For the past 15 years, people from dozens of faiths have gathered together at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta/East Cobb to celebrate Thanksgiving by sharing uplifting messages, singing and laughing together, and supporting interfaith charities. In 2020, this unifying event will be hosted online with inspiring speakers, and beautiful music – and online chat to share feelings and thoughts.

This year’s theme, “Silence Is Not An Option,” is the inspiration for messages from various religious and community leaders about speaking up for compassion and humanity, a common value of people of all faiths. The event will also spotlight the non-profit The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which will be the recipient of donations to the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Give-A-Gobble program.

Event chairperson Hal Schlenger says, “Our transition from a large in-person gathering to a virtual event is an example of the multiple religious’ belief that, ‘Silence is not an option.’ Avoiding large gatherings goes beyond the narrow focus of silence being verbal, to include not taking action.  Christian, Jews, Muslims, Hindu and so many others believe that we are responsible for our words, our actions, and the success of our community. Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’ Now is the time not to be silent.”

The public is invited, on Thursday, Nov. 19th at 7 p.m., for this one-of-a-kind 16th annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration—an event organized by twenty faith-based groups in the Cobb, Fulton and Cherokee counties—because people of faith need to stand together and serve others now more than ever.

Participating religions in this year’s Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration:

  • Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
  • Baha’i Faith Center – Marietta East Cobb Islamic Center
  • Congregation Etz Chaim Earthkeepers & Co
  • East Cobb Islamic Center (ECIC)
  • East Cobb UMC
  • Emerson Universalist Unitarian
  • Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta (FAMA)
  • Hispanic Ministries, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta
  • Interfaith Community Initiatives (ICI)
  • Islamic Center of Marietta
  • Masjid Al-Muminum
  • Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sandy Springs
  • Pilgrimage United Church of Christ
  • Roswell Community Mosque (RCM)
  • Sandy Springs Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • Sikh Educational Welfare Association (SEWA) Gurudwara Sahib
  • Saint Catherine’s Episcopal Church
  • Temple Beth Tikvah
  • Temple Kol Emeth
  • The Art of Living Foundation
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Roswell and Marietta
  • Transfiguration Catholic Church
  • Unity North Spiritual Community
  • Universalist Unitarian of Metro Atlanta North

The event will take place online at http://bit.ly/TKEstream  Link to join this special event at 6:30pm for musical performance; the program begins at 7pm.

Donations for the Give-a-Gobble program to benefit The National Civil Rights Museum can be made by clicking at: https://www.kolemeth.net/gobble