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Events
Is your organization sponsoring an Interfaith event or opportunity in the Bay Area? To have your event listed here, send the information to calendar@interfaithspace.org; please include the name, date and time, description, cost (if any) and contact information.
December 3-9, 2009, Melbourne Australia
Parliament of the World's Religions
For news and reports from the Parliament, check these sources:
- Official Parliament of the World's Religions Site
(www.parliamentofreligions.org) - PeaceNext.org (Parliament networking site)
- Spiritual Resources (Interfaith Center at the Presidio webcast videos)
- News & Notes from Interfaith Space
- San Jose Interfaith Examiner (Examiner.com)
- Parliament Facebook Group
- Twitter archives
- Interfaithing.com (links to blogs, video reports, etc.)
- YouTube
- Silicon Valley Partner City presentation
Bay Area events focused on developing and strengthening interfaith relationships.
Ashure Distribution
Every year, around this time, the Pacifica Institute community (mostly Turkish Americans) prepares a special dessert called ashure (also called as the Noah's pudding) to be distributed to friends and neighbors (a common practice in Turkey). Attached please find our brochure explaining what Ashure is.
In addition, as the Pacifica Institute branch, we arrange with community organizations in the area for an ashure distribution at one of their gatherings or events. For example, last year we had distributed close to 100 cups of ashure at the United Methodist Church after a Sunday service. This year we've selected the month of February for ashura distribution.
If you think this is something that your organization/church may enjoy, please contact us to provide a date and a time for us to come to your location in February to distribute ashure (targeting weekends, but weeknights are also OK). We also need the number of cups that might be needed (one for each person). Typical numbers are between 50 to 100.
Contact e-mail: fatih.sarigoz@pacificasv.org, mehmet.sen@pacificasv.org
Best regards, Fatih Sarigoz, President, Silicon Valley Branch of Pacifica Institute,
Saturday, January 30, 2010- Sunday, April 4, 2010 Nationwide
A Season for Nonviolence
A Season for Nonviolence is a national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world. Season for Nonviolence was first established as a yearly event celebrating the philosophies and lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. It has in the past years been picked up by many congregations as a time period to teach about the principles of nonviolence, especially in their youth programs. The "season" begins with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination and ends with the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's assassination, January 30 - April 4. Links with suggestions for observing the season can be found here.
Friday, February 5, 2010, 3:30 pm, Stanford
Religion in the Marketplace
In this panel discussion four prominent speakers will weigh in on Pope Benedict's recent encyclical on the global economy: Kirk O. Hanson, Scotty McLennan, Jr., William O'Neill, S.J., and Debra Satz. Free event, open to the public. Location: Margaret Jacks Hall, Terrace Room, Bldg 460-426, Stanford University.
Silicon Valley Partner City
“Initial Public Offering”
An invitation to build upon the Parliament Partner City designation and vision for the future of interfaith in our Valley.
Public events sponsored by specific religious groups that may help others understand their tradition and concerns more fully.
Saturday, February 6, 2010, 3:00 pm, Santa Clara
INSIDE ISLAM LECTURE SERIES
The Muslim Jesus (pbuh)
Speaker: Ali Ataie is the President and Founder of Muslim Interfaith Council and has been involved in interfaith activities for over ten years. He is currently a Masters' degree student at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, majoring in Biblical Studies (the first Muslim seminarian in the 143 year history of the school to do so) and also serves as the resident scholar at the San Ramon Valley Islamic Center. Location: Muslim Community Association, 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara. Free event. To register, contact Dian Alyan, 408.727.7277 ext 402, dian.alyan@mcabayarea.org.
Friday, February 12, 2010, 7:30 pm, San Jose
Shabbat Open House Service
Come visit a synagogue and learn a little bit about Judaism. After a service (with explanations of its component parts) there will be tables of information and food which includes the festivals/holidays and some of the life cycle events in the Jewish tradition. This will include relevant ritual objects associated with each holiday in the Jewish year (a shofar for the High Holy Days, a chanukiah for Chanukah), as well as special foods (such as charoseth for Passover, hamentaschen for Purim). There is also an informational handout with a brief summary of each holiday/event that people may take with them.Location: Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Avenue, San Jose.
Infinite Life:
Third International Kriya Yoga Congress
The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment is co-sponsoring this conference at the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose. Featured speaker is Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, along with other featured presenters. For more information, see the CSE website.
Thursdays, October 15, 2009- May 13, 2010, 7:30 pm, San Jose
Melkite, Byzantine, Catholic, Christian—Church And Identity
St Elias the Prophet Melkite-Greek Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic parish in the Alum Rock area of San Jose, will sponsor a series of monthly presentations exploring the idea of Christian identity from the perspective of the Melkite-Greek Catholic Church. For more information, please call Father James Graham, Pastor of St Elias the Prophet Melkite-Greek Catholic parish, 408-259-0259. For directions to St Elias Church, visit www.steliastheprophet.org .
