“If God ever wanted sameness, every tree would be the same height and gray would be the only color we’d ever know,” said Baldev Singh on Thanksgiving Day as he spoke to about 150 people about the glory of the differences within humanity.
Singh, of the Sikh Gurdwara of Spokane, was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Spokane Interfaith Council 2nd Harvest Thanksgiving Service, which was held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane. The theme this year, “Giving Thanks for our Differences.”
He encouraged the crowd to look at the rainbow, “and celebrate every color,” adding that world peace starts by respecting those who are unlike you.
He was one of 11 speakers who spoke on the topic at the service.
The Rev. Todd Eklof, of the Unitarian Universalist church, said diversity is what makes society work. Diverse backgrounds and lifestyles, he said, “creates a rich cornucopia called community.”
Rev. Joe Niemic Jr., president of the Interfaith Council and co-pastor at the Center for Spiritual Living, said when celebrating differences it’s key not to have an “I’m right, you’re wrong” mentality.
He said we, as a peaceful community, can only begin to truly come together and more forward when we, “Let go of our anger, bigotry, and need to be right.”
People from at least 10 different faith traditions attended the service including Christian, Buddhist, Unitarian, New Thought, Hindu, Sikh Muslim, Baha’i, Latter-day Saint and Catholic. The event was a fundraiser for 2nd Harvest Food Bank.
Melissa Cloninger, community relations manager, said the organization was on target to serve 22 million pounds of free food to 250 food banks in Eastern Washington and North Idaho this year — a record high.
“We serve nearly 55,000 people each day, and that number continues to climb,” she said, adding that 100,000 children in Washington are going without enough food daily.
Cloninger said 2nd Harvest has reached record highs for three years in a row.
Every dollar donated to the food bank provides a meal for four people.
The interfaith service raised about $400 for 2nd Harvest and about 100 cans of food were collected.
“I think when people can come together and do something solid and put away their differences and work together as human beings, that lays the foundation for peace,” Niemic said, “and I think we did that.”
View a photo slideshow of this event here.
