in a safe and accepting space. There will be a musical component, including the Temple David choir performing the song “Heal Us Now.” There will be light refreshments. Food and drinks will be labeled for those with allergies or for attendees who prefer vegan and vegetarian or gluten-free.

Neighbors of different faiths have been gathering locally for more than 30 years in the Monroeville area. In 2010, the Eastmont and Monroeville gatherings merged into one that is organized by the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium.

It is open to religious leaders of all faiths and representatives from community organizations that share the vision.

This gathering is a night of fellowship.

“It is essential that we as people of different faiths share our joys and sorrows, our histories and our values,” said the Rev. Linda Theophilus, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.“This year we are giving thanks to our neighbors, which is an important message. It is an opportunity to get to know each other and support each other.”

The ministerium’s mission is to encourage fellowship and dialogue among religious leaders and communities, to promote learning and understanding about varied beliefs, and to provide and advocate for compassion and justice.

Before each meeting, those attending recite a statement that they are there to promote fellowship among the religious leaders; respect, understanding and cooperation among people of all faiths; and goodwill, compassion and justice for all.

Other faith groups around the world have caused pain to each other, and the ministerium is doing its best to reach out to each other are human beings and to respect each other just as scripture teaches, Theophilus said.

“We live in the city of Mister (Fred) Rogers, who loved every neighbor and was kind to everyone,” she said. “It’s about treating everyone with compassion.”

A representative from Braver Angels will be speak at the event, which starts at 7 p.m. and usually lasts an hour and a half to two hours. On its website, Braver Angels is described as “leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to change our politics for the better. Through community gatherings, real debates, and grassroots leaders working together, we’re offering America what it needs to overcome the bitterness of our partisan divide.”

Monetary donations will be accepted at the event and given to food banks at Crossroads Presbyterian, Garden City United Methodist and the Turtle Creek food pantry.

“The golden rule in the scripture of all major religions is to not do to someone else what you would not want done to you,” Theophilus. “That is a golden rule to live by, one that shows appreciation for our neighbors.”

The ministerium has representation from over 15 houses of worship in the Monroeville area. They are Baha’i, Christian ( Protestant and Roman Catholic), Hindu-Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Unitarian-Universalist.