East Cobb Ecumenical Service is Thursday

Members of faith communities from across East Cobb and the metro Atlanta area will be represented Thursday at the 9th annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration at Temple Kol Emeth. 

The service begins at 7 p.m., and here are the faith communities that will be represented; they represent eight faith traditions. The synagogue is located at 1415 Old Canton Road, at the intersection of Sewell Mill Road. 

The service began at the behest of Kol Emeth Rabbi Steven Lebow in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, and has grown to attract more than 700 attendees last year. 

Saima Ahmad represents the Georgia chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which also is taking part in the service, and offers this perspective on the power of interfaith understanding.

If you've never been, take a look at the video trailer to get a glimpse of the messages, music and fellowship of the service.

Organizers have issued the following advisory about parking, and about arriving in plenty of time:

We are using the TKE and EPC (Eastminster Presbyterian Church, across the street) parking lots. We will not be running a shuttle bus, but there is a shopping center within walking distance that people can easily park in. We encourage you to arrive early to insure you get a parking space. Carpooling is also a great option. Additionally, we will be live streaming the event for those who cannot attend. 

Here is that video streaming link, which will be active once the service begins: 

http://crawford4.video4ever.net/transplayer/

Visitors also are asked to bring canned goods to assist MUST Ministries and a collection plate will be passed for Give a Gobble, an annual effort by the Women of Reform Judaism that provides Thanksgiving turkeys for needy families in Atlanta.

A dessert reception will follow the service.