Sean, as head of the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee, announced at the 2014 Thanksgiving Eve celebration in Reno that the Nevada “Coming Together” quilt produced by the Committee under the auspices of the NCA was accepted as one of the Nevada 150 Commission Legacy Projects. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The “Coming Together” Quilt project undertaken by the 2014 Nevada Prayer Breakfast Committee was approved as a Nevada 150 Commission Legacy Project in celebration of Nevada’s sesquicentennial. The project is one of 28 projects approved by the Nevada 150 Commission.

Sean Savoy, as President of Nevada’s Governor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee, worked with other members of the committee to create the project (SEE May 9, 2014 post “Nevada ‘Coming Together’ Quilt Completed for Nevada Prayer Breakfast”). Sean applied with the project description and was in touch with Commission members to make sure the project was considered.

Follow this link to see the Nevada “Coming Together” Quilt project listing online at nevada150.org.

Nevada “Coming Together” Quilt PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

(L-R) Chancellor of the International Community of Christ Sean Savoy, North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation Temple Beth Torah Rabbi Elizabeth W. Beyer, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism Rajan Zed, Baha’i Teacher Roya Galata, and President of the Northern Nevada Muslim Community Center Sherif Elfass

Sean Savoy represented the International Community of Christ at a multi-faith prayer service on the Ebola crisis attended by regional religious leaders at the Governors Mansion in Carson City, Nevada.

< See more about the prayer service online at news.yahoo.com. >

Reno Buddhist Center members perform before a congregation of 300. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Nearly 300 people of various faiths and backgrounds attended the 29th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service held at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Reno on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.

The event, themed “Thanks in the Midst of Adversity,” is sponsored by the Nevada Clergy Association (NCA). This service, a much-revered tradition in the Reno-Sparks community and largely unique nationwide in its scope and diversity, includes prayers, readings, and music from a variety of faith traditions. Food and monetary donations were made to the Volunteers of America Shelter Programs.

In attendance from the International Community of Christ were Gene Savoy Jr. and Radheka Patel Savoy, Sean Savoy, Sylvia Ontenada-Bernales, Stephan Fuelling, Gary Buchanan, Robert Petrovich, Elizabeth Reece, and Barbara Whitney. Radheka presented a Hindu prayer with Rajan Zed. Sean, as head of the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee, announced that the Nevada “Coming Together” quilt produced by the Committee under the auspices of the NCA was accepted as one of the Nevada 150 Commission Legacy Projects. Gene, NCA President, provided the closing Benediction Prayer, a reading form the Thanksgiving Hymn of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Previous hosts of the past five years 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).

Radheka presented a Hindu prayer with Rajan Zed. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Sean, as head of the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee, announced that the Nevada “Coming Together” quilt produced by the Committee under the auspices of the NCA was accepted as one of the Nevada 150 Commission Legacy Projects. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Gene, NCA President, provided the closing Benediction Prayer, a reading form the Thanksgiving Hymn of the Dead Sea Scrolls. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

PHOTO Roger Weld

The Twenty-Ninth Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service, “Thanks in the Midst of Adversity,” will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 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: Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 357 Clay Street (Between Ridge and S. Arlington), 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

Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, Radheka Patel Savoy, and Gene Savoy Jr. at Plates to Ease Poverty fundraising dinner PHOTO: Gene Savoy Jr.

Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada hosted the 2014 Plates to Ease Poverty fundraising dinner on Thursday, August 28 at the Atlantis Casino Respot & Spa in Reno. The honorees, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and his wife, Nancy, received the Catholic bishop’s Humanitarian Award because of their advocacy for the homeless. Bishop Gene Savoy, Jr. and his wife, Radheka Patel Savoy, attended on behalf of the ICC. Bishop Gene is good friends with Mayor Bob and his wife, as well as with the Catholic bishop, Randolph Calvo. Mayor Cashell was instrumental in establishing the Community Assistance Center (CAC) in downtown Reno. The CAC includes the St. Vincent’s Programs, the Reno Gospel Mission and Volunteers of America, of which Bishop Gene serves on the advisory board. Bishop Calvo and the Catholic diocese are also supporters of the various programs sponsored by the Nevada Clergy Association.

