East Cobb's Ecumenical Holiday Celebration

Thanks to Jon Worly at Temple Kol Emeth for the following story and photos from the synagogue's Nov. 21 Ecumenical Thanksgiving service:

More than a dozen religious organizations representing Christian, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Unitarian Universalists gathered again on the Thursday before Thanksgiving to celebrate how much they have in common, to meet their neighbors, and offer a helping hand to a variety of local charities. 

Along with Tweets at #ManyFaiths and Facebook posts at Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration, the spirit and emotion was high at the 9th annual event as speakers and musicians expressed how wonderful our country and community are.  

Quotes written by attendees included the following ideas:  

• "Peace among men is not just uplifting. It is breathtaking. Absolutely inspiring! What a great representation of the peaceful and uplifting nature of the USA.   
• America’s pamphlet advertises freedom of religion for everyone. Today, we prove this true. Thank you for the courage in having an interfaith gathering! Many paths. All one G-d!”

In addition to collecting canned foods, more than $4,000 was collected for the Give-A-Gobble program. Give-A-Gobble provides food support to those in need throughout the local community.  

Along with turkeys, it provides full meals, and grocery store gift cards enabling families to purchase Thanksgiving holiday fixings.  

Give-A-Gobble is dispersing Thanksgiving holiday help to the following organizations: Center for Family Resources,Families First, Family Promise of Cobb Country, Foods2Kids, Genesis Shelter, Jewish Family and Career Services, MUST Ministries, United Military Care (formerly Operation Homefront), and the Zaban Shelter. 

Temple Kol Emeth's Women of Reform Judaism president Cheryl Raskind-Hood, who helped organize the Give-A-Gooble program, express the appreciation of many, saying, "We wish a happy and healthy holiday season to the all those touched by and to all those who have supported Give-A-Gobble. There is no better time to give than at Thanksgiving  -- and so, it is hoped that Give-A-Gobble has made this holiday season a little brighter for those in need in our community." 

The participating organizations were:

• Baitul Baqi mosque (Ahmadiyya)
• East Cobb Islamic Center
• East Cobb United Methodist Church
• Eastminster Presbyterian Church
• Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation
• Islamic Center of Marietta (Al-Hedaya mosque)
• Islamic Speakers Bureau
• Masjid Al-Muminum
• North River Church of Christ
• Roswell Community Masjid
• SEWA (Sikh Educational Welfare Association) Gurudwara Sahib
• St. Catherine's Episcopal Church
• Temple Kol Emeth
• Transfiguration Catholic Church
• Unity North Atlanta Church
• Vedanta Center of Atlanta (Hindu)