2016 18-month Interfaith Calendar Did you know that the St. Louis community celebrates hundreds of different religious holidays? Diversity Awareness Partnership’s Interfaith Calendar is distributed annually and features observances celebrated across 20 religious traditions. Take one with you to meetings, keep it in your office, bring it to your class, or just have it handy at home. Please use this calendar as a guide to better understand, acknowledge, and respect friends’, neighbors’, employees’ and co-workers’ holidays.

To be more accomodating, please consider the following: FOOD Halal and Kosher restrictions apply. Consider vegetarian, non-alcoholic, and non-caffeinated options. During some holidays, individuals will be .

HOURS Consider allowing flexibility in work/school hours, as some holidays may require individuals to attend their place of worship during the day.

ABSENCE Some individuals may request to use vacation or personal days for holidays that are not recognized as company or school-wide days off.

DEADLINES Consider allowing flexibility for deadlines around important holidays, as some individuals may be participating in celebrations or fasting, which could cause decreased stamina.

PRAYER Consider designating a space for employees or students to pray, as some holidays may require increased throughout the day/ evening.

NOTES: This calendar aims to be as inclusive as possible. Please contact us if you would like the 2017 Interfaith Calendar to include a holiday that is not currently listed.

All content in this calendar is based on information available at the time of production. To the greatest extent possible, holidays based on 2 lunar phases or other variables that change yearly have been factored into observance dates. The spelling of certain observances may vary as well.

The length of some holidays and the extent to which they are observed may vary according to denominational affiliations or regions.

All Baha’i, Jewish and Muslim holidays begin at sunset the previous day.

We encourage all places of worship to be accessible to persons with disabilities by making necessary accommodations. Contact DAP for additional information.

More about religions/holidays: http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/ http://www.nccjtriad.org/programs/documents/ InterfaithCalendar2016FINAL.pdf http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/multifaith-calendar/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/

Use the following colors as a guide to find celebrations by specific religions/denominations: Rastafarian Scientologist Buddhist Catholic Christian Sikh Swedenborgian Christian Hindu Christian Wiccan/Pagan Orthodox Christian Jain Mormon Jewish Protestant Christian Jehovah’s Witnesses Pan-African Anglican Christian Baha’i Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Muslim Interfaith Zoroastrian

Interested in ordering calendars for your home, office, school or place of worship? Request more at dapstl.org today.

3 JANUARY

1 FRIDAY 7 THURSDAY Blessing of the Animals Mary, Mother of Orthodox | Christian | Catholic Christian | Orthodox Christian Observance of showing Celebration of the A time to celebrate the respect for domestic mother of Jesus Christ birth of Jesus Christ animals that are significant to people. Feast of St. Basil 10 SUNDAY | Orthodox Christian Baptism of the Lord 18 MONDAY Commemoration of St. Basil Jesus | Christian Week of Prayer for the Great, who wrote a Commemoration of the Christian Unity great Eucharist Liturgy that beginning of the public | Christian bears his name. ministry of Jesus Ecumenical observance focused on prayer for Shogatsu/Gantan-sai 11 MONDAY church unity. | Shinto Seijin no Hi | Shinto New Year’s Day Holiday honoring those 20 WEDNESDAY Celebration who have reached, or will Timkat | Ethiopian reach the age of twenty Orthodox Christian 5 TUESDAY within the current year Celebration of the Baptism Twelfth Night | Christian of Jesus in the Jordan River Observance of the close of 13 WEDNESDAY Christmastide Maghi | Sikh 24 SUNDAY Commemoration of a battle Mahayana New Year Guru Gobindh Sing’s in which forty died | Buddhist Birthday | Sikh for Guru Gobindh Singh Ji Buddhist New Year, as Honoring of the birth of the celebrated in Mahayana founder of Khalsa 15 FRIDAY countries | Hindu 6 WEDNESDAY Celebration marking the 25 MONDAY | Christian turning of the sun toward Conversion of St. Paul Commemoration of the the north; observed by | Christian manifestations of the flying kites, feeding the Event in the life of Paul divine nature of Jesus poor and offering libations the Apostle, after which Christ to the dead. he became a follower of Jesus. Feast of the Theophany 17 SUNDAY | Orthodox Christian World Religion Day Tu B’Shvat | Jewish Feast to recall the | Baha’i Celebration of the coming revelation of the Holy Day dedicated to the unity of Spring Trinity in the baptism of the and oneness of all world lord. religions

