The 75th Air Base Wing Base Chapel will be holding a special ecumenical service Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday to occur later that week.
Chaplains (Capts.) Daniel Horgan and William Brown will co-host the 30-minute, Christian-based service and will sponsor a pie social afterward.
"The focus will be on what unites us, rather than separates us," said Horgan, a Catholic priest. "That is what we give thanks to God for."
During his deployment at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, last year, Horgan met Brown, a Protestant minister, and the two became friends. The chaplains hosted a combined service at the base on Reformation Sunday, Oct. 31, 2008, with reported success.
"We are on the same journey together and we help each other out," said Brown.
Both chaplains were unaware that they would be stationed together at Hill Air Force Base after their deployment together. Once reunited, the chaplains decided to recreate the ecumenical service they hosted in Balad to bring the message of unity and gratitude to Team Hill.
"The service will be open to people of any faith or who want to give thanks for the blessing of serving our country," Horgan said. "It will provide a moment to pause, come together with friends and family, and give thanks for the heroic actions made by others."
Horgan included himself as one who will express his gratitude for the privileges of being a chaplain and an Airman. Noting a recent study released by the Pentagon that stated 35 percent of Americans aged 17 to 24 are unqualified for military service due to physical and medical issues, Horgan is "grateful for the noble tasks of serving God and our nation."
Among Brown's list of gratitude includes the leadership and staff at the Base Chapel and being a new member of Team Hill, where "the military, civilian and retired communities come together as a team."
The pie social that will follow the ecumenical service will be potluck style and attendees are encouraged to bring store-bought or home-baked pies. The chapel will provide drinks and utensils.
"You can't have a service without fellowship, and fellowship is an extension of a service," Brown said.
He added that for those who are unable to bring a pie, "just bring yourself and a grateful heart."
The chaplains noted this is one of the first events hosted by the chapel this year that is centered on the holiday season.
The next holiday event will be the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, to be held Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. between the Base Chapel and the Chapel Annex buildings.
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