Date: May 1st 2009

May 2009

Happy May Day! Many English-speaking cultures have observed the first day of May as a special day without knowing much about its roots in ancient tradition. For Wiccans, May 1 is Beltane, one of the "cross-quarter" days which fall between solstices and equinoxes. Since Wicca is a tradition sensitive to changes in the natural world, those in the Northern Hemisphere will celebrate the flowering of new life in the Spring, while those in the Southern Hemisphere will observe Samhain, the end of the harvest season.

May 7th is the National Day of Prayer, originally established in 1952, and designated by President Reagan to be observed on the first Thursday of May. It was intended to be a national observance, and as our nation becomes more religiously diverse we need to discover how we can genuinely come together in prayer for each other and for our nation. I have written more extensively on the National Day of Prayer in News & Notes from Interfaith Space.

Nearly a year ago, the South Bay Interfaith group gave the go-ahead to a subcommittee to explore becoming a Partner City of the Parliament of the World's Religions. The Parliament, which will be meeting this December in Melbourne, Australia, brings together over 8,000 people from around the world to engage in interreligious dialogue and learning. You may have been one of the folks attending the Pre-Parliament event, Make a World of Difference: Healing each other; Healing the Earth, held at Santa Clara University last December.

Our local group has submitted a proposal to do a workshop in Melbourne on what we have learned in the process of applying to be a Partner City. We have been looking closely at the history and challenges of our area, the existing interfaith organizations and programs, and working on a vision for future multifaith cooperation. Soon, the working group will be asking for input from the wider community, so keep an eye out for future developments. If you have questions or comments for the working group, you can send them to southbayinterfaith@yahoo.com.

ING, the educational outreach organization based in Silicon Valley building bridges among people of all faiths and none is actively seeking interns and volunteers to support its development and outreach efforts. Interns will work at ING’s headquarters in San Jose (near Santana Row) under the direct supervision of department directors of the following areas: Fundraising, Marketing, Programs Development, and Content Development. Volunteers will work at the headquarters in one of the following areas: fundraising, marketing, administrative/clerical support, event support, research, book reviews, film/media reviews, and other special projects.  For more information about ING internship program, go to: www.ing.org/employ/internships.asp; Volunteer information is at www.ing.org/employ/vo lunteer.asp, or contact Ali Rangwala, Administration Director, at ali@ing.org or at 408-296-7312.

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.

 

 

 

 

May Religious and Cultural Observances

• 1 Beltane or May Day (Wiccan/ Pagan- Northern Hemisphere)
• 1 Samhain (Wiccan/ Pagan- Southern Hemisphere)
• 2 Birth Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikh)
• 2 Twelfth Day of Ridvan (Baha’i)
• 5 Cinco de Mayo (Cultural)
• 7 National Day of Prayer (National)
• 9 Buddha Day - Visakha Puja (Buddhist)
• 9 Buddha's Birthday (Wesak in Theravada tradition) (Buddhist)
• 9 Dianetics Day (Scientologist)
• 12 Lag B’Omer (Jewish)
• 21 Ascension of Christ (Western Christian)
• 23 Declaration of the Bab (Baha’i)
• 25 Memorial Day (National)
• 28 Ascension of Jesus (Orthodox Christian)
• 29 Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
• 29 Shavuot (through May 30 ) (Jewish)
• 31 Pentecost/ Whitsunday (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)

[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-

Mondays, May 11 & 18; June 8 & 22, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, San Francisco

Joseph Campbell Film Series  

May 11 - The Spirit Land: Ann-Marie Sayers; May 18 - On Being Human: David Whitley

Wednesday, May 6; Thursday, May 7; Friday, May 8, 2009, Boulder Creek

A Taste of Camp Everytown

From May 6-8 we invite you to come to Boulder Creek and visit Camp Everytown.

Thursday, May 7, 2009, 4:00- 6:00 pm, San Jose

OPEN HOUSE: A Taste of Camp Everytown

Kathleen Ann González, author of A Small Candle: The Impact of Camp Everytown on our Lives.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Regional Dialogue for Clergy

Sponsored by the Peninsula Clergy Network.

Thursday, May 14, 2009, 11:45 am - 1:30 pm

Interfaith Leaders Dialogue

The regular gathering of the SVFACES dialogue group.

Saturday, May 16, 2009, 3:30 p.m, San Jose

Reza Aslan– Author of How to Win a Cosmic War. God, Globalization, and the End of War on Terror

Surveying the world scene, Aslan discusses how religion is a stronger force today than it was a century ago.

Sunday, May 17, 2009, 3:00 - 5:00 pm, San Jose

Bay Area Satsang

Satsang members commit themselves to developing their spiritual practice within their own religious tradition and to building up relationships of compassion and appreciation.

Tuesday evening, May 19, 2009, 6:30pm - 9pm, Palo Alto

Renew Your Life, Community & the World: Effective Leadership in Congregations

RENEW equips people to sustain (or regain) their motivation, energy, creativity and values. exciting workshop for clergy and lay leaders. 

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 June 7, 2009, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, San Jose

CommUnity Resource Fair

The Annual CommUnity Resource Fair is a free family event designed to highlight many neighborhood services and resources provided by the City of San José, County of Santa Clara, and many local non-profit agencies.

Sunday, June 7, 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.

April 6 - May 31 , 2009, Stanford

Jews of Color In Color!

A Photo exhibition about isolated Jewish communities around the world.

Wednesday Evenings, April 29 – May 20, 2009, 7:00- 9:00 pm, San Jose

The Way of Self and God-realization:
Open Your Heart and Mind to the Infinite

Spiritual practices to cultivate even-mindedness, contentment, wisdom and compassion through the study of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, the quintessential guidebook for superconscious meditation and soul liberation.

May-August, Sunnyvale

English Meditation Classes at the Zen Center

The Chung Tai Zen Center in Sunnyvale is beginning their Summer series of meditation classes for all levels.

May 6-11, 2009, Milpitas

Meetings with Paramahamsa Nithyananda

Enlightened Master Paramahamsa Nithyananda is visiting the Bay area from May 6 - 11. All events are at the India Community Center, Milpitas.

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.

Monday, May 25, 2009 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Healing Creation: A Celtic Way of Harmony with the Earth, the Spirit, and the Human Soul

Featuring J. Philip Newell, former warden of Scotland's Iona Community, internationally renowned interpreter of Celtic thought, and leader in bringing an environmental ethic to Christianity.

Wednesday Evenings, June 3 – 17, 2009, 7:00- 9:00 pm, San Jose

Kriya Yoga for Radiant Living: Preparation and Initiation

Kriya Yoga prepares the spiritual practitioner for higher states of consciousness, skillful living and ultimate liberation.

Take Action

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

Saturday, May 9, 2009 Time: 1:00 - 7:00 pm, Palo Alto

2nd Annual Day of Interfaith Youth Service:
An Invitation to Save the Bay

Activities will Include: • Remove non-native weeds • Collect native plant seeds • Team-building and bonding experience • Hands-on environmental education • Interfaith Dialogue and Games • Enjoy the beautiful outdoors with friends • Sandwiches will be provided!

Saturday afternoon, May 16, 2009, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, San Jose

SOS Climate Change Seminar -
Learn How Plant-Based Diet Can Save The Earth!

A multimedia presentation with the latest scientific data showing the relationship between our diet and global warming will be presented.

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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.