INTERFAITH AWARENESS WEEK EVENTS AND ACTIVITY

11^th ANNUAL

INTERFAITH AWARENESS WEEK

DECEMBER 7-13, 2008

“A Decade of a Week of Awareness”

608-242-4244 leave voice mail to get more information

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The Proclamation of Interfaith Awareness Week has been made by Wisconsin’s Governor and the Dane County Executive every year ~ SINCE 1998! ~

Joined by City of Madison in 1999 ~ Middleton and Monona in 2006

Events and activities organized and offered especially for Interfaith Awareness Week are listed here.

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If you have an event, activity or open house for Interfaith Awareness Week to be listed, please contact us.

EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES as of NOVEMBER 21, 2008

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 07

ECKANKAR Monthly Worship Service

10:30am "How Do I Establish My Spiritual Connections?" Pot luck follows Service

Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street, Madison

MONDAY – DECEMBER 08 thru 12

“World Religions in Wisconsin”

Displays in Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda continue through Friday, December 12

MONDAY – DECEMBER 08

Third Annual Good Neighbor Interfaith Celebration

Middleton Sikh Gurdwara, Century Avenue, Middleton (details TBD)

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 09

Madison Baha'i Center

7:00pm (to 8:30) There will be a short program followed by refreshments and socializing.

324 W. Lakeside Street, Madison LSA@bahaicentermadison.org

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 10

INTERFAITH AT THE CAPITOL

Special Meeting of Madison Interfaith Dialog

9:30am (to 11:30) “Interfaith Perspectives on Human Rights”

Capitol - Room 330 SW - Please RSVP - Karen (karing4@centurytel.net)

7^TH ANNUAL INTERFAITH CELEBRATION IN THE CAPITOL

12:00 Noon (to 1:00) Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 11

No confirmed activity or event.

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 12

Circle Sanctuary

7:00pm (to 9:00) Open House with Yuletide Full Moon Circle

Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve near Barneveld, Wisconsin – circle@circlesanctuary.org

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 13

Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Wisconsin

2138 South Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg - whindu@yahoo.com (details TBD)

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES ~ DECEMBER 2008

December includes holy days for many area religious traditions. The main holy days in December 2008 are:

1. Advent (preparation for the Birth of Jesus Christ) continues through December 25 in most churches (for a small number, it will continue through January 6)

2. Hajj & Eid al-Adha (Muslims) December 7 & 8 ~ Last days of pilgrimage. Eid observed even when not on pilgrimage.

2. Hanukkah (Jewish) beginning December 22 ~ A menorah in the capitol rotunda is lit each evening without ceremony.

3. Winter Solstice is sacred to several traditions including Shinto, Wicca and Native American.

4. Traditional “Winter” holy days for Hindu, Baha’i, and Sikh fall in November this year.

In addition to the Interfaith Awareness Week Events listed, here are more opportunities:

SUNDAY

Christian Churches have regular Sunday morning services – check the Worship Directory in most local newspapers. Many other religious groups meet for weekly gatherings on Sundays out of convenience, including Buddhist, Sikh and others.

FRIDAY

Muslims Gather for mid-day Community Prayers at Madison Area Mosques and Campus locations

SATURDAY

Jewish Services begin Friday at Sunset, usually at home, and then gather Saturday at Madison Area Synagogues and Campus locations

Looking forward:

THE 12th ANNUAL INTERFAITH AWARENESS WEEK

~ DECEMBER 6-12, 2009 ~

“encouraging citizens to learn more about each others' beliefs in the spirit of community.”