Shasta Interfaith

01/01/2026

Ramadan 2026 is Feb 17, 2026 to March 19, 2026.

Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people & children, are exempt from fasting.

When does Ramadan take place?

Length & Purpose of Fasting

Muslims fast from pre-dawn to sunset, a fast of between 11-16 hours depending on the time of year for a period of 29-30 days. Ramadan entails forgoing food and drink, and if married, abstaining from s*x during sunlit hours. For Muslims, Ramadan is a time to train themselves both physically and spiritually by avoiding any negative acts such as gossiping, backbiting, lying, or arguing. Muslims welcome Ramadan as an opportunity for self-reflection and spiritual improvement, and as a means to grow in moral excellence. Ramadan is also a highly social time as Muslims invite each other to breakfast together and meet for prayers at the mosque.

The ultimate goal of fasting is gaining greater God-consciousness, known in Arabic as taqwa, signifying a state of constant awareness of God. From this awareness, a person should gain discipline, self-restraint, and a greater incentive to do good and avoid wrong. In commemoration of the revelation the Qur’an, which began in the month of Ramadan, Muslims attempt to read the entire book during Ramadan. The entire Qur’an is also recited during special nightly prayers.

For more info: ing.org

12/31/2025

12/21/2025

Christmas, celebrated annually on December 25, is a sacred religious holiday as well as a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For roughly two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Christmas Day—which falls on Thursday, December 25, 2025—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

Source: History.com

12/21/2025

"Holiday Music”
Christmas * Hanukkah * Kwanza

Special Guest for Hanukkah
Geri Copitch
Temple Beth Israel

Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 8 AM
Sat, Dec 27, 2025 at 11 AM

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12/21/2025

The Interfaith Solstice & Holiday Candle Lighting Service presented by Lynn E Fritz on Th, Dec 18, 2025 was held in the beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright building in Redding, CA, hosted by Pilgrim Church and attended by 88 people. Fr Aidan Rotani, All Saints Episcopal Church, Rev Megan Owens, Pilgrim Church, Geri Copitch, Temple Beth Israel, Rev Helen Cummings, Redding Zen Buddhist Priory were guest presenters. Joey Carroll played Native American flute and pianist, Zonia Warchala, play throughout the evening.

The event included reflections on the Buddhist Bodi Day, Judaism’s Hanukkah, Christanity’s Christmas, African American Kwanzaa, and Winter Solstice and included a fire ritual.

Shasta Interfaith and Shasta County Citizens Advocating Respect co- sponsored the event.

Photos provided by Jill Matthews.

12/20/2025

Honoring Kwanzaa! Local event listed below in flyer…

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration from December 26 to January 1, focused on the Nguzo Saba, or seven principles of African heritage, which are discussed daily:
Umoja (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)

12/14/2025

You are invited to join in this sacred celebration…

12/14/2025

Honoring Bodi Day… 🙏🏽

12/14/2025

HANUKKAH 2025: The first night of Hanukkah falls on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight nights, usually in November or December. This year, it begins at sundown on Sunday, December 14, 2025 and ends with nightfall on Monday, December 22, 2025.

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev, a month in the Hebrew calendar that usually falls within November or December. Also known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication, the holiday celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean revolt against the Syrian-Greek army. The holiday takes place for eight nights and days, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple.

What is the history behind Hanukkah?

Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean Revolt against the Syrian-Greek army. According to biblical text, Mattathias the Hasmonean started the revolt by refusing to worship the Greek gods. Hanukkah, in particular, celebrates Judah Maccabee's victory over the Seleucids. Rabbinic tradition states the victorious Maccabees could only find an amount of oil to keep the commemorative menorah lit for one night. However, the Menorah miraculously stayed lit for eight nights.

How does one light a Menorah?

The most common tradition of Hanukkah is the lighting of a commemorative menorah, also known as a Hanukkiah. Many families of the Jewish faith will commonly have these in their homes, while Jewish organizations and communities as a whole may have larger menorahs displayed in public organizations. Menorahs are lit with a primary candle first, and that candle is used to light an additional candle for each night. So for the first night, the primary candle and an additional candle are lit, the second night two additional candles are lit, and so on throughout the eighth night. Candles are added to the menorah from right to left but lit each night from starting with the left-most candle.

As the candles are lit, Judaic blessings are often chanted before and during the process.

What are other traditions/rituals of Hanukkah?

Aside from lighting the menorah, other Hanukkah celebrations have become popular in recent years. Many families will give out presents during Hanukkah, usually with one given each night of the holiday. A game of dreidel, a spinning top inscribed with Hebrew letters, is a common way to celebrate the holiday. Additionally, followers may cook traditional Hanukkah dishes like potato latkes or Sufganiyot, a donut filled with strawberry jelly. Chocolate gelt coins are also given out during the holiday.

Shared from 2025 KGO-TV.

12/06/2025

The greatest master alive with tremendous vast vision, HH the Dalai Lama, teaches, “we are but visitors on this planet. We are here for ninety or one hundred years at the most. During that period, we must try to do something good, something useful with our lives. If you contribute to other peoples’ happiness, you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.” Time flies by and we get older and older. Pretty soon we will die, all of us. We do not know when, but it is sure we will die. Who hasn’t died from the 19th or very early 20th century? Our habits and daily “routines” waste so much time. Please set your motivation when you awake from sleep to help others, to serve others, to respect others, to love others. During the day refresh this motivation. Not only refresh your motivation but also put it into action. Even so-called ‘little things’ that bring a smile on another’s face, or whatever can benefit others, just do it! The more you help others, the more you’ll want to help others. This brings riches that money cannot buy. Emaho!
Health

12/05/2025

Thanksgiving Interfaith Service is a diverse cultural experience that was presented by Shasta Interfaith on Sun, Nov 23, 2025, hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Redding, CA.

Special thanks to Jill Matthews for the artistry in photography!

For more info, go to Shasta Interfaith

12/02/2025

A World AIDS Day Service took place on Monday, December 1, 2025, in Redding, CA, presented by NorCal Outreach and co-sponsored by Shasta Interfaith, Shasta Community Health Center, and the 360 Band. All Saints Episcopal Church hosted the event, with Father Aidan Rontani officiating. The event was to honor and recognize those who have passed from AIDS, their families, and those affected by AIDS.

Guest speakers included Fr Aidan Rontani, All Saints Episcopal Church, Clayton Seabourn, community member, and Leroy Perkins, representing Redding Zen Buddhist Priory. A memorial tree offered guests the opportunity to honor a loved one by placing their name as an angel ornament on the Honoring Tree.