Gratitude for all: Ecumenical Thanksgiving service in 1717 Meetinghouse, and a walk before
Editor's note: This story was updated Nov. 15 to correct the time and date of the Rooster Crows Christmas Fair. It begins at 9 a.m. Nov. 18.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth invites members of the public to share a little thanks during the annual Thanksgiving ecumenical service Nov. 19 at Kelley Chapel.
An ecumenical service differs from a traditional Christian service, according to coordinator and trustee Judy LeGrand, because it’s meant to appeal to people from all faiths.
“It's not so highly religious that it would offend anybody of any particular creed,” she explained.
The service is a long-standing tradition of the Historical Society with LeGrand coordinating the event on and off for almost a decade. During the service, the potbelly stove is lit to warm the chapel, a celebrant calls a general call to worship and traditional hymns are sung.
“We pick a different celebrant for the service each year from a different community church or synagogue,” LeGrand said. “We've had a Buddhist, different things like that.”
This year, the Rev. Andrea Suess Taylor from St. David’s Episcopal Church in South Yarmouth, will deliver the call to worship. Elizabeth Bader, Robert Mesrop, and Suzanne Norman will provide the music.
The service is not only intended to bring people together. but also to be a reminder of the area’s rich history.
“We try to both honor the Wampanoag people who saved the lives of those of us who are descendants of the Pilgrims,” LeGrand said. “...The only Pilgrim we know that came and settled here in South Yarmouth was Stephen Hopkins and his family, but there are several other people around who have — like I have 13 or 14 ancestors that came over on the Mayflower — various other people they descended from who are here on Cape Cod. So it's a part of their history too.”
On the day prior to the service, trustee Bob Kelley and educational consultant Marcus Hendricks of the Wampanoag tribe and Nipmuc nation will take guests on a tour of South Yarmouth’s reservation.
“We want to give a sense of the fact that these were once Wampanoag lands and we are a part of that history too,” LeGrand said.
The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth’s Thanksgiving ecumenical service will take place at 3 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Kelley Chapel. The service is free to attend but the chapel can only hold around 60 guests so be sure to get there early to snag a spot in the pews.
The tour of South Yarmouth’s reservation will take place at 9 a.m. on Nov. 18. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at www.hsoy.org/events/.
Other Best Bets on Cape this Week
Christmas begins with the Rooster Crows Christmas Fair
The Christmas season does not wait for Thanksgiving to pass, and neither does the West Parish of Barnstable United Church of Christ.
The annual Rooster Crows Christmas Fair is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at the historic 1717 Meetinghouse and Jenkins Hall at 2049 Meetinghouse Way in West Barnstable. Stop by to shop for some baked goods, handmade Christmas gifts and decor, hot cider, donuts and more!
Start your holiday shopping at the Falmouth Holiday Market
In Falmouth, Christmas is also starting early this year as the Falmouth Holiday Market and Gift Gallery kicks off Nov. 18.
From Nov. 18 to Dec. 17, more than 100 local artists and crafters will be selling their work for the holiday season, featuring potential gifts including handmade scarves, original artwork and ornaments.
The Falmouth Holiday Market and Gift Gallery will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Falmouth Art Center, located at 137 Gifford St. in Falmouth. Admission is free. For more information, dates and times, visit www.falmouthart.org/.
Cape Cod Creative Art Center's Holiday and Small Works Sale opens this weekend
On Nov. 17, the Cape Cod Creative Art Center's Holiday and Small Works Sale begins! From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., browse a selection of handmade gifts such as pottery, jewellery and cards perfect for the holiday season.
The day following, the sale will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in addition to a special kids event from 9 a.m. to noon where kids can build candy lighthouses while the adults shop.
The Holiday and Small Works Sale will run through Dec. 9 at the Cape Cod Creative Art Center, 154 Crowell Rd. in Chatham.
Support Homeless for the Holidays with Cape Cod Senior Residence's Bake Sale and Craft Fair
The Cape Cod Senior Residence’s annual Bake Sale and Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18.
All proceeds from the event will go to Homeless for the Holidays, a non-profit organization based in Bourne.
The Cape Cod Senior Residence is at 100 Dr. Julius Kelley Lane in Bourne.
Folk singer Anne Hills performs at Snow Library
Folk singer Anne Hills performs Nov. 18 at the Snow Library in Orleans.
The concert is in honor of Linda Gordon, a fan of Hills’ who worked as a librarian at the Snow Library for over 30 years.
Show time is at 2 p.m. in the Craine Room and admission is free. The Snow Library is located at 67 Main St. in Orleans.
Get your Thanksgiving pie at the Waquoit Congregational Church Bake Sale and Pie Bake
If you’re looking to take one dish off your plate, stop by the Waquoit Congregational Church’s pie and bake sale.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 21, delicious treats such as pies, cookies and breads will be on sale, just in time for Thanksgiving.
The Waquoit Congregational Church is at 15 Parsons Lane in Waquoit.
Chatham Historical Society hosts 'Best Bake Sale in History'
For those of you who don’t want to bake but don’t live on the Upper Cape, fear not as the Chatham Historical Society is also hosting a bake sale on Nov. 21.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Atwood Museum, delicious baked goods will be on sale in support of the historical society. Pies, however, can be preordered for $25 for pickup. Orders must be filed by Nov. 17 online at www.chathamhistoricalsociety.org/events-schedule/best-bake-sale-in-history/ For orders larger than three pies, call the Historical Society at 508-945-2493.
The Atwood Museum is located at 347 Stage Harbor Road in Chatham.
Sonny Gada to speak at Garden Club of Yarmouth meeting
Sonny Gada is back for another garden club appearance on Cape Cod, this time with the Garden Club of Yarmouth.
Gada, a floral designer with over 30 years of experience, is guest speaker at the club’s November meeting at 1:15 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Yarmouth Senior Center, 528 Forest Road in West Yarmouth. A $5 donation is requested at the door to attend.
Post-thanksgiving fun at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center
If you’re looking for a way to sit back and let loose after the stress of Thanksgiving, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society has something up its sleeve.
At 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 join comic Chris Zito, special guest Marty Nadler and host Gary Marino for a night of laughs during their “Thanksgiving Recovery Show” at the film center.
Tickets for the show are $30 and can be purchased online at .www.mvfilmsociety.com/.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Things to do on Cape Cod: Thanksgiving bake sales, ecumenical service
