Events, Holy Days, Opportunities, Needs, and News (Mid-April 2017)
Welcome to the AshevilleInterfaith.org email newsletter. A copy of this newsletter can also be found at http://www.ashevilleinterfaith.org/newsletter.html. To submit items for this newsletter, or for the calendar items, use one of the forms at http://www.ashevilleinterfaith.org/submissions.html.
Sorry for the delay this month and missing some significant activities for many during the first half of April.
The AshevilleInterfaith.org project is an effort to support and promote faith-based activities, events, connections, and conversation in the Asheville area. We focus on uplifting events that are open to the public and specifically intended to help bring together individuals from diverse faith-based communities.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think might also be interested. Anyone wishing to also receive future newsletter emails may email [email protected]. To be removed from future emails, please email [email protected] and we’ll do so immediately.
For specific questions, suggestions, or corrections, contact Steve Hargadon ([email protected]) or Vicki Garlock ([email protected]).
Thank you!
EVENTS
Before the Flood Film Viewing
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Friday, April 21, 7:00PM
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this film follows him as he travels around the globe to witness first-hand the effects of climate change and to explore possible solutions. Sponsored by WNC Sierra Club and Creation Care Alliance. Donations requested. For more info., contact Jane Laping at [email protected] or 828-277-7342.
Mindfulness Festival 2017
UNC-A (multiple locations)
Saturday, April 22, 11:30AM-9:00PM
The 4th Annual Mindfulness Festival is a student-organized event designed to serve as a platform for cultivating community empowerment through mindfulness practices and environmental stewardship. Musical performances, workshops, yoga classes, and more. Family-friendly with lots of children-specific workshops. The day will also feature workshops with Asheville Interfaith’s Mount Soma and Dorje Lopon Dr. Hun Lye (Urban Dharma). For the full schedule of events, see mindfulnessfestival.org.
Earth Day Sing for the Trees
World-Wide
Saturday, April 22, noon
It’s time to sing for our trees! Create a wave of love as you celebrate the trees wherever you are in the world. Facilitated by former Ashevillean, Susan Hale. For more info. see https://www.facebook.com/events/865056236970157/.
Earth Day Vigil with Creation Care Alliance
Pritchard Park and Jubilee! Community Church
Sunday, April 23, 5:00-7:00PM
Experience songs, reflections, and messages of inspiration from local faith and community leaders. The line-up includes Rabbi Justin Goldstein; Tyrone Greenlee; Daniel Barber; teen poets from Asheville High; the Spanish Mass Choir; and Revs. Shannon Spencer, Howard Hanger, Steve Runholt, and Samantha Gonzalez-Block. A reception with food and drink will follow at Jubilee! (which is also the rain location).
Monthly Pujas
Sri Somesvara Temple, Clyde, NC
Pradosham - Maasa Shivarathri (Shiva puja): Monday, April 24, 5:30-7:00PM
Mangal Tritiya (Mother Divine puja): Friday, April 28, 9:30AM-11:00PM
Karthikeya puja: Monday, May 1, 11:30AM-1:00PM
For more info., see http://srisomesvara.org/eventscalendar/
Sacred Seed Sowing: Plants
Asheville Raven and Crone
Tuesday, April 25, 4:30PM
People’s Climate March
Pack Square Park/Washington D.C.
Saturday, April 29, 10:00AM
Our local climate march will be sponsored by the Creation Care Alliance. For more info. on that event, contact Ulla Reeves at [email protected]. OR Hop on the bus that is headed to Washington D.C.! The bus leaves the evening of April 28 and returns the morning of April 30. Round tip tickets are $45.00 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. For more info. on that trip, which is sponsored by the Sierra Club, call 828-277-7342.
Café Israel
Congregation Beth Israel
Sunday, April 30, 11:00AM-2:30PM
A festival featuring Israeli-inspired foods, Asheville craft beer, children’s activities, a cozy Bedouin tent with mint tea and Turkish coffee, decadent deserts, Israeli music and dancing, and an amazing silent auction. For more info., contact the Congregation Beth Israel office at 828-252-8660 or [email protected].
Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi (Adi Shankara’s birthday)
Sri Somesvara Temple, Clyde, NC
Sunday, April 30, 10-11AM
Sri Adi Shankaracharya is considered an incarnation of Shiva and the world’s greatest Guru (Jagathguru). Born about 2500 years ago, Adi Shankara began to write hymns and commentaries at a young age. Celebrate his birthday with salutations, gratitude and respect for him and the purity of Knowledge. For more info. see http://srisomesvara.org/s/adi-shankaracharya-jayanthi-adi-shankara-s-birthday/
Tarot for Beginners
Asheville Raven and Crone
Sunday, April 30, 3:00PM
May Sesshin: Finding the Middle Way
Great Tree Zen Temple
Friday, May 5, 6:00PM until Tuesday, May 9, 11:30AM
Dharma lectures/discussion and meditation. Led by the Rev. Teijo Munnich. For more info. contact Great Tree at 828-645-2085 or [email protected].
Dance Summer In! (Beltane)
Mother Grove Goddess Temple @ Malvern Hills Park
Sunday, May 7, 3:00-6:00PM
Welcome the green, the sweet, and the sensual! Respectful public welcome. Monetary donations accepted. Please bring non-perishable food items for the pantry. For more info. see https://www.facebook.com/events/725688410937498/.
SOME UPCOMING HOLY DAYS (see Interfaith Calendar)
(April and May)
* Holy days usually begin at sundown the day before this date.
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date.
April 2017
1 - Lazarus Saturday - Orthodox Christian
2 - Palm Sunday - Orthodox Christian
5 - Ramanavami ** - Hindu
9 - Palm Sunday- Christian
10 - Mahavir Jayanti ** - Jain
11 - Lord's Evening Meal - Jehovah's Witness Christian | Hanuman Jayanti - Hindu
11-14 - Theravadin Mew Year ** - Buddhist
11-18 - Pesach (Passover) * - Jewish
13 - Maundy Thursday - Christian
14 - Holy Friday - Orthodox Christian | Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) - Sikh | Good Friday - Christian
16 - Easter - Christian | Pascha (Easter) - Orthodox Christian
21 - First Day of Ridvan * - Baha'i
23 - St. George's Day - Christian | Yom HaShoah * - Jewish
24 - Lailat al Miraj * - Islam
29 - Ninth Day of Ridvan * - Baha'i
30 - St. James the Great Day - Orthodox Christian
MAY 2017
1 - Beltane - Samhain * - Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres | Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Jewish
2 - Twelfth Day of Ridvan * - Baha'i
3 - Saints Philip & James - Christian
4 - National Day of Prayer - USA - Interfaith
10 - Visakha Puja - Buddha Day ** - Buddhist
12 - Lailat al Bara'ah * - Islam
14 - Lag B/Omer * - Jewish
23 - Declaration of the Bab * - Baha'i
27 - Ramadan begins * - Islam
29 - Ascension of Baha'u'llah * - Baha'i
31 - June 1 Shavout * - Jewish
VOLUNTEER / SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
The LDS Family History Center on Sweeten Creek Road in Arden is looking for genealogy / family history volunteers. Training is provided. A German speaker is also needed. Contact: Cynthia Rush at [email protected].
Homeward Bound’s Welcome Home Program is looking for volunteers with a truck to go and pick up furniture from our community and then take the furniture back to Homeward Bound’s new donation center. Contact: Ashley Campbell at [email protected] or call (828)777-1886. (Flyer at http://www.ashevilleinterfaith.org/resources.html.)
DONATIONS NEEDED
The greatest needs for Homeward Bound’s Welcome Home Program right now are bed frames, side tables, coffee tables, lamps, small dressers, coffee pots and microwaves. These items can be new or gently used. An Amazon wishlist is at https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3IQSHZXPALDES/ref=cm_wl_list_o_1.
