Click here to open a PDF of the flyer for download.

The 30th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service, “A Celebration of Religious Freedom,” will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

It is a worship service of prayers, readings and music from a variety of Faith traditions sponsored by the Nevada Clergy Association.

This year’s event is graciously hosted by: St. Therese Church of the Little Flower 875 E. Plumb Lane (corner of E. Plumb Lane & Kietzke Lane), Reno, Nevada. Monetary and food donations will go to Volunteers of America Shelter Programs.

This event is a much-revered tradition in our local community and one that is largely unique nationwide in its scope of faith diversity—something to be very proud of.

The last five previous hosts were: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2013), St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Cathedral (2012), St. John’s Presbyterian Church (2011), Trinity Episcopal Church (2010), and Sparks United Methodist Church (2009).

For information call 775-786-1800 or email gsavoyjr@communityofchrist.org or genejr@nevadaclergy.org

Click here to open a PDF of the flyer for download.

Chapel at Renown Regional Medical Center, Reno, Nevada

< Download the two-page brochure >

To better address the spiritual needs of patients in the region, Nevada Clergy Association, a not-for-profit interfaith network of religious and spiritual leaders, has partnered with Renown Health, the community’s only locally owned, not-for-profit health network, to bring a more comprehensive spiritual care program to northern Nevada.

The current Chapel at Renown Regional Medical Center was dedicated to Henry Kahl 50 years ago. Since then, it has received basic updates, but a transformational renovation and expansion would better suit the needs of the diverse, growing community.

The vision for the Spiritual Center includes creating a resource center and multi-use space that will fully embrace all faith practices and the diversity of patients, their loved ones, and caregivers.

The Interfaith Spiritual Center will also provide Renown Health caregivers the opportunity to receive additional culture-specific training for religious and spiritual best practices, including how to offer palliative and hospice care. In addition to holding formal services, classes and events, the Interfaith Spiritual Center will offer a resource center, equipped with online access to a network of clergy, religious and spiritual leaders, and a library of inspirational materials used in spiritual counseling.

Renown’s chaplains will have an improved structure in place to reach out to interfaith leaders, including a larger network of volunteer chaplains, to continue to fulfill the healing needs of all patients.

Headquartered in Reno, the Nevada Clergy Association’s purpose is to foster and promote interfaith relations and encourage the sharing of information among its members and promote a climate favorable to and respectful of religious and spiritual expression and freedom.

By working side-by-side with the Nevada Clergy Association to create the Interfaith Spiritual Center, Renown can offer patients in the region better access to more comprehensive spiritual care programs.

To learn how you can help to further this project, download the two-page brochure.

We are pleased to announce that Bishop Gene has been invited to speak at the oldest interfaith summit in the world, the Parliament of World Religions, shortly after the 2015 Convocation takes place. The summit will be held at Salt Lake City, Utah USA from October 15-19, 2015.

This summit will host more than 10,000 participants from 80 countries and 50 religious and spiritual traditions. It is a milestone in our Community’s history that our Human Spiritual Rights standpoint will be represented at such a gathering.

Keynote Speakers—26 in all—will include:

• His Holiness the 14 Dalai Lama of Tibet;
• Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of the Mahatma Gandhi;
• His Excellency Oscar Arias Sanchez, former president of the Republic of Costa Rica;
• Chief Arvol Lookinghorse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo of the Sioux Nation;
• Rabbi David Saperstein, U.S. Ambassador At-large for International Religious Freedom;
• Dr. Eboo Patel, sociology professor of religion from Oxford University.

Bishop Savoy has been invited to speak in the forum titled “Pathways to Peace: A Panel Presentation from Different Faiths.” He will also be delivering an individual talk on peace based on the Advocates for Religious Freedom’s standpoint of universal Human Spiritual Rights.

The idea to attend the conference and the invitation to speak came through Dr. Balwant Singh Hansra, whom Bishop Savoy and Rev. Ted Staver met at the religious conference held at Seoul, Korea in October 2014. Dr. Hansra, originally from India, but now residing in Chicago, Illinois, is a former member of the board of directors of the World Parliament. Dr. Hansra invited Bishop Savoy to attend and be part of his panel following the conference in Seoul.

The first World’s Parliament of Religions of 1893 was an attempt to create a global dialogue of faiths. The event was celebrated by another conference on its centenary in 1993. This led to a new series of conferences under the official title “Parliament of the World’s Religions” since that time.

* * *

10,000 People. 80 Nations. 50 Faiths.

