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The Tri-Valley is set to see a new addition to the regional lineup of Earth Day events this year, with the debut of a new festival organized by a coalition of faith groups and the town of Danville.
Interfaith of the San Ramon Valley is partnering with the town for the launch of the inaugural InterFaith EarthFest on Sunday (April 23), in an effort to inspire sustainable lifestyle changes year round and offer a “fresh kind of Earth Day celebration” that emphasizes “what is working right here, instead of on the gloomy eco-forecast,” according to event organizers.
“This new partnership is a big deal,” said Pastor Steve Harms, of Peace Lutheran Church. “The town’s leaders are coming together with religious leaders and the public and various interfaith congregants for the express purpose of meeting our urgent environmental issues head on with combined resources, ideas and energies. It has created a wonderful synergy of resolve and devotion.”
With the theme of “See Hope — Seed Change” for its debut year, the event is set to feature a range of activities, entertainment, and opportunities for learning and reflection aimed at fostering a spiritual connection with the environment and outlook on sustainable practices.
In addition to partnering with other faith groups as part of Interfaith of the San Ramon Valley, Peace Lutheran Church is set to host the festival this weekend.
Other prominent community partners include the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Save Mount Diablo, the Crayon Initiative and the East Bay Regional Park District, with faith partners including the San Ramon Valley Islamic Center, Danville Congregational Church, San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church and Beth Chaim Congregation.
“Through an afternoon of ritual, art, music, pop-up speakers, booths, eco-activities and ceremony, the partnering groups and participants will draw hope from one another and inspire ongoing commitment to local action,” said Rabbi Dan Goldblatt of Beth Chaim.
Interfaith of the San Ramon Valley was launched more than 20 years ago, and serves as a coalition between a range of spiritual traditions including Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, the Church of Latter-day Saints, Islam, Sikhism, Sufism and Taoism.
The InterFaith EarthFest is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday (April 23) at Peace Lutheran Church at 2301 Camino Tassajara in Danville. It is open to the public. More information is available at interfaithsrv.org.
