tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35711461516834169402024-03-16T10:05:23.762-07:00LA QuakerLA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.comBlogger880125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-75984642056988362632024-02-09T08:57:00.000-08:002024-02-09T08:57:03.455-08:00“Let’s Try What Love Can Do…” Reflection at ICUJP <p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;">“Let’s Try What Love Can Do…”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">William Penn</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Since Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, I thought I’d talk
about love. Not the romantic kind, though I see nothing wrong with romance. But
what I’d like to talk about this morning is the love that motivates me and
others like me to be advocates for peace and justice. The Christian tradition
distinguishes between three kinds of love: eros (erotic love), filia
(friendship) and agape (spiritual love). Agape is what motivates us to make
sacrifices for those we care about. As Jesus says in the Gospel of John, the
greatest kind of love is laying down our lives for our friends. Jesus also
tells us to love our enemies. This isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible and ultimately,
it’s the approach that works best. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr.
King explains that “loving your enemy” doesn’t mean having warm and fuzzy
feelings towards a Ku Klux Klanman or white supremacists, it means treating
them as you’d like to be treated, with respect and with as much as kindness as
you can muster. Such an approach can change hearts and minds and turn an enemy
into a friend. It’s difficult but not impossible. And there’s lots of evidence
that it works. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I first became a Quaker in the 1980s, I was fearful
that Reagan was leading us into a nuclear confrontation with the Soviet Union.
I didn’t know what to do until I met a Quaker woman named Janet Riley who was
reaching out to the Russians and trying to create understanding through a joint
book project. I became involved with this project and got to know and befriend
Russians and it changed my life. When we went to the Soviet Union, we carried
postcards which had a quote from William Penn in Russian and English that said:
“Let us try what love can do.” We were part of the citizen diplomacy movement
that encouraged Gorbachev and Reagan to meet and seek ways to reduce the threat
of nuclear war. And these efforts were successful. The Cold War ended without
bloodshed, and a process was put in place that reduced nuclear weapon
stockpiles by over 50%.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After 9/11, I also felt fearful. I was afraid that we were
be led into a world-wide war against terrorism that would have dire
consequences both at home and abroad. As I prayed, a phrase from the Gospel
came to me: “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). I took this to heart
and was led to reach out to my Muslim neighbors and get to know them. Little by
little I was led into the interfaith peace movement and to groups like
ICUJP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that the interfaith peace
movement has had a significant impact and is being tested once again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">After the brutal attack of Oct 7 and its horrific aftermath,
I asked myself the question: How do I put my Christian commitment to love and
my Quaker commitment to peace into practice? And how do we respond collectively
as peace makers? I think that the first step is empathy. Take time to reflect
and pray for the victims of war who have lost their lives, their homes, and
their hopes for the future. We can also pray for the perpetrators and enablers
of violence who have lost their humanity by dehumanizing others. We can pray
that our leaders and leaders on both sides of the conflict in Israel/Palestine
will take off their blinders and see that violence only begets more violence.
As we pray, we may be led to take further action since, as James says, “faith
without works is dead” (</span><span class="jpfdse"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">James 2</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:26). Here are some actions that I recommend:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We can let our elected officials know that we want a
ceasefire and de-escalation of violence so that humanitarian aid can flow into
Gaza and alleviate the suffering, and so both sides can begin to negotiate a
just and humane solution to this conflict. I recommend going to the website of
the Friends Committee on National Legislation: fcnl.org.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We can take part in a interfaith prayer vigil like the one
that takes place every Monday from 5:00-7:00 pm in front of Rep. Judy Chu’s
office (at 527 S. Lake near Ten Thousand Villages). We are calling for a
ceasefire and an end to the occupation. This vigil is being organized by a
grassroots collective that includes Pasadena Mennonites, All Saints Episcopal,
Jewish Voice for Peace, So Cal Islamic Center, PCC Anti-War Club, and others.
Our gathering always ends with a powerful prayer. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We can join an Interfaith Study Group like the on that
meets monthly here in Pasadena, sponsored by the Islamic Center of Southern
California, the Pasadena Jewish Temple, and All Saints Church. On Jan. 21 I
attended a session called “Bearing Witness Through Compassionate Listening.”
