World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation brings together children of peace

On January 29, children of all ages will gather at Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate the diversity of Metro Detroit faith traditions at the 13th Annual World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation. 

With a mission to "teach our diverse population in Metro Detroit that the work of building a community of justice, equality, respect and peace is a calling that we all share," the World Sabbath has outgrown is original space at Christ Church Cranbrook and includes well over 100 children and youth, thanks to the leadership of chairperson and IFLC board member Gail Katz.

In 2000, the Rev. Rod Reinhart launched the interfaith event "to underscore the message that God was a God of peace, and in spite of all the differences and disagreements among religious groups, the central message of all faiths was that we are all called upon to build a world of tolerance and justice."

In 2008, Gail Katz took lead and added an emphasis on youth and children.  "Here is our future," Katz said with with her characteristic passion. "Let's involve them and hope that events like this really make an impact."

Katz' signature highlight is the Children of Peace processional, in which third through seventh graders parade through the sanctuary with colorful banners they have decorated in their own houses of worship with ideas about world peace.  The banners are then sewn into "Children of Peace Quilts" and proudly displayed at the World Sabbath services.  The beautiful processional not only gets the children involved, but also their home places of worship, their family members and friends--a true community celebration. 

The service opens with gospel gathering music, the sounding of a shofar and a Muslim call to prayer, followed by music, dances, prayers, and readings by youth or young adults of Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Aztec, Baha'i, Native American, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Quaker traditions.  Clergy recite an interfaith pledge of peace with the congregation, and a Peace Award will be presented this year for Maggid Steve Klaper and Brother Al Mascia of the Song and Spirit Institute for Peace.

Finally, the Children of Peace march through the sanctuary singing the song "We are Children of Peace."  According to witnesses, it's "a spiritual high that shouldn’t be missed."

The event has been held at a different house of worship each year since 2010, including the Church of the Holy Family in Novi and the Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.  All are welcome to his year’s event from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 586 Owen, Detroit.

For more information please contact event chairperson Gail Katz at gailkatz@comcast.net or visit worldsabbath.org.