Alliance Programs — 2024

Annual Interfaith Gratitude / Thanksgiving Service

Tuesday, November 26
7:30 p.m.

Christ Church Winnetka
784 Sheridan Road
Winnetka, Illinois
Free to All … Scroll down for more details

The 2024 New Trier Multifaith Alliance (NTMA) Interfaith Gratitude Service was held on Tuesday, November 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Winnetka, which is located at 784 Sheridan Road (on the corner of Sheridan and Humboldt).

This beloved NTMA tradition featured choral music and prayers, blessings, and readings from the sacred texts of a variety of world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith. The service was for the first time, been retitled a “Gratitude” service, denoting NTMA’s desire to respect and include the participation of our Native American Indigenous communities. The program opened with a special Thanksgiving address from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy of Nations, shared by Kim Vigue, Executive Director of Evanston’s Mitchell Museum of the American Indian. While centered on our wish to offer thanks to the Creator at this time of year, the program was also designed to acknowledge the current turmoil and suffering afflicting too many of our fellow humans across the world, and our desire to come together in ardent prayer that efforts leading to healing and peace may speedily be advanced.

The program’s keynote address was given by Steve Sarowitz, Founder and Chairman of Paylocity, filmmaker and humanitarian, and a plenary speaker at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Chicago. A relaxed and informal reception followed and included friends, family, and neighbors joining for light refreshments and fellowship.

The event was livestreamed here:

A recording of the service may be viewed on the Christ Church Winnetka website by clicking here and selecting NTMA Gratitude Service from the list of “Related Videos” which appears adjacent to the video viewer.

Please click “Download” below to receive the information-packed Program Booklet, including each participating faith’s reading:

2024 NTMA Gratitude Service Booklet Download

Women: Equality, Justice, and Inclusion

Have We Come Far Enough?

A panel discussion presented by NTMA

September 15, 2024 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Bahá’í House of Worship
100 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091
Foundation Hall (lower level)

A woman displays three fingers to represent equality, justice and inclusion, the theme of this event.

Featured Panelists:

  • Layli Miller-Muro, J.D. | Founder and Principal Tahirih Justice Center | Washington, DC (Moderator, presenting on the Bahá’í perspective)
  • Rabbi Rachel Heaps | Rabbi Temple Jeremiah, Northfield, IL (Presenting on the Jewish perspective)
  • Reverend Katie Lancaster | Senior Associate Minister Kenilworth Union Church, Kenilworth, IL (Presenting on the Christian perspective)
  • Chaplain Nora Zaki Mantas | University Chaplain Dominican University, River Forest, IL (Presenting on the Muslim perspective)

We hope you learned from this engaging panel discussion! A distinguished panel of Baha’i, Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders examined what the sacred texts say about the role of women, and what the faith traditions are doing about it.

Following the panel presentation, an open Q&A session amongst panel and audience further probed the issue. A complimentary refreshments period, including informal discussion, followed.

Be sure to attend the next NTMA educational event!

Coming Soon:

Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

  • Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
  • Host Organization: Christ Church Winnetka