In just about 48 hours I'll be leaving for Denver where I'll join thousands of delegates and supporters of Barack Obama and Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention.  The Obama campaign has made an unprecedented effort to reach out to voters for whom faith is a central part of their lives.  I've been proud to be aligned with that effort as a member of People of Faith for Barack.  The convention itself will be an extension of those efforts. 

"Senator Obama is a committed Christian, and he believes that people of all faiths have an important place in American life,” said Joshua Dubois, Obama For America Director of Religious Affairs. “He's proud to work with the Democratic National Convention Committee on a Convention that fully engages people of faith in dialogue, celebration and prayer. We are honored that so many religious leaders are reaching across partisan and ideological lines in this Convention to address the values that matter to Americans."

“Democrats have been, are and will continue to be people of faith – and this Convention will demonstrate that in an unprecedented way,” said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. “As Convention CEO and a pastor myself, I am incredibly proud that so many esteemed leaders from the faith community will be with us to celebrate this historic occasion and honor the diverse faith traditions inside the Democratic Party.”

There will be an Interfaith Gathering on Sunday, August 24th (which I'll have to miss).  It will be held at 2 pm at the Wells Fargo Theatre and will feature Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist leaders.

For the first time the DNC will host Faith Caucus meetings.  Here's a rundown:

Tuesday, August 25th

• 12 Noon - Common Ground on Common Good with Rev. Jim Wallis and others
• 1 PM  - How an Obama Administration Will Engage People of Faith with Rabbi David Saperstein, Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., and others

Thursday, August 28th

• 12 Noon - Moral Issues Abroad with Sr. Simone Campbell, Dr. Preeta Bansal and others
• 1 PM - Getting Out The Faith Vote with Joshua DuBois, Rev. Welton Gaddy and others

Faith in Public Life will also be sponsoring some important gatherings:

On Monday the 25th Faith In Public Life, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good and Beliefnet are cosponsoring "The Shifting Faith Vote: What It Means for this Election," a panel discussion at The Big Tent assessing how the changing values debate among religious voters will impact the general electorate, the campaigns and the media. Time's Amy Sullivan will moderate, and FPL Director of Organizing Strategy Rev. Ron Stief, Alexia Kelley, Zack Exley, Steve Waldman, and Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith will share their experience and expertise on the topic.

On Wednesday afternoon, Ron will moderate a Starz Green Room Panel – "New Faith Voters: What it Means for this Election and the Country," with Rev. Jim Wallis, Celinda Lake and Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, discussing the electoral implications of religious voters' independence and broadening agenda.

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is sponsoring "a reception with inspirational music to honor religious leaders and activists who safeguard and promote reproductive health and reproductive justice."  That event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27th from 1:30-4:30 pm.  Click here for more.

A "Unity Breakfast" is scheduled for Thursday, August 28th to mark the 45th anniversary of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" address on the National Mall.  Martin Luther King III and others will be in attendance.

I'm looking forward to attending these events and blogging about them as they occur.