Sharing the Light-the Mountaintop Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service - 6 December 2024

HAINES FALLS — It was a beautiful Catskill Autumn evening last Tuesday night as members of the mountaintop community gathered at the historic Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haines Falls. Faith leaders from across the mountaintop were hosting an evening of beloved traditional songs, inspirational readings, and timeless wisdom.

The gathering marked over thirty years since the formation of the Mountain Top Interfaith Community, an organization dedicated to uniting people of all faiths on the mountaintop.  Rooted in values of trust, faith and the belief in collective action, the community strives to build a better world through interfaith collaboration.

Eight faith groups shared unique and uplifting messages during the event.  Songs and hymns were sung, prayers offered and inspirational readings set the tone for a joyful reminder of what is possible when people come together in peace, love and common purpose. 

The theme of the evening, lighted candles, symbolizing the light within each of us.  Speakers emphasized this light as a source of hope and a way to heal in a world often overshadowed by discord and violence.

As each speaker shared wisdom from their traditions, a unifying message emerged: healing begins by recognizing the light within ourselves and in our neighbors. The Mountaintop Interfaith Community embodies this belief, fostering inclusiveness and comfort, while encouraging acts of giving and compassion.  Positive change begins when we unlock our true nature through selflessness and kindness.

The event concluded with a reminder of our shared responsibility as stewards of a larger community.  By lighting the flame of hope and unity, people of goodwill can inspire those in need and reaffirm that even in the darkest hour, light endures  

The Presenters:

Deacon Mike McDonald-Immaculate Conception Church

Cathy Farrell- Immaculate Conception Church

Pastor Ivan Kaszczak- St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church

Carol Slutzky-Tenerowicz- Hunter Synagogue

Greg Lubow- Hunter Synagogue

Barbara Swanson- Church of All Angels

Susan Pollack-Peace Village

Pastor Amy Royal-Kaaterskill United Methodist Church

Ephraim Ben-Eliezer -Platte Clove Community

Janet Reale-Dharma Teacher Order/Vietnamese Zen

Dillon Gilbert-Community Fridge of Hunter

Service is the underlying principle that guides our actions.  Annual Offerings were collected and will go to a fund, administered by the Community Fridge of Hunter. The money will be used for operational costs, food supply and cost of construction. The Community Fridge of Hunter was founded in 2022 by the volunteers of Phoenix Web, and functions as a grassroots volunteer organization with help from local organizations, private citizens, restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and other pantries that share their resources. The fridge is a lifeline for the neighborhoods it serves and acts as a grassroots response to a dire food insecurity crisis and helps provide a nutritious diet for local family and loved ones.  

Around $2,000 was collected from those assembled!  If you were unable to attend but would like to participate, checks can also be made out to Mountaintop Interfaith Community memo line ‘Community Fridge of Hunter’ ‘and mailed to PO Box 139, Tannersville, NY 12485.

We would like to thank Jay and Joe and Jay at WPRX for their continued support of all good causes on the mountaintop and Matt, editor of this paper who is always ready to spread the word to the community he serves.

The Mountaintop Interfaith Community mission is to inspire the cooperation of all faith groups on the mountaintop by promoting harmony, understanding, and collaboration in the communities we serve. By working together while recognizing the common threads of all faiths, we will create a vibrant, engaged community of friends and neighbors.  https://mountaintopinterfaithcommunity.org/index.html