An Islamic congregation was represented for the first time when Grove UMC West Chester hosted the Exton-Lionville Ministerium’s annual Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, Nov. 19.

Iftekhar Hussain (left, speaking), of the Islamic Society of Chester County, joined eight other worship leaders who were from Catholic, Jewish, Baptist, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and United Methodist faith communities.

Hussain has been teaching a 10-week course, “An Introduction to Islam and Muslims through History and Scripture,” at Grove on Sundays, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The popular lecture and discussion course, offered by Grove for the third time, ends Dec. 10.

The Rev. Mark Singh-Hueter of St. Paul’s Evangenical Lutheran Church preached during the interfaith service, as others read Scriptures from the Old and New testaments and from the Qur’an, which Iftekhar read first in Arabic and then in English.

Three hymns sung from the UM Hymnal offered common themes of gratitude to the God of Abraham, who is shared by all the participating faiths. The Rev. Gary Jacabella, pastor of Exton UMC, offered a Navajo prayer for the benediction.

The Rev. Gary David Knerr, pastor of Grove UMC, organized and officiated the service, whose theme was “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.”  An ensemble from the church’s adult and youth choirs sang an anthem.

A local clergy network sponsors the annual interfaith Thanksgiving service, with a different congregation hosting each year.

Reported by Arlene Rengert