Saturday September 23, 2006 Greetings Brethren, I pray that this letter finds you well. I am tired but have had a blessing in speaking to Elders from various congregations to seek guidance and advice on this new moon. Was it possible to see this new moon in the United States? There is no doubt, brother Rich Lobert from Phoenix, Arizona was able to see the new moon with binoculars through haze. I trust his eyes because he is extremely dedicated to serving Yahweh and looks for the new moon probably more faithfully than anyone I know. That sighting does not meet the requirements that my congregation follows for the new moon being seen with the naked eye. The brethren in McComb, Mississippi also saw the new moon. Having not met them personally and this being their first report of the new moon I quizzed one of the brothers. They are confident that the new moon was visible explaining that the clouds parted long enough to see a thin crescent for a few minutes without binoculars. Many of us have seen the moon in similar conditions. The conditions according to both Moon Calc 6.0 and a satellite weather map showed that it was possible to verify their report. I even had a third party, Yahweh's Assembly in Messiah, verify this sighting and the same information was revealed. I am extremely thankful that they provided the report and pray that my congregation not following their report does not hinder their faith and that they persist. More new moon reports from the congregation in McComb, Mississippi and a personal visit would build my congregation's confidence. One additional report came in from a Sister's son, Joey Wagner, in Marina del Ray, California who saw the new moon from the beach. Joey Wagner is not a common new moon reporter either. Elder Lionel and Sandra Gets report seeing the new moon in Johannesburg, South Africa. I respect Elder Gets and know his reports to be trustworth. My congregation does not observe a feast based on a new moon outside the continental US. I had prayed that it might be as clear here in the US as in South Africa but that was not the result. The common ground among all the congregations is that the controversy should be overshadowed by the desire of brethren to serve Yahweh. Some congregations have made a commitment to keep Yom Teruah today and others tomorrow. Trust me, my heart's desire is to observe Yahweh's ordained feast just as you have selected. Yom Teruah is to be an alarm, a sound that wakes Israel from the slumber. The last two Yom Teruah observances have definitely been an awakening. I pray that as we enter the Days of Awe, we look toward Yahshua sounding that last trump seeking guidance from the Elders of Yahweh and His inspired Scripture to prepare for that day. Every time a new moon sighting is this close, I pray that the choice is Yahweh guided but the burden for making such a choice for my family is never easy. As I am sure you wrestle with Elohim on these issues (Israel) too, I pray that you find the Yahweh inspired guidance. I pray that this extra information has been a blessing. If you wish to ask questions about this feel free to call me or email. Based on my congregations rules we will be keeping Yom Teruah at sunset tomorrow through the 25th of September. Thank you to all the brethren for your new moon reports. Turn your speakers up to a medium volume and follow this link Sound of Teruah. Moedim of EthanimFeast of Trumpets
Yom Teruah - Ethanim 1 - September 25 Atonement
Yom Kippur - Ethanim 10 - October 4 Feast of Tabernacles
Sukkoth - Ethanim 15-21 - October 9-15 Last Great Day
Atsarah - Ethanim 22 - October 16 Yahweh bless, James A. Meyer McComb, MississippiThe moon was seen in the western skies just after sunset. It was a wonderful experience for these three members of the McComb area congregation. Have a blessed Feast./ Shalom Marina del Rey, CaliforniaWas on phone with son while he was on the beach and saw a very thin crescent. Johannesburg, South AfricaNew Moon Sighted by the Gets family this evening 6:35 in clear skies over Johannesburg South Africa.
Have a blessed Sabbath and a wonderful Feast.
Elder Lionel & Sandra Danville, VirginiaBrother Jim,
It was a beautiful Saturday evening as we scanned the skies for the new moon but the skies were cloudy causing us to not see it but enjoyed watching. It is a nice family event.
Hope it has been sighted elsewhere,
Berry Rose Ft. Wayne, IndianaToo cloudy in Fort Wayne, couldn't see if there was or was not a moon. Shalom Rocheport, MissouriMany gathered in Rocheport to look for the new moon. Semi-clear skies, but no one saw it. Dwayne Wilson Roseau, DominicaEight(8) of us set out to a mountain in the capitol called Morne Bruce to look out for the seventh(7th) new moon this Saturday evening 23rd September 2006 and, to no avail. Cloudy sky hindered us from seeing whether or not that the new moon did become visible this evening. Augustus Paul Northern IllinoisToo cloudy in Northern Illinois...no sighting. Branson, MissouriDear Bro. Jim, Larry and I looked for the new moon here in the Branson, Mo. area. The skies were clear, but the new moon wasn't seen. Sand Springs, OklahomaNo New Moon visible here. It was clear enough, but just couldn't see it. Arkie Victoria, British ColumbiaMaybe we tried too late (about 20-30 minutes after sunset), but with clear view from a mountain top, no clouds, no buildings, and no trees there was also no moon. Nixa, MissouriIt was a perfect night to see the new moon- not a cloud in the sky, but we did not see it here in Nixa, MO. McDonald, TennesseeShalom Brethren, Mostly cloudy, I was at the top of the one of the highest points in the Cleveland, TN. but, to no avail. 1% of the new moon was to be illuminated and sunset was at 7.35p(19:35) and moonset was to be at 8.04p(20:04). I was there the entire time but, didn't see it. Will be anxiously waiting for it tomorrow night. Miguel Cisco, TexasHi Jim, We looked and looked at the Texas skies and did not see the new moon. Hope to have a better report tomorrow night. Holts Summit, MissouriHey Jim, the YRM Assembly gathered in various locations here in Holts Summit, with semi-clear conditions but no one located the moon. Yahweh bless, Ryan Vinemont, AlabamaAt the Sons of Zion meeting on 9/23/2006 we stayed to observe the new moon. None of us saw it. However Kay was taking pictures and she captured the moon on two of them. There was no crescent at all seen on the moon in these pictures. So no new moon sighted in Cullman Alabama. Fulton, MissouriHi Jim & Laura, It was partly cloudy here, but we could not see the New Moon. We will keep watching your New Moon Report for further confirmation of sightings. Yahweh Bless, Denny & Donna Bitterman | 
