January 2000 saw the celebration of the first World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation at Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, with over 500 people of many different faiths joining together. They learnt about the reality of religious persecution in various parts of the world, including Sudan, Indonesia, Kosovo, the USA, the Middle East, and Armenia.

The organiser, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Rodney Reinhart, is planning to hold another World Sabbath on 27 January 2001.

"One of our goals is to create a method whereby religious leaders can publicly and safely speak out agianst the contention that religious wars are caused by religious differences," said the Revd Rodney Reinhart. "We want to help religious leaders talk about the political, economic, tribal and international causes which underlie religious wars."

In preparation for the next World Sabbath, religious leaders in many parts of the world have been asked to participate with prayers for peace and justice. It is hoped that the celebration will be truly world-wide.

"We repented for our unwilingness to confront the evils of religious hatred," said Rod of the first World Sabbath, "and we called on God to strengthen us as we committed ourselves to work for justice and peace among religious groups. We want to demonstrate that God hates wars which are blamed on God."

More information about the World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation can be found at http://www.worldsabbath.com/ where a liturgy for the celebration will be available shortly.