All community members are invited to the Santa Ynez Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21 at Bethania Church, 603 Atterdag Road, Solvang.

The service is sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community, Bethania Lutheran Church, and St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley, including representatives of Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and other faith communities. Participants will gather to offer thanks from the various religious traditions, affirming their unity as grateful neighbors.

“We gather together with our neighbors and friends of all faiths, or of none, to give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy in our diverse community. We invite you to join us,” said Rev. Randall Day of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley.

“Join us as we express gratitude for our community, our interfaith friendships and for the ability to do the work we are blessed to do together, work that makes the world a better place,” said Rabbi Debi Lewis.

“In a time of such polarization and struggle in our society, coming together from different backgrounds in gratitude for what we have and what we commit to work towards can be such a meaningful and powerful experience,” said Pastor Chris Brown, Bethania Lutheran Church.

The service will also be livestreamed at https://bethanialutheran.net.

The Interfaith service is moving to Monday this year to accommodate the space needed for the Bethania Food Distribution, which is on Tuesday evenings. A reception will follow the service in the parish hall with conversation and refreshments.

The community also is invited to gather at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley for a simple service at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24., at 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos.

The event at the Episcopal Church will include singing of traditional harvest hymns and offering thanks. The service of less than an hour will be followed by light refreshments in the Common Room.

“Thanksgiving is about gathering together and giving thanks,” Rev. Day said. “This service is a special opportunity to observe the heart of the Thanksgiving holiday.”

Direct questions to St. Mark’s office, 805-688-4454 or visit www.smitv.org.