- February 19—The Meaning of Great Lent.
Fr James K. Graham, pastor of St Elias Melkite-Greek Catholic Church, San Jose. - March 18—Concert of Byzantine Melkite Liturgical Music.
Cantor Tony Noujaim and St Elias Choir, San Jose. - May 13-- The Spirituality of the Divine Liturgy.
Fr James K. Graham, pastor of St Elias Church, San Jose.
Events that address issues of public concern with an alliance of people from different religious traditions.
Friday, February 5, 2010, 8:00-9:30 pm, Los Gatos
Poverty Simulation
In conjunction with Step up Silicon Valley, Congregation Shir Hadash will be holding a Poverty Simulation evening event. Reservations are necessary to participate; call 408-358-1751 ext 5. All are welcome to the 6:30 pm worship service with dinner following ( by reservation only) at 7:15pm. Location: Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 5:30 pm, San Francisco
Interfaith Call to Justice:
Prayerfully Stand for Immigration Reform
Join Northern California Religious Leaders and others working for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Multi-Cultural music and performances, Interfaith Prayer Service, Breaking the Fast - Refreshments & Cultural Celebration. Join the Fast for Justice -Participate in fast from sundown Feb. 22nd to sundown Feb. 23rd. More information: Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights 415 227-0388 ~ Email: icir2010@yahoo.com Location: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco. Sponsors: Migration and Immigration Task Force of the Episcopal Diocese of California, Jewish Community Relations Council, Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, SF Interfaith Coalition on Immigration, The East Bay Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, FAITHS Program of the San Francisco Foundation, Clergy and Laity United For Economic Justice. (Partial List)
Ongoing opportunities to learn more about other religious traditions from a variety of speakers and activities.
San Jose, Wednesday evenings 7:30- 8:30 pm
Interfaith Devotions and Prayer
Consort with the followers of all religions
in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.
-- Baha’ullah
Bring your earnest prayers, your best-loved devotions, meditations, and scriptures and join us in devotion and prayer for the peace and unity of our families, our communities, our nation, our world. Location: San Jose Bahá’í Center, 945 Willow Street. San Jose CA 95125.
San Jose
The Dances of Universal Peace meet the First Friday of every Month at 8:00 PM on the Labyrinth under the dome of the First Unitarian Church of San Jose, 130 North Third Street, across from St. James Park. There is free parking on the street and in the parking garage at the corner of St. John Street and Third Street.
ALL ARE WELCOME! Beginners and experienced dancers join the circle together with simple movements and the singing of sacred chants and songs from the many faith traditions of Earth. No experience is necessary - just an open heart and mind.Each dance is taught as we go. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended. There is no charge, however, donations are welcome to International Network of the Dances of Universal Peace and the First Unitarian Church.
Matthew Fox has said “The Dances of Universal Peace put into our hearts and bodies the awe of living, the love ot the universe, the experience of community, the delight at the breath we all share, the coming together of cosmos, psyche and deep ecumenism that the human race yearns for today. They provide empowerment to heal and to celebrate, to pray in a curved and cosmological manner, to include body at the center of worship once again.” -Matthew Fox
For more information, contact Patrick Smiley or telephone 408-265-8937 and leave a message with your telephone number.
Stanford
Walk the Labyrinth
Our Friday labyrinth is the perfect way to begin calming your mind as you greet your well-deserved weekend. If life has you wandering aimlessly in circles, embark on a personal journey that's stood the test of time for thousands of years. Enter the labyrinth and discover that walking in circles can actually put direction back in your life - that the rhythm and simplicity of following a clear path can quiet your mind, help you find balance, facilitate meditation, insight and celebration. Wander aimlessly no more. Come: Walk the labyrinth and discover how truly liberated your mind and spirit can be! All are welcome to enjoy its benefits at no cost. Friday, September 28, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, Memorial Church, Stanford Quadrangle.
Common Tables
We know that we always enjoy getting together, but how can we make connections with those outside our usual circles of acquaintance? How do we find that Buddhist, those Hindus, the Jain couple or the Muslim co-worker who might also be interested in sitting down with us? A new organization, Common Tables, is drawing on the capabilities of the internet to make it possible to connect with others in your area who are likewise interested in bridging the divides. To become a part of Common Tables, one simply goes to their website (www.commontables.org), and signs on (there is a $25 annual administration fee). Common Tables sends the names of three other diverse faith couples and a guide to help get the group going. The group meets four times in six months, not so much for heavy religious discussion, but for simple getting-to-know-you conversation.
Online
Interfaith Sacred Space Design Competition
Is genuine interfaith space possible? What might a space designed to accommodate the needs of all faiths look like?
Winners of the United Religions Initiative competition to design genuinely interfaith space can be seen at www.interfaithdesign.org. A book about the competition is now available through the Interfaith Center at the Presidio.
Online
Interfaith Events Calendar
Other Interfaith Events in the wider San Francisco Bay Area are regularly listed on the Presidio Interfaith Center Calendar of Events.