What: The 2015 Parliament of the World’s Religions

When: October 15 – 19, 2015

Where: Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

The Parliament is the oldest, the largest, and the most inclusive gathering of people of all faith and traditions.

The first Parliament took place in 1893. Since, this historic event has taken place in Chicago, USA • Cape Town, South Africa • Barcelona, Spain • Melbourne, Australia – and now in Salt Lake City, Utah!

If you care for religions and nations working together in harmony with each other for the good of humanity, you should attend.

You will find:

• Trainings in dialogue, interfaith activism, fundraising, and organizing
• World-class religious music, films, exhibits and performances
• And shop ethnic, international, religious books & things

Your Opportunity to Share
In break-out sessions and circles you will share your opinions and ideas with others.

Networking & Connections
The Parliament is a great networking opportunity. 60 percent of people who attend are well-connected networkers around interfaith and common causes.

You can attend to share your faith, listen to others and ask questions.

Most people, however, attend because of the extraordinary experience and relationships which are formed at the Parliament.

How Much Does it Cost to Attend the Parliament?
You can register for as low as $150 to attend if you qualify. Pricing will go up to $550 if you register later. However, right now, you can access advance discounts open now for families, spouses, groups (like congregations, university classes, peace organizations), individuals, and children, too. The Parliament is committed to involving families and children in the Interfaith movement.

Registration and housing options range from camping, hostels, and hotels at affordable to world-class levels to meet your needs.

Once you register, reserved Parliament hotel blocks at Parliament-only rates are made accessible to you.

Camping
We are in serious negotiations to provide camping facilities.

Food Concerns
There will be a food court offering all type of food options — from vegan, to kosher, to halal — while there are all sort of restaurants surrounding the convention center.

< Visit www.parliamentofreligions.org for more information. >

The Governor of the State of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, on May 25, 2015 signed into law legislation revising the religious property tax exemption statute in the state of Nevada. This important amendment to the law effectively treats all religious organizations in the state equally, irrespective of how they worship, for the purposes of receiving property tax exemption. Therefore, as of July 1, 2015, the Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary will be 100{1fa2ef75e2e78439128d99df03acfe1d8ee3047374abe3d4676fe3470ff8b909} tax exempt after a long and arduous chapter in the life of The Community spanning some thirty-five years since 1980.

The bi-partisan bill, crafted by Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. with legal advice, was passed unanimously in the State Assembly and the State Senate. Both Democrats and Republicans supported the revised language to the law. The elected officials of Washoe County, and their staffs as well, supported Bishop Savoy’s two-and-a-half year campaign, thus putting behind a long history of misunderstanding between the Washoe County Tax Assessor’s office and the International Community of Christ. Washoe County Assessor Michael Clark, who was newly elected in November 2014, attended the first Nevada Assembly meeting on the bill as an interested party. When he left that first meeting, he said he reviewed the Church’s files on the case and found that mistakes had been made in the past. Since that time Mr. Clark said he was behind the bill one-hundred percent; he even spoke on behalf of the bill as it was going through the Senate Tax Committee.

Many within the interfaith and interreligious community in Northern Nevada also offered their support once the bill came to committee in the Nevada Assembly — delegations from the Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and other churches, the Jewish, Muslim and Hindu communities, as well as professionals and private citizens all over Nevada.

However, this accomplishment could not have been realized without the dedication, commitment and expertise of Frank and Michael Hillerby of the firm Kaempfer Crowell, the lobbyists hired by Bishop Savoy, who worked with him over a period of two-and-one-half years and who fully supported the cause from the outset. Without them, the Community’s effort to modify existing legislation may not have succeeded.

The Community’s struggle for property tax exemption at the Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary began in the early 1980’s. When the Sanctuary was purchased, Washoe County initially granted property tax exemption . Unfortunately, that was later revoked, and the Community sued Washoe County in district court. The suit was successful. However, the Community’s court case with Washoe County from 1980 to 1990 cost the Community well over $100,000 in legal fees and one decade in precious time.

Then in 1990 the County appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court and the decision was reversed in 1990, and the ill-fated Supreme Court decision cost the Community over $400,000 in back and forward taxes and assessments over the past 35 years.

When lobbyists Frank and Michael Hillerby of the law firm Kaempfer Crowell took an interest in the case two-and-one-half years ago, they believed they could propose an amendment to the law that would grant the Community property tax exemption on the Sanctuary specifically without involving a lawsuit or the courts. Ultimately, Bishop Savoy chose not to seek specific tax exemption for the Red Rock Sanctuary only but to seek a modification of existing law that would provide tax exemption of all lands used exclusively for religious purposes by any and all recognized religious organizations.

