Churches around the Diocese of Central Florida will be giving thanks in more ways than one this Thanksgiving.
Parishes will hold special services and/or dinners leading up to and during Thanksgiving Week (Nov. 18-24), including events on Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21) and Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22).
For some churches, doing unto others on Thanksgiving has become quite the tradition. At St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Sebastian, a Thanksgiving Day dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 22.
The meal, which is prepared in-house by a team of parishioners, will consist of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, stuffing and gravy, and dessert, according to Father Dave Newhart, rector at St. Elizabeth’s. Coffee and tea also will be served.
“The meal is primarily attended by the elderly, although I prefer to use the term mature in years, and empty-nesters who have no place to go,” Newhart said. “We usually feed around 30 and the suggested donation is $7.”
At St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Titusville, Father Rob Goodridge announced that his church will celebrate on Thanksgiving Day at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 22. A Thanksgiving potluck will be served, with a focus on welcoming those who have no family to spend the day with.
Here is a partial list of events:
Thanksgiving Day
Holiday Calendar
Churches listed in alphabetical order:
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
155 Clark St.
Enterprise, FL 32725
386-668-4108
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day Eucharist and Luncheon (RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 15 for luncheon).
The Cathedral Church of St. Luke
130 N. Magnolia Ave.
Orlando, FL 32801
407-849-0680
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m.
Christ the King Episcopal
26 Willow Drive
Orlando, FL 32807
407-277-1151
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m.
Eucharist Celebration, followed by Christ the King’s Hannah Chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King’s 6th Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner, noon-2 p.m. Everybody is invited to the free event. Nobody should be alone on Thanksgiving, so DOK is making sure the church family and community neighbors have a wonderful holiday meal.
Church of the Ascension
4950 South Apopka-Vineland Road
Orlando, FL 328919
407-876-3480
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Church of the Blessed Redeemer
1225 Degroodt Road SW
Palm Bay, FL 32908
321-725-6881
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m.
Thanksgiving Eve worship service.
Church of the Holy Spirit
601 S. Highland Ave
Apopka, FL 32703
407-886-1740
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m.
Service in the Little Church
Church of Our Saviour
200 Northwest 3rd St.
Okeechobee, FL 34972
863-763-4843
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m.
Thanksgiving Eve Mass
Church of St. Luke & St. Peter
2745 Canoe Road
St. Cloud, FL 34772
407-892-3227
- Tuesday, Nov. 20, 6 p.m.
Special Thanksgiving Community Meal and Worship. A special community meal for all in our community in need of fellowship and a great Thanksgiving meal. Worship with a special focus on Thanksgiving hymns will be led by our Tuesday evening worship team.
Corpus Christi Episcopal Church
3430 County Road 470
Okahumpka, FL 34762
352-787-8430
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 5 p.m.
Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist, followed by reception.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
1603 E. Winter Park Road
Orlando, FL 32803
407-894-1641
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with hymns.
Episcopal Church of St. Mary’s
5750 SE 115th St.
Belleview, FL 34420
352-347-6422
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with healing.
Holy Faith Episcopal Church
19924 West Blue Cove Drive
Dunnellon, FL 34432
352-489-2685
- Wednesday, Nov 21, 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving Eve Rite II Service
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
50 W. Strawbridge Ave.
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-723-5272
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.
Thanksgiving Eve service, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
202 Pontotoc Plaza
Auburndale, FL 33823
863-967-2130
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
St. Edward’s Church
460 N. Grandview St.
Mount Dora, FL 32757
352-383-2832
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist
St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church
901 Clearmont St.
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-589-2770
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 4 to 6 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day dinner open to all. The meal, which is prepared in-house by a team of parishioners, will consist of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, stuffing and gravy, and dessert. Coffee and tea also will be served.
St. Francis Episcopal Church
313 N. Grace St.
Bushnell, FL 33513
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church
414 Pine St.
Titusville, FL 32796
321-267-2545
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 6 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day Potluck. If your family is far away, don’t despair. Join us!
St. George’s Episcopal Church
1250 Paige Place
The Villages, FL 32159-9315
352-750-1010
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day Eucharist Service with choir. Offering and canned food donations will be given to Gateway to Hope Ministries.
St. Jude’s Episcopal Church
815 E. Graves Ave.
Orange City, FL 32763
386-775-6200
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day Service
St. Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church
4220 Saxon Drive
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
386-428-7383
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day Service
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
700 Rinehart Road
Lake Mary, FL 32746
407-444-5673
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.
Evensong service to be held.
St. Richard’s Episcopal Church
5151 Lake Howell Road
Winter Park, FL 32792-1095
407-671-4211
- Thursday, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day Service, Holy Eucharist with hymns.