c. 2008 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 May and June. It will be updated monthly.
April 20-May 2
Ridvan (Baha’i commemoration of the public proclamation of the mission of the founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah; begins at sundown.)
April 23-May 2
United Methodist Church: quadrennial General Conference, Fort Worth, Texas. Contact: Diane Denton at 615-742-5406; e-mail: ddenton(at)umcom.org
May 1
The Ascension of Christ (Christian)
National Day of Prayer
National Day of Reason, observance designed as an alternative to the National Day of Prayer, co-sponsored by American Humanist Association. Contact: Roy Speckhardt at 202-238-9088; Web site: http://www.nationaldayofreason.org
May 2
Yom Hashoah (Jewish remembrance of the Holocaust; begins at sundown.)
May 2-5
Institute for Jewish & Community Research: Conference of racially and ethnically diverse Jewish leaders from across the globe, San Francisco. Contact: Jenna Ferer at 415-386-2604; e-mail: Jenna(at)JewishResearch.org; Web site: http://www.jewishresearch.org
May 7-9
Evangelical Press Association: annual convention, Portland, Ore. Contact: Doug Trouten at 763-535-4793; e-mail: director(at)epassoc.org; Web site: http://www.epassoc.org
May 11
Pentecost (Christian)
Global Day of Prayer, observed worldwide. Contact: Dave Butts at 812-238-5504; e-mail: info(at)gdopusa.com; Web site: http://www.gdopusa.com
May 14-15
Episcopal Church: Presiding Bishop’s Summit on Domestic Mission and Outreach, Tucson, Ariz. Contact: Neva Rae Fox at 212-716-6080; e-mail: nrfox(at)episcopalchurch.org; Web site: http://www.episcopalchurch.org
May 22
Declaration of the Bab (Baha’i commemoration of the announcement of prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith that he was the herald of a new messenger of God; begins at sundown.)
May 22-25
Baha’i Faith: national convention, Wilmette, Ill. Contact Ellen Price at 847-733-3559; e-mail: eprice(at)bahai.us; Web site: http://www.bahai.us
May 23
Lag B’Omer (Jewish day of celebration, marking the cessation of a second-century plague that killed 20,000 disciples of Talmud scholar Rabbi Akiva; begins at sundown. The day also marks the death of Jewish mystic Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai.)
May 26-29
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel: annual convention, Houston. Contact: Brad Abare at 213-989-4220; babare(at)foursquare.org; Web site: http://www.foursquare.org
May 28
Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i commemoration of the death of the prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith; begins at sundown.)
May 29-30
White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives: Conference on role of faith-based and community organizations in disaster relief and preparedness, New Orleans. Contact: Rebecca Neale at 202-456-7348; e-mail: rneale(at)who.eop.gov; Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/fbci
June 3-10
Reformed Church in America: General Synod, Holland, Mich. Contact: Paul Boice at 616-698-7071, Ext. 255; e-mail: pboice(at)rca.org; Web site: http://www.rca.org
June 5-8
Catholic Theological Society of America: annual convention, Miami. Contact: Dolores Christie at dlchristie(at)aol.com
June 8-15
Fund for Theological Education: “Next Generation Leaders: Voices & Vocations That Change the World,” conference for university and seminary students exploring ministry and teaching as vocations, Atlanta. Contact: Kerry Traubert at 404-727-1170; e-mail: ktraubert(at)thefund.org; Web site: http://www.thefund.org
June 9
Shavuot (Jewish celebration of the giving of the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai; begins at sundown.)
June 10-11
Southern Baptist Convention: annual meeting, Indianapolis. Contact: Roger Oldham at 615-782-8610; e-mail: soldham(at)sbc.net; Web site: http://www.sbc.net
June 10-13
Presbyterian Church in America: General Assembly, Dallas. Contact: Sherry Eschenberg at 678-825-1000; e-mail: seschenberg(at)pcanet.org; Web site: http://www.pcanet.org
June 12-14
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: spring general meeting, Orlando, Fla. Contact: Sister Mary Ann Walsh at 202-541-3200.
June 13-15
Episcopal Church: Executive Council, Albuquerque, N.M. Contact: Neva Rae Fox at 212-716-6080; e-mail: nrfox(at)episcopalchurch.org; Web site: http://www.episcopalchurch.org
Sojourners: Pentecost 2008, training conference for people of faith to deepen their commitment to advocacy for the poor, Washington. Contact: Robin Fillmore at 202-745-4601; e-mail: rfillmore(at)sojo.net; Web site: http://www.sojo.net/pentecost2008
June 14-20
Christian Reformed Church in North America: annual Synod, Grand Rapids, Mich. Contact: The Rev. Jerry Dykstra at 616-241-1691; dkystraj(at)crcna.org; Web site: http://www.crcna.org
June 18-20
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship: General Assembly, Memphis, Tenn. Contact: Lance Wallace at 770-220-1641; e-mail: lwallace(at)thefellowship.info; Web site: http://www.thefellowship.info/Assembly
June 21-28
Presbyterian Church (USA): General Assembly, San Jose, Calif. Contact: Jerry Van Marter at 502-569-5493; e-mail: jerry.vanmarter(at)pcusa.org; Web site: http://www.pcusa.org
June 22-24
Catholic Health Association: annual assembly, San Diego. Contact: Fred Caesar at 202-721-6321; e-mail: fcaesar(at)chausa.org
June 24-26
Esperanza: National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference, Washington. Breakfast is June 26. Contact: Marisol Martinez at 215-324-0746; e-mail: press(at)esperanza.us; Web site: http://www.esperanza.us
June 26-27
White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives: National Conference on Research, Evaluation and Outcomes, Washington. Contact: Rebecca Neale at 202-456-7348; e-mail: rneale(at)who.eop.gov; Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/fbci
KRE/PH END RNS
