Mission Mississippi is working to create racial healing in Lincoln County.

“That’s what we need, now more than ever,” said Rev. Anne Matthews of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. “There seems to be more to divide us so we need every opportunity to come together and find the common ground and understand each other better.”

“Living Reconciled” will be the main focus at the third annual Community Thanksgiving Gathering set for 6-7 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at 508 North Second St. There will be a message, music and prayer with a focus on reconciliation and finding that common ground, which is Jesus.

“We all worship the same Lord,” she said. “He is one and in him we can be one and focus on what unites us more than in what divides us.”

Pastor Patrick Hardy will provide the call to worship at the service, which includes music by the Macedonia Travelers and St. Paul’s men’s choir. Financial donations will be accepted at the gathering, which will go St. Paul’s Food Pantry.

The speaker for the program is Neddie Winters, president of the statewide chapter of Mission Mississippi, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Mission Mississippi is a dedicated to bringing Christians of different races and denominations together. Matthews, who heads up the local chapter, was one of the first to get on board when the group began to organize a chapter in Lincoln County. There are now over 30 local pastors who are members of the organization.

She said Lincoln County has made a lot of progress over the years, but Mission Mississippi sets out to bridge the continued divide between people one relationship at a time — a goal that resonated with Matthews. Members of the group are encouraged to meet regularly with someone of another race or another denomination in an informal way and get to know each other to understand better where each person is coming from, she said.

To get involved in Mission Mississippi call Matthews at 601-695-1650 or email redeemerbrookhaven@gmail.com.