In May 2014 this firm spoke on the Community’s behalf with representatives of Washoe County, advising them of our intent to seek an amendment to the law that would grant our Sanctuary a tax exemption. The representatives of the county were supportive and said they would not oppose us making a change to the law. This was a major step forward.

The Community’s lobbyists visited the Sanctuary for the first time shortly thereafter and were extremely impressed. They followed up by making appointments to speak with legislators and the Governor’s office for the change to the law, which was presented in the state legislature early in 2015.

The signing ceremony with Governor Brian Sandoval is expected to take place sometime in July shortly after Independence Day.

Michael Hillerby, Rebecca Wilis, Pat Hickey, and Gene Savoy Jr. In front of the Nevada Legislature building after the Nevada Assembly Taxation Committee hearing. PHOTO: Ted Staver

Read the rest of the history of the Sanctuary’s tax exemption case in the Community Communique:

April 23, 2015: “Sanctuary Tax Exemption Bill Makes Its Way to Nevada Senate”

April 20, 2015: “Sanctuary Tax Exemption Bill Starts Its Way Through Nevada Legislature”

FALL 1991:      “Church Seeks Tax Refund from County
                            Opposition Causes Church to Withdraw”
< To read the, download a copy of the FALL 1991 Community Communique here. >

SUMMER 1991:      “Church and County Reach Agreement
                                      Ten-year Sanctuary Tax Dispute Settled”

< To read the article, download a copy of the SUMMER 1991 Community Communique here. >
SPRING 1991:       “WILL CHURCH LOSE ITS SACRED SANCTUARIES?
                                   Payments of Back Taxes Only Way to Save Land”

< To read the article, download a copy of the SPRING 1991 Community Communique here. >

WINTER 1990-1991:       “Church Not to Pursue Federal Appeal
                                                Alternative Legal Options Explored in Full”

< To read the article, download a copy of the WINTER 1990-1991 Community Communique here. >

FALL 1990:       “Nevada Supreme Court Reverses Schouweiler Decision
                              Justices Mandate Sanctuary Taxation”

< To read the article, download a copy of the FALL 1990 Community Communique here. >

SUMMER 1990:       “SERMONS
                                       On the Nature of the Sanctuary of God and ‘The Way’
                                       delivered by The Head Bishop of The Church
                                       The Most Right Reverend Gene Savoy”

< To read the article, download a copy of the SUMMER 1990 Community Communique here. >

WINTER 1989-1990:       “Nevada Supreme Court Hears Church’s Tax Case
                                                Church in Court Again After Washoe County Appeal”

< To read the article, download a copy of the WINTER 1989-1990 Community Communique here. >

SUMMER 1988:      “Schouweiler Grants Red Rock Sanctuaries Tax Exemption
                                      Exemption Status Denied to the Sanctuary of New Mt. Zion”
< To read the article, download a copy of the SUMMER 1988 Community Communique here. >

SPRING 1988:       “Struggle to Secure Tax Exemption on Sanctuaries Continues
                                    Case Goes to Trial before District Court Judge Robert Schouweiler”

< To read the article, download a copy of the SPRING 1988 Community Communique here. >

WINTER 1988:       “Church Makes Deposition to Washoe County Court
                                     District Attorney’s Office Seeks to Impose Taxes on Sanctuaries”

< To read the article, download a copy of the WINTER 1988 Community Communique here. >

WINTER 1986:       “Church transfers civil rights suit to Washoe District Court
                                     State Court to test validity of DA’s interpretation of law”

< To read the article, download a copy of the WINTER 1986 Community Communique here. >

WINTER 1985:       “Judge criticizes Washoe County’s decision
                                     Commissioners did not act rationally, says magistrate”

< To read the article, download a copy of the WINTER 1985 Community Communique here. >

FALL 1984:        “County attorney vows to fight Church:
                               Court orders Commissioners to defend position”

< To read the article, download a copy of the FALL 1984 Community Communique here. >

SPRING 1984:       “Federal suit filed
                                 County reverses land tax-exemption”

                                “Court Order: Land remains with Church”

< To read the articles, download a copy of the SPRING 1984 Community Communique here. >

DECEMBER 22, 1981:
                “Church develops desert sanctuary as base for Second Advent Ministry”

< To read the article, download a copy of the DECEMBER 22, 1981 Community Communique here. >

December 1, 1980:       “FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS AT RED ROCK”

To read the article, download a copy of the DECEMBER 1, 1980 Community Communique here.