4 february

1 MONDAY 9 TUESDAY 15 MONDAY Clean Monday Nirvana Day | Buddhist | Orthodox Christian | Christian Observance of the physical First day of Lent day on the eve of death and spiritual enlightenment of the 2 TUESDAY Buddha | Wiccan/Pagan 10 WEDNESDAY Halfway between the Ash Wednesday 18 THURSDAY winter solstice and the | Christian National Founding U.S.A Spring Equinox; celebrates Observance to begin the | Scientologist the passage from winter to 4-day season of Lent; Founding of the first Church spring. ashes are marked on of Scientology in the U.S., worshippers as a sign of the Church of Scientology | Christian penitence. of Los Angeles, in 1954 Celebration of the presentation of Jesus in 12 FRIDAY 21 SUNDAY the Temple | Hindu Tridion Begins Festival of spring honoring | Orthodox Christian Presentation of Christ the goddess of learning. Time period leading up to in the Temple | Anglican Lent Christian Triodion Begins Remembrance of the infant | Orthodox Christian 26 FRIDAY Jesus being brought to the Time period leading up to Intercalary Day | Baha’i temple in Jerusalem Lent. (until 3/1) Insertion of days into 3 WEDNESDAY 14 SUNDAY the calendar in order to Setsubun-sai | Shinto Race Relations Day maintain the solar calendar, Celebration of the change | Christian thought of as days outside of seasons with the coming Day recognizing the of time, and celebrated by of spring with shouts of, importance of interracial acts of love, fellowship, and “Devils out, Good Fortune relations and learning charity In” St. Valentine’s Day 8 MONDAY | Christian Celebration of the love of | Confucian, Taoist, God present in Jesus and Buddhist in the lives of Christian Begins a fifteen-day believers. festival for Chinese people of all religions, who give thanks for family and remember ancestors

5 March

2 WEDNESDAY 20 SUNDAY 24 THURSDAY Nineteen Day Fast Ostara | Wiccan/Pagan | Jewish | Baha’i (until 3/20) Welcoming of spring and Celebration of the Fast to be observed by celebration of the goddes- deliverance of the jewish adult Baha’is in good health as-maiden (Vernal Equinox) minority in Persia from from sunrise to sunset. genocide | Christian 6 SUNDAY Celebration of the entry of Maudy Thursday Meatfare Sunday Jesus to Jerusalem, which | Christian | Orthodox Christian begins Observance of the first Observance preparing the Lord’s supper during Holy faithful for the celebration 21 MONDAY week of the resurrection of Naw-Ruz | Baha’i Christ Observance of the Vernal Hola Mohalla | Sikh Equinox Weeklong event including Orthodox Sunday mock fights, kirtan, music | Orthodox Christian | Zoroastrian poetry, and community First Sunday of Lent, at New year meals which time restoration of icons to the church is 23 WEDNESDAY 25 FRIDAY celebrated | Hindu | Christian Spring festival dedicated Rememebrance of the 7 MONDAY to the god of pleasure crucifixtion of Jesus Maha Shivarastri | Hindu Festival honoring Lord Shiva Ta’anit Esther | Jewish 26 SATURDAY and his marraige to the Fast on Purim eve, Khordad Sal | Zoroastrian goddess, Parvati commemorating the fast Rememebrance of the birth of the Jewish people in the of Prophet Zarathurstra 13 SUNDAY story of Purim L. Ron Hubbard’s 27 SUNDAY Birthday | Scientologist Magha Puja Day | Christian Observance day marking | Buddhist Holy day that the birth of L. Ron Hubbard, Celebration of the commemorates the the founder presentation of teachings resurrection of Jesus by Lord Buddha to an Christ from His death by 17 THURSDAY assembly of Holy men crucifixtion St. Patrick’s Day | Chrstian Lord’s evening meal Celebration of St. Patrick, | Jehovah’s Witnesses who brought Christianity to Annual memorial Ireland in the early days of commemorating Christ’s the death as a ransom

6 April

4 MONDAY 19 TUESDAY 29 FRIDAY of the Mahavir Jayanti | Jain Ninth Day of Ridvan Blessed Virgin Mary Festival honoring Lord | Baha’i | Christian Mahavira on the founder’s Celebration of Gabriel’s birthday Holy Friday | Orthodox annoncement to the Virgin Christian Mary of the coming birth 21 THURSDAY Commemoration of the of Jesus First Day of Ridvan death of Jesus on the cross | Baha’i 6 WEDNESDAY Commemoration of the Founding of the Church twelve-day period in 1863 | Mormon when Baha’u’llah declared Commemoration of the that he was God’s appearance of the angel, messenger for this age. Moroni, in 1830 to Joseph Smith; subsequently, the 22 FRIDAY founding of the Church of | Hindu Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Celebration of Hanuman, an embodiment of Lord Rama. Devotion and selfless 8 FRIDAY works are encouraged. Week of the Ramayana | Hindu (until 4/15) Theravadin New Year Festival celebrating Lord | Buddhist (22-23) Rama, in which the Ram Buddhist New Year, as Lila is staged and the celebrated in Theravadin Ramayana is recited countries

13 WEDNESDAY 23 SATURDAY Baisaki/Vaisaki | Sikh/ Hindu | Orthodox Christian Festival commemorating Celebration of the the establishment of the resurrection of Lazarus by Khalsa, or the nation of Jesus; revealing that Jesus Sikhs. Hindu beginning of is “the resurrection and the New Year life” of all mankind

15 FRIDAY Pesach/ | Hindu | Jewish (until 4/30) Celebration of the birth of 8-day celebration of the Lord Rama deliverance of the from slavery in Egypt

7 May

1 SUNDAY 9 MONDAY 22 SUNDAY | Wiccan/Pagan Observance of the Trinity Sunday | Christian Celebration of the Publication of Dianetics Day to honor the belief in conjoining of the goddess | Scientologist one God with a threefold with the energy of the god Observance of the nature in sacred marriage, the publication of Dianetics: the basis of all creation Modern Science of Mental 23 MONDAY Health, on May 9, 1950, Declaration of the Bab Pascha | Orthodox which was the forerunner | Baha’i Christian of the Scientology religion Recognition of the Holy day that declaration by Ali commemorates the 13 FRIDAY Muhammad that he is the resurrection of Jesus World Falun Dafa Day/ anticipated “Coming One” Christ from His death by Falun Gong | Buddhist of all religions crucifixtion Celebration of the spiritual discipline introduced in 26 THURSDAY 2 MONDAY China in 1992 Corpus Christi | Catholic Twelfth day of Ridvan Christian | Baha’i 15 SUNDAY Celebration in recognition | Christian of the Eucharist 4 WEDNESDAY Observation of the day Yom HaShoah | Jewish when the Holy Spirit came Lag B’Omer | Jewish Holocaust Day established to the disciples in the Observation of the to remember the six million forms of tongues of fire counting of the day - the Jews killed by the Nazis and rushing wind link - between Pesach and Shavout 5 THURSDAY 21 SATURDAY National | Buddhist 29 SUNDAY | Interfaith Day marking the birth, Ascension of Baha’u’llah day of enlightenment, and | Baha’i observance encouraging death of the Buddha Recollection of the death of prayer among all Baha’u’llah, the founder World Day for Cultural Ascension of Jesus Diversity for Dialogue & | Christian Development | Interfaith Recognition of the United Nations day to departure of Jesus deepen understanding from Earth after the of the values of cultural resurrection, celebrated 40 diversity and to learn to days after Easter/Pascha live more peacefully

8 June

3 FRIDAY 20 MONDAY of Jesus Litha | Wiccan/Pagan | Catholic Christian Celebration of the sacred Occasion to pay homage to marriage, in which the Christ’s all-encompassing energy of the is love for humanity poured into the service of life (Summer Solstice) 6 MONDAY | Muslim (until 7/5) Month devoted to the commemoration of More about Muhammad’s reception of the divine revelation ramadan recorded in the Qur’an Ramadan is the Islamic 11 SATURDAY holy month of fasting | Jewish (until during which may 6/13) not eat or drink during Celelbration of Moses daylight hours. descent from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments Ramadan is celebrated 12 SUNDAY as the month in which Race Unity Day | Baha’i the prophet Mohammed Day to prmote racial received the first of the harmony and understanding revelations that make up the Quran. 16 THURSDAY Guru Arjan Dev’s Martydom | Sikh Muslims are encouraged Time of remembering to eat a meal before those who have suffered dawn, and then break for this faith the fast immediately 19 SUNDAY after sunset. New Church Day | Swedenborgian Christian Annual commemoration of the vision document “The True Christian Religion,” in 1770 9 July 1 FRIDAY Laylatul Qadr | Muslim The Night of destiny, the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prphet Muhammad 5 TUESDAY Eid ul-Fitr | Muslim Breaking of the Month- long Ramadan fast and a More about festival of thanksgiving unitarianism 9 SATURDAY Martydom of the Bab Religious freedom for each | Baha’i individual is at the heart of Observance of the day Ali Unitarianism. Everyone is Muhammad was executed in 1850 by Persian political free to search for meaning and religious powers in life in a responsible way and to reach their own 19 TUESDAY conclusions. Day/Dharma Day | Buddhist In line with their approach Sacred day that marks the to religious truth, Buddha’s first teaching following enlightenment Unitarians see diversity and pluralism as valuable 23 SATURDAY rather than threatening. Birth of the Emperor They want religion to be Haile Selassie I broad, inclusive, and | Rastafarian tolerant. They therefore Birthday of the revered include people of Messianic figure among Rastafarians various faiths. 24 SUNDAY | Mormon Observation of the arrival of the first settlers at Great Salt Lake, USA

