Date: August 1st 2008

August 2008

Overheard at "Embracing an Interfaith Future"— the NAIN Connect (North American Interfaith Network) in San Francisco last week: "Resist the desire to be [interfaith] missionaries. Share what you have learned but don't expect to convince everyone." "Everybody wants to have their own unity event!" and "It's amazing what you can accomplish if you don't need to take the credit!" Some 250 people from across North America gathered to learn, network, and celebrate, including several of our colleagues from the South Bay who helped to showcase our multifaith accomplishments.

In preparation for the conference, NAIN set up a number of interactive discussion groups centered on workshop topics: "Multifaith Challenges We Face," "Gifts We Bring," and "Making a Difference." Those groups remain online following the conference. Take a look and join the conversation: www.nain.org/2008/

Elsewhere, several significant international multifaith encounters took place during the month of July- at the World Youth Day in Sydney, at Mecca and Madrid, and at Yale University. For updates on interfaith efforts here and around the world, be sure to check Interfaith Space News & Notes.

Dasa Laxana (August 20-27 this year) is observed by Jains of the Digambara (sky-clad) branch. Scripture readings and meditations during this time focus on the ten desired characteristics of the Jain: forbearance, gentleness, uprightness, purity, truth, restraint, austerity, renunciation, lack of possessions, and charity.

 

Send your news! Let the community know about events that are open to the public and are either interfaith or offer an opportunity for others to learn about your faith community. Send information to calendar@interfaithspace.org.

 

 

 

 

August Religious and Cultural Observances

• 1 Fast of Repose of Virgin Mary (through August14)
  (Orthodox Christian)
• 1 Lammas or Lugnasadh (Wiccan/Pagan)
• 6 Transfiguration of our Lord (Christian)
• 10 Tisha B'av (Jewish)
• 15 Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
  (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
• 15 Dormition of the Theotokos (Orthodox)
• 15 Lailat al Bara'ah (Muslim)
• 15 Nisf Sha'baan (Muslim)
• 16 Rakshabandhan (Hindu)
• 20 Dasa Laxana begins (Jain)
• 27 Dasa Laxana end (Anant Chaturdashi), (Jain)
• 28 Paryushana Parva begins (Jain)

[Interreligious Calendar events are taken from the Silicon Valley Conference for Community and Justice Interfaith Calendar and the Multifaith Action Society Multifath Calendar 2007. See also the Online Interfaith Calendar] NOTE: Jewish Holidays begin at sundown the day before. Buddhist holidays are observed on many different days, according to local tradition.

Upcoming Interfaith Opportunities

"Interfaith Opportunities" focuses on specifically interfaith events; "Take Action" offers opportunities to take action on issues of concern with people from other religious traditions, and "Meet Your Neighbors" includes events that are sponsored by a specific religious group but which are open to the wider community. Items for the calendar can be sent to calendar@interfaithspace.org

Click on highlighted links below for more information-

Saturday, August 9, 2008, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, San Jose

The Living Word Series of Interfaith Lectures

The speakers are: Dr. R. K. Janmeja Singh on "The Message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and it Relevance to the Present Times." and Professor Nargis Virani, Ph.D. GTU Center For Islamic Studies on "The message of Qua'ran Sharif and its Relevance to the Present Times."

Saturday, August 23, 2008, 5:30- 8:30 pm, Palo Alto

American Muslim Voice Foundation
Open House

The American Muslim Voice Foundation cordially invites you to a dinner party and to be a part of our Miracle Movement of Friendship.

Thursday- Sunday, September 4 - 7, 2008, San Mateo

"ENGAGING THE OTHER" CONFERENCE:
The Power of Compassion

An international, multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary conference examining concepts of "The OTHER" from a universal, cross-cultural perspective to promote wider public dialogue about concepts of "Us and Them."

Meet Your Neighbors

Public events sponsored by specific religious groups that seek to help others understand their tradition and concerns more fully.

Saturday, August 2- Saturday August 9, 2008

Gandhi Camp

Gandhi Camp offers its 26-year Peace Camp for youth ages 10-18. Practice service and teamwork through the Gandhian principles of truthfulness, non-violence and self-help.

Take Action

Events that address issues of public concern with an alliance of people from different religious traditions.

August 3, 2008 4:00 pm, San Jose

Vigil for victims of Bangalore & Gujarat
terrorist attacks

Various Indian organizations, Friends of India and people of Indian origin in the Bay area will be holding a vigil to pay respects to the victims, show solidarity with the Indian people in this hour of grief and pledge support to stringent measures to bring the culprits to justice.

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And more...

News and Notes from Interfaith Space is an occasional blog with information and commentary on issues related to interfaith relations in the South Bay, the Nation, and around the world.

You can find News and Notes by going to the Interfaith Space website (www.interfaithspace.org) and clicking on "Notes," or simply going to www.revdak.com/wordpress/. I invite you to add your comments or responses; together we can create an online "dialogue on dialogue"!

Help us share your good news! If you know of interfaith opportunities that are coming up- please let us know so they can be included on the Interfaith Space Calendar. Send information to calendar@interfaithspace.org.