Interfaith Space

Disaster Preparedness Workshop Dec. 2

2008-11-21T15:19:38Z

Dec. 2 Disaster Preparedness Workshop
for Faith Based Organizations and Congregations

Join us for an informative session led by staff from the Peninsula Clergy Network, Interfaith Space, and Council of Churches Santa Clara County to learn what work is being done to engage the faith sector in disaster preparedness and response efforts in Santa Clara County. This workshop is aimed at strengthening our local CADRE Network and members with information on how faith-based organizations and congregations can better share in the coordination of preparedness and response efforts with our emergency managers and government partners.

At this session participants will learn about:

What resources are available to help partner local faith-based organizations and congregations to prepare for and assist with emergencies or disasters that may affect our community
Work being done to coordinate faith based organization and congregations roles to meet community needs following an emergency or disaster
The role of faith based organizations and congregations in both disaster response and recovery efforts at the local, state and national levels

Here’s your chance to gain valuable insight and education and be part of networking conversations to prepare and strengthen our community’s ability to respond to an emergency or disaster event.

DATE: Tuesday, December 2, 2008
TIME: 10 am to 12 noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Center Silicon Valley Conference Room 107
1922 The Alameda, San Jose 95126
REGISTER: http://cadreworkshop1208.eventbrite.com or by phone to CADRE at 408-247-1126

FREE WORKSHOP! REGISTER NOW! SPACE IS LIMITED!

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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.

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Interfaith Opportunities for November 2008

2008-11-01T20:06:15Z

November 2008

Make a World of Difference:
Healing each other; Healing the Earth.
For the past several months, a local committee created by the South Bay Interfaith Steering Committee has been preparing an application for Silicon Valley to become a Partner City of the Parliament of the World's Religions. The next gathering of the Parliament will take place in December of next year in Melbourne, Australia. In anticipation of that event, groups around the world are sponsoring Pre-Parliament events to familiarize people with the Parliament, and to give them a "Taste of the Parliament."

Here in the South Bay, those interested in interfaith cooperation in our community and around the world are invited to gather on Saturday, December 13, 2008, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Santa Clara University. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, former director of the World YWCA and current director of the Population Program of the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, join in dialogue and personal conversations around issues like "Healing the earth with care and concern," the role of women in local and global healing," "Overcoming poverty and the Millennium Development Goals," and "Social cohesion in communities."

More details of the pre-Parliament day are available at www.carrythevision.org; for information about the Melbourne gathering in 2009, see www.cpwr.org. Plan to join with brothers and sisters in the South Bay for this "taste of the Parliament"!

Thanksgiving has historically been an occasion for interfaith gatherings, since gratitude features prominently in many, if not most, religious traditions. If you are involved in an Interfaith service for Thanksgiving, please be sure to send the information to calendar@interfaithspace.org; Also, check the interfaith events listing at www.interfaithspace.org for events that have been added after the newsletter has gone out.

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.

November Religious and Cultural Observances

1 All Saints' Day (Christian)
2 All Souls' Day (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
5 Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)
12 Birth of Baha'u'llah (Baha’i)
15 Fast of the Nativity begins (Eastern Christian)
21 Thanksgiving (Interfaith)
23 Christ the King (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
24 Martyrdom Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Sikh)
26 Day of Covenant (Baha’i)
30 Advent begins: (Nov 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21)
( Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
30 St. Andrew's Day (Christian)

[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-

Monday, November 3, 2008, 7:30 pm, Millbrae

Confucianism

Monthly meeting of Peninsula United Religions Initiative Circle.

Saturday, November 22, 2008, 4:30- 8:00 pm, Santa Clara

My Faith

Join us for a fun and educational event for high schoolers that will highlight the similarities between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in order to ultimately further communication, bridging, peace and awareness in our society.

Sunday, November 23, 2008, 3:00- 5:00 pm, San Jose

Bay Area Satsang

The Satsang Association is an international association of individuals who have committed themselves to deepening their religious practice in their own traditions, while actively seeking to remove the barriers that separate people from each other.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 7:30 pm, Los Gatos

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

St. Mary's Church, 219 Bean Avenue, Los Gatos

Saturday, December 13, 2008, Santa Clara, 9:00 am- 1:00 pm

Make a World of Difference Community Conference

An introduction to the global convening of the Parliament in Australia in December 2009.

