Presenters at the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

RENO, Nev., April 24—Leaders of various religions and denominations participated and read prayers for the good of the state at the annual Nevada Prayer Breakfast held in Reno today, where the welcome address was read by Nevada governor Brian Sandoval.

Rt. Rev. Sean Savoy, MC of the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Sandoval said that prayer was important and added that Nevada had pulled through various tragedies with the help of faith and prayer.

Governor Brian Sandoval speaking at the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Mary Cooper accepting posthumousVisions Award on behalf of her late husband, Onie Cooper. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Organized by the Nevada Clergy Association with the theme “A Future Together,” the event also gave Vision Awards to Reno area religious leader and civil rights activist the Reverend Onie Cooper posthumously and retired priest of Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church Father George Bratiotis.

Father George Bratiotis, recipient of a 2012 Vision Award. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, speaking on the occasion, stressed the need of taking religion seriously as it was the most powerful and pervasive social force. A more inclusive and broader understanding of religion was needed, he said, and added that dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment because we are all headed in the same direction.

Rajan Zed speaking at the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Other speakers at this interfaith event held at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa included Gene Savoy Jr., President of Nevada Clergy Association; Charles T. Durante, Pastor of Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Community in Carson City; Stefani Schatz, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church; Sean Savoy, Chancellor of International Community of Christ; Myra Soifer, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Sinai; Rafik Beekun, Board Member of Northern Nevada Muslim Community; Maria Sheehan, President of Truckee Meadows Community College; Nicholas F. Frey, area public affairs director of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Jikai’ Phil Bryan, Priest of Reno Buddhist Center; Neal T. Anderson, Minister at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada; William C. Webb, Pastor Emeritus of Second Baptist Church; Meredith Cahn, Rabbi of North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation; Sister Patty Riley of St. Mary’s Hospice; and Evon Yakar, Rabbi of Temple Bat Yam of South Lake Tahoe.

Rt Rev Gene Savoy Jr addressing the gathering at the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast PHOTO Stephan Fuelling

Shepherd’s Bells, directed by Toni de Salvo; and Orfeo Men’s Choir, directed by Jennifer Tibben; presented musical numbers.

Shepherd's Bells performing at 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast PHOTO Stephan Fuelling

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

PHOTO Stephan Fuelling

From the online article written by Stephen Child posted at upiu.com.

(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.

Presenters at 2011 Hindu Baccalaureate (Rev. Robert Roy, back row, second from right) PHOTO Debbie McCarthy

The fourth annual Hindu Baccalaureate Service was held at the University of Nevada-Reno on the evening of April 17, 2011. The Service was organized by the Indian Student Organization in collaboration with Rajan Zed to bless the graduating class in traditional Hindu style according to Vedic scripture.

Among those who read prayers of blessing was the Reverend Robert Roy of the International Community of Christ, who read the following blessing:

May the God of salvation bless you with every good
And keep you from all evil,
And enlighten your spirit with the wisdom of life,
And grant you eternal knowledge,
And turn His face of mercies towards you for eternal peace.
May you walk in the spirit of God,
Consisting of healing and abundance of bliss
With length of days and fruitfulness;
And all blessings upon you without end
And eternal joy in perpetual life,
And a glorious crown and garment of honor
In everlasting Light.
Amen

On Saturday March 21, head bishop Gene Savoy Jr. visited the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California. Accompanying him were Sonya Savoy, Sabrina Savoy, Sophia Savoy, and Lisamarie Wand.

Organized by Hindu leader Rajan Zed through the Nevada Clergy Association with about twenty Nevada participants, the visit included a tour of the ashram, lunch, a lecture presented by Swami Sitaramananda, and two yoga classes (beginner and intermediate).

During the yoga portion of the visit, Bishop Savoy had tea with the swami and exchanged information. The swami talked about her background and recent visit to Rome. Bishop Savoy discussed Cosolargy, the International Community of Christ, and the Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary. An invitation was extended for the swami to visit the Sanctuary on her next trip to Reno.

On Friday, February 13, the eleventh annual Bishop Manogue  High School Interfaith Prayer Service was held at the school in south Reno. Attending on behalf of The Second Advent Church were head bishop Gene Savoy Jr. and the Reverend Dr. William Bartlett.
Rev. Bartlett gave the keynote address, and Bishop Savoy participated with Rabbi Myra Soifer, Hindu leader Rajan Zed, and LDS leader Jeff Olsen in the prayers of intercession. Bishop Savoy also gave the proclamation from the Hebrew scriptures—namely, Ezekiel 37:15–19. Representing the Catholic Church were the Reverends Mark Hanifan and John Legerski.