Caldwell Rotary and Kiwanis proudly celebrate their annual Thanksgiving Ecumenical Luncheon

Guest speakers (from L to R): Rev. Msgr. Kenneth Herbster,Rev. Stephanie Wethered, and Rabbi Alan Silverstein.

Nearly 100 people attended this year’s annual Rotary-Kiwanis sponsored Ecumenical Luncheon, held at Mayfair Farms on Tuesday, November 23. This gathering included members of the clergy from local houses of worship who are members of the West Essex Ministerial Association, representatives of community-based service organizations, as well as members from the local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs.

Co-chairs of this inspirational luncheon were Bob Markman of Caldwell Rotary, who also emceed the event, and Barbara Peck of Kiwanis of Caldwell / West Essex. Introductory speakers this year were Kiwanis President William Fried, Jr. and Sam Kent of the Rotary Club.

Attendees included guest speakers Rabbi Alan Silverstein, Congregation Agudeth Israel in Caldwell; Reverend Msgr. Kenneth Herbster, Notre Dame Church in North Caldwell; Reverend Stephanie Wethered, St. Peter’s Church in Essex Fells; and Reverend Msgr. Michael J. Desmond, of St. Aloysius Parish in Caldwell - who gave the invocation.

Also in attendance were Caldwell Mayor Susan Gartland; Dr. Nancy Blattner, President of Caldwell College; Stanford Brown of The Bridge; Mary Davidson of the Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education; Roberta Schoenberg of Caldwell LIVE; and Kristopher Almquist of Crane’s Mill in West Caldwell.

This annual event is more than good food, good company, and fellowship. To support our local food bank, Caldwell Rotary made provisions for attendees to make both monetary and non-perishable food donations, and through Kiwanis, Pio Costa gave $300 in supermarket food cards, also to be donated to the Caldwell Food Pantry.

by Rotarian Bob Markman