Saturday, December 13th, 2008 Time: 5:30 am - 9:30 pm, Newark

American Muslim Voice Foundation:
5th Annual Peace Convention

American Muslim Voice, striving to create a culture of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony, will be holding its 5th annual peace convention.

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.

Meet Your Neighbors

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

Saturday, November 1, 2008, 5:00 pm, San Jose

Día de los Muertos Exhibition

Presented by the First Unitarian Church and the Third Street Community Center, this year's Day of the Dead honors individuals who gave or dedicated their lives to protect our human rights.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

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. 5 November 2008—East and West: Same Faith, Different Theology.

Take Action

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

November 11, 2008 Tuesday 7:30 pm, Saratoga

A Lost Boy's Journey

Come meet Deng Jongkuch, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, and hear his dramatic story.

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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"!

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below:

Interfaith Calendar Addendum

2008-10-01T17:26:19Z

October 2008

Apologies for inadvertently omitting a very significant multifaith event from the October Calendar: Mayor Chuck Reed's annual Faith Leaders Appreciation Breakfast. Here are the details:

Thursday October 16, 2008 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Faith Leaders Appreciation Breakfast

Mayor Chuck Reed invites the leader of your faith-based organization to join him for the annual Faith Leaders Appreciation Breakfast. This year’s celebration will feature a slideshow highlighting accomplishments from faith-based groups in the past year. If interested, you may submit up to 3 pictures with a brief description of an ongoing or one-time community project that took place in the past year.Location: City Hall Rotunda, 200 E. Santa Clara St. Space is limited, so please RSVP to Alicia Bosco ( or 408-535-4822) no later than October 9, 2008. Parking Validation available for City Hall Underground Parking Garage accessible on 6th St.

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below:

Interfaith Calendar for October 2008

2008-10-01T16:26:40Z

October 2008

Even as Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with Eid al Fitr ("the celebration of the breaking of the fast"), Jews have begin the "Days of Awe," the week between Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Later this month, Jews will celebrate Sukkot ("Booths"), commemorating the wandering in the wilderness, and will end their annual cycle of Torah readings on Simchat Torah ("rejoicing in the Torah") with a joyous procession of the Torah scrolls through the congregation.

The nine-day Hindu festival of Navaratri ends with Vijaya Dashami on October 9. This festival is devoted to nine forms of the feminine deity Shakti/Devi. Later in the month, they observe Diwali, which marks the victory of good over evil and the illumination of spiritual darkness. Jains, too, celebrate Diwali as the time when Lord Mahavira attained enlightenment (Mahavira Nirvana).

At the end of the month, Wiccans mark Samhain, considered by many the beginning of the Celtic year. It is believed to be a day in which the barrier between the daily world and the spirit world is thin. In part due to that pre-Christian belief, the Roman Catholic and Protestant observance of All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints Day, became Halloween, with all its ghosts and tricksters. The 31st is also the day in 1517 that Martin Luther posted his objections to certain practices in the Roman Catholic Church and prompted the Protestant Reformation, hence, Reformation Day.

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.

October Religious and Cultural Observances

1 Eid al Fitr (end of Ramadan) (Muslim)
1-9 Navaratri (Dusserah) (Hindu)
2 Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (Hindu)
4 St Francis Day (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
5 World Communion Sunday (some Protestant)
9 Vijaya Dashami (Hindu)
9 Yom Kippur (Jewish)
12 Ghambar Ayathrem (Zoroastrian)
14 Sukkot (through Oct 19) (Jewish)
20 Birth of the Bab (baha’i)
21 Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
22 Simhat Torah (Jewish)
28 Diwali (Deepawali) (Hindu, Jain)
28 Jain New Year (Vir Samvat 5) (Jain)
28 Mahavira Nirvana Celebration (Jain)
28 Milvian Bridge Day (Christian)
31 All Hallows Eve (Roman Catholic, Protestant)
31 Reformation Day (Protestant)
31 Samhuinn (Samhain) , Vetrnaetr / Winter Nights (Wiccan/Pagan)

[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

Click on highlighted links below for more information-

Monday, October 6, 2008, 7:30 pm, Millbrae

Peninsula URI Circle

Professor Edmond Yee speaking on Confucianism.

SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, December 13, 2008, Santa Clara

Make a World of Difference: Community Conference

This event, offered in collaboration with Carry the Vision Community Nonviolence Conference (CTV), Santa Clara University, the South Bay Interfaith Steering Committee, and the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, will be an introduction to the global convening of the Parliament in Australia in December 2009.

