We were honored to gather with our Reno community for an evening filled with gratitude, warmth, and meaningful connection.
This special Thanksgiving event reminded us that:
Friendship grows when we come together
Community heals loneliness
Compassion has the power to unite people of all backgrounds
Sharing a meal can create lifelong bonds
A heartfelt thank you to our guest speaker, Minister Kelly Douglas, and to everyone who joined us to make this night truly unforgettable. Your presence brought light, joy, and togetherness to our community.
Locations: McKinley Arts & Cultural Center – Reno, Nevada By: Silver Sage Foundation
Let’s continue to spread kindness, unity, and hope—one gathering at a time. Happy Thanksgiving!
https://silversagefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/silver-sage-foundation-reno.jpg7771732Silversagehttps://silversagefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Website_Banner2-300x138.pngSilversage2025-11-25 13:38:062025-11-25 13:45:56Thanksgiving & The Power of Community
Silversage Las Vegas hosted an Annual Thanksgiving Dinner-an evening where hearts meet, stories mingle, and strangers become friends. More than a celebration, this gathering serves as a heartfelt reminder of how beautiful life becomes when people from different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs sit at the same table and share gratitude side by side.
At Silversage, we believe that every person carries a spark worth knowing. Our mission is deeply inspired by the words of Mr. Fethullah Gülen: “Make sure there is room in your heart for everyone-and not just a chair, but an armchair; a place of comfort, dignity, and belonging.” This spirit of warmth and welcome guided the flow of our evening from the moment guests arrived.
The program opened with a gracious welcome from our MC, Ms. Danara, setting the tone for an atmosphere of connection and mutual respect. Mr. Anar followed with reflections that invited guests to embrace gratitude as a bridge between cultures. Throughout the evening, Mr Rob, Mr. Marvine and Ms. Jerushia shared heartfelt messages that added depth, wisdom, and humanity-each voice unique, yet all woven together into a single tapestry of thankfulness.
The Thanksgiving prayers, offered by Bishop Rex and Mr. Arsalan, brought a moment of quiet reverence. Their words reminded us that gratitude, expressed through faith and humility, has the power to soften hearts and bring communities closer.
As guests moved toward dinner, exchanged introductions at their tables, and enjoyed gentle music in the background, the room became a living example of this year’s theme:
Peace Begins with Thanks !A Journey Toward Intercultural Understanding
What began as a structured program blossomed into a circle of fellowship. Every smile, story, and gesture throughout the evening served as a small yet meaningful step toward peace.
The Annual Thanksgiving Dinner offered a beautiful blend of reflection, gratitude, and shared fellowship. Through speeches, prayers, and table conversations, participants engaged in thoughtful dialogue and celebrated the rich diversity of our community. Together, we were reminded that peace is not a distant vision-it begins with thanks, and it grows when we open our hearts to one another.
Since the dawn of humanity, people have often longed for a different world and lamented the times in which they lived. While this yearning may arise from a noble desire for eternity or a lost paradise, despairing over the present age can easily lead to pessimism, alienation, and spiritual disconnection. True reform, therefore, should emerge not from destruction or rebellion, but from renewal grounded in faith, conscience, and shared human values.
This month’s “Around the Fountain” program Silver Sage Foundation’s ongoing monthly discussion series—centered on this very theme: Overcoming Despair. Each month, participants gather to explore a chosen article and engage in open dialogue guided by a lead speaker. The program provides a welcoming environment where diverse faith perspectives come together to reflect on life’s deeper questions.
Our November discussion featured Mr. Kenneth Larson, who shared a deeply insightful Christian-based perspective on despair, faith, and nurturing hope in the hearts of young people. His reflections inspired meaningful exchanges among attendees, who contributed their own viewpoints, including insights from Islamic teachings on perseverance, gratitude, and trust in God. Together, participants explored how faith and moral guidance can help prevent the spread of despair and cultivate emotional and spiritual resilience. The event fostered a warm and sincere atmosphere filled with mutual respect, curiosity, and community spirit. Attendees enjoyed refreshments, fruits, thoughtful conversation, and a sense of shared purpose.
As one participant beautifully expressed, “Despair loses its power when people of faith come together in hope.” Indeed, this month’s “Around the Fountain” reminded us that through dialogue, reflection, and fellowship, hearts can be renewed and communities strengthened—one meaningful conversation at a time.
