Newsletters

Date: February 18th 2010

From Rick

Friends,

As I write these words, we're awaiting our first major snowstorm of the year here in the Hudson Valley. Our kids are excited (and having trouble concentrating on homework when they know for sure they won't have school tomorrow), and I admit that I also look forward to respite brought on by weather.

I want to highlight a few resources and opportunities as we enter into Lent:

• There are two Lenten resources that you might find useful. One is a dvd produced by Christian Peace Witness that contains ten to fifteen minute segments to be used weekly as a tool for reflecting on war, and violence, as we move through Lent. You can order it at christianpeacewitness.org. The second is a series from the folks thinking about "Biblical Feasting" at Stony Point Center to help individuals, families and communities to give up unhealthy and unsustainable eating for Lent. Check it out at stonypointcenter.org.
• Christian Peace Witness is encouraging regional, faith-based witnesses against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan between Easter and Pentecost. Go to christianpeacewitness.org for more information about how to plan and register an event in your area, or to find others who are interested in doing so.
• The Convocation of Peacemakers will take place at Stony Point Center in New York on April 15 to 17. Dr. Obery Hendricks will keynote what we hope will be a deep, thoughtful conversation about what it means to respond to violence, terror and war in our time. There will be worship, workshops and "Open Space" to strategize and plan together about how to impact the Presbyterian Church and the broader world. (Cost is $230 per person – minimal scholarships are available)
• The Luke 6 Project, a nascent, geographically dispersed, Christian Community committed to nonviolence and spiritual discipline practiced in small groups, will meet immediately following the PPF Convocation. Please stay on if you can for this unfolding conversation about the formation of this new community. (Cost is $150 per person)
• General Assembly for the PC(USA) is happening in Minneapolis from July 3 to July 10. Come join the PPF in our witness if you can, which include the Peace Breakfast on Wednesday, July 7th, and the Overtures to end the War in Afghanistan that have now passed in numerous Presbyteries. Let us know if your Presbytery has passed an Overture on Peaceamaking that should be on our radar screen.

There's a lot going on. The work of shaping a conversation about nonviolence in the church has never been more important than it is right now.

Hope to see you at the Convocation here in April.

Rick

Convocation of Peacemakers: April 15-17

The Convocation of Peacemakers is a national gathering of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship to deepen the commitment to nonviolence and radical discipleship in the PC(USA).

This is a different kind of conference. We are gathering peacemakers across the denomination to strategize and think deeply with each other on how to respond to violence in our time. We see this as a pivotal time for our organization and the church. Please consider joining us for a transformative gathering of radical disciples.

Overtures on the War in Afghanistan

Hudson River Presbytery and Baltimore Presbytery have both approved overtures to the General Assembly concerning the war in Afghanistan. See the full text of these overtures here.

Take Action for the Philippines

Nearly two weeks ago, 43 health workers were arrested in the Philippines. Amidst grave concerns of human rights abuse, leaders of the PC(USA) have sent a letter to President Arroyo. Our partner church in the Philippines has requeseted that U.S. Presbyterians send their own letters to President Arroyo. Please consider this act of solidarity for our sisters and brothers suffering in a climate of severe political violence. Click Here for information.