Two skilled facilitators from New Ground—a Muslim woman and a rabbi—led us
through a compassionate listening exercise that enabled us to share our
feelings about what’s happening in Israel/Palestine so that we could build
trust and understanding. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We can reach out to our Jewish and Muslim neighbors and
friends and be compassionate listeners. Many are experiencing grief, fear,
anger, and despair, and they need to know that we care. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We can reach out to our Muslim neighbors during Ramadan. I
am helping to plan event at the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena,
where a group of Muslims gather for worship each Friday. We plan to have a time
of fellowship and an iftar together sometime in March. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">These are just a few ways that we can put our faith and
love into action during these challenging times. I’m confident that we at ICUJP
will continue to find ways to be instruments of healing, justice and peace.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-85665467225427877622024-02-07T15:27:00.000-08:002024-02-07T15:27:08.363-08:00IfNotNow: Reflections on Diverse Jewish Solidarity with Palestine and Organizing for #CeaseFireNow<p> </p><h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please join us online</em></span></h2><h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><span style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">February 9th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific</strong><span style="font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span><span style="font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><img alt="" height="342" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1179%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FICUJP_INN_photo.jpg%3F1707343804&t=1707347068&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c40-5c0004018500&sig=olSPx23Ea.ryGz9eK12PiQ--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="299" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></span></h2><h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><span style="outline: none !important;">IfNotNow: Reflections on Diverse Jewish Solidarity with Palestine and Organizing for #CeaseFireNow</span></h2><h4 style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">CLICK BELOW TO JOIN ZOOM:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk3BTykHMHJCoaj_ynWbNsGFXXGAUgv7psAuZywqdXNxU&e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=02_09_24friday_forum&n=2&test_email=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81791544399</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Call in by phone: </strong>+1 669 900 6833* </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID: 817 9154 4399</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 913101<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em><em style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></em></span></h4><p style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Event Description:</strong> <br style="outline: none !important;" /></span>For 10 years, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=x7IacGWvDFwI1oNq_DLZSv2eQBy_JEA2nMliKS1-wK5bC--AZKZv-aAFiqRxqdPS&e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=02_09_24friday_forum&n=3&test_email=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><strong style="outline: none !important;">IfNotNow</strong></a> has been organizing within the Jewish community to realize a future for justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis, focused on the dire need to end the Occupation and Israel's apartheid system. Since October 2023, the urgency and resonance of this work has never been clearer, as people across the world have been moved by the Jewish Left's presence and action in solidarity with Palestine and to demand a ceasefire, which right here in Southern California has included vigils, marches, civil disobedience actions, teach-ins, and so much more.</p><p style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;">We will reflect on this inspiring organizing and community building, and share how anyone can support this Jewish-led movement of solidarity, action and transformation with Palestinians. We will also explore IfNotNow's vision for uplifting the voices of Black, Indigenous, Jews of Color, Sephardi, and Mizrahi (BIJOCSM) leaders within the Jewish Left and the broader Jewish community, and INN's commitment to racial and economic justice within Southern California and all of the communities in which we live.</p><p style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Join the conversation with our speakers:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="292" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1179%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FDiedra_Robinson.jpg%3F1707344039&t=1707347068&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c40-5c0004018500&sig=eIU0y030BVGanODjq0bEzQ--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="222" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></span></p><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Diedra Robinson</strong> is a Latine Jewish activist and Alabama native with over 20 years experience as an educator and trainer in public, private, and professional sectors. She has a passion for history, language, and ancestry, with a focus on the intersection of European colonialism and Mexican-Jewish identity.