Compiled by Susan Orovitz
ISJC Mission Statement: To network and collaborate as we work to serve and promote systemic change for the common good; to educate and inspire one another to positive actions; to model interfaith cooperation; and to break down barriers as we work together for justice, right relationships, an end to violence and care for the earth.
Tuesdays, January 8, 15, 22 & 29 • 10 a.m.–noon (weekly)
Buddhist Cultural Class in Japanese by Rev. Sensho Inouye. Buddhist Church of Fowler, 210 S. 9th St., Fowler. For more info, call 559-834-2077.
Tuesdays, January 8, 15, 22 & 29 • 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. (weekly)
Fresno River Zen group meeting. Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave., Clovis. Emphasis is on bringing peaceful actions from personal experience in meditation to healing the world. Teaching and practice in the spirit of the Suzuki Roshi Lineage is led by Grace Schireson, an ordained Zen priest. For more info, contact Grace at 559-877-2400 or grace@emptynestzendo.org.
Wednesdays, January 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 • 7 p.m.–8 p.m. (weekly)
Meditation. St. Paul Newman Center, 1572 E. Barstow Ave. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization. For more info, call 559-435-2212.
Wednesdays, January 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 • 7:30 p.m. (weekly)
Taize Prayer. St. Paul Newman Center, 1572 E. Barstow Ave. For more info, call 559-436-3434.
Thursdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 • 7 p.m.–8 p.m. (weekly)
Meditation. 7319 N. Fourth St. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization.
For more info, call 559-435-2212.
Saturdays, January 5, 12, 19 & 26 • 7:25 a.m. (weekly)
Buddhist Radio Broadcast on KBIF-AM 900. Short Dharma talks in Japanese and English.
Sundays, January 6, 13, 20 & 27 • 10 a.m.–11 a.m. (weekly)
Meditation. 7319 N. Fourth St. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization. For more info, call 559-435-2212.
Friday, January 4 & 18 • 6:45 p.m.–8 p.m.
Meditation. Perfect Balance Yoga, 5091 N. Fresno St. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization. For more info, call 559-435-2212.
Friday, January 4 • 7p.m.–9 p.m.
Dances of Universal Peace. Sacred Circle Dances from Around the World. First Congregational Church, 2131 N. Van Ness Blvd.
Saturday, January 5 & 19 • 10 a.m.–noon
Bishop Steinbock Homeless Advocacy Committee. Bishop Scher Room, Diocese of Fresno Pastoral Center, 1550 N. Fresno St. For more info, contact Bill Simon at 559-227-6565 or bsimon6565@sbcglobal.net. The interfaith community is invited.
Saturday, January 5 • 1 p.m.
Interfaith Social Justice Collaborative (ISJC) monthly meeting. Little Leaf Tea, 6011 N. Palm Ave. You need not RSVP. Just come if you’d like to meet others engaged in faith-inspired social and environmental justice work. Our new meeting format will enable individuals of different faith traditions to meet and exchange ideas, share event flyers and support each other’s efforts to create a healthier, more loving and compassionate world. It will be an informal meeting. Little Leaf Tea (www.littleleaftea.com) is an independently owned small business.
Saturday, January 5 • 3 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Women of Spirit—a gathering of women rediscovering their own spirituality and enabling others to do the same. 7319 N. Fourth St. Beginning and closing meditation, discussion and activity, light refreshments after closing. Free. Both men and women welcome. For more info, contact Veena Kapoor at 559-435-2212.
Monday, January 7
Center for Buddhist Education presents “Buddhist Views of Life and Death” by Rev. Marvin Harada, co-director. CBE Buddhist Church of Parlier, 360 Newmark Ave., Parlier. For more info, call 559-618-1528.
Wednesday, January 9 • 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Book Club Discussions led by Curtis Koga. CBE Buddhist Church of Parlier, 360 Newmark Ave., Parlier. For more info, call 559-618-1528.
Saturday, January 12 • 6 p.m.
