I apologize for not getting more news to you sooner, but with the retreat only 10 days away, I figure I should get some word to the group, even if it’s on the fly.  I had planned something more elaborate, but I had a client call, who told me that her husband may be on his deathbed.  So, of course, I had to drop everything to pitch-in regarding their legal needs in what may be his final hours.

                Even if you are not planning to attend the retreat, please scan this email in its entirety for important information, including various invitations to you in particular and the general public in certain instances, near the end.

                Here’s what I recall “off the top,” about the retreat:

1. There are approximately fifteen (15) signed up for the retreat next week (Thursday, March 12, 2009), including our special guests Father Tom Bonacci and Prabha Duneja.  If anyone wishes to join us at the last minute, please check in with me or Brian Stein-Webber (eye4cee@aol.com) and one of us will negotiate with San Damiano regarding the possibility of changing our final count. 
2. The retreat will begin at 10 a.m. with a Convocation in the chapel, conducted by Heather Hammer. 
3. By 10:30 a.m., our morning session will begin in the library, which is right next to the chapel.  Our first discussion will be of the pros and cons of Proposition 8.  President Michael Peterson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will present a case in support of the proposition, which will last about 15 minutes. 

Depending on the mood and consensus of the group, a 15-minute presentation of the considerations, which support a “no,” on Proposition 8 position will be presented, immediately following.  Or, in the alternative, it may be delayed until later in the session. The “no on 8” case will be presented by Dan Goldblatt, or his designee.

In any event, both sides of the proposition will be given as full and fair of a hearing as our time and resources permit.  Equal time and respecting divergent views will be a key emphasis.

4. At noon, we’ll break for lunch, provided by San Damiano, for approximately an hour. Use of the grounds and social time are encouraged.
5. We are not permitted to have a luncheon speaker, as originally thought, so the group decided to invite Prabha Duneja to make a presentation on yoga and meditation at any of the remaining regular meetings for this spring, or summer, that are on our calendar.  Those include April 16, 2009, May 14, 2009 (at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Danville) or, possibly, June 11, 2009 at a location to be announced.  All of our regular meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.
6. We have agreed to bring our own snacks to the retreat to keep down the cost, so there may be further information and/or requests on that topic to be shared at a later date.

There will be two afternoon sessions. My recollection of the topics is as follows: a. “What are the policies and directives of your sponsoring organization (i.e., what Catholics would call the Mother Church) that a. add strength, and/or b. create difficulties for counseling your members and providing leadership vis-à-vis living in a modern world?”  Dan Goldblatt has been to a similar retreat and said this turned out to generate a sterling discussion.

I believe the last session is to be on the future of the interfaith movement with particular emphasis on I-SRV. Other topics may flow out of the morning session and may be pursued if the group consensus so dictates.

Our goals for the afternoon will be to maintain focus, make the most productive use of our time possible, and provide a cordial atmosphere for the creation and exchange of ideas toward our common objectives, most notably, peace through understanding.

There will be a brief benediction following the day’s activities, which may be in the library, or the chapel, as our mood and circumstances dictate.

Other I-SRV announcements are as follows:

A.     Our annual picnic will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2009. The time is not fixed yet, but is expected to be around 3 p.m. and include a barbeque. This event is intended to include rank and file members of all participating faith based communities. Our first choice of venues is Osage Park on Stone Valley Road in Danville.

Games and other activities are expected to be a part of the program and will be planned at subsequent meetings.

B.     Our April meeting will be held on the third Thursday of the month, instead of the second, because it is Holy Week for those of Christian Faith.  That’s the 16^th. A location will be announced prior to the meeting.

C.     Our Baha’i Faith community has invited all I-SRV representatives to “A celebration of the most important Baha’i Holy Day that they’d like to share in the new Community Center building at Oak Hill Park on Sunday, April 26, 2009.  I believe the time was 2 p.m.

D.     A rummage sale is taking place this Friday and Saturday, March 6 & 7 at the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church (SRVUMC).

E.      All are welcome to attend and participate in an Interfaith observance of Good Friday on the Christian calendar, which will be  held at 7 p.m. at the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church. The date is April 10, 2009.  Provision has been made for an interfaith choir to be formed.  All interested singers are asked to arrive by 6 p.m. that evening for your one and only practice.  Bruce Koliha, who is the Monte Vista Choir Director, as well as the choir director for SRVUMC, will conduct, as in prior years.

F.      The general public is invited to Synaplex Sabbath & Purim at Beth Chain Synagogue this coming weekend, March 6-8, 2009.  This is a major event, which is reflective of the Jewish tradition.  It will include a wide variety of programs & events, including storytelling, music, meditation, dance and film.

G.    March 8, 2009, there is an Interfaith Jazz Celebration at Peace Lutheran Church at 5 p.m., as a part of their ongoing “Jazz at Peace,” Series.

H.     The following Easter Services (4/12/09) will be held at SRVUMC:   6:30 a.m. Sunrise in the Courtyard with contemporary music; 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m., Traditional Services with chancel choir and trumpet.

I.       April 4 & 5: (Sat/Sun): the Worldwide General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will be held from 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 3 p.m. on both days. It may be viewed on the BYU TV Channel or at the Stake Center at 655 Old Orchard Rd in Danville.

J.       April 18, 2009 (Saturday), there will be a community food drive, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Everyone is invited to participate.

K.     Other events will be announced as the dates draw closer. All of the above events either have or will soon be forwarded to the San Ramon Valley Times in the hopes that they will appear in print NLT this weekend. The list of events just described will also go out by email to our interfaith, general public database, which we have been forming over the past several  years.

If I’ve missed anything that is coming up within the next month, or so, or if you wish to add anything to the I-SRV (Interfaith) Community Calendar in the future, please let me know, as soon as you have the dates and an event description. In time I plan to provide an online interactive form.

   Those are the announcements for March, 2009.  I’m looking forward to seeing and spending the 12^th sharing perspectives, praying, learning and growing along with all of you who plan to attend our forthcoming retreat!

Peace, Dan