</span></div><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; outline: none !important;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; outline: none !important;">In her volunteer work with IfNotNow Los Angeles, she has helped facilitate a dedicated environment for Black, Indigenous, Jews of Color, Sephardi, and Mizrahi (BIJOCSM) individuals. In addition to diversifying traditionally-white spaces, she regularly speaks about antisemitism and Christian hegemony in both religious and secular arenas.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="190" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1179%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FMatthew_Hom_photo_ICUJP.jpg%3F1707344224&t=1707347068&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c40-5c0004018500&sig=WZsEj35zeds8CO_OlHyluw--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="300" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Matthew Hom</strong> (he/him) is a Jewish labor, immigration, housing justice and racial justice organizer with Chinese and Ashkenazi roots, who aspires to help build diverse multiracial and interfaith coalitions for justice throughout Southern California. He pursues that work as the Faith-Rooted Organizer in Los Angeles and Santa Monica for CLUE (Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice).</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;">In his volunteer work with IfNotNow Los Angeles, he helps to lead the chapter's Partnerships Committee, so as to develop and strengthen IfNotNow's resilient relationships with partners in the Jewish, Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities and throughout the broader movement ecosystem. Matthew also participates in the Black, Indigenous, Jews of Color, Sephardi, and Mizrahi (BIJOCSM) leadership team at IfNotNow, and is committed to pursuing racial justice within the Jewish Left and the broader Jewish community.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="149" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1179%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FINN_LA_Logo.png%3F1707344567&t=1707347068&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c40-5c0004018500&sig=AgXi9dqXmtbAZOMfCPYbxQ--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="149" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=x7IacGWvDFwI1oNq_DLZSv2eQBy_JEA2nMliKS1-wK5bC--AZKZv-aAFiqRxqdPS&e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=02_09_24friday_forum&n=4&test_email=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><strong style="outline: none !important;">IfNotNow</strong></a> is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, cross-class movement of American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis. We are fighting for a vision of Jewish liberation which recognizes that our safety is intertwined with the safety of all others. </span></p></div>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-63966941335161993732024-02-07T09:07:00.000-08:002024-02-07T09:08:12.300-08:00Why I support term limits in Pasadena<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">I support a charter amendment that would set term limits in Pasadena because I believe that term limits would foster a more inclusive and accountable City Council, one more likely to represent the majority of Pasadena residents rather than vested interests.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Our current system reinforces the status quo. Two members of the
Pasadena City Council have been in office for more than 20 years. While their
institutional memory and experience are valuable, and they have served the city
well in many ways, I don’t believe it’s in the best interests of the city to
have incumbents so entrenched it is hard for challengers to compete. In
California, incumbents win 90% of the time at the state level and 80% at the
local level. It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to launch a serious
campaign, which is a huge advantage to incumbents.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our city is changing, with renters finally having a voice
and institutional power thanks to Measure H, which was decisively passed by
voters. Yet entrenched incumbents opposed rent control, even though a majority
in their district supported it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My argument is not that these entrenched incumbents are
doing a bad job or are corrupt. What I am arguing is that having term limits
would open up the Council to new people with fresh perspectives and innovative
ideas. I was very impressed by the challengers who showed up for the candidates
forum that Making Housing and Community Happen organized on Jan 31. I would
like to have heard from the incumbents, but they chose not to take part. This
to me is worrisome since four years ago when we organized a candidates forum,
13 out of 15 candidates showed up and all submitted written responses to our
questions. None bothered to do so this cycle. Are they not showing up because
they feel they are going to win anyway? Will this be the new normal in
Pasadena?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need elected officials in our city willing to meet with
concerned citizens who want to know where they stand and why. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The state of California adopted term limits of 12 years iin
1992 and it has worked fairly well. This limit gives elected officials time to
learn their job and acquire expertise in law-making, but it also encourages
change. It gives challengers with new ideas a chance to compete for office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What is the sweet spot for term limits in Pasadena? Should
