An ecumenical community Thanksgiving celebration will take place on Sun., Nov. 23, 7 PM at Altadena Baptist Church, 791 East Calaveras Street. This event will include representatives from a number of local Christian denominations, the Jewish community, the Bahai faith, and other religious expressions, demonstrating the need all people have to express their gratitude.
The keynote address will be presented by the Rev. Wendy Tajima, who is a third-generation Japanese-American, born and raised in Pasadena. Wendy worked with battered women for ten years, then in management with the Apple Computer Company. She entered seminary in 1997 to train for Christian ministry. She was ordained in the Presbyterian Church and served as a pastor in Hawaii with the United Church of Christ. Her Thanksgiving message will be entitled "Raisins in the Stuffing."
Music expressing thanks and praise will be led by two choirs, the Pasadena Jewish Temple Choir, directed by Cantor Judy Sofer, and the Altadena Baptist Gospel Choir, directed by Glenn Molina. There will be readings from sacred writings of the various faith traditions participating.
This community celebration is being sponsored by ACTS (Altadena Congregations Together Serving), a local affiliation of clergy and lay people dedicated to growing together through conversation, fellowship, shared projects and mutual respect. One of the continuing programs of ACTS is a cooperative Food Pantry, staffed by volunteers from the various congregations, that helps local families in financial stress. An opportunity will be given at the celebration for people to bring either canned foods or money to support the Food Pantry.
