January observances: Heschel, King, Obama.
A 'miraculous' combination of dates?

Washington, January 8, 2009 -- A rare juxtaposition of dates this month has drawn the attention of religious leaders, including Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the Shalom Center.

"In mid-January, several sacred times will flow together in a way that invites us to draw on the movements for freedom, justice, and peace of forty years ago,  to reshape America's future as a new President  and Congress take office in the midst of war, economic crisis, and ecological danger," says Waskow.

The special dates are the yohrzeit (death-anniversary in the Jewish calendar) ) of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the great Jewish theologians and activists of the twentieth century on January  14;  the birthday of  the Rev. Dr. martin Luther king, Jr., on January 15, celebrated this year on January 19; and the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama on January 20. 

"The obvious miracle here is that our first African American president will take office the day after our country honors the iconic American figure of black freedom," says Waskow. "But there is a less obvious, even more far-reaching miracle: In the vision of the Beloved Community – so stultified in the last years of American history --  ending racism is a part but not the whole hope that Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel worked for.   That hope of the Beloved Community could be called to thoughtful mind and active hand once again in the days just before the Inauguration." 

One year before his assassination, Dr. King stood beside Rabbi Heschel in Riverside Church in New York on April 4, 1967, and delivered what many believe was his greatest speech, Waskow notes. "It's a speech often ignored by many of the media precisely because it goes deep into the issues facing America. He named racism, militarism, and materialism as the 'triplets' haunting and endangering our country. He looked toward America's moving past these dangers toward joining  the 'world revolution of values' and creating 'the Beloved Community.'"

The spirit of the Beloved Community invoked by observation of Heschel's death, King's birthday and Obama's inauguration will commemorated by special observances, Waskow says.

From January 19-20, a nation-wide interfaith celebration initiated by the Shalom Center and the Tent of Abraham, Hagar and Sarah, will encourage Americans to move beyond "racism, militarism and materialism" and embrace the Beloved Community. Americans are called on to:

 Study Dr. King's transformative Riverside Church speech of April 4, 1967;  hold celebrations and public candle-light vigils and processions; share in recitation; and sign the People's Covenantal Pledge:

Finally, on January 19, the day before the Presidential Inauguration, Americans are invited to join the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership in Washington's All Souls Church, Unitarian, 1500 Harvard Street, NW, at 5:30 p.m., to celebrate: Rebirthing King, Rebirthing America. (Doors open at 5:00 p.m. IMPORTANT TO RSVP: http://olivebranchinterfaith.org/rsvp-for-rebirthing-king-in-the-nations-capitol

NCC General Secretary Michael Kinnamon will be among the leaders taking part in the gathering.

Also participating are: Vincent Harding, who was himself a close adviser to Dr. King and wrote the first draft of the Riverside Church speech, and is now director of the Veterans of Hope Project on recovering memories and visions of the civil rights movement;  Rev. Rob Hardies (All Souls Church); Rev. Bill Sinkford, (Unitarian Universalist Association); Mark Johnson (Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership/Fellowship of Reconciliation); Rabbi David Shneyer (Am Kolel, Ohalah); and Deb Kolodny (ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal).

Also, Dr. Sayyid Syeed (Islamic Society  of North America); Ms. Sammie Moshenberg (National Council of Jewish Women); Ms Musham Patricia Akido Nash (Buddhist community); Rev. Osagyefo Sekou( FOR); Monsignor Ray East (Catholic Archdiocese of Black Catholics); Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins (General Minister and President, Christian Church, Disciples of Christ); Celeste Zappala (Military Families Speak Out); Rev. Lennox Yearwood (Hip-Hop Caucus);  Nihad Awad, (Council on American-Islamic Relations); and Mubarak Awad (Nonviolence International).

Also, Rabia Harris (Muslim Peace Fellowship); Johnny Barber, (Buddhist Community); Jim Wallis (Sojourners, invited); Marie Dennis ((Maryknoll and Pax Christi); Rabbi Michael Lerner (Network of Spiritual Progressives); Rabbi Arthur Waskow (Shalom Center); Rev. Bob Edgar (Common Cause); Rev. Rita Nakashima Brock (Faith Voices); Rev. Joan Brown Campbell (Chautauqua Institute); Rev. Jim Forbes (Healing of the Nations);  and the Festival Choir of All Souls Church.
 
As people arrive between 4:45 and 5:30, each will be given a candle, invited to stand in silent vigil in front of All Souls Church and then enter the sanctuary with drums and song.
 
The Service will end with communal recitation and signing of THE PEOPLE'S COVENANTAL PLEDGE drawn from King's Riverside Church speech, led by Vincent Harding.  People will leave the church (to music and song) and begin candle-light vigil outside.
 
They will return to the church to share food and conversation;  related organizations will have literature tables.
 
The Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership includes:  American Muslim Voice, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, Faith Voices for the Common Good, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Jewish Voice for Peace, Muslim Peace Fellowship, Pax Christi, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, The Shalom Center, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Methodist Church General Board of Church & Society, and others.

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228, NCCnews@ncccusa.org