it be 12 years or 16 years? I would lean towards 12 but am okay with 16. What I
see as a problem is allowing elected officials to stay in office 20 or more
years. That’s just too long!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-21708880121061418142024-02-07T09:04:00.000-08:002024-02-07T09:04:53.404-08:00 WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY IN PASADENA?<p align="center" class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">In 2020 Making Housing and Community Happen organized its first candidate’s forum focusing on homelessness and affordable housing. Over 150 people showed up at the Orange Grove Quaker Meetinghouse and 13 out of 15 candidates took part and answered questions. All of them provided written responses which we published on our blog. This was one of many such candidates forums that took place in Pasadena at that time. It was exciting to see vibrant discussions of important issues. Democracy was thriving at the local level.</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">Flash forward to 2024. MHCH planned a Zoom candidates forum for Jan. 31, 2024, and sent out invitations to all the candidates multiple times during the preceding month. We even went to a City Council meeting and handed the invitations to incumbent candidates politely inviting them to attend. None of them took part in our forum or sent us written responses to the questions we sent them. (We heard from<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span>Gene Masuda’s spouse that he had to attend a meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee,) <span style="outline: none !important;"> </span>Over 90 people registered for our candidate’s forum and heard five challengers, but not the incumbents. One must wonder: what has happened to our democracy in our city in the last four years?</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">One explanation that comes is the egregious example of presidential candidate not showing up for debates because it doesn’t benefit him politically. I hope this isn’t becoming a new normal in Pasadena. A properly run candidates forums is an opportunity for candidates to engage in a serious discussion of important issues, for the benefit of the public.</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">This was true at the MHCH’s forum on Wednesday, Jan. 31, with nearly 90 registrants and 5 candidates taking part: Rick Cole, John Boyle, Jonathan Horton, Brandon Lamar, and Allen Shay. Our questions required candidates to explain how they plan to address the homelessness and housing crisis and we learned about them from hearing their responses. You can access this candidates forum by going to makinghousinghappen.org/events.</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">Back in 2020 there were so many candidates forums, and they were so well attended, that some of the candidates complained it was taking up too much of their time. This year there were only a few forums, and often only challengers showed up. This lack of responsiveness is becoming a growing concern. A reporter told me that it is like pulling teeth to get elected officials to respond to interview requests these days. It didn’t used to be that way. In the past most were willing and even eager to meet and share their opinions. Something has changed in our city, and not for the better.</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">When elected officials don’t show up at public forums and respond to policy questions, the public learns about their views from slick political mailers or op eds instead from their thoughtful responses to questions posed in a public arena.</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">It is puzzling why some candidates decided to ignore our invitation since we are a nonpartisan, faith-rooted organization that has 1,700 subscribers on our mailing list. Eigh<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span>local organizations have partnered with us, including the Clergy Community Coalition, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, POP!, NDALON, Pasadena Tenants Union, Friends In Deed and over 30 congregations, including the Salvation Army, First United Methodist Church, First AME Church, the Pasadena Mennonite Church, and many more. This summer we organized a bus tour of affordable housing in Pasadena and 38 elected officials from the San Gabriel Valley attended, including four mayors. We have a large following and a reputation for fairness locally, and nationally.</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">Why would candidates not be willing to show up and share their views with us so we can share them with the faith community and others concerned about homelessness and affordable housing in our city?</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;">As a faith-rooted organization, we believe in redemption and a second chance. It is not too late for candidates to send us their responses which we are happy to publish on our blog and circulate in our newsletter. The public deserves to know where the candidates stand on these important questions.</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important; padding: 0in;">1) What concrete steps would you take to end homelessness in our city?</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;"></span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important; padding: 0in;">2) What policies do you support that would create more affordable housing in our city?</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;"></span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important; padding: 0in;">3) Now that rent control is part of our City Charter, what will you do to make sure that tenants in our city are protected and treated fairly?