Fresno Jewish Film Series: The Matchmaker. Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa Ave. Arik, a teenage boy growing up in Haifa in 1968, gets a job working for Yankele Bride, a matchmaker. Yankele, a mysterious Holocaust survivor, has an office in back of a movie theater that shows only love stories, run by a family of seven Romanian dwarves in the seedy area by the port. Yankele introduces Arik to a new world, built on the ruins of an old one. The disparate parts of Arik’s life collide in unexpected, often funny and very moving ways as he lives through a summer that changes him forever. Avi Nesher’s latest film mixes comedy with drama as it tells a coming-of-age story unlike any you’ve ever seen before. Tickets $8. For more info, call 559-439-9638.
Wednesday, January 16 • 7 p.m.
California Interfaith Power & Light (CIPL) meeting. College Community Congregational Church, 5550 N. Fresno St. Is your house of worship concerned about climate change and/or environmental justice? We’ll be discussing membership and program ideas for the New Year. Newcomers welcome. The mission of the CIPL is to provide a religious response to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy. For more info, call Connie Young at 559-225-2547 or visit http://interfaithpowerandlight.org/ or www.facebook.com/groups/CIPL.Fresno/?ref=ts&fref=ts.
Thursday, January 17
Three courses in the Jewish Studies Program will be offered at CSUF. Students taking these courses can earn a Jewish studies certificate. For more info, contact Jill Fields, professor of history, at 559-304-4568.
Sunday, January 20 • 1 p.m.
Dharma Talks in Japanese. Reedley Buddhist Church, 2035 15th St., Reedley. For more info, call 559-638-2146.
Sunday, January 20 • 3 p.m.–5 p.m.
World Meditation Day is observed to promote peace within oneself and harmony in the world. 7319 N. Fourth St. Guided meditation followed by discussion and light refreshments. For more info, call Veena Kapoor at 559-435-2212.
Wednesday, January 23 • 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Basic Buddhism Class. Dharma Family Center, 2720 E. Alluvial Ave. Free. The basic teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha) are taught, and many different Buddhist schools are examined. For more info, contact Rev. Kurt Rye at 559-442-4054.
Friday & Saturday, January 25 & 26
Fresno Pacific University presents Martin Luther King, Jr., a Celebration Remembering and Renewing King’s Dream for Peace.
Friday, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.:
Christ Temple Church, 2611 E. Hammond Ave.
Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.:
Fresno Pacific University, Wiebe Education Center, Rooms 218 & 219, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave.
The full theme is “Remembering and Renewing King’s Dream for Peace: Spiritual Resources for Political and Social Engagement.” The event highlights King’s spiritual depth and breadth in responding to the racial, economic and war injustices of his day and how various local clergy, community organizers, politicians, educators and police officers are informed by King’s vision in their political and social contexts today. New this year will be an arts and crafts workshop for elementary and junior high school students. The event is free, and continental breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday, and light refreshments on Friday. To RSVP (free of charge) or for more info, contact Karen D. Crozier at 559-453-2020 or karen.crozier@fresno.edu. Space is limited. Please RSVP by Jan. 21.
Faith Resources
Interfaith Alliance of Central California: Learn more at www.interfaithalliancecc.org/.
Interfaith Social Justice Collaborative: Click “Like” on this Facebook page to receive updates.
Interfaith Youth Alliance: Learn more at www.ifya-net.org.
Mental Health America–Central Valley: Learn more at www.mha-cv.org/ (information for clergy and faith leaders).
Multifaith Calendar: Learn more at www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/multifaith-calendar/.
Multifaith Exchange: Learn more at http://fresnomultifaithexchange.org/.
The Bishop John Steinbock Homeless Advocacy Committee: Learn more at www.dioceseoffresno.org/homeless.html. (Click on English or Spanish near the top for brochure on how to help the homeless.)
List of Religious Holidays: Visit www.interfaithcalendar.org/2011.htm.
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Beginning this month, Mike Wells will be the Community Alliance ISJC Faith Calendar coordinator and the ISJC e-mail coordinator. Contact him at mike@fresnometmin.org. (Send information for the Faith Calendar by the 14th of the prior month.)
