Thanksgiving celebration: An interfaith Thanksgiving service will include prayer, personal stories of gratitude, food, songs and more. A reception with baked goods cooked by an interfaith community culinary team will be offered following the service. The celebration will be sponsored by Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Christ Covenant Buckhead, New Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church, Northside Baptist Church, Northside United Methodist Church, Saint Anne's Episcopal Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church. Free and open to all. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19. Saint Anne's Episcopal Church, 3098 St. Anne's Lane N.W., Atlanta. 404-237-5589, saintannes.com.
Book signing: During the 26th MJCCA Book Festival, Dan Rather, former reporter and anchor for "CBS News," will discuss what it means to be an American today. Rather, who has interviewed every living president since Eisenhower and was on the ground for major events ranging from the assassination of John F. Kennedy to Watergate, has, in the last year, been writing and reflecting about the world as well as core ideas. Now, in "What Unites Us," a collection of essays, he celebrates values, patriotism and more. Tickets are $30-$75 and includes a copy of the book. Rather will not take photos or sign books at the event. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 678-812- 4002, atlantajcc.org.
Breakfast with Santa: Children will be able to meet, greet and have breakfast with Santa. Photos with Santa will also be available. Open to all. 10-11 a.m. Dec. 3. Unity Atlanta Church, 3597 Parkway Lane, Norcross. 770- 441-0585, unityatl.org.
Advent preparation: Spend time preparing your heart during Advent Quiet Day, an event that will include wisdom practices such as chanting, extended silence for individual reflection with readings, the labyrinth, creative expression and body prayer. The Quiet Day will be led by Lisa Persons, M.Div., a spiritual director and coordinator at Amerson House Spirituality Center behind St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. RSVP before Dec. 4 to secure a spot. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 9. The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-365-1000, stphilipscathedral.org.
Blue Christmas: While many feel people joyful during the Christmas season, others experience loss, disappointment and other challenges. This Advent, a special Blue Christmas service will acknowledge that sometimes this season is difficult and isolating, but will also offer this reminder: God brings light to illumine dark places. The service will be followed by a complimentary dinner. Free and open to all. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 737 Woodland Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-627-6510, holycomforter-atlanta.org.
Have an event you’d like to publicize? Send an email with all event details, a contact phone number and photo (if available) in the body to: ajcfaithcalendar@gmail.com. You can also post your event at ajc.com/calendars.
