Date: March 2nd 2009

March 2009

A number of religious observances occur in March, several centered around the Spring Equinox on March 20. On the joyous Hindu festival of Holi (11th), dedicated to Krishna, celebrants throw colored powder and water on each other. For Sikhs, that day begins Holla Mohalla, a three-day festival with its roots in military drills. Today's celebrations may include mock battles, music competitions and other festivities. The equinox (20th) ends the Baha'i 19 Day Fast at the end of the year, while Wiccans and Pagans honor the Goddess in the maiden form of Ostara, reawakening life in the earth. Shintos take the day to revere ancestors and clean graves. On the next day (21st) Baha'is and Zoroastrians begin a new year with Naw Ruz, and the Hindu New Year begins on March 27th.

ING, an international organization with its home in San Jose, has for many years offered an Islamic Speakers Bureau for congregations, schools, and civic organizations. Now they are developing an Interfaith Speakers Bureau to extend their work in religious understanding. They are now looking for people who are active practitioners of Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Judaism and interested in being part of the Interfaith Speakers Bureau. They are offering three evening workshops (including one in San Jose) for those who would like to find out more about the program and perhaps become a certified speaker. See the details on the Interfaith Space website.

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.

 

 

 

 

March Religious and Cultural Observances

• 1 St David of Wales (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
• 2 Great Lent begins (Clean Monday) (Orthodox Christian)
• 2 Nineteen Day Fast (through March 20) (Baha’i)
• 6 World Day of Prayer (Christian/Interfaith)
• 8 Orthodox Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
• 8 International Women's Day
• 9 Mawlid an Nabi (Prophet Mohammad's birthday) (Muslim)
• 10 Purim (Jewish)
• 11 Hola Mohalla (Sikh)
• 11 Holi (Hindu)
• 14 New Year, Nanakshahi Calendar (Sikh)
• 16 Kwan Yin Day (Buddhist)
• 17 St Patrick's Day (Christian)
• 20 Spring Equinox
• 20 Ostara, Alban Eiler, Eostre (Vernal Equinox) (Wiccan/ Pagan)
• 20 Setsubun-sai (Shinto)
• 21 Nav Ruz, Naw Ruz, Norooz (The New Day) (Zoroastrian, Baha’i)
• 25 Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
• 25 Annunciation of the Theotokos (Orthodox Christian)
• 26 Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra) (Zoroastrian)
• 27 Hindu New Year's Day

[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-

Thursday, March 5, 2009, Campbell

SVFACES Interreligious Leaders Dialogue

An ongoing interreligious dialogue group for local religious leaders.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 7:30 pm

Souled Out:
Reclaiming Faith and Politics After the Religious Right

A lecture and book signing with Catholic writer E. J. Dionne. Dionne argues that American religion is undergoing a renaissance, and will emerge as a liberal force.

Saturday, March 21, 2009, 9:00 am to noon, San Jose

Compassionate Communication:
Deep Listening and Mindful Speech

Spend a Saturday morning exploring ways to bring awareness to the way we communicate to build more open compassionate relationships.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 5:30- 8:30 pm, Redwood City
Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 5:30- 8:30 pm, Berkeley
Thursday, May 21, 5:30- 8:30 pm, San Jose

ING Interfaith Speakers Bureau Training Workshops

ING is currently seeking speaker volunteers who represent the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Jewish faiths for the Interfaith Speakers Bureau (IFSB).

Sunday, April 5, 2009, 1:15 to 3:30pm, Los Altos

Women's Interfaith Dialogue Encounter

Seeking a safe space for women to experience mutual sharing across our differences of culture, religion and life experience.

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.11 March 2009—Saints: The Church is the Holy Ones of God.

Take Action

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

See updates on the website

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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.