Interfaith Events
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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.
An Interfaith
Calendar of Religious Observances is available through the Silicon
Valley Conference for Community and Justice (pdf format)
Bay Area events focused on developing and strengthening interfaith relationships.
July 24-28, 2008, San Francisco
NAINConnect
The annual gathering of the North American Interfaith Network will take in San Francisco with the Interfaith Center at the Presidio is the host! This is a unique opportunity not only to meet interfaith activists from across the country, but to show off what's been happening in our own communities around the San Francisco Bay Area. Themes for the Summer conference, to be held at the University of San Francisco, include: "Multifaith Challenges We Face," "Gifts We Bring," and "Making a Difference," and participants will be able to choose from over twenty-eight workshops. In preparation for the gathering, a website has been created at nain.org/2008/ There you can not only find information about the program and workshops, but you can also participate in interactive discussions of key issues. A third of the workshops described are interactive, so far, inviting your suggestions and insights when you visit the site. You can register at the site or print a form to fill out and mail.
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." Sponsored by Common Bond Institute; Co-Sponsored by International Humanistic Psychology Association, Institute of Imaginal Studies and Institute of Noetic Sciences. Presenters include: Huston Smith, Marianne Williamson, Don Edward Beck, Geshe Gendun Gyatso, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Reverend Paul Chafee, Imam Zaid Shakir, Sen. John Vasconcellos, Maha ElGenaidi, Libby Traubman, Len Traubman, Sally Mahe. Conference Details at: www.cbiworld.org/Pages/Conferences_ETO.htm ~ Registration is Open To Professionals and the General Public ~ Continuing Education Units available. Cost: $175- $395 depending on status and early registration. Location: San Mateo Mariott.
Public events sponsored by specific religious groups that may 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
How often do we forget that we are provided with everything we need to live a prosperous life? We often look for fulfillment, joy and security in the eternal world of family, relationship and work and forget the true source. 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. Fee: $20. Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, 1146 University Ave. San Jose. To register: phone 408.283.0221 email info@CSEcenter.org web: www.CSEcenter.org
See other programs open to the public at the CSE website.
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. Or sit in on "Buddhism 101"! Sponsored by San Jose Buddhist Temple Betsuin, 640 North 5th Street, San Jose. Full schedule and details at www.sjbetsuin.com/Events/Obon#obon
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. All of us discover that caring for others is not a distraction from sacred practice, but is the very essence of it. Denise Roy, L.M.F.T., M.Div., is the author of Momfulness: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion, and Grace, and My Monastery Is a Minivan. Fee: $25. Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, 1146 University Ave. San Jose. To register: phone 408.283.0221 email info@CSEcenter.org web: www.CSEcenter.org
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. Swami will introduce this evening of sacred music, which he composed in a powerful flow of inspiration after a pilgrimage to Israel. The Oratorio "Christ Lives" has received several European music prizes; selections were performed for the Pope in Rome. Location: Spangenberg Theater, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Tickets $15 Purchase tickets online or call (888) 455-7469
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. He makes his home in India, where millions watch his daily television broadcast on Yoga and spirituality. This year is his 60th anniversary of discipleship to the Indian Yoga master, Paramhansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi. Location: Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose. Tickets $25. Information: www.swami2008.com/
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. Ananda Community in Mountain View is also one of the largest urban co-housing communities in the United States. Tour the community and learn about cooperative living, meditation and yoga training, spiritual education for children, and ways to integrate spirituality with daily life.
- 2 pm: Open House and garden party, with tours, displays about community and spiritual living, music, and refreshments.
- 4 pm: A talk by Swami Kriyananda about community and spiritual living.
Ananda Community, Free 240 Monroe Drive, Mountain View, CA
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. Teaching Gandhiji’s principles will be Dr. S.N. Subba Rao, Director of National Youth Project in India. Vedanta Society Retreat, Olema. $345 per person; discounts for early registration and multiple children from the same family. Location: The Vedanta Society Retreat, 2200 acres in midst of coastal mountains and majestic redwoods. Olema is a spiritual retreat (www.sfvedanta.org) with separate retreat houses for boys and girls with attached showers and restrooms.
Information: (408) 934.1130 www.Indiacc.org Abhay Bhushan: akbhushan@aol.com, (650) 424-8110 Jyothi Lulla: sulochina.lulla@kp.org, (408) 851-9164, (408) 395-0968
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
A community of visual artists, recycled fashion designers and activists in downtown San Jose are having an event to support refugees from 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. We will also provide assistance writing letters to Congress at the event.
- Art Show and Music 1:00-10:00 pm. Location: Art Ark Gallery, 1055 South 6th Street crossing Keyes, San Jose.
- Candlelight Vigil at 11:00 pm, San Jose City Hall
Money for the Darfur refugees will be raised through donations, 50% of art sales, a percentage of fashion sales and a raffle. All proceeds will go to helping the refugees, through the Genocide Intervention Network and the IRC. More information is at www.myspace.com/artpeacesj
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 Marilynn Carstens 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.
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