PHOTO Roger Weld

The Summer 2014 graduation ceremony for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) students took place on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 in the chapel at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. Bishop Gene Savoy Jr., who sits on the Professional Advisory Group (PAG) at St. Mary’s, was in attendance.

CPE is a required educational unit for most seminarians and theological students who are pursuing a career in the ministry.

Following the graduation ceremony for the seven graduates of the program, PAG members met for their regular meeting to discuss Fall class requirements.

The Pride Parade passes Ralston St. at First St.

The first annual Northern Nevada Gay Pride Parade and Festival on July 26, 2014, saw several churches supporting equality and acceptance of the LGBT community in the region. The various churches’ banners were proudly marched in the Pride Parade from Lundsford Park (Jones & Riverside) to the Arlington St. Bridge at Wingfield Park, where the festival took place.

Sean and Ronnie pose with the ICC banner.

While some churches had their own tents (such as Trinity Episcopal and Unitarian Universalists), The ICC participated in the Nevada Clergy Association’s “Faith Tent,” which included tables for  Sinai Temple (Reform Judaism), Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, The Children of Temple Earth (a Norse pagan community), First United Methodist Church, First Congregational United Church of Christ, and the ICC.  Food vendors, themed areas, entertainment, games, and exhibitions provided fun for all ages. The weather cooperated by being sunny and not too warm.

Rev. Harold Boulette shows off the ICC banner before the parade.

Representing the ICC in the parade were the Rt. Rev. Sean Savoy and Ronnie Peoples, along with the Rev. Harold Boulette. The three were joined in staffing the table in the Faith Tent by the Rev. Robert Anderson and Consociate Claudia Grady. The Church had several brochures to hand out as well as requests for more information about The Church/Cosolargy. The festival appeared to be a great success and the ICC’s presence and support was testimony to its commitment to spiritual equality for all.

Staffing the table are Rev. Robert Anderson (foreground) and (back, left to right) Rt. Rev. Sean Savoy, Claudia Grady, and Ronnie Peoples.

Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. With Brigadier General Ondra Berry at Mountain View Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremonies

Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. delivered the Invocation Prayer at the Memorial Day Ceremonies held at Mountain View Cemetery in Reno on Monday, May 26th, 2014.

PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The 2014 Nevada Prayer Breakfast was held Tuesday, April 29th from 7:00-9:00 a.m. at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa’s Paradise Ballroom. This year’s event offered a varied program and was well attended.

< Download a copy of the event program. >

Rt. Rev. Sean Savoy, Chancellor, International Community of Christ & Chair of the Nevada Prayer Breakfast Committee, delivers opening remarks PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

District Court Judge Peter Breen and wilderness advocate Marge Sill received the Nevada Clergy Association’s Vision Award Tuesday at the group’s annual Nevada Prayer Breakfast to celebrate the state’s 150th anniversary.

The Honorable Peter I. Breen PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Breen, a district court judge since 1974, is a designer of the state’s specialty court system. Sill, known by some as the “mother of Nevada wilderness,” is recognized for her pioneering work as an advocate for wilderness protection in the West.

Award recipient Marge Sill, “Mother of the Wilderness” (right) with award presenters PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The Vision Award is given to Nevadans who have demonstrated unique and exemplary leadership and foresight in envisioning and creating a brighter and more unified community through their personal convictions, achievements and dedication.

The association also honored Nicholas Frey, former public relations officer for the Reno stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who died in July 2013, with a community service award for his dedication to the interfaith and Northern Nevada communities. He was a regular contributor to the Reno Gazette-Journal’s Faith Forum.

Melissa Holland, Founder & Director of Awaken, delivers Keynote Address PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Melissa Holland, founder of Awaken — Communities united to end sex trafficking — delivered the keynote address. Representatives of the state’s faith community will offer prayers and musical selections. Multi-faith participants include Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Latter-day Saints, Second Advent, Baha’i, Jewish, and various Christian leaders. The Rev. Sean Savoy of the International Community of Christ, served as master of ceremonies.

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

Originally known as the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, the event was held for nearly two decades in Northern Nevada until 2001. It was re-established as the Nevada Prayer Breakfast in 2010.

Members of the dais and award recipients PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling