At just the moment of history when religious conflicts have reemerged bearing lethal dangers for each other and our planet, God has given our spiritual and religious traditions a gift of time:

During October 2005, a rare confluence of sacred moments in many different traditions invites us to eat together, walk together, learn together, pray alongside each other, listen to each other, and work together for peace, justice, human rights, and the healing of our wounded earth.

The sacred Muslim lunar month of Ramadan and the sacred Jewish lunar month of Tishrei (which includes the High Holy Days) both begin October 3-4; October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi; and October 2 is World-wide (Protestant/Orthodox) Communion Sunday. (For other sacred times that appear in October, see note 1 below.) The confluence of these four sacred seasons will recur in 2006 and 2007.

We could do much during these sacred times to heal our nation and the world. As one unifying moment of our prayer and effort --

We call on all communities of faith and ethics to observe a Nationwide Fast for Reflection, Repentance, Reconciliation, and Renewal, from sunrise to sunset on October 13. That day is for Muslims one of the fast days of Ramadan, and for Jews is the fast day of Yom Kippur.

Just as Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah welcomed into their tent thirsty travelers from all four directions, we welcome to this Fast not only those of the three Abrahamic traditions but all who thirst for a world made whole. We encourage those who join in this Fast to dedicate their prayers and their intention to serve the God Who calls us to seek peace, feed the poor, heal the earth, and then later to take visible steps in the world to heed God's call.

Besides taking part in the October 13 Nationwide Fast, there are a number of ways to share these sacred moments. Engaged as we are in war, violence, and repression with strong religious overtones, we, communities of the faithful, could instead take some action together during the Ramadan/ Tishrei month to change public policy in favor of protecting human rights, healing the earth, and achieving peace in the regions where Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah sojourned.

We urge those of all our traditions to begin NOW, in our own cities and neighborhoods as well as nationally and internationally, to plan with each other how to use God's October Surprise of these sacred dates to heed the call of the Holy One that we live in peace together.

As we walk our path into this three-year journey of sharing sacred seasons, let us make the deep connections that will keep us together long after our sacred calendars dance in other directions.

For more information: http://www.tentofabraham.org/