The annual Fountain Hills Interfaith Thanksgiving service will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, at The Fountains, a United Methodist Church, 15300 N. Fountain Hills Blvd.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Prays Well With Others” and is sponsored by the Fountain Hills’ Interfaith Alliance, a coalition of local faith communities committed to embracing diversity and pluralism as ideals and practicing positive interaction with those of other faith traditions as a positive witness to a world in conflict.

Joining the celebration will be Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Latter Day Saints, Buddhists, Baha’i, Religious Science, and practitioners of other faiths living in and around Fountain Hills.

The service will include original music, a time for conversation and an opportunity to reflect on the important work of listening and understanding one another.

“There’s a spirit of fear loose in our culture. People think (and see it demonstrated at the highest levels of our national leadership) that it’s OK to bully and exclude those whose ways seem unfamiliar or whose culture, religion, or race don’t fit into their narrow definition of ‘American,’” said the Rev. David Felten, pastor at The Fountains. “So it’s all the more important to model what it looks like to come together as Americans – not despite our differences, but because our differences help us learn ways of appreciating the experience of others and learning more about ourselves.”

Pastor Adele Resmer of New Journey Lutheran commented that “it is so important for Americans of all faiths to come together and share what we have to be thankful for.”

An offering will be received during the service to support relief work in Puerto Rico. Attendees are encouraged to make a cash offering or to make their check out to Fountain Hills Interfaith Alliance.

Immediately following the service, refreshments will be served to provide a time for fellowship and conversation.

Also prior to the service and immediately following the service, baked goods and crafts will be available for purchase to benefit Syrian refugee families in the Phoenix area.