1. Old East Dallas Thanksgiving Service Unites
Diverse Neighborhoods for More than 25 Years
December 2, 2014 -- Hundreds of residents, parishioners, families and people of faith walked
their historic neighborhood to participate in the annual Old East Dallas Thanksgiving Worship &
Dinner on November 25 sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church, East Dallas Christian
Church and St. Edward Catholic Church.
The honored worship tradition, featuring the St. Edward Matachines dancers and drummers,
celebrated the diverse cultures and history of the community near Gaston Avenue, Junius, Peak
and Elm Streets near downtown Dallas. The three Christian churches have organized an
English/Spanish-language Thanksgiving service for more than 25 years.
The Matachines were adorned in festive bells and an array of colors such as gold, silver, bright
reds and blues, embroidered images of saints, like the Virgen of Guadalupe. The danza de los
Matachines, is a form of dance-drama typically performed on feast days and other special
occasions, depicting the struggle between good and evil. The beating drum invited an intricate
choreography of performers to step front and center and to lead the procession to each house of
worship.
The service began with Rev. Judith Reedy giving the Welcome and Opening Prayer and the Rev.
Dr. Isabel Docampo leading the Call to Worship at Grace UMC:
Praise the Lord, all you nations!
! Alaben al Señor, todas las naciones!
For great is God’s steadfast love toward us,
Porque grande es su amor para todos,
And the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever,
Y la fidelidad del Señor dura por siempre,
Praise the Lord!
¡Alaben al Señor!
Following the choral music, a blessing at Grace and the Matachines procession, Rev. Deborah
Morgan-Stokes provided a warm Welcome and Prayer at East Dallas Christian Church. Rev.
Colin McRaney spoke the Prayers of the People:
O God, we give you thanks for all that you have done.
Giving us good work to do, and the strength to do it.
We Give you thanks for all that others have done for us.
For those who taught us when we were children and for those who love us and
surround us with their care today.
We give you thanks for the life of Jesus Christ.
For in Christ you have shown your great love for us.
Amen.
- more –

2. Mr. Peter Norton, a clergy intern from Grace UMC, preached the evening’s Message from
Deuteronomy 8 on God’s bringing us to the good land and observing His commandments.
A Thanksgiving Worship offering was taken and will benefit the Zaragoza Elementary School.
In conclusion of the EDCC worship, Fr. Edison Vela from St. Edward Catholic Parish provided
the Thanksgiving Prayer for the Meal.
The time of Thanksgiving for the East Dallas community concluded with the Dinner of el Dia de
Acción de Gracias, music and fellowship in the St. Edward great hall. ¡Alaben al Señor!
###
Church leadership:
Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes
East Dallas Christian Church
629 N. Peak Street, Dallas, TX 75246
214-824-8185 http://www.EDCC.org
Rev. Judith Reedy
Grace United Methodist Church
4105 Junius Street, Dallas, TX 75246
214-824-2533 http://www.GraceUMCDallas.org
Fr. Edison Vela
St. Edward Parish
4001 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226
214-823-1291 http://www.stedwardparish.org/
Publicity contact:
Janie Autz
214-824-8185, Janie@EDCC.org