Meet Your Neighbors

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

Sunday, October 5, 2008, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, Santa Clara

Telling Our Stories;
Transforming the World
ING Supporters Dinner and Eid Celebration

Featuring: speaker Dr. John Esposito, Professor of Religion, International Affairs, and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University; comedian Maz Jobrani, Iranian-American comedian.

Take Action

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

Saturday October 4, 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, San Jose

"Prayers for Justice” Training Event

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"!

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below:

Interfaith Space: Ramadan Open Houses This Weekend

2008-09-11T19:02:32Z

Ramadan 2008

During this month, Muslims are observing the month of Ramadan by fasting from sunup to sundown. It is a custom during this time to invite others to break the fast together at an evening iftar meal, and this has become an opportunity in recent years for non-Muslims to learn about the meaning of Ramadan. Several local mosques and Muslim communities in conjunction with CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) are sponsoring special Ramadan open houses and iftar meals. Here is a chance to meet your neighbors and learn more about them.

All gatherings include a complimentary dinner. Because space is limited and food must be prepared, please be sure to register ahead of time. You can do that at myvillage.us/profile/profile.asp?/my/ramadan

Saturday, September 13, 2008, 5:30 pm, Santa Clara

Muslim Community Association

Location: 3000 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara. Registration: 5:00 pm Program: 5:30 pm. For more information and rsvp online go to www.mcabayarea.org/Outreach/Events/OpenHouse.aspx

Saturday, September 13, 2008, 5:30 pm, San Martin

South Valley Islamic Community

Location San Martins Lions Club: 12415 Murphy Ave., San Martin, Information: www.svic.org | 408.535.0112 Registration: 5:00pm Program: 5:30pm. Register online.

Sunday, September 14, 2008, 5:30 pm San Jose

Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center

Location: 5885 Santa Teresa Blvd #113 Information: www.bvmcc.org | 408.362.0903 Registration: 5:00pm; Program: 5:30pm. Register online

Sunday September 14th 2008, 6:00 pm, San Jose

Shia Muslim Association of the Bay Area

Location:: 4415 Fortran Ct., San Jose. Information: www.saba-igc.org | 408.946.5700 Registration: 5:30pm; Program: 6:00pm. Register online

Sunday, September 14, 2008, 5:30 pm, San Jose

South Bay Islamic Association

Come and learn about the observance and significance of Ramadan in the Muslim Community. Location: South Bay Islamic Association, 325 N. 3rd St, San Jose. www.sbia.info. Register online

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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"!

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below:

Interfaith Calendar for September 2008

2008-09-03T18:02:45Z

September 2008

During this month, Muslims are observing the month of Ramadan by fasting from sunup to sundown. It is a custom during this time to invite others to break the fast together at an evening iftar meal, and this has become an opportunity in recent years for non-Muslims to learn about the meaning of Ramadan. Note below the interfaith iftar being sponsored by the South Bay Islamic Association in San Jose; we'll list others that come to our attention on the Events page at www.interfaithspace.org.

Also this month, Sikhs commemorate their scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib, as the guru (sacred guide) for the community. The Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) declared that the scriptures would be his successor.

September also marks the United Nations International Day of Peace. First declared in 1982, the Day of Peace is observed by communities around the world in a variety of ways. To find out what's happening, or to suggest an event of your own, see www.internationaldayofpeace.org

Hindus celebrate the elephant god of good fortune, Ganesha, and Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu. And at the end of the month, as Eid al Fitr closes the month of Ramadan, Rosh Hashanah begins the "Days of Awe" for Jews leading up to Yom Kippur.

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.

September Religious and Cultural Observances

1 Installation of Guru Granth Sahib (First Parkash) (Sikh)
2 Ramadan begins (through Oct. 1) (Muslim)
3 Ganesha Chaturthi (Hindu)
5 Paryushana Parva end (Samvatsari) (Jain)
8 Nativity of Mary (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
12 Ghambar Paitishahem (through Sep 16) (Zoroastrian)
14 Exaltation of the Life Giving Cross (Eastern Christian)
14 Holy Cross Day (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
21 United Nations International Day of Peace
22 Death of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)
22 Mabon, Alban Elued, Haustblot / Harvest (Autumnal Equinox) (Wiccan/Pagan)
23 Janma Ashtami (Krishna Janmashtami) (Hindu)
29 St. Michael and All Angels (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
30 Eid al Fitr - Culmination of Ramadan (Muslim)
30 Rosh Hashana (through Oct 1) (Jewish)

Upcoming Interfaith Opportunities

Click on highlighted links below for more information-

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.

