ENCINITAS: Thanksgiving Eve celebration features prayers, songs, laughter

By Renee Ramsey - For the North County Times | Wednesday, November 26, 2008 10:40 PM PST ∞

Pictured is the vocal group Shining Stars ---- from left, Nava Rahmanian, 7, dressed as an American Indian; Rojin Momeni, 9, dressed as a Hindu; Ariavash Sefiduash, 5, dressed as an Eastern European; and Kimia Yade, 8, dressed in Turkish costume ---- who performed "Teaching Peace All The World Around" during the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association Thanksgiving Eve service Wednesday night at St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach. The San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association consists of leaders of 34 spiritual communities in North County. (John Koster - For the North County Times)

SOLANA BEACH ---- Music, prayers and plenty of laughter marked an upbeat Thanksgiving Eve celebration on a rainy Wednesday night in this very gloomy economy.

More than 500 people filled the pews at St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach for the 20th annual event sponsored by the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association.

"The whole consciousness of the country has changed as of Nov. 4,” said the Rev. Christina Tillotson of the Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Cardiff-By-The-Sea and a past president of the association.

"Even on the television news, it's not so negative. It's focused on trying to make things work,” she said.

Four young girls from the children's choir at the Baha'i Community of Encinitas won sustained applause and cheers for their performance of the song "Teaching Peace.”

The Rev. Laura Ziehl of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Encinitas attracted more applause and laughter, too, when she invited several children in the pews to share what they were thankful for this year.

"Toys,” said one.

"Coffee,” she said.

Ministers representing the faiths of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Baha'i, Judaism and Hinduism read passages from their books of scripture that each focused on a different way of expressing the importance of service to others.

"Primarily, we are about dialogue and serving our community,” said the Rev. James Dollins, an associate minister at San Dieguito United Methodist Church and president of the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association. The association represents 34 spiritual communities in coastal North County.

"There are many places in the world where an event like this would be considered a miracle,” Bobby Puffin, a member of the Baha'i Community of Encinitas, told the diverse congregations gathered at the church.

"Being a first-generation American, I'm proud to be here,” said Solana Beach Councilman Joe Kellejian, who read President George Bush's 2008 Thanksgiving Proclamation describing the history of Thanksgiving in America.

As in past years, more than 60 pies were served after the celebration. It's a pies-after-church tradition of Lutheran churches adopted by the interdenominational gathering. Participants also passed baskets from pew to pew to collect funds for the interfaith association's Community Resource Center, which serves the needy of North San Diego County.