AUGUST 15, 1980:       “COMMUNITY ACQUIRES LAND AND BUILDINGS”

To read the article, download a copy of the AUGUST 15, 1980 Community Communique here.

* * *

The text of the new law signed into effect on May 25, 2015 appears below. Note that italics indicate newly added words or phrases:

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. NRS 361.125 is hereby amended to read as follows:
361.125 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2:

(a) Churches, chapels, other than marriage chapels, and other
buildings used for religious worship, with their furniture and
equipment, and the lots of ground on which they stand, used
therewith and necessary thereto; and
(b) Parcels of land used exclusively for worship, including,
without limitation, both developed and undeveloped portions of a
parcel, owned by some recognized religious society or corporation, and
parsonages so owned, are exempt from taxation.
2. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 361.157, when any
such property is used exclusively or in part for any other than
church purposes, and a rent or other valuable consideration is
received for its use, the property must be taxed.
3. The exemption provided by this section must be prorated for
the portion of a fiscal year during which the religious society or
corporation owns the real property. For the purposes of this
subsection, ownership of property purchased begins on the date of
recording of the deed to the purchaser.
Sec. 2. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2015.

2015 Nevada Prayer Breakfast board members and dais PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The 2015 Nevada Prayer Breakfast, held at the Atlantis Resort “Paradise Room” Tuesday, May 12, 2015, from 7:00-9:00 am, was attended by an estimated 350 people with representatives from over 25 local religious and social organizations. The event is one of several annual events sponsored and promoted by the Nevada Clergy Association (NCA).

The NCA has been in existence for over two decades, and it has taken a lot of time and effort to bring the organization to the state it is now in. But it has been a blessing and something that is dear to the hearts of many in the area.

NCA President Gene Savoy Jr. expressed the uncommon nature of this regional organization by quoting the words of an outgoing minister, Rich Smith, who had recently moved to Reno and became involved with the organization over the five years of his tenure as pastor at the First Congregational Church for the past five years:

“First, I wanted to say THANKS to you and the Nevada Clergy Association for the certificate that Pat Meidell presented to me a couple of weeks ago! It has been a great pleasure to be part of the Nevada Clergy Association for the last five years, and I must say I have never seen such a magnificent level of interfaith cooperation and respect anywhere I have served. And the Nevada Prayer Breakfasts are the ONLY such events I have attended that were so inclusive. When I went to the first one, where Gov. Sandoval spoke, and the Mormon introduced the Imam, and the female rabbi gave an award to the Greek Orthodox priest, I knew that the venue in which it was held, the “Paradise Ballroom,” was very fittingly named! You have done much to create such a climate of interfaith partnership, and I will miss you all very much!”

The Nevada Prayer Breakfast is a gathering of citizens — as well as civic, business, and community leaders — who wish to pray on behalf of our State and bring the spiritual resources of the community together to bear on issues that face Nevadans. Although members of the community may believe differently in their approach to the Divine, they gather at the Nevada Prayer Breakfast as equals. Together, they devote their energies to the good of the State of Nevada. And together, they pray.

The Nevada Clergy Association is a non-profit interfaith network of religious and spiritual leaders in Nevada. Programs include the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Service, the interfaith Nevada Prayer Breakfast, the Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service, and the biannual Interfaith Clergy Luncheon. For information call (775) 786-1800 or visit www.NevadaClergy.net.

< Download or view a PDF of the 2015 Nevada Prayer Breakfast Program here. >

— Call to Assemble —

Call to Assemble: “Sounding of the Shofar” – Rabbi ElizaBeth Beyer, Temple Beth Or PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Opening Remarks —

Opening Remarks: The Rt. Rev. Sean Savoy Emcee, Chancellor, International Community of Christ & Chair NPB Committee PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Presentation of the Community Service Award & Tribute to Toni de Salvo (posthumously) PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Welcome —

Welcome: Oscar Delgado, Vice Mayor, City of Reno PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Invocation —

All rise for invocation PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Invocation: The Rev. Shelley Fisher, Reno Buddhist Center PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Breakfast Served —

View down row of three tables reserved by International Community of Christ. At front table (from left to right) Dave Asher, Sylvia Ontaneda, Gary Buchanan PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— NCA President’s Address —