Welcome to the AshevilleInterfaith.org email newsletter. A copy of this newsletter can also be found at http://www.ashevilleinterfaith.org/newsletter.html. To submit items for this newsletter, or for the calendar items, use one of the forms at http://www.ashevilleinterfaith.org/submissions.html.
Sorry for the delay this month and missing some significant activities for many during the first half of April.
The AshevilleInterfaith.org project is an effort to support and promote faith-based activities, events, connections, and conversation in the Asheville area. We focus on uplifting events that are open to the public and specifically intended to help bring together individuals from diverse faith-based communities.
- Website: http://www.AshevilleInterfaith.org (basic information)
- Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashevilleinterfaith (for article posting, conversations, and event listing)
- Join the Meetup.com Group: http://www.meetup.com/AshevilleInterfaith (specifically for organized, interfaith events)
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think might also be interested. Anyone wishing to also receive future newsletter emails may email [email protected]. To be removed from future emails, please email [email protected] and we’ll do so immediately.
For specific questions, suggestions, or corrections, contact Steve Hargadon ([email protected]) or Vicki Garlock ([email protected]).
Thank you!
EVENTS
Before the Flood Film Viewing
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Friday, April 21, 7:00PM
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this film follows him as he travels around the globe to witness first-hand the effects of climate change and to explore possible solutions. Sponsored by WNC Sierra Club and Creation Care Alliance. Donations requested. For more info., contact Jane Laping at [email protected] or 828-277-7342.
Mindfulness Festival 2017
UNC-A (multiple locations)
Saturday, April 22, 11:30AM-9:00PM
The 4th Annual Mindfulness Festival is a student-organized event designed to serve as a platform for cultivating community empowerment through mindfulness practices and environmental stewardship. Musical performances, workshops, yoga classes, and more. Family-friendly with lots of children-specific workshops. The day will also feature workshops with Asheville Interfaith’s Mount Soma and Dorje Lopon Dr. Hun Lye (Urban Dharma). For the full schedule of events, see mindfulnessfestival.org.
Earth Day Sing for the Trees
World-Wide
Saturday, April 22, noon
It’s time to sing for our trees! Create a wave of love as you celebrate the trees wherever you are in the world. Facilitated by former Ashevillean, Susan Hale. For more info. see https://www.facebook.com/events/865056236970157/.
Earth Day Vigil with Creation Care Alliance
Pritchard Park and Jubilee! Community Church
Sunday, April 23, 5:00-7:00PM
Experience songs, reflections, and messages of inspiration from local faith and community leaders. The line-up includes Rabbi Justin Goldstein; Tyrone Greenlee; Daniel Barber; teen poets from Asheville High; the Spanish Mass Choir; and Revs. Shannon Spencer, Howard Hanger, Steve Runholt, and Samantha Gonzalez-Block. A reception with food and drink will follow at Jubilee! (which is also the rain location).
Monthly Pujas
Sri Somesvara Temple, Clyde, NC
Pradosham - Maasa Shivarathri (Shiva puja): Monday, April 24, 5:30-7:00PM
Mangal Tritiya (Mother Divine puja): Friday, April 28, 9:30AM-11:00PM
Karthikeya puja: Monday, May 1, 11:30AM-1:00PM
For more info., see http://srisomesvara.org/eventscalendar/
Sacred Seed Sowing: Plants
Asheville Raven and Crone
Tuesday, April 25, 4:30PM
People’s Climate March
Pack Square Park/Washington D.C.
Saturday, April 29, 10:00AM
Our local climate march will be sponsored by the Creation Care Alliance. For more info. on that event, contact Ulla Reeves at [email protected]. OR Hop on the bus that is headed to Washington D.C.! The bus leaves the evening of April 28 and returns the morning of April 30. Round tip tickets are $45.00 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. For more info. on that trip, which is sponsored by the Sierra Club, call 828-277-7342.
Café Israel
Congregation Beth Israel
Sunday, April 30, 11:00AM-2:30PM
A festival featuring Israeli-inspired foods, Asheville craft beer, children’s activities, a cozy Bedouin tent with mint tea and Turkish coffee, decadent deserts, Israeli music and dancing, and an amazing silent auction. For more info., contact the Congregation Beth Israel office at 828-252-8660 or [email protected].
Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi (Adi Shankara’s birthday)
Sri Somesvara Temple, Clyde, NC
Sunday, April 30, 10-11AM
Sri Adi Shankaracharya is considered an incarnation of Shiva and the world’s greatest Guru (Jagathguru). Born about 2500 years ago, Adi Shankara began to write hymns and commentaries at a young age. Celebrate his birthday with salutations, gratitude and respect for him and the purity of Knowledge. For more info. see http://srisomesvara.org/s/adi-shankaracharya-jayanthi-adi-shankara-s-birthday/
Tarot for Beginners
Asheville Raven and Crone
Sunday, April 30, 3:00PM
May Sesshin: Finding the Middle Way
Great Tree Zen Temple
Friday, May 5, 6:00PM until Tuesday, May 9, 11:30AM
Dharma lectures/discussion and meditation. Led by the Rev. Teijo Munnich. For more info. contact Great Tree at 828-645-2085 or [email protected].
Dance Summer In! (Beltane)
Mother Grove Goddess Temple @ Malvern Hills Park
Sunday, May 7, 3:00-6:00PM
Welcome the green, the sweet, and the sensual! Respectful public welcome. Monetary donations accepted. Please bring non-perishable food items for the pantry. For more info. see https://www.facebook.com/events/725688410937498/.
SOME UPCOMING HOLY DAYS (see Interfaith Calendar)
(April and May)
* Holy days usually begin at sundown the day before this date.
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date.
April 2017
1 - Lazarus Saturday - Orthodox Christian
2 - Palm Sunday - Orthodox Christian
5 - Ramanavami ** - Hindu
9 - Palm Sunday- Christian
10 - Mahavir Jayanti ** - Jain
11 - Lord's Evening Meal - Jehovah's Witness Christian | Hanuman Jayanti - Hindu
11-14 - Theravadin Mew Year ** - Buddhist
11-18 - Pesach (Passover) * - Jewish
13 - Maundy Thursday - Christian
14 - Holy Friday - Orthodox Christian | Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) - Sikh | Good Friday - Christian
16 - Easter - Christian | Pascha (Easter) - Orthodox Christian
21 - First Day of Ridvan * - Baha'i
23 - St. George's Day - Christian | Yom HaShoah * - Jewish
24 - Lailat al Miraj * - Islam
29 - Ninth Day of Ridvan * - Baha'i
30 - St. James the Great Day - Orthodox Christian
MAY 2017
1 - Beltane - Samhain * - Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres | Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Jewish
2 - Twelfth Day of Ridvan * - Baha'i
3 - Saints Philip & James - Christian
4 - National Day of Prayer - USA - Interfaith
10 - Visakha Puja - Buddha Day ** - Buddhist
12 - Lailat al Bara'ah * - Islam
14 - Lag B/Omer * - Jewish
23 - Declaration of the Bab * - Baha'i
27 - Ramadan begins * - Islam
29 - Ascension of Baha'u'llah * - Baha'i
31 - June 1 Shavout * - Jewish
VOLUNTEER / SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
The LDS Family History Center on Sweeten Creek Road in Arden is looking for genealogy / family history volunteers. Training is provided. A German speaker is also needed. Contact: Cynthia Rush at [email protected].
Homeward Bound’s Welcome Home Program is looking for volunteers with a truck to go and pick up furniture from our community and then take the furniture back to Homeward Bound’s new donation center. Contact: Ashley Campbell at [email protected] or call (828)777-1886. (Flyer at http://www.ashevilleinterfaith.org/resources.html.)
DONATIONS NEEDED
The greatest needs for Homeward Bound’s Welcome Home Program right now are bed frames, side tables, coffee tables, lamps, small dressers, coffee pots and microwaves. These items can be new or gently used. An Amazon wishlist is at https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3IQSHZXPALDES/ref=cm_wl_list_o_1.
