RACINE - On Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve, leaders of many of the city's faith communities will come together for a celebration of gratitude.

Tony Larsen, pastor of Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, 625 College Ave., said the event started among the Downtown parishes several years ago, and has grown to include members of several different faith communities, including the Racine Islamic Center, Beth Israel Sinai and the Original Root Zen Center.

"We broadened to include other faith communities that might want to help celebrate Thanksgiving," Larsen said. "It's kind of a universal thing in every religion. ... Thanksgiving is really something we all can do."

The service is returning to Olympia Brown for the first time in about five years, Larsen said, after taking place at several other Downtown parishes.

He said members of the city's faith communities have been happy to participate, and that the interfaith program can help bridge gaps between religions, Larsen said.

"Sometimes there's misunderstanding between religions and misconceptions about what religions stand for," he said. "This can show to all of us that we have a lot more in common than we have different and that there are things we can do together, one of which is to give thanks. Another is to make the community a better place."

One way people can join together Wednesday night is to come early - at 6:15 p.m. - to learn a song that will be sung by a joint choir. Members of the choirs at Olympia Brown and First Presbyterian will participate, but it is open to anyone who wants to learn the piece.

After the service, Larsen said, there will be a "Pie Fest." He asks that people attending bring a pie to share, possibly one for each group of three or four that comes. That way, there will be plenty to share afterward.