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 February and March. It will be updated monthly.
Jan. 30-Feb. 1
Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant, gathering of thousands of Baptists aimed at forging a new era of cooperation, Atlanta. Contact: Lance Wallace at 770-220-1641; e-mail: lwallace(at)thefellowship.info; Web site: http://www.newbaptistcelebration.org
CBA: The Association for Christian Retail: industry conference, Indianapolis. Contact: 800-252-1950; Web site: http://www.cbaonline.org
Feb. 1-2
Trinity International University: “God and Governing: A Conference on Ethics, Virtue and Statesmanship,” Costa Mesa, Calif. Contact: Chris Neiswonger at 714-796-7194; e-mail: cneiswon(at)tiu.edu; Web site: http://www.TLS.edu/conference
Feb. 2-4
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities: annual meeting, Washington. Contact: Michael Galligan-Stierle at 202-457-0650; e-mail: mgs(at)accunet.org; Web site: http://www.accunet.org
Feb. 6
Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent (Christian; 40 days)
Feb. 7
National Prayer Breakfast, Washington. Contact: Joe Mitchell at 808-250-1405.
Feb. 11-14
Episcopal Church: Executive Council, Quito, Ecuador. Contact: Neva Rae Fox at 212-716-6080; e-mail: nrfox(at)episcopalchurch.org; Web site: http://www.episcopalchurch.org
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference: “Re-Awakening the Sleeping Giant: Mobilization for Prophetic Social Justice Ministry,” gathering of African-American ministers and lay leaders, New Orleans. Contact: Valerie Carruthers at 773-548-6675; Web site: http://www.sdpconference.info
Feb. 12
Movieguide: Faith and Values Awards and Report to the Entertainment Industry, Beverly Hills, Calif. Contact: Howie Simon at 323-822-0884; e-mail: HowieS2000(at)sbcglobal.net; Web Site: http://www.movieguideawards.com
Feb. 13-20
World Council of Churches: Central Committee meeting, Geneva. Contact: Juan Michel at 011-41-79-507-6363; e-mail: media(at)wcc-coe.org
Feb. 14-16
Presbyterian Church (USA): General Assembly Council, Louisville, Ky. Contact: Jerry Van Marter at 502-569-5493; e-mail: jerry.vanmarter(at)pcusa.org; Web site: http://www.pcusa.org
Feb. 15-16
Friends of Sabeel _ North America: “From Occupation to Liberation: voices We Need to Hear,” conference of supporters of Palestinian Christians, Pasadena, Calif. Contact: Sister Elaine Kelley at 503-653-6625; e-mail: friends(at)fosna; Web site: http://www.fosna.org/conferences _and_trips/index.html
Feb. 26
Nation of Islam: Annual Savior’s Day Conference, Detroit. Contact: 773-602-1230; Web site: http://www.noi.org
Feb. 26-29
Anglican Women’s Empowerment and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women: 2008 Beijing Circle Summit, New York. Contact: Kim Robey at 212-922-5354; e-mail: krobey(at)episcopalchurch.org; Web site: http://www.episcopalchurch.org
March 2
Baha’i Fast begins (19-day fast from sunrise to sundown.)
March 3-5
Baptist World Alliance: Executive Committee meeting, Honolulu. Contact: Carolina Mangeiri at 703-790-8980; Web site: http://www.bwanet.org
March 3-6
Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity: “Extending Life: Setting the Agenda for the Ethics of Aging, Death & Immortality” conference, Phoenix, Ariz. Contact: Danielle Morrow at 888-246-3844; e-mail;: info(at)cdhd.org; Web site: http://www.cbhd.org
March 5
Maha Sivaratri (Hindu holiday marking worship of Lord Siva. Actual start date may vary depending on moment of sunrise.)
March 6-11
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Conference of Bishops, San Mateo, Calif. Contact: John Brooks at 773-380-2958; e-mail: jbrooks(at)elca.org; Web site: http://www.elca.org/news
March 7-10
Ecumenical Advocacy Days: Social justice gathering with the theme “Claiming a Vision of True Security,” Alexandria, Va. Coordinated by a broad coalition of Protestant and Catholic communities. Contact: Molly Keane at 202-386-6397; e-mail: info(at)advocacy days.org; Web site: http://www.advocacydays.org
March 7-12
Episcopal Church: House of Bishops meeting, Camp Allen, Texas. Contact: Neva Rae Fox at 212-716-6080; e-mail: nrfox(at)episcopalchurch.org; Web site: http://www.episcopalchurch.org
March 8-10
Church of the Brethren: general board spring meeting, Elgin, Ill. Contact: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford at 800-323-8039, Ext. 260; e-mail: cobnews(at)brethren.org; Web site: http://www.brethren.org
March 8-11
National Religious Broadcasters: annual convention, Nashville, Tenn. Contact: Craig L. Parshall at 703-330-7000; e-mail: cparshall(at)nrb.org; Web site: http://www.nrb.org
March 10
Lent begins (Orthodox Christian)
March 12
Templeton Prize: News conference announcing the winner of the 2008 Templeton Prize, New York. Contact: Donald Lehr at 212-967-8200; e-mail: dlehr(at)templetonprize.org; Web site: http://www.templetonprize.org
March 16
Palm Sunday (Christian)
March 20
Mawlid an-Nabi (Muslim commemoration of the birthday of the prophet Muhammad in approximately A.D. 570. Actual start date may vary depending on sighting of the moon.)
Holi (Two-day Hindu festival of spring begins. Actual start date may vary depending on moment of sunrise.)
March 21
Good Friday (Christian)
Purim (Jewish celebration of the story of Esther; begins at sundown.)
Naw-Ruz (Baha’i New Year’s Day; begins at sundown; Zoroastrian New Year)
March 21-22
American Atheists: national convention, Minneapolis. Contact: Ellen Johnson at 908-276-7300; e-mail: ej(at)atheists.org; Web site: http://www.atheists.org/convention
March 23
Easter (Christian)
March 24-28
Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops: annual congress, Cleveland. Contact: Minister Sheila Webb at 216-721-5934, Ext. 11; e-mail: swebb1010(at)sbcglobal.net; Web site: http://www.collegeofbishops.org
March 25-28
National Catholic Educational Association: annual convention, Indianapolis. Contact: Barbara Keebler at 202-337-6232.
March 28-30
Alliance of Baptists: annual convocation, New Orleans. Contact: Christopher Copeland at 202-745-7609; e-mail: convocation(at)allianceofbaptists.org; Web site: http://www.allianceofbaptists.org/convocation2008
KRE/CM END RNS
