www.Inclusive Prayer Day.orgpeople of many faith traditions calling for an inclusive National Day of Prayer | |
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Inclusive Interfaith Observances of National Day of Prayer 2008 In conjunction with our Call for an Inclusive National Day of Prayer, we are listing alternative interfaith observances of the day, which falls on Thursday, May 1st this year. In some cities supporters of religious pluralism and the First Amendment choose to ignore the occasion, because it has been hijacked by a religious right group that excludes clergy and leaders representing Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, and even moderate evangelical Christians (more here). Elsewhere they are planning inclusive events. We are listing those events here, as we learn of them. If you are aware of an event that is not listed here, please let us know by emailing Coordinator@InclusivePrayerDay.org and we will post that information. Please also use that email address to let us know about any inaccuracies on this page. Arizona Flagstaff All faith groups are encouraged to attend an hour of delicious food, wonderful fellowship, and prayerful interreligious spirit. Everyone is welcome! National Day of Prayer Interfaith Prayer Breakfast California Please also note the event in Stateline, Nevada Antelope Valley. The Antelope Valley Interfaith Council and Antelope Valley Human Relations Task Force are sponsoring an Interfaith and inclusive service (Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak, co-director of JewsOnFirst and the Campaign for an Inclusive National Day of Prayer will be among the speakers.) Fresno.The Interfaith Alliance of Central California is sponsoring an inclusive event and a protest. Inclusive Interfaith National Day of Prayer event We will gather at Temple Beth Israel to hear the 2008 proclamation read and to offer our prayers for our nation in the words, languages and traditions that represent the diverse faiths that flourish in our community. The Interfaith Alliance is also planning a protest at the local noon event in Fresno. It is the event affiliated with the National Day of Prayer Task Force and is held at noon on the steps of city hall. According to the Interfaith Alliance: "We have attempted to be included and have been denied access. We will be present as a multifaith group and we will be carrying signs that say 'One Nation, Many Faiths.' We will not disturb the event, other than by our presence, but we will be present." Santa Clarita Valley. The Santa Clarita Valley Interfaith Council will lead a Celebration of the National Day of Prayer The Council's announcement states: "All are invited to join us as we come together. Our theme will be, The People Pray - our hopes - our dreams - our faith. Included in the people who will presenting prayers in their own faith traditions will be representatives from the Baha'i, Buddhist, Episcopal, Jewish, LDS, Lutheran, Unitarian, Pagan, Hindu, Muslim and Native American communities." Massachusetts Marblehead. In Marblehead, Massachusetts, all are invited to the observance of the annual observance of National Prayer Day. join with members of the Marblehead Ministerial Association Michigan Troy. The Troy Interfaith Group, which "exists to invite all faith communities to gather, grow and give for the sake of promoting the common values of love, peace and justice among all religions locally and globally," will host its Fourth Annual National Day of Prayer Troy Interfaith Group's theme this year, when the National Day of Prayer falls on Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah), will expound on the fact such atrocities can only occur when good people choose not to pay attention or get involved. Nevada Stateline. Rabbi Jonathan Freirich calls for others to join him in representing a Jewish voice at the National Day of Prayer In his announcement, Rabbi Freirich writes: "Join Rabbi Jonathan to represent a Jewish voice at the National Day of Prayer. A Fundamentalist Christian group, the Focus on the Family organization, has founded and funded a National Day of Prayer Task Force to hi-jack this day from its pluralist roots, as declared by President Truman, and to make it into a "Christians-like-us" only event. When we stand together reading Hebrew, we can change that. We will need at least ten people to have a quick prayer service - the more the merrier!" Oklahoma Oklahoma City. Americans United for Separation of Church and State Oklahoma and other organizations are sponsoring an Interfaith Day of Prayer and Reflection Pennsylvania Camp Hill. In response to an exclusionary Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast involving members of the state legislature, an interfaith group "will remind our representatives about the progressive history of religious tolerance that is a centerpiece of our history as a commonwealth" with prayer and reading from William Penn's Edict of Toleration. A brief prayer service and press conference There is more information in a news release. South Carolina Florence. The Greater Florence Ministries Alliance responds to the exclusionary National Day of Prayer Task Force with a Counter-Demonstration The Greater Florence Ministries Alliance will focus on prayers of greater relevance to the South than those of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, which ignores such crushing social problems as foreclosures, predatory lending, violent crime, low investment in infrastructure, unemployment and under-employment, dismal public schools and racial discrimination. Virginia Richmond. The Central Virginia/Greater Richmond Americans United for Separation of Church and State is coordinating a Virginia Capitol observance of a Day of Prayer, Reflection and Reason, dedicated to fostering unity among all Americans without regard to their religious beliefs. Rally for a Day of Prayer, Reflection and Reason | |