10 august 1 MONDAY 15 MONDAY | Wiccan/Pagan Assumption of the Celebration of the early Blessed Virgin Mary harvest | Catholic Christian Observance 6 SATURDAY commemorating the Transfiguration of , the Lord | Orthodox mother of Jesus, into Christian heaven Commemoration of the experience on Mt. Tabor Dormition of the when Jesus’ physical Theotokos | Orthodox appearance became Chrisitian brilliant as his connection Observance of the death, with traditional Jewish holy burial, resurrection, and figures became evident to transfer to heaven of the the disciples Virgin Mary 13 SATURDAY 18 THURSDAY Obon/Ullambana | Hindu | Shinto/Buddist Festival honoring the loving Celebration of the ritual of ties between brothers and saving the deceased from sisters in a family torments after death the Ten Commandments 25 THURSDAY 14 SUNDAY | Hindu Tish’a B’av | Jewish Commemoration of the Day of fasting in the birth of Krishna rememberance of the destruction of the 29 MONDAY Temple in 586 BCE and Beheading of John the 70 CE Baptist | Christian Rememberance of the death of John

11 September

5 MONDAY 14 WEDNESDAY 27 TUESDAY | Hindu Elevation of the Cross Meskel | Ethiopian Festival honoring the god | Christian Orthodox Christian of prosperity, prudence, Celelbration of when St. Commemoration of the and success Helen found the Holy Cross discovery of the True Cross by St. Helen 6 TUESDAY 22 THURSDAY Paryushana Parva | Jain Mabon | Wiccan/Pagan Magha Puja Day Festival signifying human Observance of the | Buddhist emergence into a new Autumnal Equinox Celebration of the world of spiritual and presentation of teachings moral refinement, and a by Lord Buddha to an celebration of the natural assembly of Holy men qualitities of the soul 8 THURSDAY Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Christian Celelbration of the birth of Virgin Mary 10 SATURDAY Waqf al Arafa/ Day More about | Muslim Observance during Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, when pilgrims pray Islam is the second largest for forgiveness and Mercy religion in the world with 11 SUNDAY over 1 billion followers. Auditors’ Day | Scientologist Muslims believe that Islam Scientology Auditors are was revealed over 1400 acknowledged for their years ago in Mecca, Arabia. dedication in helping their fellow men Jesus, Moses and Abraham are respected as prophets Eid al-Adha | Muslim Feast of Sacrifice, of God. concluding the Hajj Muslims believe that there is only One God. and the Arabic word for God is Allah. 12 october

