Churches United celebrates with Thanksgiving fest

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By Mary Louise Speer | Sunday, November 16, 2008 10:20 PM CST | () comments

Rene Triplett of the First Paradise Baptist Church in Rock Island, Ill., sings "I Feel Good" during the Churches United of the Quad Cities' Festival of Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa. (Andrew Link/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

Retired Rev. Armim Weng, bottom left, and interim Rev. Travis Fisher, bottom right, both of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, lead a group of Quad-City clergymen and women during the Churches united of the Quad Cities' Festival of Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Davenport. (Andrew Link/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

Purvis Miles of Rock Island’s First Paradise Baptist Church shared his story of being a hopeless dope fiend and gave thanks for finding hope and changing his life during Sunday’s 16th annual Festival of Thanksgiving.

The ecumenical service was hosted by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Davenport, and presented by Churches United of the Quad-Cities.

“It was at age 18 that I was introduced to the world of drugs. I always had this longing to be a part of whatever I wasn’t part of, be it good or be it bad,” he said. “Today, I’m a dopeless hope fiend. I am who I am for what (Jesus) did on the cross.”

The service began with clergy in a mix of clerical robes, suits and formal wear processing through the sanctuary that is adorned with English Gothic architecture and 19th century stained glass windows.

Jaime McCluskey, of the First Church of Christ Scientist and part of the Augustana College Choir, shared vignettes of getting lost in Stockholm, Sweden, during a choir tour and keeping her eyes fixed on a church to help her find her way back to her group.

Issac Carr immigrated to the United States almost five years ago after being a refugee after war broke out between his native Liberia and Sierra Leone in 1991.

Carr and his siblings were separated from their parents. The war meant young men , even boys, were pressed into military service, and women were raped.

Carr resettled in the Quad-Cities through World Relief, a Christian international relief agency, and he is studying at Black Hawk College to become a nurse.

“Blessings all of you,” he told the audience.

The Rev. Christopher Epting, former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa and current executive director of ecumenical relations for the Episcopal Church USA, led a responsive prayer at the beginning of the service.

Musicians from the cathedral, First Paradise and Augustana College shared their faith in song.

“Part of what faith is about is helping you find your path with God. In a sense those testimonies were tied to that,” said Ron Quay, executive director of Churches United.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.