September 11, 2005 Greetings Brethren, There have been many questions concerning this last new moon. This is a letter to respond to some of those concerns. This past new moon was difficult to see if not impossible in most areas of the US on September 4. The result was that many Sacred Name assemblies have changed their date for the new moon sighting to September 5. Since the sightings from September 4 are not inline with the premises of a new moon sighting established for more than two decades those sightings are generally not accepted. The first premise concerning the sighting of the new moon is that the new moon is visible with the naked eye. The definition of naked eye is corrected or uncorrected eyesight. A sighting with magnification only does not meet this requirement. The reason magnification only sightings are not acceptable goes back to the time before Messiah ascended to the Tabernacle in Heaven. In those days, the availability of glass magnification like what we have today was not easily accessible. In addition, the glass was not as perfect as the glass we have today. This means a distortion could be mistaken for the new moon and not be verifiable without magnification. Another premise is that the new moon has to be visible by a believer in Messiah. This follows Scripture in that we are to be a fellowship of priests. The sighting by a nonbeliever could easily be a spoof to misguide those who utilize the new moon for the calendar. Similarly, other faiths are unlikely to accept our sightings. The third premise is that the new moon has to visible within the country of worship. Another way of saying this is that if we were to go to Jerusalem, Israel to worship we would depend on the sighting from Jerusalem. This is why we depend on sightings from the US for feast celebrations in the US. Outline of Premises Visibility with the naked eye Visibility by a believer in Messiah Visibility within the country of worship
Different assemblies have different premises. The final decision is made by each congregation's leadership. I would like to share the information that Elder Wirl presented recently as the process his assembly used to make the decision on the last new moon. It is definitely valuable and Yahweh willing the sharing of information will open dialog among the many assemblies in the US and around the world. Yahweh is merciful and with His guidance, these issues will only make his congregation stronger. As I mentioned in the announcement earlier this month this new moon is often difficult to see but it demonstrates, that Yahweh is awakening his people. There was a high probability that this last new moon would be visible in the southwest according to calculations but there was haze and clouds in many parts of the southwest. The result was the unexpected change of dates. This is a difficult situation for all brethren because it changes plans. Work situations do not always present the best scenarios for a memorial that could change all the dates for the seventh month. Since this new moon was so difficult, I believe our merciful Elohim will accept both dates and most assemblies are preparing to assist brethren in keeping both dates. This hardship has helped Elders come together that had not spoken in years. I pray we build on that opportunity for the value of helping the brethren prepare for the coming kingdom of Yahweh. The day Yahshua will return is approaching and the beautiful changes he will implement. Therefore, we shall remain steadfast and endure these trials as a body of believers. Yahweh bless, James A. Meyer | 
