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 November and December. It will be updated monthly.
Nov. 1
All Saints’ Day (Christian)
Nov. 1-3
American Academy of Religion: annual meeting, Chicago. Contact: Susan Snider at 404-727-4725; e-mail: ssnider(at)aarweb.org; Web site: http://www.aarweb.org
Nov. 2
All Souls’ Day (Christian)
Nov. 2-7
United Methodist Church: Council of Bishops, Epworth by the Sea, Ga. Contact: Diane Denton at 615-742-5406; ddenton(at)umcom.org
Nov. 3-10
Church of God in Christ: Annual Holy Convocation, Memphis, Tenn. Contact: Latrivia Nelson at 901-278-0881; e-mail: lnelson(at)cmgpr.com; Web site: http://www.cogic.org
Nov. 7-9
Call to Action Conference: annual gathering of progressive Catholics, Milwaukee. Contact: Nicole Sotelo at 773-404-0044, ext. 285.
Nov. 7-8
Southern Evangelical Seminary: A Summit on Defense of the Biblical Worldview, Charlotte, N.C. Contact: Deborah Hamilton: 215-815-7716; e-mail: dhamilton(at)hamiltonstrategies.com; Web site: http://www.nationalapologeticsconference.com
Nov. 9
Open Doors USA, International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Contact: Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117; e-mail: jerry(at)odusa.org; Web site: http://www.OpenDoorsUSA.org
Nov. 10-13
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: general meeting, Baltimore. Contact: Sister Mary Ann Walsh at 202-541-3200; e-mail: mwalsh(at)usccb.org
Nov. 11
Baha’u’llah’s Birthday (Baha’i celebration of the prophet-founder of the faith; begins at sundown.)
Nov. 11-13
National Council of Churches: General Assembly, Denver. Contact: Philip E. Jenks at 212-870-2228; e-mail: pjenks(at)councilofchurches.org; Web site: http://www.councilofchurches.org
Nov. 12
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in free speech case related to religious monuments, Pleasant Grove City v. Summum.
Nov. 12-19
Friends of Sabeel _ North America: international conference of supporters of Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land, Jerusalem. Contact: Sister Elaine Kelley at 503-653-6625; e-mail: friends(at)fosna.org; Web site: http://www.fosna.org/conferences_and_trips/index.html
Nov. 13
Birth of Siri Guru Nanak Sahib (Sikh celebration of the founder of the faith)
Nov. 13-15
Anti-Defamation League: annual meeting, Los Angeles. Contact: Myrna Shinbaum at 212-885-7747; e-mail: adlmedia(at)adl.org; Web site: http://www.adl.org
Nov. 14-17
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. 19-22
Evangelical Theological Society: annual meeting, Providence, R.I. Contact: James Borland at 434-237-5309; e-mail: jaborland(at)aol.com; Web site: http://www.etsjets.org
Nov. 21-25
Society of Biblical Literature: annual meeting for scholars in biblical, religious and related studies, Boston. Contact: Matthew S. Collins at 404-727-3095; e-mail: matthew.collins(at)sbl-site.org; Web site: http://www.sbl-site.org
Nov. 24
Bread for the World Institute: Release of Annual Report on the State of World Hunger. Contact: Shawnda Hines at 301-960-4913; e-mail: shines(at)bread.org; Web site: http://www.bread.org
Nov. 30
First Sunday of Advent (Christian; four consecutive Sundays)
Dec. 3
Heritage Foundation: “Religion and Practice and Health: What the Research Says” conference, Washington. Contact: Jessica Prol at 202-608-1544; e-mail: Jessica.Prol(at)heritage.org; Web site: http://www.heritage.org/ReligionResourceConference
Dec. 8
Bodhi Day (Buddhist celebration of the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment)
Dec. 9
Eid al-Adha (Muslim holiday celebrating the culmination of the hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca. Actual start date may vary depending on the sighting of the moon.)
Dec. 21-25
Muslim American Society: annual convention, Chicago. Contact: Imam Mahdi Bray at 703-998-6525; e-mail: mas4freedom(at)aol.com; Web site: http://www.masnet.org
Dec. 22
Hanukkah (eight-day Jewish festival of lights; begins at sundown and ends at nightfall on Dec. 29)
Dec. 25
Christmas (Christian, including Eastern Orthodox)
KRE/RB END RNS