Fast for Peace--October 8

This is from my local conference's website--endorsed by our bishop--it's about time!

Invitation to an Interfaith Fast to End the War in Iraq - from Dawn to Dusk on October 8

From leaders¹ of religious communities across the United States comes a call on all Americans to join in fasting from dawn to dusk on Monday, October 8, to call for an end to the Iraq War. On this day, known as Columbus Day, people of faith in local communities across our nation will act as catalysts to transform the meaning of the day from one of conquest to community and from violence to reverence.

Each one of us and our families are invited to share in the fast during the day in ways appropriate to our own situation. United Methodists are also encouraged to gather with others in their churches, and/or also with members of other religious communities on the evening of October 7 or after dusk on October 8 for common meals.

We must end the shattering of Iraqi and American lives by offering American generosity and support - but not control - for international and non-governmental efforts to assist Iraqis in making peace and rebuilding their country, while swiftly and safely bringing home all American troops. We likewise call on persons of faith in all other nations to do their part in reducing violence and hatred.

Just as Isaiah called the People Israel to hear the Yom Kippur fast as God's call to feed the hungry, just as Jesus fasted in the wilderness, just as Christians through Lenten fasting and Muslims through Ramadan fasting have focused on spiritual transformation, just as Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and others drew on fasting to change the course of history, so we call on all our communities of faith to draw now on fasting as a path toward inner spiritual transformation and outward social transformation.

Ending this war can become the first step toward a policy that embodies a deeper, broader sense of generosity and community at home and in the world.

Because he believed fasting was a means of grace, John Wesley fasted at least one day a week and encouraged his followers to fast as well. For Wesley, accountable discipleship is about obedience to the teachings of Jesus summarized in Mark 12:30-31, "... you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

1 Among those signing on to the call: Rev. Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society, United Methodist Church; Rev. Robert Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches USA; Rabbi Arthur Waskow, The Shalom Center ; Rabbi Howard A. Cohen, American Hebrew Academy; Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, National Director, Islamic Society of North America; Nihad Awad, Executive Director, Council on American Islamic Relations; Pax Christi USA: National Catholic Peace Movement, et al.