Sunday, September 7, 2008, 9:30 am, Sunnyvale

Summer Social and Vegetarian BBQ

Dharma gathering at 9:30 a.m. at the Zen Center, followed by the BBQ at a nearby park. Our special guests will include Rev. Heng Sure and members of the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, as well as board and staff members of the Jewish Community Relations Councils of the Peninsula and the Silicon Valley.

Sunday, September 14, 2008, 5:30 pm, San Jose

Interfaith Iftar

The South Bay Islamic Association will host an Interfaith Iftar (breaking the Ramadan fast).

Sunday, October 5, 2008, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, Santa Clara

Telling Our Stories;
Transforming the World
ING Supporters Dinner and Eid Celebration

Featuring: speaker Dr. John Esposito, Professor of Religion, International Affairs, and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University; comedian Maz Jobrani, Iranian-American comedian.

Take Action

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

Sunday, September 7, 2008, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., San Jose

Interfaith Congregational Training
for No on Proposition 8

Led by California Faith for Equality’s Kerry Chaplain and Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry—Action Network’s Christy Baker.

Faithful Citizens Go to the Polls: A series of events sponsored by Multifaith Voices for Peace

For more information go to www.multifaithpeace.org or call 650-569-3416.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 7:00 pm, Palo Alto

"Soldiers of Conscience" Film & Discussion

Filmed with the permission of the US Army, this documentary tackles the question every soldier must ask - is it ever acceptable to kill another human being?

Monday, September 15, 2008, 7:00 pm, venue tba

Climate Change - Faithful Advocacy

Sponsored by California Interfaith Power and Light, this working group meeting is open to the public and will feature leaders of their political team discussing challenges and strategies for getting congregations involved.

Thursday, October 2, 2008, 7:00 pm, Palo Alto

Immigration

Speakers: Rev. Will McGarvey and Maria Sanchez of the New Sanctuary Movement; other immigrants telling their own stories; Palo Alto Weekly Reporter Sue Dremann.

Monday, October 20, 2008 7:00 pm, Palo Alto

Globalization, Immigration & the Food Crisis

Raj Patel, writer, activist, academic and author of "Stuffed and Starved" is a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley and a Fellow at the Institute of Food and Development.

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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"!

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below:

Interfaith Calendar for August 2008

2008-08-01T19:36:28Z

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)

Upcoming Interfaith Opportunities

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

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"!

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below:

Interfaith Calendar for July 2008

2008-07-01T19:34:29Z

July 2008

Pioneer Day (July 24) is a special day for many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, known more generally as Mormons. On this day, they recall that Brigham Young and his group of settlers first arrived in the Great Salt Lake Basin on July 24, 1847. Fleeing from persecution in the Eastern U.S., the Mormon settlers wheeled their belongings in handcarts across a thousand miles of frontier. Pioneer Day is an official holiday in the state of Utah, and some Mormons reenact the travels of the early settlers along the Mormon Trail.

Isra Wa Me'raj (begins evening of July 29) commemorates for Muslims the "Night Journey" and Ascension of Muhammad. According to the tradition, the angel Gabriel took Muhammad in one night from Mecca to "the farthest mosque" (generally considered to be on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem). He then traveled through the heavens and met with other prophets and Allah before returning to Mecca.

Don't forget! NAIN Connect 2008, the annual gathering of the North American Interfaith Network, will take place July 24-28 in San Francisco. This is a unique opportunity not only to meet interfaith activists from across North America, but to show off what's been happening in our own communities around the San Francisco Bay Area. See the Events listing below or the NAIN CONNECT website (www.nain.org/2008/) for more information.

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.

July Religious and Cultural Observances

6 Dalai Lama's Birthday (Buddhist)
9 Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha'i)
11 St Benedict Day (Roman Catholic)
13 Obon (Ullambana) (Buddhist, Shinto)
18 Asalha Puja Day (Buddhist)
18 Dharma Day (Buddhist)
18 Guru Purnima (Hindu)
24 Pioneer Day (Latter Day Saints)
25 St. James the Great Day (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
30 Isra Wa Me'raj (Muslim)
30 O-harai-taisai Shinto)

Upcoming Interfaith Opportunities

Click on highlighted links below for more information-

July 24-28, 2008, San Francisco

NAINConnect

Themes include: "Multifaith Challenges We Face," "Gifts We Bring," and "Making a Difference," and participants will be able to choose from over twenty-eight workshops.

