Newsletters

Date: March 4th 2009

From Rick

Friends,

I expect that I am not alone in my bewilderment about how to respond to the violence of Israel's attack on Gaza in December and January. The roots of this conflict are deep, and it is difficult to understand the complexities of the many players in this struggle. For me, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship's consistent commitment to nonviolence offers the only viable path to develop a grounded response to the ongoing conflict.

That commitment means we can be clear that the violence of the oppressive occupation of Gaza and the West Bank by the State of Israel must come to an end. No one that I know would be willing to live in a situation of virtual incarceration in one's home community, nor would we quietly endure the stranglehold Israel has on the Palestinian people's economy and their access to natural resources.

The violence of illegal land seizures beyond the 1967 boundaries for the establishment of Settlements in the West Bank must also come to an end. I've seen the settlements, and I've met Palestinians whose lands have been taken and whose houses have been bulldozed in Israel's relentless incursion into the West Bank. There is a solid consensus in the international community that Israel has encouraged the development of those settlements in clear violation of international law.

A consistent commitment to nonviolence, however, also means that the constant threats of violence and rocket launches by Hamas from Gaza into Israeli territory must also come to an end. It is totally legitimate for citizens of Israel to expect basic security, and to be able to live without fear that they or their children will be harmed by undirected and indiscriminate violence of rockets or car bombs or suicide bombers.

And of course, the overwhelming might of the military forces of Israel, backed up by the resources of the U.S. government and militaries, must be brought under control. Outside of Israel and the United States, there was widespread condemnation of Israel's unrelenting attack on Gaza that killed hundreds of innocent civilians. The overwhelming destruction, and Israel's refusal to allow international reporters or human rights observers to witness what was taking place, further threatened efforts to resolve difficulties.

The best primer I have seen for understanding what took place in Gaza two months ago was prepared by PPF National Committee member Walter Owensby, who was on the staff of the PC(USA) Washington Office staff for 15 years and covered the Middle East, as well as other international issues. I commend his paper to you as we work together for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Click Here to read "Gaza Conflict Background"

Rick

Join us for the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq in Washington D.C. on April 28 and 29!

Events will begin with the Opening Convocation at National City Church on the afternoon of the 28th, followed by the worship service and candlelight procession that evening at the Convention Center.

Speakers will include Tony Campolo, Sr. Dianna Ortiz, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., Elizabeth McAlister and Daniel Berrigan.

The following morning, Thursday the 29th, there will be a nonviolent action to lift up our continuing commitment to see the war in Iraq brought to an end.

Registration is now open for the event at www.christianpeacewitness.org.

Also, please contact us at ppfwitness@gmail.com if you are interested in sharing floorspace with us at a church near a metro stop.

Ghost Ranch this summer!

Go to www.Ghostranch.org to register now!

July 20 – 26, 2009 – Join Rick Ufford-Chase and Brandon Wert for the "High Desert Spiritual Quest." This week includes day and night hikes on the Ranch, a sweat-lodge experience, camping on the Chama River, and a day of rafting with class three rapids on the Chama as well. The focus is on exploring the connections between God, Creation, the movement of the Spirit, and a life of activism for peace and justice.

July 27 – August 2, 2009 – Join Rick and many members of the PPF for the "Week of Peace" at Ghost Ranch. If you're interested, we'll be back for our third year of creating a "campground community" for those who want to cut costs and camp and prepare meals together.

Intentional Community

There is a "Christian Community for Nonviolence and Justice" that is in formation. Fifty stakeholders gathered at Stony Point Center in mid-February to imagine what such a community might look like. There is talk of a dispersed community across that country whose members will form "affinity" groups to support one another as we take vows around our spiritual practices, our work for nonviolence and justice in the world, our care for creation, and our commitment to stand hallow the life support systems that sustain us.

There will be another gathering in the late summer or fall as the conversation continues. If you would like to be included in the ongoing conversations about what such a community will look like, please send an email to Kitty@stonypointcenter.org.