Annual Community Thanksgiving Service

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of people gathered during the lunch hour to celebrate another year during an annual community wide service.

From diverse music, to the main message, the themes were simple, be thankful and do good to others.

This year’s Community Thanksgiving Service took place at Lane Chapel CME Church. Host pastor Cheryl Penson says it is encouraging to see people from different walks of life gathered together.

“We know, especially during this time of year that there are people less fortunate than we are and I think coming together in settings like this reminds us that we have work to do,” Pastor Penson said.

The service is organized by the Mayor’s Outreach Task Force and featured members of the Mayor’s Youth Council, reading scripture encouraging others to take nothing for granted.

“We let simple things go by that we’re not grateful for and we don’t appreciate , so by coming here and saying these scriptures we are showing we are thankful other than just at Thanksgiving,” said Mayor’s Youth Council Member Seaonna Spratt.

“It’s important to have events like this for the whole community, to really unite the community and bring this awareness of thankfulness to everybody, I think expressing your thankfulness for the community as well as the people around you is really important,” said Mayor’s Youth Council Member Addy-Parker Spees.

After the service, guests were given information on how to help area non profits and ministries that reach out to those less fortunate this Christmas season.

Tupelo’s Community Thanksgiving service began in 1978 by the city’s multi racial committee and the ministerial association.