EAIC Is Active In Our Community
The Eden Area Interfaith Council (EAIC) is active in our local community building connections, supporting each other through difficult times, sharing our common beliefs, and educating where there is a need. Here are some of the activities that the EAIC has engaged in to help build respect and peace.
Meet Your Local Faith Communities
Have questions about what a specific faith believes, or what goes on at their place of worship? Throughout the year EAIC host a Meet Your Local Faith Community events at local libraries. Presenters volunteer their time to bring understanding to our community. Generally, the event agenda offers a panel that gives an overview of their faith's core beliefs, insights into form of worship they practice, and answer questions from our attendees. For 2020 we'll be offering Meet Your Muslim Neighbors and Meet Your Sikh Neighbors.
We post the dates of these events on our EAIC calendar, on our Facebook page and in the Castro Valley Forum .
To watch a video of the March 5, 2017 Meet A Muslim event click here.
< Meet Your Jewish Neighbors, 2019
Have questions about what a specific faith believes, or what goes on at their place of worship? Throughout the year EAIC host a Meet Your Local Faith Community events at local libraries. Presenters volunteer their time to bring understanding to our community. Generally, the event agenda offers a panel that gives an overview of their faith's core beliefs, insights into form of worship they practice, and answer questions from our attendees. For 2020 we'll be offering Meet Your Muslim Neighbors and Meet Your Sikh Neighbors.
We post the dates of these events on our EAIC calendar, on our Facebook page and in the Castro Valley Forum .
To watch a video of the March 5, 2017 Meet A Muslim event click here.
< Meet Your Jewish Neighbors, 2019
Worshiping Together Entering a different place of worship and engaging in conversations about faith and community have broaden the understand of all who participated. Each of the faith community members of the EAIC has opened their places of worship for all to attend a service or a special religious holiday. Our monthly Representative Meetings are also held at different faith centers. |
<In April of 2019 Holy Cross Episcopal Church was invited to Gurdwara Sahib's celebration of Vaisakhi that included a children's program, a guided heart meditation, and a shared meal. Vaisakhi is a Sikh holiday that marks the establishment of the Khalsa (a religious community of Sikhs) by Guru Gobind Singh. |
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Responding To The Covid-19 Crisis
At the beginning of the Covid crisis, when it became apparent that frontline healthcare workers were endanger, the EAIC gathered together over 90volunteers throughout the Eden Area to sew face masks, surgical caps, and construct face shields. This project grew to include essential workers, the homeless, and others unable to procure protection. The East Bay Community Energy group award the council a $5,000 grant to support our efforts. |
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Bell Ringing Commemoration of
the 75th Anniversary of Atomic Bombs
On the observance of the 75th Anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, we joined with religious institutions all over the world who listened and reflected at the anniversary of the exact moments when hundreds of thousands of people died. To watch the ceremony held at Eden United In Christ Church, click here to visit our Facebook video.
the 75th Anniversary of Atomic Bombs
On the observance of the 75th Anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, we joined with religious institutions all over the world who listened and reflected at the anniversary of the exact moments when hundreds of thousands of people died. To watch the ceremony held at Eden United In Christ Church, click here to visit our Facebook video.
International Peace Day
In conjunction with the East Bay Regional Park District, the EAIC held their International Peace Day celebration at Lake Chabot.
Let There Be Peace On Earth - A Peace Service at Starr King Unitarian-Universalist Church in Hayward viewed on YouTube.
In conjunction with the East Bay Regional Park District, the EAIC held their International Peace Day celebration at Lake Chabot.
Let There Be Peace On Earth - A Peace Service at Starr King Unitarian-Universalist Church in Hayward viewed on YouTube.
Light Up The Season
Working with The City of Hayward to make their winter celebration more inclusive of its diverse community, the EAIC participates each year supplying treats, crafts, and holiday books from different faiths. Books On B |
Singers from the Tri-Valley Cultural Jewish community lead everyone in a sing-along of Jewish music.> |
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EAIC crew, that served at the Hayward's Light Up The Season event, standing in front of children, holiday books from the faiths that are members of our council.
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Prayers For The Earth at the Sun Gallery
The abundances of the Earth is threaten by global warming. Stewardship of the earth is a common thread throughout all faiths. The work that must be done to ensure our planets survival was explored at the Sun Gallery in Hayward during the gallery's annual environmental art show. Fifteen faith presenters offered music, prayers, and insights into their faith's belief about our relationship to our shared Earthly home. Attendees conversed about their faiths, the health of the earth, and the beautiful and thought provoking artwork on display.
< Children from Gurdwara Sahib of Hayward performed.
The abundances of the Earth is threaten by global warming. Stewardship of the earth is a common thread throughout all faiths. The work that must be done to ensure our planets survival was explored at the Sun Gallery in Hayward during the gallery's annual environmental art show. Fifteen faith presenters offered music, prayers, and insights into their faith's belief about our relationship to our shared Earthly home. Attendees conversed about their faiths, the health of the earth, and the beautiful and thought provoking artwork on display.
< Children from Gurdwara Sahib of Hayward performed.
Congregants from Shir Ami of Castro Valley shared a prayer. |
< Rev. Dr. Maria Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa lead attendees in a Native American blessing of the Earth. |
Library Displays
To help our community learn about the commonalities and differences between the faiths of the EAIC, we offer an annual display at the Castro Valley Library. The display is installed for the month of December and is organized around a theme.
The display shown here was designed around the theme Adornment. Each faith displayed an item of body wear, such as clothing or jewelry, along with a description of its significance to the faith. Prayers of peace were also offered from each faith.
To help our community learn about the commonalities and differences between the faiths of the EAIC, we offer an annual display at the Castro Valley Library. The display is installed for the month of December and is organized around a theme.
The display shown here was designed around the theme Adornment. Each faith displayed an item of body wear, such as clothing or jewelry, along with a description of its significance to the faith. Prayers of peace were also offered from each faith.
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Rallies and Vigils
When one of our faiths becomes a target of hate or violence, the EAIC steps up to support where it can. Members have stood together on the corner of Redwood Road and Castro Valley Boulevard to remind our neighbors that hate has no place in our world. We organize and attend vigils held for lives lost to hate. 
Annually the South Hayward Parish organized a Martin Luther King Jr. rally at the City Of Hayward City Hall. Watch a video of this event by clicking here. > |
< To hear Rev. Arlene Nehring of Eden United Church of Christ speak at a Rainbow Pride Rally click here. |
Accompaniment Training for Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth
Accompaniment Training for UIY session was held at Eden United Church of Christ. Participants learned about the complex process of helping unaccompanied immigrant youth gain legal status in our country. Congressman Eric Swalwell spoke about his work to change the immigration process and resources offered at his office. We have approximately3,000 youth in Alameda county that need a variety of assistance. If you would like to know about how to help unaccompanied immigrant youth in our community go to https://www.edenucc.com/accompaniment on the Eden United website.
Accompaniment Training for UIY session was held at Eden United Church of Christ. Participants learned about the complex process of helping unaccompanied immigrant youth gain legal status in our country. Congressman Eric Swalwell spoke about his work to change the immigration process and resources offered at his office. We have approximately3,000 youth in Alameda county that need a variety of assistance. If you would like to know about how to help unaccompanied immigrant youth in our community go to https://www.edenucc.com/accompaniment on the Eden United website.
