God’s October Surprise

God’s October Surprise

During October 2005, a confluence of sacred moments in many different traditions (including Ramadan and Yom Kippur) invites us to pray with or alongside each other and to work together for peace, justice, human rights, and the healing of our wounded earth. There is much that we could do during these sacred times to heal the world.

During October 2005, a confluence of sacred moments in many different traditions (including Ramadan and Yom Kippur) invites us to pray with or alongside each other and to work together for peace, justice, human rights, and the healing of our wounded earth. There is much that we could do during these sacred times to heal the world.

As the crowning moment of our prayer and meditation, our learning, our listening to each other, and our action—from sunrise to sunset on the day that for Muslims is one of the fast days of Ramadan and for Jews is the fast day of Yom Kippur—on October 13—we call for all Americans to observe a Nationwide Fast for Reflection, Repentance, and Renewal. We encourage those who join in this fast to take visible steps in the world to “End the War, Feed the Poor.”

Missionaries Ana and Tod Gobledale, with Global Ministries’ partner, the Churches of Christ Theological Collage (CCTC) in Mulgrave, Australia will be finding ways to celebrate “God’s October Surprise” within their community, and to use October as a time to call students and faculty to work for peace. We will highlight the Building Bridges program here in Melbourne, directed by Dr. Tim McCowan, which unites teenagers (through their religious-affiliated schools) of Jewish, Muslim and Christian heritages. And the inter-faith work of Merryl Blair, Professor of the Hebrew Bible, and Merrill Kitchen, Principal and Professor of New Testament.

Information about God’s October Surprise is at the Fellowship of Reconciliation web site:
forusa.org/fellowship/may-june_05/waskow.html

The web site to register to network is at:
demaction.org/dia/organizations/tsc/signUp.jsp?key=392&t=SecondTent.dwt