</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;"></span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important; padding: 0in;">4) What steps would you take to support federal and state laws requiring cities to “affirmatively further fair housing” and ensure that there is affordable housing in all parts of our city?</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important;"></span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important; padding: 0in;">5) Now that SB 4 rezones religious and college land for affordable housing statewide, what would you do to make sure this bill is implemented in our city and how would you support religious institutions and colleges interested in having affordable housing built on their underutilized land?</span></p><p class="yiv3990783881ydp81e05234MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; outline: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; outline: none !important; padding: 0in;">6) Are you in favor of a dedicated fund for affordable housing either through a transfer fee (as Culver City and LA have done), vacancy tax, or some other means?</span></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-35978132433749854412023-12-19T12:18:00.000-08:002023-12-19T12:18:46.270-08:00Our Christmas Letter 2023<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-currency-font-family: "Aptos Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">Dear Friends and Family<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_3uwB-408zjb9D0DJUOAL9QHogVXGnEPYZe_GX3K8XxtDXI_6-l6GtakW8k_ZhLTKNBrdYqXTscol3slxoQYrAVBUsG2OIlKoq-w8Koe_UKsgn5tMcHoXdHqou_0nexCoi-b4XfES_GroxbxA-xMlgUAkx8dYDNTvFqohDsK4YWuAx8s88EJuVENV5Wy/s211/b%20ephesus.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="211" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_3uwB-408zjb9D0DJUOAL9QHogVXGnEPYZe_GX3K8XxtDXI_6-l6GtakW8k_ZhLTKNBrdYqXTscol3slxoQYrAVBUsG2OIlKoq-w8Koe_UKsgn5tMcHoXdHqou_0nexCoi-b4XfES_GroxbxA-xMlgUAkx8dYDNTvFqohDsK4YWuAx8s88EJuVENV5Wy/w320-h275/b%20ephesus.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Our wedding vows affirmed that the “Prince of Peace brought us together for a purpose greater than we can imagine” and<br /> these words proved prophetic. Five years ago we were led to start Making Housing and Community Happen, a nonprofit dedicated to God’s vision of a world free from war and housing insecurity: “Everyone ‘neath their vine and fig tree will live at peace and unafraid, and into ploughshares turn their swords, nations shall learn war no more” (Micah 4:4). Our little nonprofit has thrived and accomplished great things, for which we thank God. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, however, our world has not taken to heart the message of the Prince of Peace. We grieve along with the people of Israel/Palestine, Ukraine and other parts of world who have lost loved ones to wars. Father Issa Thalijeh, an Orthodox priest in Bethlehem, recently said: “These are very, very sad times. But the message of Bethlehem and the message of Christmas, which is the message of peace, is more important than ever.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Grateful for the love of Jesus that has transformed our lives and is transforming our world, we send our love and best wishes to you this Christmas! We thank God for the gift of family and friends who have enriched our lives and made this year very special.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are some highlights of 2023:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrsnT68Iux4RmcsG3dZMqVmOFUoV5i7-oiJAYFFfpt5OYy_sG015PUCyx1fGZe1c2PycEc89itM16R-nlp79fOyIIquuPVRIkvjiGOf-gLb8sNuZK7rA4P1SQc1XReu6geF05LdFczyoyzrGjngDbRWmIynF4rvu61rH4CN06UZmoRMMy3ZAsM7w5mtep/s640/cathedral%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrsnT68Iux4RmcsG3dZMqVmOFUoV5i7-oiJAYFFfpt5OYy_sG015PUCyx1fGZe1c2PycEc89itM16R-nlp79fOyIIquuPVRIkvjiGOf-gLb8sNuZK7rA4P1SQc1XReu6geF05LdFczyoyzrGjngDbRWmIynF4rvu61rH4CN06UZmoRMMy3ZAsM7w5mtep/s320/cathedral%20pic.jpg" width="240" /><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0pt;">t</span></a></div></span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Traveling to the Dominican Republic for a special gathering of Jill’s mission, Mission Door, which she has been<br /> part of since 1977. We loved Santo Domingo, especially the plaza filled with families, jugglers, live music and more, next to the stunning Cathedral of Santa María la Menor built of coral, begun in 1512 and completed in 1550, in continuous use ever since. This city was founded by the brother of Christopher Columbus and was the first European city in the Americas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Traveling to Greece to visit Anthony’s family and historic sites: Olympia-where the torch is lit; the cave of St. John the Revelator in Patmos; the amazing cliffside monasteries of Meteora; sites like Ephesus associated with St. Paul and more! We traveled with our friends Carolyn and Sylvester Williams and Anthony’s sister Elizabeth and Anthony's cousins Alexandra and Peter, who hosted us at their home in Saronida, a coastal city south of Athens. Alexandra arranged a special memorial service <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -18pt;">honoring Anthony’s father, aunts and uncles in the church on the island of Andros where Anthony’s Dad was born.