Religion

With a single blast, they will be united.

People separated by denominational and religious labels will set aside their differences to stand together beneath the banner of faith and the shared aspiration of helping those in need.

The shofar, or ram's horn, is the most sacred instrument in Judaism. Its deep and mighty roar harkens back to biblical times; a sound that summoned warriors into battle and proclaimed peace. It was the shofar that echoed through the smoke upon Mt. Sinai and left the Israelites trembling.

But on Sunday when Temple Beth El member Gary Schoenberg blows the shofar, its triumphant blast will signify the beginning of a local tradition.

For more than 20 years, Interfaith Ministries has hosted an annual Community Thanksgiving Service during which people of all faiths and denominations can gather in unified cooperation. It was in this spirit of becoming an instrument of hope and change for the community that Interfaith Ministries was founded in 1975.

"Interfaith is about helping those in need," says executive director Martha Vandervoort. "We talk about unity in terms of faith, but there's also a tremendous need to bring all people together … whether they're upper, lower or middle class.

"This is something for all people."

In an effort to be even more inclusive, Vandervoort has spent the past week on the phones with various independent congregations, including area Hispanic churches as well as the Korean Presbyterian Church. She has also attempted to get youth groups more involved by having members of youth groups serve as greeters before the service.

"It's typically been an older service," Vandervoort says, "but it's the youth who are the future of Interfaith, so we need their help too."

This year's service will be hosted by Anniston's First Baptist Church at McClellan, and it's promising to be quite unique.

When he first volunteered to coordinate the service, Bert Oelschig, who serves as chairman of the board of directors as well as pastor for Trinity Lutheran Church in Anniston, knew he needed to create something special.

"Given all the wonderful services in the past," he says, "there was a lot of pressure. We try and look at our history and give a new and different emphasis each year."

Though the official theme for the service is unity and love, it's the music — as diverse as the audience certain to appreciate it — that is sure to take center stage.

"The focus," Oelschig says, "is meant to be praise and worship through music."

In addition to Schoenberg blasting the shofar, Sunday's Thanksgiving celebration will feature a variety of musical performances, including the traditional Combined Choir directed by Alan Conaway from Anniston's First Baptist Church.

David Rice, pastor of Anniston First Presbyterian Church, will deliver an a capella version of a Jewish call to worship in Hebrew. Amber Conway from First Baptist will sing a solo. There will be a performance by the flute ensemble from Anniston First United Methodist Church and the service will conclude with Brian Conary from St. Charles Catholic Church in Jacksonville, who will play "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes.

"It's all meant to be a reminder that there are so many ways that we can give praise and thanks," Oelschig says. "We're using music to enhance that."

But it's not all about the music. There will also be several readings, including passages from Genesis, Psalms 100 and 150 as well as Paul's second letter to the Corinthians in which he talks about God loving a cheerful giver.

The responsibility of bringing all of these messages together under the banner of love and unity falls to Father Bryan Lowe, priest at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Golden Springs.

Because he tends to preach extemporaneously, Lowe confesses that Sunday's sermon will likely be a "work in progress until the moment it comes out of my mouth." Still, he intends to seek inspiration from John 13:34-35, in which God commands for his disciples all love one another.

"That's really the whole point," Lowe says. "If we're really going to be people who give thanks then we need to show our thanks by the love we show for one another.

"That's how we build unity and harmony, by showing that everybody matters."

Interfaith Service

What: Interfaith Ministries' Community Thanksgiving Service.
When: 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Anniston's First Baptist Church at McClellan, 851 Morton Road, Anniston.
More info: Call 237-1472
The link: To learn more about Interfaith Ministries, visit www.interfaithcalhoun.org