Newsletters

Date: January 9th 2008

Friends and Colleagues,

I hope that this correspondence finds you well, and energized as the New Year begins. I confess that it has taken me a few days to "get my head back in the game" after the holidays, though my energy has ramped up considerably in the last couple of days.

This is a longer update than most, covering several topics:

• A final invitation to participate in the Conference at Colombia Seminary called "Terror, Torture and Security: Theological Considerations for Tomorrow's Leaders from February 3 – 5.
• An update on what's going on with the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
• An invitation from PPFers Britt Johnston and Dana Larson to join them for an SOAW sponsored event on January 12th in L.A.
• A reminder that there is another Colombia Accompaniment training the end of February.
• An update on plans for the Pentecost Trip to Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

So here we go!

1. The "Terror, Torture and Security" conference is designed for primarily for Presbyterian undergraduate and seminary students and professors, as well as pastors or other leaders who are concerned about how we can raise the difficult questions around torture in our churches and on our campuses.

The conference is extremely cheap (under a hundred bucks for room and board and fees), and there are still scholarships available – especially for poor students! Drop me a note at ppfwitness@gmail.com if you need financial help.

The line-up of speakers looks great, and the schedule is designed for a lot of interaction and brainstorming among participants about how to work these issues in our congregations.

To register, go to:

http://www.peopleware.net/index.cfm?siteID=572&event=2008LL&subeventDisp=0203TORTUR

2. The Christian Peace Witness for Iraq is really taking off. There are a number of ways you can get involved:
a. We've begun "local organizer phone calls" twice a month for those who want to volunteer to organize local vigils and witnesses. There usually is a speaker on the call updating the group on timely info. based on that person's experience in the Middle East. Go to the www.christianpeacewitness.org for info about the calls (I'm hosting the next one Thursday night (yup – tomorrow) at 10 p.m. eastern time.
b. The plan for the March witness in Washington is coming together. On Friady, March 7th – at noon - there will be simultaneous worship services to end the war at 8 to 12 different churches in DC, each with a different worship style or tradition (emergent, Quaker meeting, Catholic and Episcopal masses, traditional Presbyterian, Taize, etc.) Then, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m., there will be an Interfaith public witness on or near the National Mall that will include speakers, musicians, some kind of interfaith expression of unity, and a nonviolent public action that is likely to have a component for those who feel called to risk arrest. We're also hoping for a "Peace and Justice Coffeehouse" on Saturday night the 8th.

Please reserve these dates on your calendar, and start thinking about organizing bus or van loads from your church or school. Also, if you're interested, we can use more help on the logistics and planning for this big event. Drop Kirk a note at ppfwitness@gmail.com. All the info. should be updated on the website at www.christianpeacewitness.org by the end of the week.

3. School of the Americas Watch is planning an event in Los Angeles for January 12th. PPFers Britt and Dana write: SOA Watch LA is having a vigil on Saturday, January 12 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Los Angeles State Historic Park (Gold Line stops 4 blocks from the park). We will be re-creating the Annual Vigil to Close the School of the Americas with a Solemn Procession March, return to Life Celebration, music, puppetistas and more. The event is being hosted by SOA Watch Los Angeles and Program for Torture Victims. Father Roy Bourgeois will be present. If you are Presbyterian and planning to attend wear a Presbyterian or PPF shirt! See you there! Danna Larson and Britt Johnston.

Join them if you can!

4. The next Colombia Accompaniment Training is scheduled for Washington D.C. from February 28th through March 3rd. Our partners in Colombia continue to reflect their gratitude at the way Presbyterians in the U.S. have been willing to give of themselves to stand with their Colombian sisters and brothers in the midst of the violence. If you're interested in learning more, check the website at www.presbypeacefellowship.org, or write to Sarah@presbypeacefellowship.org.

5. The Pentecost Trip to Jordan/Palestine/Israel is going to be great. The trip will spend three to four days in Jordan trying to understand the region, and meeting with Iraqi refugees, and the balance of the time will be spent in Israel and Palestine. Unfortunately, Ann Barr Weems has had to back out of the leadership position due to health concerns, but fortunately, it looks as if Rev. Stuart Taylor from St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Tucson will be co-leading the trip with former Young Adult Volunteer Andrea Leonard.

Send an email to Andrea at andrea.c.leonard@gmail.com for more information.

O.k. friends, I think that about does it for now. I'm sorry for the overload of information this round. Many blessings as you head into the New Year.

Rick