Date: January 1st 2009

January 2009

New Beginnings: Building a Community of Hope
Come join us on the evening of January 19, 2009 for an Interfaith citizens celebration and dedication on the momentous occasion of the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama.

This important day also commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday marking the birthdate of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. who taught nonviolence and social justice, leading people of all ages and backgrounds to come together to improve lives, and bridge social barriers.

There will be singing, inspirational presentations, time for meditation or prayer, and time to recommit ourselves to the work of building a community of hope together.

The Honorable LaDoris Cordell, retired Santa Clara Superior Court Judge, community leader, educator, and nationally known human rights advocate will be the keynote speaker. She will be reflecting on "Building a Community of Hope".

Gather with your neighbors and fellow citizens from Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area on the eve of this historic occasion.

For more information, email Bruce Bramlett or contact him at 408-286-9663, x328.

Sponsored by Silicon Valley FACES and SouthBay Interfaith

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A personal note: Many thanks to all of you who sent messages, offered prayers, and otherwise lent your support during my heart surgery last month. I am glad to report that despite some unexpected complications, I am recovering nicely and doing much better.

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.

 

 

 

 

January Religious and Cultural Observances

• 1 Feast of St Basil (Eastern Christian)
• 1 Gantan-sai (New Years) (Shinto)
• 1 Mary, Mother of God (Roman Catholic)
• 5 Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Sikh)
• 5 Twelfth Night (Protestant)
• 5 Vigil of the Epiphany (Roman Catholic)
• 6 Epiphany (Christian)
• 6 Theophany (Eastern Christian)
• 7 Ashura (Muslim)
• 11 Baptism of the Lord Jesus (Christian)
• 11 Mahayana Buddhist New Year (Buddhist)
• 12 Vivekenanda Jayanti (Hindu)
• 13 Maghi (Sikh)
• 18 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (through Jan 25) (Christian)
• 18 World Religion Day
• 26 Chinese New Year/Tet (Buddhist, Chinese, Vietnamese)

[Interreligious Calendar events are taken from the Silicon Valley FACES Interfaith Calendar and the Multifaith Action Society Multifath Calendar 2008. 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, January 10, 2009, 8:30 am- 10:30 am, San Leandro

INTERFAITH COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
An Interfaith Perspective

Our two speakers will be Rashid Salaam of the Martin Luther King Youth Council and the Live the Dream Foundation , and Chetan V. Sanghvi, of  the Jain Center of Northern California. 

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 7:00 -9:00 pm, Fremont

Impact of the Presidential Election
on American Muslims and Jews

Common Ground Speakers Series, sponsored by East Bay Jewish Community Relations Council and Islamic Networks Group.

Monday, January 19, 2008, 7:00-8:30 pm, Santa Clara

New Beginnings:
Building a Community of Hope

There will be singing, inspirational presentations, time for meditation or prayer, and time to recommit ourselves to the work of building a community of hope together. Sponsored by Silicon Valley FACES and South Bay Interfaith.

Sunday February 8, 2009, Los Gatos

Women's Interfaith Dialogue Encounter

For more information, contact Sharla Kilbel at shandmirow@verizon.net

Meet Your Neighbors

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

Wednesdays, October 2008- May 2009, San Jose

The Church—People, History, Theology:
Faith Enrichment Speakers Series

A series of monthly presentations aimed at expanding people’s knowledge and understanding of the whole Catholic Church, especially the Eastern Churches. 14 January 2009—Not Catholic, Not Orthodox: Who Are the Protestant Christians?  The Rev. Ben Daniel, pastor of Foothill Presbyterian Church, San Jose.

Saturday, January 17, 2009 2PM – 4PM

Abrahamic Faiths & "Big History"

This lecture will take a look at "Big History" from the perspective of the three monotheistic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—as well as the relationship between them.

Take Action

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

Monday & Tuesday, January 26 & 27, 2009

2009 Santa Clara County Homeless Census

Volunteers Needed!!! Help the homeless community by volunteering for the biennial 2009 Homeless Street Count scheduled for January 26th and 27th, 2009.

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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.