</span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Celebrating Jill’s 70</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;"><sup>th</sup></span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;"> birthday—she still can’t really believe she is 70, except for all the aches and pains telling her it’s true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Watching movies like “The Burial" with Jamie Foxx, “Blue Miracle” with Jimmy Gonzalez, and “The Chosen” series with a group of friends from First United Methodist Church of Pasadena (FUMC).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Relaxing and having fun with Jill’s sister Jana and her husband Dwight who have been visiting from</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHFdtEicr1bX9YXCKbZAReTOfvabBLWN3VJG2xHh6TZ2KlzU7jUjfvCztT2CIABtcNnEjY_OPT1VSzhA3KvvPUJhGnZopZRcv2kIMpMhru4AacLD_WW6hgegBgzuyTqh5FFj9Xbi0YX9Cg8qE2P5YEXT1LX2iXAvgQL88qatXyFZryjFQNV429ehFN6eL/s189/b%20sarahs%20wedding.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="107" data-original-width="189" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHFdtEicr1bX9YXCKbZAReTOfvabBLWN3VJG2xHh6TZ2KlzU7jUjfvCztT2CIABtcNnEjY_OPT1VSzhA3KvvPUJhGnZopZRcv2kIMpMhru4AacLD_WW6hgegBgzuyTqh5FFj9Xbi0YX9Cg8qE2P5YEXT1LX2iXAvgQL88qatXyFZryjFQNV429ehFN6eL/w320-h181/b%20sarahs%20wedding.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Mexico/Washington State. We enjoyed fabulous Christmas programs put on by Azusa Pacific University at Lake Ave Church, Pasadena United Methodist Church (which we attend regularly), and First Baptist (where we were married 12 years ago!). What a blessing to be in a city with such beautiful sacred music honoring the birth of Christ!<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">The birth of Tatum, Jill’s grandnephew; following the travels of Sarah and Andrew (who were married this year); and feeling incredibly blessed to be related to Jana and Dwight’s 8 children and their families, as well as to Emily and Demetrius, Anthony’s nephews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Celebrating the fifth anniversary of our nonprofit, Making Housing and Community Happen, at New Life Holiness Church in the heart of Pasadena’s African American community, where we also celebrated the completion of the N. Fair Oaks Vision Plan, which, if approved by our City Council, will ensure a bright future for this neglected area, a once-thriving African American neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Celebrating the passage of SB 4, the bill that rezones religious land and nonprofit colleges for affordable housing statewide, which we have been working on for three years. Woo hoo! And the launching of our Congregational Land Apprenticeship program where teams now forming in TX, CO, WA, and Nor Cal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Joining hundreds of Christians, Muslims and Jews each Monday at Rep. Judy Chu’s office asking for a ceasefire in Israel/Palestine (both sides).</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9o1fdbwBvko7_-ELVUyMPrnw7FOOha2HvyLZQpHdVFOMBK6KqRjaMDGOqLLR4DDLh4SnLM9kmnU_FzdWCiVgObAEOUvkhjP1sSyXZUQ4dQDiFTwjnd1vFa75CT2MJMh6vRIWNvmLn_nBOnTTtmNVLSdMvtLiN6kXtDru3-aeWdcH7OJ8dCwjjZufxyq_/s319/b%20ceasefire.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="319" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9o1fdbwBvko7_-ELVUyMPrnw7FOOha2HvyLZQpHdVFOMBK6KqRjaMDGOqLLR4DDLh4SnLM9kmnU_FzdWCiVgObAEOUvkhjP1sSyXZUQ4dQDiFTwjnd1vFa75CT2MJMh6vRIWNvmLn_nBOnTTtmNVLSdMvtLiN6kXtDru3-aeWdcH7OJ8dCwjjZufxyq_/s1600/b%20ceasefire.png" width="319" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Finding a wonderful gardener and working with him on a delightful garden which gives us veggies and abundant fruit, reminding us of God’s abundance and endless love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Visiting Donna Shook, Jill’s Mom, each week in her board and care—she is now 93! She has late stage Alzheimer’s and ready to be home with the Lord. Her art is in galleries across the US, check it out here: </span><a href="https://www.donnashookwatercolors.com/"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">https://www.donnashookwatercolors.com/</span></a><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-level-font-family: Symbol; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ¨; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">¨</span><span style="width: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;">Overcoming bedbugs that invaded our home while we were on vacation(see our poem). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: 22.5pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We are looking forward to the New Year and a much-needed 5-month sabbatical starting in May. We love our work with MHCH, but we feel led to take a time of for rest and renewal. Jill has been doing intense housing justice work for 23 years. We are grateful to Bert Newton and our staff for stepping up to the plate to carry forward the mission of MHCH during this time of transition. </span><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: 22.5pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: "Aptos Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: 22.5pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: "Aptos Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 16.