World Sabbath

On January 22, 2000 we will be celebrating a World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation - an interfaith holy day - at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The event has two goals: to create the first holy day to be shared by all religions of the world, and to teach religious leaders how to publicly oppose hate campaigns and religious wars. I think this event is one of the true hopes for the church and all religious institutions as we enter the new century. There will be thousands of peace events around the world over the New Years week-end, but this event is meant to be a continuing and eternal day of prayer and recommitment for peace, justice and an end to religious war. After the year 2000, the World Sabbath is to be held on the fourth Saturday of January. Out of all the millennial hoop-la, this will still be around once the dust settles in a decade or so.

Besides, this is the first holy day specifically designed to be celebrated equally by all religions. In a world filled with religious persecution and war, a day of interfaith repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation is just what God, however we may experience God, calls us to celebrate.

Rod Reinhart
Farmington Hills, Michigan

[Ed.note: Reinhart's World Sabbath project has been endorsed by the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, a synagogue (Temple Israel of Ann Arbor), the Detroit Muslim Center, the United Religions Initiative, the Parliament of the World's Religions and the National Council for Community and Justice (formerly known as the National Conference of Christians and Jews). Reinhart hopes other religious groups and congregations will take up his idea and hold services or events on 22 January. He has received phone calls from Africa, Australia and Israel about the event, and pastors from four churches - in New York, Texas and California - are planning their own events for the first World Sabbath.]

Science and faith

The Working Group on Science, Technology and Faith was established at the 1997 General Convention to be an educational resource of and for the Episcopal Church. Our mission is to be an educational resource of and for our Church at all levels. We need more members, more ethnic diversity and more dioceses represented.

Become a member - if you are interested in the interactions between science and religion, technology and ethics, etc., whether or not you have training in a scientific or technical field or in theology; if you are willing to lend your expertise and experience for specific projects, as requested; if you are looking for better integration between your vocations as a Christian and as a scientist/engineer; if you want some help in organizing a parish or diocesan dialogue on science and religion.

For more information, write Claire Lofgren, n/SSM, Working Group Membership Director, Society of St. Margaret, 17 Highland Park St., Roxbury, MA 02119.

Barbara Smith-Moran, Co-chair
Working Group on Science, Technology and the Church

Spiritual growth program

On July 5, 2000, the Community of the Holy Spirit (CHS) will initiate a year-long residential spiritual growth program entitled "Deepening the Center" at its convent in Brewster, N.Y.

Under the direction of a sister, participants will form a community which will live and work alongside the monastic community, and will experience retreats, instruction in bible study, and other aspects of spirituality, spiritual direction, study and rest. Participation in community life and involvement in some aspect of the work of the monastic community are also important elements to the program. There is no charge for the program. Room and board, health insurance and a small living allowance will be provided. Enrollment is limited and highly selective. Women between 20-40 years of age, who are committed to their spiritual growth and are in good health, may apply. Those interested should write by April 25, 2000, to the Community of the Holy Spirit, Attn: The Rev. Mother Madeleine Mary, CHS, 621 West 113th St., New York, NY 10025-7916.

Pamela Mosley
New York, NY