‘My Jesus Year’ author to speak next week

Benyamin Cohen, author of “My Jesus Year,” will give a luncheon talk, “Cohen’s Surprise: How Going to Church Made Me a Better Jew,” at noon Wednesday at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. N.W. in Atlanta.

Sponsored by Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta, the event is a way to explore how our connections to other faiths can strengthen our own, said Jan Swanson, a coordinator of the talk. Cohen, an Orthodox Jew, had fallen away from his faith when he began his exploration. He will speak about his own spiritual journey as he attended church for a year.

After his presentation, attendees will be invited to share their own personal stories of interfaith journeys. “This is for people who really want to know the ‘stranger’ across religious and color lines and have lunch and a gathering place to get to know each other,” Swanson said.

Tickets are $10. For information and to R.S.V.P., go to www.worldpilgrims.org or call Swanson at 404-622-3399.

Learn how to sing sacred harp hymns

Sacred harp singing is sponsored monthly at Emory Presbyterian Church, Atlanta. It is for those who enjoy —- or want to learn more about —- the early American hymn-singing style. Instruction is provided for beginners. The next meeting is from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. For information, go to www.atlantasacredharp .org or call 404-892-6836.

Workshop features award-winning singer

Faith Rivera, a Daytime Emmy Award-winning singer-songwriter, will conduct a concert-workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Unity North Atlanta Church, 4255 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. For information, call 678-819-9100, Ext. 110.

Sacred texts sought for patients’ use

Grady Chaplaincy has an ongoing need for donated sacred texts for patients, especially Spanish and large-print versions.

Call 404-489-1550 for information.

Marietta pastor to be on ‘Day 1’ on June 14

The “Day 1” radio program of national sermons is broadcast in Atlanta on WSB-AM (750), 7:05-7:30 a.m. every Sunday.

On June 14, the Rev. Kimberleigh Buchanan, pastor of Pilgrimage United Church of Christ, Marietta, will be featured. Day1.org.

Stone Mountain Park festival lines up stars

Christian rock performers Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant and Brandon Heath are among the musicians who will be featured June 17-20 during Atlanta Fest at Stone Mountain Park. For information, go to www.atlantafest.com.