Date: August 2nd 2010

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August 2010

Congratulations to the Jain Center of Northern California, located in Milpitas. This month they are celebrating their 10th year with a series of religious and cultural events celebrating “Non-violence, Peace and Harmony.” A special "Celebration Procession" will take place on Saturday, August 7, 9:30 -10:30 am. The Procession will run along the Main Street in Milpitas, from Corning Avenue south to the Jain Center. You can find more details at http://www.jcnc.org/10th. The Jain Center has been an active participant in interreligious cooperation in our area.

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We wish a blessed Ramadan for our Muslim friends, who begin the month of sunrise-to-sunset fasting on August 11th.

New Year's arrives this month for some Zoroastrians. Worldwide, Zoroastrians, the adherents of one of the oldest of the world's religious traditions, follow three different calendars. Zoroastrianism began in Iran, and in the 10th century some of the community migrated to India. Over time their respective calendars diverged significantly. When easier communication was possible, and the discrepancy was discovered, a third calendar was proposed to mediate the differences. All three calendars are still used, and according to one, the Shahanshahi, August 20 is Nowruz, the beginning of the New Year. It is preceded by the Fravardeghan Days, a time for honoring ancestors and preparing for the new year.

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Silicon Valley Interreligious Council: At the July gathering of people working towards developing a new multifaith organization in our area, the planning team proposed a name: the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council. Because of Summer vacations, the beginning of Ramadan, and the Jewish High Holy Days in early September, the next meeting of the group will be in late September, Date, Time and location TBA. The planning team hopes to have a specific proposal for the mission, objectives, membership, and governance of the Council.

Report of our sessions, along with other notes and background documents can be found on the SouthBay Interfaith website, www.southbayinterfaith.org, under "Links > Discussion Documents."

Watch these monthly notes and the Interfaith Space website for updates and announcements as our work takes shape.

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News & Notes, the occasional blog from Interfaith Space with information about events and commentary on interfaith/ multifaith/ interreligious issues, has received a face lift. Check out our new look at the Interfaith Space website: go to www.interfaithspace.org and click on "News & Notes." We invite your comments or responses.

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 (Eastern Christian)
• 1 Lammas or Lugnasadh (Wiccan/Pagan)
• 1 International Forgiveness Day
• 6 Transfiguration of our Lord (Western Christian)
• 10-19 Fravardeghan Days (Zoroastrian-Shahanshahi)
• 11 Ramadan begins (Muslim)
• 14 Dharma Day (Buddhist)
• 15 Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary (Western Christian)
• 15 Dormition of the Theotokos (Eastern Christian)
• 19 Transfiguration (Eastern Christian)
• 20 Nowruz (New Year) (Zoroastrian- Shahanshahi)
• 24 Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)

[Interreligious Calendar events are taken from the Multifaith Action Society Multifath Calendar 2010 and other sources. See also the Online Interfaith Calendar and the BBC 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 8, 2010, 2:30 - 6:00 pm, Milpitas

Jainism for Non-violence, Peace and Harmony:
10th Anniversary of the Jain Center

As part of their 10th anniversary celebration, The Jain Center of Northern California will present an interfaith religious panel discussion and various displays to disseminate information about other religious and faith organizations.

Saturday, October 2, 2010, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Santa Clara

SAVE THE DATE!
Carry the Vision: Community Nonviolence Conference

Keynote Speaker Fr. John Dear, Peace Activist, Organizer, Lecturer, Retreat leader, and author/editor of 20 books on peace and nonviolence.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010, San Jose

Visit of the Dalai Lama

The Gyuto community of Tibetan Buddhist monks in San Jose is sponsoring a special visit by the Dalai Lama . . . Members of the local interreligious community are working on an interreligious gathering in conjunction with the visit of His Holiness.

Meet Your Neighbors

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

Thursday- Sunday, August 5- 8, 2010, Milpitas

Jainism for Non-violence, Peace and Harmony:
10th Anniversary of the Jain Center

The Jain Center of Northern California is celebrating their 10th anniversary with 5 days of religious and spiritual programs, including a line-up of influential keynote speakers, and fun filled cultural events.

Saturday, August 21, 2010, 6:15 pm, Santa Clara

Ramadan Open House

The Muslim Community Association, Why Islam, and CAIR invite you to join your local Muslim community in breaking fast during the month of Ramadan.

Saturday, August 28, 2010, 2:30 - 6:00 pm, Sunnyvale

Hindu Summit (Hindu Dharmasabha)

The Hinduism Summit aims to promote an understanding about the unique science behind Hinduism concepts and practices, and provide practical guidance on living Hinduism.

Take Action

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

Now, Santa Clara County

Diaper Drive For Family Wellness Court
of Santa Clara County

The Commission on the Status of Women is partnering with the Indian Community Center, the Jewish Federation and the Northwest YMCA for the 60 Days of Diapers Campaign.

Soon, Cupertino

Habitat for Humanity House of Faith

Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley is working on a joint effort among the multitudes of diverse faith communities of Santa Clara County to help sponsor and assist in building a Habitat home.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010, 5:30 pm, San Jose

“Welcoming the Stranger”
A Mass to Support those in Need in Arizona

Please join us for this community worship presided over by Fr. Francisco Miramontes, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, with a reflection from Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel.

Thursday, August 5, 2010, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, San Jose

Economics and the Interfaith Community

Keynote speaker: Rev. Nelson Rivers III, Vice-President of Stakeholder Relations of the NAACP and pastor of Charity Missionary Baptist Church of North Charleston, SC.

Saturday, August 21, 2010, 10:30 am - 2:00 pm, Cupertino

Poverty Simulation

The Community Action Poverty Simulation is a unique tool that educates about the day-to-day realities of life with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress.

Labor Day Weekend, September 3-5, 2010, South Bay

Labor in the Pulpits/on the Bimah/
in the Minbar

The Labor in the Pulpits program brings the voice and perspectives of low-wage workers and social policy issues that impact working families.

Sunday, September 19, 2010, 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Palo Alto

Interfaith & Intergenerational
Witness for Peace

Marking the International Day for Peace (Sept. 21).

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 10:30 am - 3:30 pm, Cupertino

Protecting Our Elders Summit Meeting

Protecting Our Elders: an Interfaith Response to Elder Abuse and Neglect. The project encourages faith communities to recognize and respond to elder abuse and neglect.

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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.

I have begun writing an occasional blog for Examiner.com, as their San Jose Interfaith Examiner. I'll be posting more extended articles there, and welcome your suggestions for events to publicize, interviews with interfaith leaders, and news about interfaith relationships.