Umbrellas in the Desert

By Linda McMillian

ALPHARETTA, MILTON, ROSWELL, Ga.— Georgia representatives from twenty different world religions took part in the 15th Atlanta Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration to promote religious harmony, world peace and charity. The theme for this year's gathering was “Are We Our Brother's Keepers?”

Speakers representing Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and other faith communities spoke to the approximately 1,000 member audience in attendance on November 21st.

Rabbi Steve Lebow (Temple Kol Emeth) and Noor Abbady (Roswell Community Masjid) co-hosted the presentation at the Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta. Abbady noted, “The Atlanta Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration is the epitome of what Atlanta really looks like. Hundreds of people from all backgrounds and faiths, gathering to sing, laugh, reflect, and break bread. They gather because of their differences, not in spite of them.”

Representatives from the local police force were on hand due to the recent violence experienced in the U.S. religious community. Their presence was a vivid reminder that faith comes with a price for some.

Syrian-American pianist and composer Malek Jandali performed his music and spoke of his involvement as a founder of the group Pianos for Peace. The nonprofit promotes peace and harmony through philanthropy, education, art and music in Atlanta and throughout the world. The organization has been featured in news stories on CNN, NPR, ABC, Fox and NBC.

The Grammy award winner reported his experience of taking loads of toys to needy children in war-torn Syria as part of a charity relief effort. He observed that, surprisingly, the children had little interest in the play things. Their primary request was for umbrellas. Umbrellas would seem of little use in a desert, where rain is a rare occurrence. Accordingly, he inquired about it and was told that the umbrellas provided a modicum of privacy when the children relieve themselves outdoors, as there are no indoor facilities for them to use.

The Roswell Georgia Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including members from the Roswell, Milton and Alpharetta congregations, attended the annual presentation and supported the cause for peace and charity.

President Nelson Zivic, representing the Roswell Stake in a leadership role at the event remarked, “It was such a great privilege to be a part of our 15th Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration and join other faithful communities of believers in our goal of spreading love, understanding and together minister and help those in need. We rejoice in joining forces to proclaim that we are indeed, our “brother’s keepers.” May the Spirit we felt tonight continue to guide us to show love and go about doing good.”

Local Latter-day Saint missionaries attended to share their religious beliefs, along with representatives from other religions.

During the presentation, speakers from the various groups explained the interfaith charity efforts taking place in their respective organizations and how working together provided a meaningful experience for all of those serving, as well as the recipients of the charity.

Stephanie Meredith, from the Marietta East Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recounted her Church member's efforts, side by side with representatives from other religions, to help rebuild hurricane ravaged locations in the southern United States. She recounted that one volunteer suffered a severe cut to his hand, while working in the rebuilding effort, and individuals from virtually all of the religions present came together in unity to help the injured worker and pray for his recovery.

In addition to the religious presentations, the Give-A-Gobble charity endeavor (taking place during the event) provides support for the Center for Family Resources, Families First, Family Promise, Food 2 Kids, Genesis Shelter, Helping Hand Foundation, Jubilee Partners, New American Pathways, Must Ministries, North Fulton Charities, and the United Military Care Incorporated.

100% of the collected money and donated food from the Atlanta Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration was used to purchase turkeys and provide Thanksgiving dinners for local families in need.

An interfaith choir of about 80 participants performed several beautiful musical pieces at the event. The ensemble demonstrated, with music, the harmony achievable with unity of purpose.

Participants this year include representatives from:

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Art of Living Foundation

Baha'i Faith Center - Marietta East Cobb Islamic Center

East Cobb Islamic Center (ECIC)

East Cobb United Methodist Church

Emerson Universalist Unitarian

Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta (FAMA)

Interfaith Community Initiatives (ICI)

Islamic Center of Marietta

Masjid Al-Muminum

Pilgrimage United Church of Christ

Roswell Community Masjid

Sandy Springs Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Sikh Educational Welfare Association (SEWA)

Saint Catherine's Episcopal Church

Temple Beth Tikvah

Temple Kol Emeth

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Transfiguration Catholic Church

Unity North Spiritual Community