Calendar of October/November Religious Events

c. 2007 Religion News Service Note: Holidays that begin at sundown continue through sundown of the next day, unless otherwise noted. (UNDATED) Here is the RNS calendar of major religious holidays, denominational meetings and other events for October and November. It will be updated monthly. Oct. 4 Simchat Torah (Jewish celebration marking the end of […]

c. 2007 Religion News Service

Note: Holidays that begin at sundown continue through sundown of the next day, unless otherwise noted.

(UNDATED) Here is the RNS calendar of major religious holidays, denominational meetings and other events for October and November. It will be updated monthly.


Oct. 4

Simchat Torah (Jewish celebration marking the end of one Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one; begins at sundown)

Oct. 4-9

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Conference of Bishops, Chicago; Contact: John Brooks at 773-380-2958; e-mail: jbrooks(at)elca.org; Web site: http://www.elca.org/news

Oct. 6

National Coalition of Men’s Ministries: Stand in the Gap 2007, gathering of Christian men, Washington. Contact: Marty Granger at 703-323-5040; e-mail: mediadesk(at)standinthegap2007.org; Web site: http://www.standinthegap2007.org

Oct. 6-7

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: semiannual general conference, Salt Lake City. Contact: Dale Bills at 801-240-4377; e-mail: billsdk(at)ldschurch.org

Oct. 7

Eagles’ Wings: Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, global observance by churches in support of Israel. Contact: Melany Ethridge at 214-912-8934; e-mail: melany(at)alarryross.com; Web site: http://www.daytopray.com

Oct. 10-11

Evangelical Climate Initiative: Washington Leadership Forum, Washington. Contact: Debbie Payton at 404-245-8500; e-mail: dpayton(at)rooftopmediaworks.com;

Oct. 11-12

National Association of Evangelicals: Global Leaders Forum, Arlington, Va. Contact: Jennifer Haglof at (703) 731-9620.

Oct. 12-14

Freedom from Religion Foundation: national convention, Madison, Wis. Contact: Annie Laurie Gaylor at 608-256-8900; Web site: http://www.ffrf.org


Oct. 13

Eid al-Fitr begins (Muslim holiday commemorates the end of Ramadan. Actual date may vary depending on sighting of the moon.)

Oct. 14

Georgetown University: “Poison or Cure? Religious Belief in the Modern World” debate between Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath, Washington, D.C. Contact: Jacques Arsenault at 202-687-4328, e-mail: arsenauj(at)georgetown.edu

Oct. 19

Birth of the Bab (Baha’i celebration of the prophet of the faith; begins at sundown)

Oct. 19-21

Voice of the Faithful (lay Catholic reform group): national convention, Providence, R.I. Contact: John Moynihan at 617-558-5252; e-mail: jmoynihan(at)votf.org

FRC Action (legislative arm of Family Research Council): The Washington Briefing: Values Voters Summit, Washington. Contact: J.P. Duffy at 202-637-4679; e-mail: jpd(at)frc.org; Web site: http://www.frcaction.org

Children’s Defense Fund: National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths. Contact: Matt Rosen at 202-662-3555; e-mail: mrosen(at)childrensdefense.org


Sojourners and Center for Action and Contemplation: “Reviving our Souls, Transforming our Politics” conference, Cleveland. Contact: Cece Shantzek at 505-242-9588, ext. 113; e-mail: events(at)cacradicalgrace.org; Web site: http://www.cacradicalgrace.org

International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism: “Jews and the Muslim World” colloquium, Farmington, Mich. Contact: Jim Grossman at 248-569-8844; e-mail: jim(at)prontopromotions.com; Web site: http://www.iishj.org

Oct. 20-22

Church of the Brethren: General Board fall meeting, Elgin, Ill. Contact: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford at 800-323-8039, ext. 260; e-mail: cobnews(at)brethren.org