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

"ENGAGING THE OTHER" CONFERENCE:
The Power of Compassion

Meet Your Neighbors

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

Friday, July 11, 6:30- 9:00 pm, San Jose

A Gathering of Women: Living the Abundant Life

In this evening gathering of women, we will explore the abundant life within through meditation and contemplation, deep sharing, and an experience of the soul’s joy.

Saturday & Sunday, July 12 & 13, 2008, noon- 8:00 pm, San Jose

Obon Festival

Enjoy the celebration of the Japanese Buddhist festival of Obon with authentic foods, music, storytelling, folk dancing, and the San Jose Taiko drummers.

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 7:00- 9:00 pm, San Jose

MOMFULNESS: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion,
and Grace with Denise Roy

“Momfulness” is the spiritual practice of cultivating in our everyday lives a mindful, compassionate, mothering presence—for ourselves, for our families, and for our world.

Friday, July 18, 2008, 7:30 pm Palo Alto

Sacred Choir Music The Mystical Teachings of Christ

The Oratorio "Christ Lives" The life of Jesus comes alive through this beautiful and soul-stirring choir music by Swami Kriyananda.

Saturday, July 19, 2008, 7:30 pm, San Jose

Finding Peace in an Unsettled World
An Evening with Swami Kriyananda

Swami Kriyananda is of the leading exponents of Yoga in the world today.

Sunday, July 20, 2008, Mountain View

Hope for a Better World:
The small communities solution

Visit an intentional spiritual community that has been active in the heart of Silicon Valley for 15 years.

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.

Saturday, July 26, 2008, San Jose

Art Festival for Darfur

There will be live music all day long, people from the Sudan talking about their personal experience,and Mark Brecke will be presenting his documentary "They Turned Our Desert into Fire" at nightfall.

===

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"!

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below:

Interfaith Calendar for June 2008

2008-06-02T14:03:05Z

June 2008

NAIN Connect 2008, the annual gathering of the North American Interfaith Network, will take place July 24-28 in San Francisco. This is a unique opportunity not only to meet interfaith activists from across North America, but to show off what's been happening in our own communities around the San Francisco Bay Area. See the Events listing below or the NAIN CONNECT website (www.nain.org/2008/) for more information.

The SouthBay Interfaith Steering Committee is the group that sponsored the three interfaith community gatherings at the Circle of Palms (see www.southbayinterfaith.org for details and photographs of those events). The group continues to meet regularly, and is planning for another community event in Spring of 2009. Most recently, we have been exploring the possibility of becoming a "Partner City" with the Parliament of the World's Religions. SBIF welcomes the participation of any local religious leaders and communities that would like to be involved. Write to: southbayinterfaith@yahoo.com.

On the panel for the recent "Northern California Religious Leaders in Conversation" gathering in Oakland were two of our local interfaith leaders— Maha ElGenaidi of Islamic Networks Group and Venerable Jian Hu, Abbot of the Chung Tai Zen Center in Sunnyvale. They spoke together with Dr. James Donohue, president of the Graduate Theological Union, on the challenges for religious communities today. (For more on the day, see Interfaith News & Notes).

And, welcome to the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, USA, which will be meeting in San Jose June 21 - 28, 2008! The General Assembly is the overall governing body of the PCUSA, with representatives from all of the Presbyteries (regional groups). They are being hosted by the Presbytery of San Jose.

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.

June Religious and Cultural Observances

5 Ascension of Jesus (Orthodox Christian)
6 Anniversary of Attack on Akal Takhat (Sikh)
9 Shavuot (through May 24) (Jewish)
15 Pentecost (Orthodox Christian)
16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikh)
19 Juneteenth (Cultural Festival)
21 First Nations Day (Canadian Native Peoples)
21 Litha, Alban Heruin, Midsumarsblot (Summer Solstice) (Wiccan/Pagan)
22 All Saints (Orthodox Christian)
22 New Church Day (Swedenborgian)
24 Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
29 Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul (Roman Catholic, some Protestant)
29 Ghambar Maidyoshem (through July 3) (Zoroastrian)

Upcoming Interfaith Opportunities

Click on highlighted links below for more information-

July 24-28, 2008, San Francisco

NAINConnect

Themes include: "Multifaith Challenges We Face," "Gifts We Bring," and "Making a Difference," and participants will be able to choose from over twenty-eight workshops.

