By JaNae Francis
Standard-Examiner staff
Last updatedFriday, February 4, 2011 - 4:52pm
OGDEN -- Nicki and Travis Johnson and their young daughter, Madelyn, stay home from weekend downtown activities simply because of the dates on which they are scheduled.
That's because, as Seventh-day Adventists, their Sabbath runs from sundown Friday through sundown Saturday.
"As a family, we chose to make that commitment," Nicki said, noting that she doesn't look upon their decision as a sacrifice.
"It's not that you are missing out," she said. "You get to enjoy rich activities."
Johnson said her daughter has special toys she may play with only during that special time, and there are other events of the day, such as songs and a particular ceremonial toast, to which her family looks forward all week long.
"I would never want to make our kids feel like they are missing out," she said.
Starting Sunday, the public is invited to learn about various faith traditions by participating in activities scheduled throughout the week.
Ogden's Interfaith Week, "Many Faiths -- One Family: Increasing Harmony and Understanding in Our Communities," will be sponsored by Ogden's Interfaith Works, Weber County libraries and Weber State University's Center for Diversity and Unity.
Activities include a 5 p.m. Sunday Interfaith Musical Tribute featuring a number of local choirs and other local talent in the Shepherd Union Ballroom at Weber State University.
At 7 p.m. Monday is the film "Eve and the Fire Horse" in the Black Box Theater at the Pleasant Valley branch of the Weber County Library, 5568 S. 500 East, in Washington Terrace.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday is the film "Ocean of Pearls," also in the Black Box Theater at the Pleasant Valley branch library.
At 7 p.m. Wednesday is a book discussion about "The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew -- Three Women Searching for Understanding" at the auditorium in the Main Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave., in Ogden.
At 1 p.m. Feb. 12 is a "faiths around the world" event allowing children to experience the many faith expressions. The event will feature stories, crafts and refreshments, and is representative of religious service for those who observe the Saturday Sabbath.
Pastor Jeff Wait, of Ogden's Seventh-day Adventist Church, said a number of scriptural references support his church's stand on Saturday worship and Sabbath observance.
Quoting the King James Bible, he cited Genesis 2:1-3.
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
"And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."
"God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it," Wait said. "It's a day appointed for rest. First he rested, then blessed it, then sanctified it."
Wait explained that sanctified means the day was set aside for holy use.
"Any activities that do not promote a relationship with Jesus, we put off for another day."
Wait said people on both sides of the Saturday Sabbath discussion use Romans 14:5-6 to make their point.
He said people use verse 5 as an argument against worshipping on Saturday, but he believes verse 6 is probably the strongest argument for it.
Those verses, in part, read: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
"He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it."
Members of the Johnson family admit that living in Utah for the past three years has created a trial for their faith tradition, but they said such trials have strengthened their convictions.
"It's been more difficult here because so much happens on Saturday, and everywhere else it happens on Saturday and Sunday," Nicki Johnson said.
Debbie Geller, of Logan, is a Jewish member of Congregation Brith Sholem in Ogden and is the mother of three children, ages 9, 12 and 14.
She agrees that staying faithful can be difficult for her family, especially in Utah.
"It's very hard," she said. "Sometimes if there is something we have committed to, the kids can't participate that day."
But Geller also believes there is something very nice about what the local community offers members of her faith, too.
"Living in a smaller community, it makes you stronger in your faith," she said.
Geller said she appreciates the way Interfaith Week organizers have highlighted her faith, too.
Last year, organizers scheduled a public Shabbat ceremony welcoming in the Sabbath on a Friday night.
"It was all really nice to all be together," she said. "I'm big on teaching my children that there are other religions out there.
"We can all learn about each other, especially living in Utah. I think it's very important."
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