In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Nevada’s capital Carson City (USA) celebrated its Second Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on November 24 at First United Methodist Church with various religions/denominations coming together to pray.

Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Jewish prayers were read on the occasion giving thanks to God. Participants included Alan Dorway, Presbyterian pastor; Christie Tews, Buddhist leader; Rajan Zed, Hindu statesman; Myra Soifer, Jewish rabbi; Rob and Dixie Jennings-Teats, United Methodist pastors; Jeffrey Paul, Episcopal priest; Charles T. Durante, Catholic pastor; Larry Schneider, Unity minister.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed recited from ancient Hindu scriptures Rig-Veda, Upanishads, and Bhagavad-Gita in Sanskrit and then translated into English. Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, read from Brahadaranyakopanisad, “Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrityor mamrtam gamaya” and then gave the English version as: “Lead me from the unreal to the Real, Lead me from the darkness to Light, Lead me from death to Immortality.”

Carson City Chamber Singers gave a musical presentation of “Surge Inluminare” while everybody sang together “This Is My Song”. Donations went to Friends In Service Helping and Circles of Support. Thanksgiving, a national holiday in USA, has been an annual tradition since 1863, when people gather to give thanks primarily to God.

In the picture taken on the occasion (from left to right): Dixie Jennings-Teats, Jeffrey Paul, Myra Soifer, Christie Tews, Rajan Zed, Larry Schneider, Charles T. Durante, and Alan Dorway. Jewish symbol seven-branched candelabrum “menorah” and Hindu god Ganesha are also seen on the table in front.

-Sampurn Media