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-currency-font-family: "Aptos Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">Anthony and Jill</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: "Aptos Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ydpbc08948msonormal" style="margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: 0pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-currency-font-family: "Aptos Narrow"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-default-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-greek-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latin-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0w-q-1T4bJUJNVmLz1-jLxMrofYdK2HNPzyo4WAA5kLfN9d8q-OpbcElD8Rb7_nKqX8jkg57n8o32zu2WDWJembhLLtwk80vrYIgCUL2aFsyyOdg7eFc8BUuX_24ivkxPPFxEFLdHn3ujhy17JMejm8UVMwJvV4IM-PZSL0A-EsQ8vy2whFcTEHp8uZ1/s318/b%20ima%20picture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="318" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0w-q-1T4bJUJNVmLz1-jLxMrofYdK2HNPzyo4WAA5kLfN9d8q-OpbcElD8Rb7_nKqX8jkg57n8o32zu2WDWJembhLLtwk80vrYIgCUL2aFsyyOdg7eFc8BUuX_24ivkxPPFxEFLdHn3ujhy17JMejm8UVMwJvV4IM-PZSL0A-EsQ8vy2whFcTEHp8uZ1/w400-h245/b%20ima%20picture.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-2392651659900997822023-11-16T18:03:00.000-08:002023-11-16T18:03:20.485-08:00How can we get creative in the Israel/Palestine conflict? Talk by George Lakey , Quaker peace activist, at ICUJP<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 8px;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><div class="ydp23b2a6f6yiv6115688817gmail_quote" style="outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><div class="ydp23b2a6f6yiv6115688817msg-7794040964249283542" style="outline: none !important;"><u style="outline: none !important;"></u><div data-setdir="true" dir="" style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><table bgcolor="#cecece" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" bgcolor="#cecece" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="outline: none !important;" valign="top"><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; margin-top: 30px; outline: none !important; width: 600px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="outline: none !important;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #3e728f; background-image: url("https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icujp.org%2Fthemes%2F1%2F511c1067ba6d1d2a61000003%2F0%2Fattachments%2F14275231951582325497%2Fdefault%2Fheader-bg.jpg&t=1700186243&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c68-01001c016200&sig=H363eWHWqsnMH_XOt.l7Cg--~D"); outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="outline: none !important; padding: 20px 12px 20px 20px;"><div style="outline: none !important; width: 220px;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=1" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><img alt="Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace" border="0" class="ydp23b2a6f6yiv6115688817m_-7794040964249283542logo" data-inlineimagemanipulating="true" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fsites%2F1%2Fmeta_images%2Foriginal%2FICUJP_lo_res.jpg%3F1535336236&t=1700186243&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c68-01001c016200&sig=M2oUxrUcOTmodxdc1JnI.w--~D" style="max-width: 667px; outline: none !important; width: 220px;" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="outline: none !important;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td bgcolor="#ffffff" class="ydp23b2a6f6yiv6115688817m_-7794040964249283542body-content" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="line-height: 1.5; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 15px;"><h2 style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please join us online</em></h2><h2 style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum</strong><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">November 17th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific</strong><span style="font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"> </span></h2><h2 style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">How can we get creative in the Israel/Palestine conflict?</span></h2><h4 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">CLICK BELOW TO JOIN ZOOM:</strong></div><strong style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk9yn0_UdyIu9KtFRpLCHZbMp9P_9eGTyqhrCk9FzHW5I&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=2" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82780596985</a></strong></div></strong><strong style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">Call in by phone: </strong><strong style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">Meeting ID: 827 8059 6985</strong><strong style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 378677</strong><div style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></span></div><em style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:</em></div><div style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">To mute/unmute yourself: *6</em></div><div style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">To raise hand: *9</em></div></em></h4><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Event Description:</strong> <span style="outline: none !important;">Understandably, activist responses to the new outbreak of Israel/Palestinian fighting is moralistic, preoccupied with "who's right and who's wrong." We'll take a deeper dive, trying to initiate a conversation about how adoption of nonviolent means of fighting it out might make a difference to the outcome. The point of the discussion will be to provoke creativity in the midst of a moralistic debate. One dimension of the speaker's thinking is featured on WagingNonviolence.org.