MUSIC
-Nativity Rising Artists: Award-winning musician Nathan Francisco, 14, performs virtuosic works for cello by Tchaikovsky, Bach and Poppers at 10:30 a.m. Sunday as part of monthy Rising Artists series at Church of the Nativity Episocopal Church, 1201 Cross St. in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. The service also will include a mini-concert by organist and music director Kristopher Schwinn. Child care is provided. 706-866-9773, nativity.dioet.org.
THANKSGIVING
-Community dinner: Pastor Cornelia “Connie” Williams and the congregation of Rivers of Living Water Christian Center will provide Thanksgiving dinner to adults and children of the community from 12:30 to 4 p.m. today at the church, 3224 Wilcox Blvd. There is no charge, though donations are welcome. Call 423-551-2801 for more information.
-Community dinner: A free community dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the American Legion, 1118 N. Glenwood Ave. in Dalton, Ga. This is an annual Thanksgiving Day program by Harvest Outreach Ministries to feed the homeless and less fortunate in the area. Among those scheduled to sing are Debby Faye East, Shelia Reed, Craig Kirk Tyndall and Allen Coleman. For more information, contact Shelia Reed at 706-280-0883 or rharvest87@gmail.com.
FUNDRAISERS
-Christmas trees: The Ministry Center, 2929 Hamill Road in Hixson, is presenting a TMC Trees for Hope missions campaign Friday through Dec. 9. Trees range in size from 5 to 9 feet and in price from $40 to $85. Proceeds support educational and social needs of children of Colombia and Chattanooga. Christmas movies are played throughout sale hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on the opening date, Black Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, 1-8 p.m. Sundays, 3-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. 423-877-5171, info@theministrycenter.org, facebook.com/TheMinistryCenter.
-Backpack Blessings: This outreach program of the North Georgia Community YMCA, part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, will benefit from Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28. This global day of giving to causes and charities, held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, follows the consumer-centric events Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Backpack Blessings provides nutritious nonperishable foods to 565 students each Friday to reduce weekend hunger and help children prepare for classroom learning when they return to school on Monday. To support Backpack Blessings, text ybackpack to 71777. For more information, go to www.givingtuesday.org.
PROGRAMS, EVENTS
-Holiday Healing Workshop: The Lay Organization of St. Paul AME Church, 2514 Williams St., will host a Holiday Healing Workshop at 11 a.m. today. The Rev. Kenneth D. Love, a mental health therapist, will talk on safeguarding mental health during the holidays, and Tonya Martin, lifestyle coach from BUSY Body Fitness, will discuss how fitness can be used to reduce stress to combat holiday blues. Admission is free, but those attending are asked to bring a nonperishable canned good. Information: www.stpaulamechatt.org, 423-267-6869.
-Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step program for anyone struggling with addictive issues, compulsive behaviors, loss and life challenges, meets each Thursday at Ooltewah United Methodist Church, 6131 Relocation Way. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., worship at 6:15 p.m., open share groups at 7:30 p.m. Child care provided. 423-238-9216, oumclive.org/recovery.
-Not Alone, a support group for family and friends of a loved one who is incarcerated, meets at 11 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at LaFayette Presbyterian Church, 107 N. Main St., LaFayette, Ga. Refreshments and child care are provided.
To be included in Faith Briefs, send information to LDenton@timesfreepress.com. Listings must be sent by Wednesday morning each week.