Meet Your Neighbors

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

June 7, and June 9-11, 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Castro Valley

Hugging Saint, "Amma" visits Northern California

Amma is famous world-wide for her ministry of providing blessings and healing through hugging.

Tuesday June 24, 2008, 10:30 am San Jose

Melkite Archbishop Elias Chacour

The Most Reverend Elias Chacour, Melkite-Greek Catholic Archbishop of Akka, Haifa, and All Galilee, is a leading advocate of peace and cooperation among Christians, Muslims, and Jews in the Holy Land.

Take Action

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

Wednesday, June 4, 12:00 noon, Sunnyvale

Service of Lament and Healing

Please join us for a Service of Lament and Healing at the site of the violent death of Jason William Gamino and Benjamin Oseguera.

Friday, June 6, 2008, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, Saratoga

"Loud & Clear in Election Year"
Learn to Be Prophetic and Stay Non-Profit!

Clergy and lay leaders of all communities of faith and nonprofits are invited to attend. Speaker Holly Minch was the lead editor of "Loud & Clear in Election Year" a handbook created for non-profits during the 2004 election year.

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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"!

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below:

Interfaith Calendar for May 2008

2008-05-01T16:15:26Z

May 2008

"It's May, it's May, the lusty month of May." You may recall that song from the musical Camelot, but you may be less familiar with the fact that celebrating May Day, the first of May, has roots going deep into pre-Christian observances in Europe. Dancing around the May pole or choosing a May Queen were ways to celebrate Beltane, welcoming the Spring. May Day is one of the "cross quarter" days, falling between the equinox and the solstice, and is celebrated today by Wiccans and other Neopagan groups.

This May includes several other significant observances: May 2 is Yom HaSho'ah, the Jewish remembrance of the Holocaust, while May 13th is Vaisakhi, on which Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa, the dedicated order of Sikhs. In the middle of the month, Buddhists will celebrate in many different ways the birthday of the Buddha, while on May 23, Baha'is will remember the Bab, the prophet who announced the coming of Baha'u'llah, founder of Baha'i.

POSTPONED: The third annual interfaith gathering sponsored by South Bay Interfaith that had been scheduled for later this month has been postponed. The South Bay Interfaith Steering Committee will be planning for another community gathering and exploring ways to strengthen and deepen our connections with one another. Updateswill be posted as available on the South Bay Interfaith website: www.southbayinterfaith.org

Send your events! 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)
2 Birth Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikh)
2 Twelfth Day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
2 Yom HaSho'ah (Jewish)
4 Ascension of Christ (Christian)
5 Cinco de Mayo (Mexican Cultural)
11 Pentecost/Whitsunday (Roman Catholic, Protestant)
13 Vaisakhi (Sikh)
18 Trinity Sunday (Christian)
20 Buddha Day - Visakha Puja (Buddhist)
20 Buddha's Birthday (Wesak in Theravada tradition) (Buddhist)
23 Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i)
25 Corpus Christi (Roman Catholic)
29 Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
30 Sacred Heart of Jesus (Roman Catholic)

May Interfaith Opportunities

Click on highlighted links below for more information-

Saturday, May 3, 2008, 3:00 - 6:00 pm, Hayward

Humanity in the eyes of Christ & Mohammad

Children of Abraham Interfaith Series. Each forum features two speakers who will give a presentation on the forum's topic. Presentations will be followed by a friendly session of Q & A.

Sunday, May 25, 2008, 3:00 pm, Santa Clara

Confronting Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism
Sharing Our Stories- Uniting Against Racism

It is important to address Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism together, because their roots are the same: fear, ignorance, and misinformation.

Meet Your Neighbors

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

First Wednesdays, January 9- May 7, 2008, San Jose

"Look Who's Talking": Eastern Christian Churches

A series of events for learning about the Eastern Christian tradition. May 7, "Icons and Iconography— Not Just Pretty Pictures, But Theology in Color"

Sunday, May 11, 2008, 10:45 am, Sunnyvale

Buddha's Birthday Celebration

In celebration of the Buddha’s Birthday, Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale will be holding a "Bathing the Buddha" Ceremony. A special performance of Indian dance and Buddhist songs to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday will follow.

Sunday, May 11, 2008, 2:00-4:00 pm, Santa Clara

Islamic Art and Architecture

Come and discover the depth and width of Islamic Art and see why Islam and its Art continue to be an enduring force in the world.

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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"!

Subscribe to Interfaith Space via email by entering your email address below: