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

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.