PHOTO: Roger Weld

Northern Nevada religious leaders of various religious groups gathered together January 18, 2012, at the University of Nevada–Reno (UNR) Student Union to request that UNR president Marc Johnson provide an interfaith prayer room and chapel on campus to meet the faith needs of the diverse student body. Among these religious leaders was the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr., Head Bishop of the International Community of Christ and president of the Nevada Clergy Association.

The group of about twenty decided at the meeting to send a letter to the university president to ask for a meeting with him to discuss the possibilities of assigning space on campus for an interfaith chapel. All in attendance signed the letter.

Rev. William C. Webb, pastor emeritus, Second Baptist Church of Reno, delivers a rousing welcome at 2012 MLK Jr. Celebration PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The Northern Nevada Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee and the Nevada Clergy Association jointly presented the annual Martin Luther King Jr. community memorial events for 2012.

Lonnie Feemster, keynote speaker at the 2012 MLK Jr. celebration. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The 26th annual interfaith memorial service was held Sunday January 15, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church in downtown Reno. The theme of this year’s event was “Remembering the Dream, Fulfilling the Mandate.” Keynote speaker was the current president of the Reno-Sparks NAACP, Mr. Lonnie Feemster.

Members of the Second Baptist Church Choir perform at the 2012 MLK Jr. celebration. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Musical selections were performed by the Second Baptist Church Choir, directed by Dr. Jesse Hall, and by the group The Power of Love, headed by Leon Smith.

The Power of Love, headed by Leon Smith, performing at 2012 MLK Jr. celebration. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The video tribute to Dr. King was coordinated by the Rev. Deacon Stephan Fuelling of the International Community of Christ.

Owing to the efforts of the late Reverend Onie Cooper of the Second Baptist Church, this event was originally brought to fruition and has continued for decades. The Nevada Clergy Association and the Holiday Committee have joined to help “keep the dream alive.” Both the Nevada Clergy Association and the Northern Nevada Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee are presently headed by ICC Head Bishop Gene Savoy Jr.

On Monday January 16, a memorial caravan, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Second Baptist Church in Reno, followed the twenty-six miles of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway along US 395. This was the 14th annual community memorial caravan.

(left to right) Gene Savoy Jr., Radheka Patel, Debra and Lonnie Feemster at 2012 MLK Jr. Dinner Celebration. PHOTO: Lisa J. Tokla

On the evening of January 16, Bishop Savoy and fiancee Radheka Patel attended the 24th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Celebration, sponsored by the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society, at the Peppermill Resort in Reno.

Rev. Susan Taylor of St. John's Presbyterian Church welcomes the congregation. PHOTO: Rebecca Willis

A worship service of prayers, readings, and music from a variety of faith traditions sponsored by the Nevada Clergy Association was held Wednesday November 23, 2011, at St. John’s Presbyterian Church.

Radheka Patel reads from Hindu scripture in Hindi. PHOTO: Rebecca Willis

Following a welcome by the Reverend Susan Taylor of St. John’s, a program of prayer and thanksgiving was provided by representatives of the Reno Buddhist Center, Temple Beth-Or, Second Baptist Church, the Northern Nevada Muslim Community, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), the Baha’i faith, and the Hindu faith. Interspersed in the program were choral selections performed by the local LDS choir, a musical tribute by Roger Hogan of the Baha’i faith, a whirling dervish performance by the children of the Anatolia Center, and a musical selection by sacred storyteller Jim Eaglesmith.

Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. delivers the Benediction. PHOTO: Rebecca Willis

Children of the Anatolia Center perform whirling dervish dance. PHOTO: Rebecca Willis

Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. addressing the 2011 Fall Leadership Revival PHOTO: Second Baptist Church of Reno

This fall, Bishop Gene Savoy Jr received the 2011 Community Service Award from the Second Baptist Church of Reno for his support of the late Reverend Onie Cooper and for his service as chairman of the Northern Nevada Martin Luther King Jr Holiday Commission. The award was made in honor of the Reverend W.C. Webb Fall Leadership Revival and signed by Reverend Michael L. Randle, Pastor, and Reverend William C. Webb, Pastor Emeritus, of the Second Baptist Church.

(left to right) unidentified Award Committee member, Rev. William Webb, Rev. Michael Randle, Bishop Gene Savoy Jr.

(left to right, from top) Rt. Rev. Sean Savoy, chancellor ICC; Rita Sloan, Life, Peace and Justice Commission, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno; Ismail Ozdemir, president, Sierra Foundation; Rajan Zed, president, Universal Society of Hinduism; Dave Challis, president, Reno, Nevada Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Most Rev. Randolph Calvo, Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno; Bro. Matthew Cunningham, FSR, chancellor, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno; Rt. Rev. Gene Savoy Jr., president, NCA and head bishop, ICC; Debbie McCarthy, Fox News Radio photographer. PHOTO: Debbie McCarthy

The October 27, 2011, interfaith luncheon was hosted by the Sierra Foundation and held at the latter’s new Anatolia Cultural Center in Reno. Presentations were made by the Volunteers of America and the Sierra Foundation.

On October 8, 2011, a group including several ICC members will be leaving New York for South Africa, with a destination of the Global White Lion Trust in Timbavati and the Great Zimbabwe.

Additional funds are needed to cover the required amounts for this trip due to two supporters’ being unable to follow through at the last minute.

For more information on the trip or to make a donation read “Africa Appeal” on www.cosolargy.net.

The 2nd Annual Conference on the Spiritual State of the World: Frequencies, Resonance &Vibrational Healing — Toward 2012,was hosted by Cosolargy International in Reno, Nevada, September 8-11, 2011.

For a full report on the Conference, read “Report on Sept. 2011 Conference on the Spiritual State of the World” by the Reverend Gary Buchanan on www.cosolargy.net.

On May 7, 2011, Head Bishop Gene Savoy Jr., Cardinal Bishop Sean Savoy, and a delegation from the Reno Church Community left for Japan via Los Angeles, where they joined other Community members from the United States. Once in Japan, Japanese Community members joined the group to participate in a 12-day tour of southern Japan, visiting holy shrines, temples, and other sacred sites. Informal talks on the ancient solar cultures of Japan throughout the trip, and a seminar on vibrational healing was conducted near the end of the tour. Most tour members returned to the United States on May 21. The Head Bishop, Cardinal Bishop, and a few others remained in South Korea for a few days to visit sacred sites in that country, returning to Reno on May 26.

For details of the itinerary and additional photos of the trip, see the full article in Special Reports.