Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service
It was a great day of celebrating God’s goodness and fidelity, as associate professor Shirley Cooley, PhD, RN, CNE, C-EFM, welcomed the gathering with the spirit of Thanksgiving. Trust, patience, gratitude were the three themes Campus Ministry students prepared, along with Ellen O’Shaughnessy, D.Min, director of Campus Ministry. Invited guest leaders sharing the themes were Father Evan Cummings, CSP, associate pastor, St. Thomas More Newman Center OSU; Rabbi Jessica Shimberg, author and founding leader of Kehilat Sukkat Shalom; Nicol Ghazi, Muslim Family Services director, Noor Islamic Center; and Pastor Jerry Revish of Unity Temple of Christ, and soon-to-retire anchor at WBNS-TV10. Special guests were Sister Barbara Hahl, CSC, senior vice president, MCHS Community Health and Well-Being, along with with Sister Jean Ann, CSC, who represented founders of College, the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
Students Rebecca Bujnoch, Amanda Barrett, Suad Osman, Alexandrea Snodgrass, Zachary Marchiando, and Baylie Baker responded to their respective faith leaders, and guest speaker Wilson Tendongfor Njoku from Cameroon, Africa, shared his story of struggle. Wilson, a member of St. Anthony’s parish, is applying to become a U.S. citizen and wants to start college. Warm clothing and supplies for homeless people in Franklinton – donated by the MCCN community – were presented at the gathering to Kristina Kowatsch-Beyer, RN who is manager for Mount Carmel Mobile Coach and Street Medicine, and Jalee Helmuth, RN, a nurse on the team. Music was provided by the choir led by assistant professor Mary Yoder, MS, RN, accompanied on the piano by with instructor Kathryn Ross, AND, MSN, BSN. Soloist Dione Parker Bennett of the Capital University Conservatory of Music and United Christian University, was accompanied by guest saxophonist, Mike Roberts. A delicious lunch and door prizes added to the celebration!
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