NCA President’s Address: The Rt. Rev. Gene Savoy, Jr., Bishop, International Community of Christ PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The Rt. Rev. Gene Savoy, Jr. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Presentation of Vision Awards —

Presentation of the Vision Award to Cherie Jamason, President & CEO, Food Bank of Northern NevadaPresenter: Rabbi Ethan Bair, Temple Sinai PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Presentation of the Vision Award to Col. Charles “Chuck” Fulkerson (posthumously) Presenter: The Rev. Matthew Fisher, Reno Buddhist Center PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Presentation of the Vision Award to Northern Nevada HOPES Presenter: The Rt. Rev. Sean Savoy, International Community of Christ PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Keynote Address —

Keynote Address: Dr. Anthony Slonim, President & CEO, Renown Health PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Expressions of Faith —

Expression of Faith: Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus, “Steal Away” (Traditional Spiritual), Ted Owens, Director PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Expression of Faith: Brian Melendez, Paiute American Indian Spirituality Scholar PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Expression of Faith: Sabrina Alcasas, Taoist practitioner PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Expression of Faith: Muryum Sulahria, Youth Member, Northern Nevada Muslim Community PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Special Announcement —

Special Announcement on the Interfaith Spiritual Center at Renown: Patricia Meidell, Director of Public Relations, LDS Church, Reno Stake PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

— Benediction —

Benediction: Rajan Zed, President, Universal Society of Hinduism PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The Nevada Clergy Association (NCA), the non-profit network of religious and spiritual leaders in Nevada, is hosting the annual interfaith Nevada Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, MAY 12, from 7 to 8:50 AM at the Atlantis Hotel in Reno. Seating in the Grand Ballroom on the 2nd floor begins just before 7 AM.

The Nevada Prayer Breakfast (NPB) is for all Nevada’s citizens – including religious, civic, business, cultural and community leaders – to come together to pray on behalf of our state, and to bring the spiritual resources of the community to bear on Nevada’s leaders as they carry on their work, making decisions that affect the lives of all Nevadans. The NCA recognizes that segments of the community approach spiritual practice and devotion differently, so at the Nevada Prayer Breakfast, we gather as equals — without prejudice or discrimination — to devote our energies to the good of the State of Nevada, to our nation and to the world.

Reno’s vice-mayor, Oscar Delgado, will deliver a short welcome to open the program. The keynote speaker is Dr. Tony Slonim, president and CEO of Renown Health. The breakfast program will include a selection of prayers by representatives of the Nevada’s multi-faith community as well as musical selections performed by the Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus, the Damonte Ranch High School Choir, and the Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble. Among the participating speakers are representatives of the Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, LDS, Second Advent, Jewish, Native American, Taoist, and various Christian communities. The Rev. Sean Savoy of the International Community of Christ, who chairs the NPB, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The NCA’s annual Vision Award will go to Cherie Jamason, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, and posthumously to Col. Charles “Chuck” Fulkerson (1935-2014), co-founder of the Veterans House. The first Vision Award to an organization will be presented to Northern Nevada HOPES. The NCA Vision Award is given to citizens or organizations of Nevada who have demonstrated unique and exemplary leadership and foresight in envisioning and creating a brighter and more unified community.

The program will feature the announcement of a new collaboration between the NCA and Renown Regional Medical Center for the development of an Interfaith Spiritual Care Center at the hospital. A special tribute and community service award will be presented to the late Toni de Salvo (1946-2015) for her dedicated support of Nevada’s interfaith programs.

Cost to attend is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Patron Tables of 8 are available at $240. Patrons will be recognized in the program. A discount for non-profit Patron Tables is available at $160. Reservations should be made online at www.NevadaClergy.net or by calling (775) 786-1800. Checks may be sent to NCA at 643 Ralston St., Reno, NV 89503.

The Nevada Clergy Association, headquartered in Reno, is a network of religious and spiritual leaders in Nevada whose purpose is to foster and promote interfaith relations, to encourage the sharing of information among its members and their respective institutions, and to promote a climate favorable to and tolerant of religious and spiritual expression and freedom. The Nevada Prayer Breakfast is a Nevada tradition. It was originally known as the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast and was held for nearly two decades in Northern Nevada until 2001. The event was re-established as the “Nevada Prayer Breakfast” in 2010.

< Download the Prayer Breakfast invitation in PDF format. >

< Read about the Nevada Prayer Breakfast online in the Reno Gazette-Journal. >

 The Nevada Clergy Association requests your presence at the 2015 Nevada Prayer Breakfast, “A Future Together,” to be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the Grand Ballroom on the second floor of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Reno, Nevada.