1 SATURDAY 11 TUESDAY 23 SUNDAY Navratri | Hindu (until Dussehra/Durga Puja Hoshanah Rabbah | Jewish 10/9) | Hindu (until 10/4) Commemoration of the last Festival of the divine Festival celebrating the of the Days of Judgement mother honoring Durga, victory of the goddess wife of Shiva, and seeking Durga over demons. 24 MONDAY her blessing. | Jewish | Muslim Completion of the annual 3 MONDAY Optional one day fast cycle of the reading of the | Jewish marking the martydom of Torah (until 10/4) Husayn ibn Ali (Shi’a Islam) New Year, marked by a and marking the day that 25 TUESDAY call to repentance with the Moses fasted in gratitude | Jewish shofar for liberation of the Day to celebrate the reading Israelites (Sunni Islam) of the Law 4 TUESDAY St. Francis Day | Catholic 12 WEDNESDAY 28 FRIDAY Christian | Jewish Milvian Bridge Day Recognition of service to Day of Atonment | Christian people and appreciation Day of solemn reflection of the natural world, as 17 MONDAY on the relationship of the practiced by St. Francis | Jewish (until spritiual community and and the Francisan monastic 10/23) the powers of the civil order that he founded. Feast of Tabernacles, government which celebrates the 7 FRIDAY harvest and the protection 30 SUNDAY Founding of the of the people of Israel | Hindu, Jain international Association as they wandered in the Celelbration marking the of Scientologists wilderness dwelling in end of the HIndu year | Scientology tents Scientologists rededicate 31 MONDAY themselves to the 20 THURSDAY All Hallow’s Eve | Christian Aims of Scientology: a Birth of the Bab | Baha’i Celebration combining world without criminals, Honoring of the founder and merriment suffering, and war. of the Babi religion, involving children and forerunner to Baha’u’llah families 9 SUNDAY and the Baha’i faith Birthday of Guru Ram Reformation Day Das | Sikh Guru Granth Sahib | Protestant Christian Commemoration of Installation | Sikh Anniversary of the tradition the birth of one of the Remembrance of the and its emphasis on the foremost 10 Gurus of eternal installation of the palce of the Bible and holy books, Granth Sahib. religious freedom

Jain New Year | Jain 13 november

1 TUESDAY 24 THURSDAY 28 MONDAY All Saints’ Day | Christian Thanksgiving | Interfaith Ascension of the Abdu’l- Day for honoring Saints Celebration of the created Baha | Baha’i earth and community Celebration of the rising | Wiccan/Pagan of the spirit of Abdu’l- Celebration of endings and 26 SATURDAY Baha to the heavenly beginnings Day of the Covenant dwelling. | Baha’i 2 WEDNESDAY Celebration of the covenant All Souls’ Day | Catholic given in the last will and Christian testament of Baha’u’llah Commemoration of the faithful departed 27 SUNDAY Coronation of Emperor | Christian Haile Selassie Time of preparation for | Rastafarian observing the birth of Celebration of the Jesus Christ and for coronation of the Messianic anticipating His return figure of Rastafarian to Earth 12 SATURDAY Birth of Baha’u’llah | Baha’i Celebration of the birth of More about the founder Sikhism 14 MONDAY Guru Nanak Dev Sahib’s Sikhism was founded in Birthday | Sikh Honoring of the birth of the the 16th century in the founder Punjab district of what is now India and Pakistan. 16 WEDNESDAY It was founded by Guru International Day for Nanak and is based on his Tolerance | Interfaith teachings, and those of the United Nations observance 9 Sikh gurus who followed day to generate public awareness of the dangers him. of intolerance The most important thing in Sikhism is the internal religious state of the individual. 14 december

6 TUESDAY 25 SUNDAY St. Nicholas Day Christmas | Christian | Christian Celebration of the birth of Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ Nicholas, patron saint of children and role model 26 MONDAY for gift giving Zarathosht Diso | Zoroastrian | Jewish (until Anniversary of the death of 12/14) Prophet Zarathurstra Festival of Lights commemorating the | Pan-African recpature and rededication (until 1/1/17) of the Jerusalem Temple Holiday celebrating family, community, and culture. 8 THURSDAY Bodhi Day | Buddhist 28 WEDNESDAY Celebration of the Holy Innocents | Christian Enlightenment of Buddha Day of solemn memory of male children killed by King Herod in the attempt to of Mary | Catholic destroy Jesus Christian Day of celebrating the 30 FRIDAY belief that Mary, mother of Freedom Day Jesus, was preserved from | Scientologist original sin all her life Day celebrating the official recognition of the Church 12 MONDAY of Scientology in the United Feast of Our Lady of States in 1974 Guadalupe | Catholic Christian 31 SATURDAY Honoring of a legendary Watch Night | Christian apppearance of the Virgin Occasion to thank God Mary near Mexico City in for bringing people safely 1531 CE through another year 21 WEDNESDAY | Wiccan/Pagan Celebration of the Winter Solstice

