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 August and September. It will be updated monthly.
Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Islamic Society of North America: annual convention, Rosemont, Ill. Contact: Basharat Saleem at 317-839-8157; e-mail: bsaleem(at)isna.net; Web site: http://www.isna.net
The Warith D. Mohammad Ministry: annual Muslim Convention, Chicago. Contact: Rafeh Muhammed at 708-798-6750; Web site: http://www.themosquecares.com
Sept. 3-7
National Baptist Convention, USA: annual session, Philadelphia. Contact: Yvonne Drayton at 215-895-4073; e-mail: Drayton22(at)aol.com
Sept. 4
Krishna Janmashtami, birthday of Lord Krishna (Hindu holiday)
Sept. 7
Stauros Center for Compassion and Healing: “Suicide: They Die Too Young,” conference for chaplains, campus ministers and health care professionals, Chicago. Contact: Amy Florian at 773-484-0581; e-mail: amy(at)stauros.org; Web site: http://www.stauros.org
Sept. 12
Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year, two days; begins at sundown and ends at nightfall Sept. 14)
Sept. 13
Ramadan begins (Muslim month of fasting from sunrise to sundown. Actual start date may vary depending on sighting of the moon.)
Sept. 17-20
Church of God in Christ: Bishop’s Conference, Cleveland. Contact: Alayna Adams at 901-278-0881; e-mail: aadams(at)thecartermalonegroup.com; Web site: http://www.cogic.org
Sept. 19-22
Presbyterian Church (USA): General Assembly Council, Louisville, Ky. Contact: Jerry Van Marter at 502-569-5493.
Sept. 20-22
Community Issues Council: Family Impact Summit, conference of conservative Christian leaders to encourage involved Christian citizenship, Brandon, Fla. Contact: Terry Kemple at 813-653-4822; e-mail: tkemple(at)integrity.com; Web site: http://www.communityissuescouncil.com
Sept. 21
Yom Kippur (Jewish Day of Atonement, holiest day of the year marked by fasting; begins at sundown)
World Council of Churches: International Day of Prayer for Peace. Contact: Juan Michel at 011-41-79-507-6363; e-mail: media(at)wcc-coe.org
Sept. 21-26
Creation Evidence Expo, a gathering of proponents of creationism, Minneapolis. Contact: Pastor Frederick Boyd at 317-345-9072; e-mail: fwepboyd(at)yahoo.com; Web site: http://www.creationevidenceexpo.org
Sept. 26
See You at the Pole, annual event of student prayer around school flagpoles coordinated by the National Network of Youth Ministries. Contact: David Overstreet at 858-451-1111; e-mail: doverstreet(at)nnym.org; Web site: http://www.syatp.com
Sukkot (seven-day Jewish feast of the tabernacles; begins at sundown and ends at nightfall on Oct. 3)
Sept. 27-30
Religion Newswriters Association: annual conference, San Antonio, Texas. Contact: Tiffany McCallen at 614-891-9001, ext. 2; e-mail: mccallen(at)rna.org; http://www.rna.org
Sept. 28-29
Center for Public Justice: Civitas Forum on Charitable Choice, a discussion about government partnerships with faith-based organizations, Minneapolis. Contact: Stephen Lazarus at 410-571-6300; Web site: http://maclaurin.org/civitas/
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. 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 Sabbath. Contact: Matt Rosen at 202-662-3555; e-mail: mrosen(at)childrensdefense.org
Sojourners and Center for Action and Contemplation: “Reviving our Souls, Restoring 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
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. 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)
KRE/RB END RNS
