Date: August 1st 2009

August 2009

Although things slow down in the summer, there are still many religious observances that take place this month.

Because the Muslim calendar is lunar-based, the year is shorter than the Western Calendar year and holidays and observances move backward through the year. So it is that Ramadan, the month of fasting, begins this year in August. The longer days of summer make fasting from sunup to sundown more of a challenge than in the winter months.

Hindus observe three celebrations this month– Raksha Bandhan, devoted to brotherly/sisterly love; Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna; and Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Ganesha, god of success.

Zoroastrians who observe the Shenshai calendar spend the ten Fravardeghan Days memorializing their ancestors, in preparation for Nowruz, the New Year.

The two main groups of Jains, the Shvetambara ("white clad") and the Digambara ("sky clad") each observe periods of fasting, meditation, and purification.

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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 August 14)
  (Eastern Christian)
• 2 Lammas or Lugnasadh (Wiccan/Pagan)
• 5 Lailat al Bara'ah/Nisf Sha'baan (Night of Repentance) (Muslim)
• 5 Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
• 6 Transfiguration of our Lord (Christian)
• 10 Fravardeghan Days begin (through Aug. 19)(Shenshai Zoroastrian)
• 13 Janma Ashtami (Krishna Janmashtami) (Hindu)
• 15 Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
• 15 Dormition of the Theotokos (Eastern Christian)
• 17 Paryushana Parva begins (Shvetambara Jain)
• 20 Nowruz (New Year)(Shenshai Zoroastrian)
• 22 Ramadan begins (through September 20) (Muslim)
• 23 Ganesha Chaturthi (Hindu)
• 23 Samvatsari (Shvetambara Jain)
• 23 Dashalakshani-parva (through Sept 1) (Digambara Jain)
• 25 Paryushana Parva end (Samvatsari Jain)

[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-

Sunday, August 9, 2009, 1:15 - 3:30 p.m., San Jose

Women's Interfaith Dialogue

San Jose Friends Meeting and the San Jose Buddhist Meditation Group (which meets in our Meeting House) are sponsoring a Women's Interfaith Dialogue on "What place do silence, meditation, and contemplation hold in our spiritual practices?"

Sunday, August 16, 2009, 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Day of Interfaith Youth Service

Project: Coastal restoration. Join us individually or as a youth group for this extraordinary experience of serving with those of different backgrounds who share common values.

Saturday and Sunday, September 5 and 6, 2009, Santa Clara County

Labor Day Speak Out

On September 4th through 6th, over 70 congregations in Santa Clara County will participate in The Interfaith Council's 11th annual Labor in the Pulpits (LITP) program.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Clergy Day and the Courts

Clergy Day is an interactive program designed to educate clergy about the state court system.

Thursday- Sunday, November 12-15, 2009, San Mateo

Engaging The Other:
The Power of Compassion

An International, Multidisciplinary, Multicultural Conference examining concepts of "The Other" from a universal, cross-cultural perspective to promote wider public dialogue about images of "Us and Them.".

Meet Your Neighbors

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

Fridays, August 7 & September 4, 2009, 10:00-11:30am, Los Altos

Sacred Heart Yoga

The Christian approach to yoga simply allows us to combine two essential goals: becoming physically healthy and spiritually healthy.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m., San Jose

Scotty McLennan,
Author of Jesus Was a Liberal

Was Jesus a “liberal”? Scotty McLennan makes a compelling case based on scripture, church history etc.

Take Action

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

Thursday, August 6, 2009, 11:45 am and 7:00 pm, Los Altos and Santa Clara

JustFaith Ministries Introduction
with Jack Jezreel

JustFaith is a life changing experience which examines the themes of common good; shared rights and responsibilities; value of human dignity, solidarity, respect for creation; grassroots wisdom and energy; and the call to stand with the poor.

Sunday, August 16, 2009, 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Day of Interfaith Youth Service 2009

Coastal restoration. Join us individually or as a youth group for this extraordinary experience of serving with those of different backgrounds who share common values.

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And more...

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.