Coming Events | Meet Your Neighbors
Take Action | Ongoing 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.

 

Coming Events

Bay Area events focused on developing and strengthening interfaith relationships.

 

Saturday, July 31, 2010, 9:00 - 11:00 am, San Leandro

Monthly Community of Faith Breakfast

Come celebrate Parents Day and the Parents of the Year Awards. Bring a friend! Location: Bay Area Family Church, 2305 Washington Avenue, San Leandro. RSVP to 510-483-4712.

Sunday, August 1, 2010 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, San Jose

Beyond Partition:
A daylong workshop for Hindus and Muslims from the Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani American Communities

This workshop offers Hindus and Muslims from the Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani American communities, an opportunity for connection, exploration of identity, and healing through storytelling, role-play and other experiential processes. Healing the Wounds of History is an approach that utilizes experiential methods for intercultural conflict transformation and healing of collective trauma. Healing the Wounds of History has received international recognition for bringing together descendants of Holocaust survivors and the Third Reich, Palestinians and Israelis, Armenians and Turks, and other cultural groups struggling with a heritage of victimization, perpetration, and grief. Facilitator: Ben Rivers is a psychotherapist and social worker with over 10 years of experience in the Australian private and community sector. Location: Pakistani American Culture Center* 1590 Oakland Road, Suite B213 San Jose. Spaces are limited. To register, please email benjrivers@gmail.com, info@livingartscenter.org, or call (510) 595-5500, Ext 19. This event is endorsed by: India Community Center, UMA Interfaith Alliance, Interfaith America, Northern California Islamic Council and Pakistani American Culture Center.

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. Schedule: 2:30-3:45pm - Music Program; 4:10-5:40pm - Panel Discussion; 2:30-6:00pm - Displays. The Jain Center hopes to promote inter-religious dialogue to foster community harmony. Location: Jain Center of Northern California, 722 South Main Street Milpitas. For more information, see the Jain Center website. [see below for more]

 

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, including Put Down Your Sword, A Persistent Peace, and Living Peace. Fr. Dear was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Experience the difference that one community can make when its members come together to reflect on issues of mutual concern, explore the good work that is currently being done in our community, imagine possibilities, and discover the inspiration to take simple but profound steps toward hearing each other and healing our earth.

Location:Santa Clara University. Sponsored by Carry The Vision, Santa Clara University, the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors’ Office of Dave Cortese, and a host of other local organizations. See www.carrythevision.org for more information.

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, who will lead a teaching session titled Eight Verses of Training the Mind: Awakening the Heart of Compassion. Members of the local interreligious community are working on an interreligious gathering in conjunction with the visit of His Holiness. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 20, 2010. Details of the visit can be found on the Gyuto Center website. More information on the interreligious gathering will be available as it is announced.

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. They will also celebrate peace and harmony with our inter faith programs and activities. Come celebrate the harmony of multiple cultures living in peace in this vast and diverse Bay Area. There will be a religious panel discussion and various displays to disseminate information about other religious and faith organizations. 2:30-3:45PM - Music Program 4:10-5:40PM - Panel Discussion 2:30-6:00PM - DisplaysThey hope to promote inter-religious dialogue to foster community harmony. Location: Jain Center of Northern California, 722 South Main Street Milpitas. For more information, see the Jain Center website.

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. This is a free event, and people of all faiths are encouraged to attend. However, pre-registration is required.Location: MCA, 3003 Scott Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95054. To RSVP please email openhouse@mcabayarea.org or call us at 408.986.9874. For more information visit ca.cair.com/sfba/event/ramadan_open_house.

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. We need diapers in all sizes, especially 4, 5 and pull-ups for local children in Family Wellness Court (FWC). FWC is an innovative, collaborative effort assisting 200+ families achieve and maintain sobriety, overcome personal obstacles and become better parents. We salute FWC and... the parents who are working hard each day to be better. Help us raise $5000 worth of diapers so we can show the infants and toddlers of FWC that they deserve a future that is clean, safe and healthy… starting with a fresh diaper. Drop-off locations:

• Indian Community Center 525 Los Coches Street,
  Milpitas, CA 95035
• Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley 14855 Oka Road,
  Los Gatos, CA 95032
• Northwest YMCA 20803 Alves Drive,
  Cupertino, CA 95014

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. House of Faith project is designed to foster understanding among people of different faiths coming together to build a home for a family in need. The project will take place in Cupertino, and is scheduled to break ground in early spring of 2011. To learn more, or find out how your group can get involved, contact Andrew Condon, Faith Relations Coordinator, at 408-942-6444 Xt. 312, or e-mail at acondon@hfhsv.org

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. Today, Latinos and other immigrants face new threats to their civil rights and personal security. Please join the interfaith community in our worship for a change of heart and mind as Arizona’s anti-immigrant law SB 1070 goes into effect July 29th. Sponsored by The Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice. Location: Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 South Market Street, San Jose. For questions or information, contact Rev. Rebecca Kuiken, Director, Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice; phone: 408- 269-7872. Please RSVP to Becca Harvey, Interfaith Worker Justice Intern; phone 408- 269-7872 x 585.

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. Sponsored by the San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP and the Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice (ICEJ). RSVP to Rev. Rebecca Kuiken, 408-269-7872 or Tony Alexander no later than Friday, July 30.

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

Poverty Simulation

How do the poor live? Experience their hardships and see what YOU can do to alleviate poverty. 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. Free event; a donation of $5 is appreciated. Pre-register here. Sponsored by Step Up Silicon Valley and St. Jude's.. Location: St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, 20920 McClellan Road, Cupertino (corner of McClellan and Stelling). Questions? Contact Peter Troop, St. Jude's Social Outreach, 408-888-4495.

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. It also supports communities in working together to promote dignity, respect, and an optimal quality of life for elders from all cultural and traditional backgrounds. Separate sessions for Clergy and Lay Leaders. The project is funded in part by the Archstone Foundation and the Santa Clara County Mental Health Department. Location: Quinlan Community Center 10185 North Stelling Road Cupertino. Meeting agenda here. Register now. For more info, please contact rsvp@protectingourelders.net or (650) 269.2589 (messages only)

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. We see the face of the worker into our worship services. We are reminded of the sacred connection between faith, work and policy decisions impacting our community. Renewed commitments are forged between the religious and labor communities. People of faith are presented with opportunities to act on the justice teachings of their faith tradition. And finally, faith leaders and workers gain a deeper understanding of their faith in action. Congregations of different religious traditions in over 130 cities across the nation participate in this event.

The Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice is entering its 11th year of hosting Labor in the Pulpits. In the Silicon Valley, last year’s Labor In the Pulpits was part of over 120 religious services, one of the largest in the country, reaching over 60,000 people. No other event gives a human face to the labor movement and brings a message of social and economic justice to such a large number of congregations. This year, Labor in the Pulpits is a way for congregants throughout the county to hear the struggles and hopes of workers and encourage civic and elected leaders in Silicon Valley to hold a high moral standard when developing city and county budgets. For more information or to arrange for a speaker, contact Rev. Rebecca Kuiken.

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

Protecting Our Elders Summit Meeting

This meeting is open to both clergy and lay leaders. Please stay tuned for upcoming, more detailed information. Location: Quinlan Center, Cupertino. Sponsored by Interfaith Response to Elder Abuse and Neglect. For information, contact Margriet DeLange, MA, Community Organizer, Protecting Our Elders 650-269-2589, website: www.protectingourelders.net

 

Ongoing Events

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

Dances of Universal Peace

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.

National/ Local

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.