This is a good time of year to feel grateful, no matter what faith you happen to belong to.

That’s the spirit behind the second annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service hosted by the Lawrence Ministerial Alliance.

“Our thinking is that (the concept of) thanksgiving is a universal theme across all faiths. This event is a time for us to celebrate the things we have in our life that we feel grateful for,” said the Rev. Sherry Schultz, pastor of Unity Church of Lawrence, Ninth and Madeline Lane.

Schultz is helping to organize the service, which is intended to feature representatives of different religious communities in Lawrence, such as Zen Buddhists, Muslims, Christians of many denominations, Native Americans, Baha’is, Jews and others.

Schultz explained the symbolic importance of gathering people from a variety of religious traditions to express gratitude.

“Thanksgiving is not a holiday that is specific to one faith group, so it seems fitting for us to celebrate together at that time. We think the interfaith dialogue is incredibly important; the United States has become the most religiously diverse country in the world. This is the chance to honor the fact that we’re diverse and make the opportunity for our communities to get together,” she said.

The service will have special prayers, readings and music led by spiritual leaders from many religious backgrounds.

Last year’s event, Schultz said, was a success, drawing more than 100 people.

The ministerial alliance and the Haskell Interfaith Council, which is also helping to coordinate the service, are asking participants to bring personal-care items such as shampoo, soap, bath towels and toothbrushes to contribute at the event.

These items will be given to incoming students at Haskell who may need the supplies.

“In some cases, they’re far away from home and don’t have the family resources that they are accustomed to. We want to help them with the items that everyone needs,” Schultz said.

A freewill offering will be accepted, with the money that is collected going to the ministerial alliance’s emergency-care fund to help people in the community.

The alliance is a cooperative organization made up of 15 to 20 Lawrence congregations.

Among the local churches, centers and groups that are planning to have representatives at the service are: the Lawrence Baha’i Community; the Kansas Zen Center; the Muslim Student Association of Kansas University; Peace Mennonite Church; Plymouth Congregational Church; Corpus Christi Catholic Church; Unity Church of Lawrence; Ecumenical Christian Ministries; and Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

“We just see this as a chance to show our respect and honor for the diversity around us. Lawrence is beautifully diverse, and this is a great opportunity to celebrate that,” Schultz said.