There will be a welcome by Reno Mayor Hillary Shieve.

The Keynote Address will be delivered by Dr. Tony Slonim, President & CEO of Renown Health.

The Nevada Clergy Association will present the Vision Award to Cherie Jameson, President & CEO of Food Bank of Northern Nevada and posthumously to Col. Chuck Fulkerson, Co-founder of Veteran’s Guest House.

The Community Service Award will be given to the late Toni de Salvo for her service to the interfaith community.

The Nevada Prayer Breakfast is a gathering of citizens — as well as civic, business, and community leaders — who wish to offer prayers on behalf of our State and to bring the spiritual resources of the community together to bear on Nevada’s leaders and on issues that face Nevadans.

The Nevada Clergy Association is a non-profit, interfaith network of religious and spiritual leaders in Nevada.

< Download a copy of the invitation here. >

Rev. Neal Anderson, Senior Minister, Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, welcomes members of the gathering. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The traditional MLK service and car caravan originated in a new Reno location in 2015. The 29th Annual Interfaith Community Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 780 Del Monte Lane Lane in south Reno. According to Bishop Gene Savoy, Jr., Chair of the Northern Nevada Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Committee, this change from the longtime former venue, Reno’s Second Baptist Church, represents a new direction toward wider celebration of the holiday in the Reno area. The Second Baptist Choir will perform on Sunday. The 2015 theme is “Loving All Our Children.” The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Angie Taylor, Vice-President of the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees.

Dr. Angela Taylor delivers Keynote Address. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Lifelong community organizer and NAACP matriarch Dolores Feemster will be honored with the committee’s Humanitarian Award. Courtney Bell will receive the Youth Advocate Award.

Darryl Feemster congratulates Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. On his closing remarks. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

On Monday, Jan. 19, the 17th Annual Community Memorial Caravan will depart from Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship at 10:00 a.m. As always, this year’s motorcade will travel the stretch of Interstate 580 which Rev. Onie Cooper successfully campaigned to have named in honor or Dr. King. The Holiday Committee and Memorial Caravan were founded by former NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch President Cooper (1925-2011). Mrs. Mary Cooper continues to serve on the committee.

Details of the MLK program are available in downloadable PDF format <HERE>.

< For more information on the celebration in Reno, read “Reno’s Interfaith Service celebrates King’s legacy” posted online at the Reno Gazette-Journal on January 20, 2015. >

< For more information on the MLK caravan read “Reno remembers Martin Luther King at annual caravan” posted online at the Reno Gazette-Journal on January 20, 2015. >

PHOTO: voa-ncnn.org

The Volunteers of America (VOA) 2014 “Shelter from the Storm” fund-raising breakfast was held on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at the John Ascuaga’s Nugget Rose Ballroom in Sparks, Nevada.

VOA is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization founded in 1896 that provides local human-service programs primarily dedicated to ending homelessness and affordable housing for the elderly. The Northern Nevada branch serves more than 700 men, women, and children everyday.

Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. delivered the Invocation at the breakfast event. Also in attendance from the International Community of Christ were Radheka Patel Savoy and Sean Savoy.

The World Alliance of Religions Peace Summit in South Korea that Bishop Gene Savoy and I attended in October was quite impressive. That so many people were gathering in one place with the intention of finding a solution for peace among nations created an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance between all the various religious faiths that were represented there.

The second day of the conference was the round table discussion. There were five different groups. And it wasn’t really a discussion. It wasn’t a question and answer interaction among those attending. Several of the guest speakers expressed their thoughts as to what might be a solution. But nothing really solid came out of it. In the session that I attended, all the speakers said the same thing and that is: It is going to take a long time.

One of the religious leaders we were introduced to was Dr. Hamid Slimi, a Muslim cleric from Canada. I mention him because he posted a video of the conference on his web site. The footage he took gives a good idea of what it was like there during those days at the summit. I also liked his commentary.

Some very positive things happened as a result of attending this conference. The Bishop has reserved his commentary on that topic for the Counsels lectures during the 2014 Convocation.

I am really grateful for having been given the opportunity to attend the conference and to visit Korea. I was there 40 years ago. The Korean people are just as beautiful now as they were then. I think Dr Hamid expressed it very well in his video.

Watch the video commentary on the conference posted by Dr. Hamid Slimi. (3 minutes)

by Rev. Ted Staver