Calendar of March/April religious events

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 March and April. It will be updated monthly. March 2 Baha’i Fast begins (19-day fast from sunrise to […]

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 March and April. It will be updated monthly.


March 2

Baha’i Fast begins (19-day fast from sunrise to sundown.)

March 3-4

Emory University: “The Wrathful God: Religious Extremism in Comparative Perspective” conference, Atlanta. Contact: Elaine Justice at 404-727-0643; e-mail: elaine.justice(at)emory.edu; Web site: http://www.icis.emory.edu/wrathfulgod/index.cfm

March 3-5

Baptist World Alliance: Executive Committee meeting, Honolulu. Contact: Carolina Mangeiri at 703-790-8980; Web site: http://www.bwanet.org

March 4-6

Bethany World Prayer Center: Remnant Conference, focused on restoring integrity in the wake of ministry scandals and moral failures, Baton Rouge, La. Contact: Spencer Beach at 225-774-7780, ext. 221; e-mail: spencer.beach(at)bethany.com; Web site: http://www.bccn.com

March 5

Maha Sivaratri (Hindu holiday marking worship of Lord Siva. Actual start date may vary depending on moment of sunrise.)

March 6-8

Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity: “Extending Life: Setting the Agenda for the Ethics of Aging, Death & Immortality” conference, Phoenix. Contact: Danielle Morrow at 888-246-3844; e-mail;: info(at)cdhd.org; Web site: http://www.cbhd.org

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)advocacydays.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

April 3-5

Religion Communicators Council: annual convention, “Faith & Freedom: The Intersection of Religion and Politics,” Washington. Contact: Shirley Struchen at 212-870-2402; e-mail: sstruchen(at)rcn.com; Web site: http://www.religioncommunicators.org

April 5-6

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: annual general conference, Salt Lake City. Contact: Kim Farah at 801-240-1977; e-mail: farahke(at)ldschurch.org; Web site: http://www.lds.org

April 6

Orthodox Union: Annual Dinner, New York. Contact: Stephen Steiner at 212-613-8318; e-mail: steiners(at)ou.org

April 7-9

Preaching Magazine: annual conference: “Preaching in the Public Square: Where Do Pulpit and Culture Meet?”, Washington. Contact: Nancy Guthrie at 615-376-4430; e-mail: nancyguthrie(at)comcast.net; Web site: http://www.preaching.com/events/ncp


April 10

The Joshua Fund: Epicenter Conference, a gathering of Christians to celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary, Jerusalem. Contact: Beverly Rykerd at 719-481-0537; e-mail: Beverly(at)rykerd.com; Web site: http://www.epicenter08.com

April 10

New Ways Ministry (lesbian and gay Catholic advocacy group): Press conference to address Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming visit, Washington. Contact: Francis DeBernardo at 301-277-5674; e-mail: NewWaysM(at)verizon.net; Web site: newwaysministry.org

April 11-13

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

April 13

Ram Navami (Hindu holiday honoring Lord Rama. Actual start date may vary depending on the moment of sunrise.)

April 13-14

Washington National Cathedral: Women, Faith and Development Summit to End Global Poverty, Washington. Contact: Elizabeth Mullen at 202-537-6248; e-mail: emullen(at)cathedral.org

April 13-15

Anti-Defamation League: national leadership conference, Washington. Contact: Myrna Shinbaum at 212-885-7747; e-mail: adlmedia(at)adl.org; Web site: http://www.adl.org


April 14

Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year)

April 15-20

Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Washington, New York and United Nations. Contact: Sister Mary Ann Walsh at 202-541-3201.

April 16-18

Bethel University: “Journalism Through the Eyes of Faith: Advocacy, Ethics and Faith in an Election Year,” conference for journalists, educators and students, St. Paul, Minn. Contact: Amanda Wanke at 651-638-6266; e-mail: a-wanke(at)bethel.edu; Web site: http://www.bethel.edu/special-events/jtef/

April 18

National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, Washington. Contact: Cindy Nachman Senders at 301-983-2851; e-mail: cnsconsultjenny(at)aol.com. Web site: catholicprayerbreakfast.com

April 18-23

United Methodist Church: Council of Bishops, Fort Worth, Texas. Contact: Diane Denton at 615-742-5406; e-mail: ddenton(at)umcom.org

April 19-23

Gospel Music Association: GMA Music Week, annual convention, Nashville, Tenn. GMA Dove Awards on April 23. Contact: Tricia Whitehead at 615-599-7746; e-mail: spinhouse(at)bellsouth.net; Web site: http://www.gospelmusic.org

April 20

Passover (Jewish celebration of the exodus from slavery in Egypt; eight-day holiday; begins at sundown.)


Palm Sunday (Eastern Orthodox)

April 20-23

Associated Church Press: annual convention, Dallas. Contact: Joe Thoma at 407-341-6615; e-mail: contactacp(at)aol.com; Web site: http://www.theacp.org

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 23-25

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

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

April 25

Holy Friday (Eastern Orthodox)

The Catholic University of America: annual American Cardinals Dinner, Boston. Contact: Katie Lee at 202-319-5600.

National Black Justice Coalition: Black Church Summit, sponsored by African-American gay organization, Philadelphia. Contact: Herndon Davis at 202-319-1552, ext. 24; e-mail: hedavis(at)nbjc.org; Web site: http://www.nbjc.org


April 27

Easter (Orthodox Christian)

April 28-May 1

Interfaith Alliance national conference: Pluralism, Politics and Action, Arlington, Va. Contact: Jay Keller at 202-238-3300; e-mail: field(at)interfaithalliance.org; Web site: http://www.interfaithalliance.org

KRE/PH END RNS

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