From Sikhs to Baptists, 400 religious leaders and followers gathered at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on January 26 to celebrate the third annual World Sabbath celebration. The special service was initiated by two Episcopal priests from the Diocese, the Revd Rod Reinhart and the Revd Ed Mullins, three years ago.

"The mission of the World Sabbath is to call people of all faiths together to pray for an end to religious hatred, persecution, terrorism, war, and to commit themselves to work for justice, equality and peace among all religions, races, nations and tribes of the world," explained Fr Reinhart.

"We were called together first because of a profound concern for Africa, Asia and the third world. Countries like Sudan, Bosnia and suchlike. This year we are calling people together to pray because we understand what it is to be victimised by religious hatred and war." In light of the September 11 attacks he said, "We now know much more intimately what it is to be victimised by religious hatred."

Article from: The Living Church, 24 February 2002