Emory University: Visit of the Dalai Lama, including public talk, conference on science and spirituality and interfaith discussion on religious conflict, Atlanta. Contact: Nancy Seideman at 404-727-0640; e-mail: nseidem(at)emory.edu; Web site: http://www.dalailama.emory.edu

Oct. 23-25

Orthodox Church in America: Holy Synod of Bishops fall session, Syosset, N.Y. Contact: David Lucs at 516-922-0550, ext. 128; e-mail: dlucs(at)oca.org

Oct. 24

Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture with the Curran Center for American Catholic Studies: Press briefing on “How Religious Traditions Think About Homosexuality,” New York. Contact: Patricia Bellucci at 212-636-7558; e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Oct. 27

International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Annual Induction and Awards Celebration, Detroit. Contact: David Gough at 313-592-0017; Web site: http://www.igmhf.org

Oct. 31

Reformation Day (Protestant)

Nov. 1

All Saints’ Day (Christian)

Nov. 1-3

Anti-Defamation League: Annual Meeting, New York. Contact: Myrna Shinbaum at 212-885-7747; e-mail: adlmedia(at)adl.org; Web site: http://www.adl.org

Nov. 2

All Souls’ Day (Christian)

Nov. 2-4

Call To Action (liberal Catholic): annual conference, Milwaukee. Contact: Nicole Sotelo at 773-404-0004, ext. 285; e-mail: Nicole(at)cta-usa.org

Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and Religious Research Association: annual meetings, Tampa, Fla. Contact: Scott Thumma at 860-509-9571; e-mail: sthumma(at)hartsem.edu; Web site: http://www.sssrweb.org

Nov. 5-13

Church of God in Christ: 100th Annual Holy Convocation, Memphis, Tenn. Contact: Alayna Adams at 901-278-0881; e-mail: aadams(at)thecartermalonegroup.com; Web site: http://www.cogic.org

Nov. 6-8

National Council of Churches and Church World Service: General Assembly, New York and Woodbridge, N.J. Contact: Daniel Webster at 212-870-2252.


Nov. 9

Diwali (Hindu celebration of light and the Hindu New Year)

Nov. 9-11

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Church Council, Chicago. Contact: John Brooks at 773-380-2958; e-mail: jbrooks(at)elca.org; Web site: http://www.elca.org/news

Nov. 9-11

Center for Inquiry Transnational: “Religion, Secularism & Politics in the 21st Century,” conference featuring scholars discussing religious division and the future of secularism, New York. Contact: Nathan Bupp at 716-636-4869, ext. 218; e-mail: nbupp(at)centerforinquiry.net; Web site: http://www.centerforinquiry.net/secularsociety

Nov. 11

Baha’u’llah’s Birthday (Baha’i celebration of the prophet-founder of the faith; begins at sundown)

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, sponsored by Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Contact: Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117; e-mail: jerryd(at)odusa.org; Web site: http://www.opendoorsusa.org

Nov. 12-15

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: general meeting, Baltimore. Contact: Sister Mary Ann Walsh at 202-541-3200.

Nov. 14-16

Evangelical Theological Society: annual meeting, San Diego. Contact: James Borland at 434-237-5309; e-mail: jaborland(at)aol.com; Web site: http://www.etsjets.org

Nov. 17-20

American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature: annual meetings, San Diego. Contact: Susan Snider at 404-727-4725; e-mail: ssnider(at)aarweb.org; Web site: http://www.aarweb.org


Nov. 19

Bread for the World Institute: Release of Hunger 2008, annual report on hunger and poverty worldwide. Contact: Jennifer Coulter Stapleton at 202-464-8123; e-mail: jstapleton(at)bread.org; Web site: http://www.bread.org

Nov. 24

Birth of Siri Guru Nanak Sahib (Sikh celebration of the founder of the faith)

Nov. 29-Dec. 3

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism: international biennial convention, Orlando, Fla. Contact: Rabbi Paul Drazen at 212-533-7800, ext. 2612.

KRE/LF END RNS

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!