BY KAREN BOSSICK

“Sabbath,” the documentary, will have an encore screening on Sunday, Jan. 14.

The free screening will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hailey Town Center West. Those who like may participate in a small group discussion immediately after seeing the film.

Those who wish to see the film should call or text Marlys Hall at 208-721-1157.

“People who heard about the November screening of the film at Community Library but were unable to attended wanted another chance in the daytime and on the weekend,” said Juli Miller, a member of the Sun Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church and Wood River Interfaith Council. “Some wanted to see it in Hailey. And others just wanted to see it again.”

The film looks at the history of setting aside a day for the Sabbath, the Sunday blue laws that once were common across the United States and the idea by some that setting aside days of reflection like the Sabbath once provided is what’s missing in a world in need of connection, rest, fellowship and peace.

It looks at some of the unique ways congregants approach the Sabbath, including one in which they get their hands in the dirt to help the less fortunate.

The film played to a full house two weeks ago at Ketchum’s Community Library. Sponsored by the Wood River Interfaith Council, it drew viewers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Light on the Mountains Spiritual Center, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, the Wood River Jewish Community, Sun Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church and others.

Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier said it was always his hope that the film might spark new collaborations among faith traditions who would recognize the social justice dimension in the “Sabbath” story and make it their own.

“With the Wood River Interfaith Council, you have done exactly that in ways that inspire all of us,” he said. “Yours is a unique coalition in a small mountain community with a vision that speaks in a universal language.”

Viewing the “Sabbath” film might be inspiration for those seeking to achieve meaningful goals in 2024, said the Rev. John Moreland, spiritual director for Light on the Mountains Center for Spiritual Living.

"The book of Genesis tells us that after six days of bringing creation into existence, God rested on the seventh,” added Rector Jonah Kendall of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. “This simple act not only gave God a break, but a pattern for us to follow.   There is a rhythm to life and faith that includes both action and stillness. To be quiet and rest is to give ourselves the space and time to reclaim and realign ourselves through the basic understanding that we are not the center of all things.”

Can’t attend Sunday’s showing? You can watch the film online for free at https://www.journeyfilms.com/sabbath.