15 JANUARY 2017

1 SUNDAY 7 SATURDAY 15 SUNDAY Mary, Mother of God Orthodox Christmas World Religion Day | Catholic Christian | Orthodox Christian | Baha’i Celebration of the A time to celebrate the Day dedicated to the unity mother of Jesus Christ birth of Jesus Christ and oneness of all world religions Feast of St. Basil 8 SUNDAY | Orthodox Christian Fast of Tevet 10 | Jewish Week of Prayer for Commemoration of St. Basil Fast commemorating the Christian Unity the Great, who wrote a siege of Jerusalem by | Christian (until 1/22) great Eucharist Liturgy that Nebuchadnezzar II Ecumenical observance bears his name. focused on prayer for 9 MONDAY church unity. Shogatsu/Gantan-sai Baptism of the Lord | Shinto Jesus | Christian 17 TUESDAY New Year’s Day Commemoration of the Blessing of the Animals Celebration beginning of the public | Christian ministry of Jesus Observance of showing 5 THURSDAY respect for domestic Twelfth Night | Christian Seijin no Hi | Shinto animals that are significant Observance of the close of Holiday honoring those to people. Christmastide who have reached, or will reach the age of twenty 19 THURSDAY Guru Gobindh Sing’s within the current year Timkat | Ethiopian Birthday | Sikh Orthodox Christian Honoring of the birth of the 12 THURSDAY Celebration of the Baptism founder of Khalsa Mahayana New Year of Jesus in the Jordan River | Buddhist 6 FRIDAY Buddhist New Year, as 25 WEDNESDAY Epiphany | Christian celebrated in Mahayana Conversion of St. Paul Commemoration of the countries | Christian manifestations of the Event in the life of Paul divine nature of Jesus 13 FRIDAY the Apostle, after which Christ Maghi | Sikh he became a follower of Commemoration of a battle Jesus. Feast of the Theophany in which forty sikhs died | Orthodox Christian for Guru Gobindh Singh Ji 28 WEDNESDAY Feast to recall the Chinese New Year revelation of the Holy 14 SATURDAY | Confucian, Taoist, Trinity in the baptism of the Makar Sankranti | Hindu Buddhist lord. Celebration marking the Begins a fifteen-day turning of the sun toward festival for Chinese people the north; observed by of all religions, who give flying kites, feeding the thanks for family and 16 poor and offering libations remember ancestors to the dead. February 2017

1 WEDNESDAY 14 TUESDAY 26 SUNDAY Vasant Panchami | Hindu Race Relations Day Intercalary Day | Baha’i Festival of spring honoring | Christian (until 3/1) the goddess of learning. Day recognizing the Insertion of days into importance of interracial the calendar in order to 2 THURSDAY relations and learning maintain the solar calendar, Imbolc | Wiccan/Pagan thought of as days outside Halfway between the St. Valentine’s Day of time, and celebrated by winter solstice and the | Christian acts of love, fellowship, and Spring Equinox; celebrates Celebration of the love of charity the passage from winter to God present in Jesus and spring. in the lives of Christian Orthodox Sunday believers. | Orthodox Christian 3 FRIDAY First Sunday of Lent, at Setsubun-sai | Shinto 15 WEDNESDAY which time restoration Celebration of the change Nirvana Day | Buddhist of icons to the church is of seasons with the coming Observance of the physical celebrated of spring with shouts of, death and spiritual “Devils out, Good Fortune enlightenment of the 27 MONDAY In” Buddha Clean Monday | Orthodox Christian 5 SUNDAY 18 SATURDAY First day of Lent Triodion Begins National Founding U.S.A | | Orthodox Christian Scientologist Candlemas | Christian Time period leading up to Founding of the first Church Celebration of the Lent. of Scientology in the U.S., presentation of Jesus in the Church of Scientology the Temple 11 SATURDAY of Los Angeles, in 1954 Tu B’Shvat | Jewish Presentation of Christ Celebration of the coming 19 SUNDAY in the Temple | Anglican of Spring Meatfare Sunday Christian | Orthodox Christian Remembrance of the infant Observance preparing the Jesus being brought to the faithful for the celebration temple in Jerusalem of the resurrection of Christ 28 TUESDAY Shrove Tuesday 25 SATURDAY | Christian Maha Shivarastri | Hindu Carnival day on the eve of Festival honoring Lord Shiva Ash Wednesday and his marraige to the goddess, Parvati

17 march 2017

1 WEDNESDAY 13 SUNDAY 25 SATURDAY Ash Wednesday L. Ron Hubbard’s Annunciation of the | Christian Birthday | Scientologist Blessed Virgin Mary Observance to begin the Observance day marking | Christian 4-day season of Lent; the birth of L. Ron Hubbard, Celebration of Gabriel’s ashes are marked on the founder annoncement to the Virgin worshippers as a sign of Mary of the coming birth penitence. Holi | Hindu of Jesus Spring festival dedicated 2 THURSDAY to the god of pleasure 28 TUESDAY Nineteen Day Fast Khordad Sal | Zoroastrian | Baha’i (until 3/20) Hola Mohalla | Sikh Rememebrance of the birth Fast to be observed by Weeklong event including of Prophet Zarathurstra adult Baha’is in good health mock fights, kirtan, music from sunrise to sunset. poetry, and community Week of the Ramayana meals | Hindu (until 4/5) 9 THURSDAY Festival celebrating Lord Ta’anit Esther | Jewish 17 FRIDAY Rama, in which the Ram Fast on Purim eve, St. Patrick’s Day | Lila is staged and the commemorating the fast Chrstian Ramayana is recited of the Jewish people in the Celebration of St. Patrick, story of Purim who brought Christianity to Ireland in the early days of 12 SUNDAY the faith Magha Puja Day | Buddhist 20 MONDAY Celebration of the Ostara | Wiccan/Pagan presentation of teachings Welcoming of spring and by Lord Buddha to an celebration of the goddes- assembly of Holy men as-maiden (Vernal Equinox)

Purim | Jewish Naw-Ruz | Baha’i Celebration of the Observance of the Vernal deliverance of the jewish Equinox minority in Persia from genocide 21 TUESDAY Nowruz | Zoroastrian New year

18 april 2017

5 MONDAY 11 TUESDAY 14 FRIDAY Rama Navami | Hindu Lord’s evening meal Holy Friday | Orthodox Celebration of the birth of | Jehovah’s Witnesses Christian Lord Rama Annual memorial Commemoration of the commemorating Christ’s death of Jesus on the cross 6 THURSDAY death as a ransom Founding of the Church Good Friday | Christian | Mormon Hanuman Jayanti | Hindu Rememebrance of the Commemoration of the Celebration of Hanuman, an crucifixtion of Jesus appearance of the angel, embodiment of Lord Rama. Moroni, in 1830 to Joseph Devotion and selfless 16 SUNDAY Smith; subsequently, the works are encouraged. Easter | Christian founding of the Church of Holy day that Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Theravadin New Year commemorates the Saints | Buddhist (until 4/14) resurrection of Jesus Buddhist New Year, as Christ from His death by 8 SATURDAY celebrated in Theravadin crucifixtion Lazarus Saturday countries | Orthodox Christian Pascha | Orthodox Celebration of the Pesach/Passover Christian resurrection of Lazarus by | Jewish (until 4/18) Holy day that Jesus; revealing that Jesus 8-day celebration of the commemorates the is “the resurrection and deliverance of the Jews resurrection of Jesus life” of all mankind from slavery in Egypt Christ from His death by crucifixtion 9 SUNDAY 13 THURSDAY Palm Sunday | Christian Maudy Thursday 21 FRIDAY Celebration of the entry of | Christian First Day of Ridvan Jesus to Jerusalem, which Observance of the first | Baha’i begins Holy Week Lord’s supper during Holy Commemoration of the week twelve-day period in 1863 Mahavir Jayanti | Jain when Baha’u’llah declared Festival honoring Lord Baisaki/Vaisaki | Sikh/ that he was God’s Mahavira on the founder’s Hindu messenger for this age. birthday Festival commemorating the establishment of the 23 SUNDAY Khalsa, or the nation of Yom HaShoah | Jewish Sikhs. Hindu beginning of Holocaust Day established the New Year to remember the six million Jews killed by the Nazis. 29 SATURDAY Ninth Day of Ridvan | Baha’i 19 may 2017

1 MONDAY 14 SUNDAY 29 MONDAY Beltane | Wiccan/Pagan Lag B’Omer | Jewish Ascension of Baha’u’llah Celebration of the Observation of the | Baha’i conjoining of the goddess counting of the day - the Recollection of the death of with the energy of the god link - between Pesach and Baha’u’llah, the founder in sacred marriage, the Shavout basis of all creation 31 WEDNESDAY 21 SUNDAY Shavuot | Jewish 2 TUESDAY World Day for Cultural Celelbration of Moses Twelfth day of Ridvan Diversity for Dialogue & descent from Mt. Sinai with | Baha’i Development | Interfaith the Ten Commandments United Nations day to 4 THURSDAY deepen understanding of the values of cultural | Interfaith diversity and to learn to United States day of live more peacefully observance encouraging prayer among all faiths 23 SUNDAY Declaration of the Bab | 9 TUESDAY Baha’i Observance of the Recognition of the Publication of Dianetics declaration by Ali | Scientologist Muhammad that he is the Observance of the anticipated “Coming One” publication of Dianetics: the of all religions Modern Science of Mental Health, on May 9, 1950, 25 THURSDAY which was the forerunner Ascension of Jesus of the Scientology religion | Christian Recognition of the 10 WEDNESDAY departure of Jesus Vesak | Buddhist from Earth after the Day marking the birth, resurrection, celebrated 40 enlightenment, and days after Easter/Pascha death of the Buddha 27 SATURDAY 13 SATURDAY Ramadan | Muslim (until World Falun Dafa Day/ 6/25) Falun Gong | Buddhist Month devoted to the Celebration of the spiritual commemoration of discipline introduced in Muhammad’s reception China in 1992 of the divine revelation recorded in the Qur’an

20 june 2017

4 SUNDAY 19 MONDAY 23 TUESDAY Pentecost | Christian New Church Day | Sacred Heart of Jesus Observation of the day Swedenborgian Christian | Catholic Christian when the Holy Spirit came Annual commemoration of Occasion to pay homage to to the disciples in the the vision document “The Christ’s all-encompassing forms of tongues of fire True Christian Religion,” in love for humanity and rushing wind 1770 Birth of the Emperor 11 MONDAY 21 WEDNESDAY Haile Selassie I Trinity Sunday | Christian Litha | Wiccan/Pagan | Rastafarian Day to honor the belief in Celebration of the sacred Birthday of the revered one God with a threefold marriage, in which the Messianic figure among nature energy of the gods is Rastafarians poured into the service of Race Unity Day | Baha’i life (Summer Solstice) 25 SUNDAY Day to prmote racial Eid ul-Fitr | Muslim harmony and understanding Laylatul Qadr | Muslim Breaking of the Month- The Night of destiny, long Ramadan fast and a 15 THURSDAY the first revelation of festival of thanksgiving Corpus Christi | Catholic the Qur’an to Prphet Christian Muhammad Celebration in recognition of the Eucharist

16 FRIDAY Guru Arjan Dev’s Martydom | Sikh Time of remembering More about those who have suffered for this faith pentecost

Pentecost is the festival when celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the Sunday 50 days after Easter (the name comes from the Greek pentekoste or “fiftieth”). It is also called Whitsun. Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church, and the start of the church’s mission to the world. The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, the breath of God and a dove. 21 Diversity Awareness Partnership is a catalyst to increase awareness, facilitate engagement and provide education about diversity and inclusion. DAP achieves it’s misison through three pillars of impact: education and training, youth engagement, and awareness initiatives. For more information on becoming a partner, participating in our programs, requesting publications, or supporting our efforts, call (314) 246-3146 or visit DAPSTL.ORG

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DAP CONNECT PROGRAM The DAP Connect Program has one purpose - to help you diversify your social and professional networks. Too often we build personal and working relationships with others “like us”. DAP Connect helps you leave your comfort zone to meet individuals who are different from you, whether by race or ethinicity, age, religion, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Through DAP Connect, you will build relationships with leaders throughout the St. Louis region and gain a stronger appreciation for diversity.

GIVE RESPECT, GET RESPECT YOUTH PROGRAM The Give Respect, Get Respect Youth Program is a collaboration between Diversity Awareness Partnership and local corporations who bring together students and teachers from the St. Louis metro area and company associates to explore race, religion, diability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

EXPLORE CAREER IMMERSION PROGRAM Diversity Awareness Partnership is investing in St. Louis high school students through an externship program. Together, DAP and local businesses have developed this program to expose, empower, and encourage students of color to pusue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and other careers.

COMMUNITY FORUMS Community Forums are free to public and are typically held once per year. The forums welcome individuals from all over St. Louis to participate in or observe open dialogue around diversity issues.

22 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS Diversity Awareness Partnership provides in-depth professional development seminars for diversity and inclusion practitioners or individuals interested in entering the diversity field. Example seminar topics include: Diversity vs. Inclusion, Creating a Diverse Pipeline, HR, Diversity & Employee Engagement, and more.

AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS & PUBLICATIONS Diversity Publications include the Interfaith Calendar, Diversity Sports Poster series, and We’re All Alike, We’re All Different Disability Toolkit.

CORPORATE PARTNERS:

23 CALENDAR SPONSORS:

Diversity Awareness Partnership www.dapstl.org