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Join the conversation with our speaker:<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1143%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FLeakeyPhoto.jpg%3F1700006421&t=1700186243&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c68-01001c016200&sig=GSAt8dZta6jMldseP4MRlQ--~D" style="max-width: 667px; outline: none !important; width: 239px;" /></strong></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">Born into a white working class family in a small town in rural Pennsylvania, <strong style="outline: none !important;">George Lakey</strong> was first arrested in the civil rights movement and risked arrest recently for climate justice as an 85-year old great-grandfather. He’s led social change projects on neighborhood, city, state, national, and international levels. He married a Norwegian woman, played cocktail piano in a hotel, taught at the University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College, co-parented a majority Black family, came out publicly as gay, and published ten books on how to make change. He led over 1500 social change workshops on five continents, for Buddhist monks, Russian LGBTQ activists, South African National Congress members, and Northern U.S. students bound for 1964 Mississippi Summer.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">A Quaker, he has been named Peace Educator of the Year and given the Paul Robeson Social Justice Award and the Martin Luther King Peace Award. His eleventh book, a memoir, is Dancing with History: A Life for Peace and Justice, from Seven Stories Press.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">“A civil rights legend” – The Guardian</strong></em></p><table border="2" style="background-color: #99f2ef; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; height: 49px; min-height: 49px; outline: none !important; width: 722px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="outline: none !important;"><h3 class="ydp23b2a6f6yiv6115688817gmail_quote" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></h3><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=pTYD9VA6JF9GwqvbZWT8GHYFkCMLT5UgX-pYmwif1Luk1VTS0N11RG1MRnE7fsr7QmgaXfVNfULoBb12eN6k8_OzONYhH_XdJcSMDpNLfmld5_tALl4VIF9MWWx1Y_R5&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=3" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Analysis: There are nonmilitary alternatives to Israel’s war in Gaza</a></strong></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" />7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions <br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" />7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" />7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" />9:15 - 9:20 Announcements<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" />9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Start your morning with us!<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Facilitator: Rose Leibowitz<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></span>Reflector: <span style="outline: none !important;">Maggie Hutchison</span><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;">** Meetings begin promptly at <strong style="outline: none !important;">7:30 am Pacific.</strong> **</div><div style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">-----</span></div></div></div><h3 style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">Here's how to join the online meeting:</h3><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum 11/17/23</strong><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" />Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 1: Join video conference <br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk9yn0_UdyIu9KtFRpLCHZbMp9P_9eGTyqhrCk9FzHW5I&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=4" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82780596985</a><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> <strong style="outline: none !important;">827 8059 6985</strong><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> <strong style="outline: none !important;">378677</strong></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 2: Dial in by phone only:<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></strong>+1 669 900 6833 US (California)<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> <strong style="outline: none !important;">827 8059 6985</strong><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> <strong style="outline: none !important;">378677</strong></p><h4 style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em></h4><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">(To find a dial-in number closer to you, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=7Rww7-WoOzTdDmOnNYpKE2F67rl-AZbUZjnLU3jdEkgTmeqznlBaUgs5wHQ7uU8J&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=5" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="Zoom dial in numbers">go here</a>.)</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">-----</p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><p style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. <strong style="outline: none !important;">By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes</strong>. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></em></p><hr style="outline: none !important;" /><h3 style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></em><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP has been featured on a few different media venues over the last few weeks - ICUJP Chairperson Steve Rohde was interviewed on KPFK's long-running program "The Lawyers Guild", hosted by Jim Lafferty and Maria Hall. The program also featured <span style="outline: none !important;">legal scholar and ICUJP supporter Marjorie Cohn.</span><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=WdxZv57OEtmDvsx-JyIJwBoteONLHI0DtJZ5UBOeBhOP5iLk1ormibrSdkMqsx83h1uyCM5j04ydcAEBRxkELQWzImvZ3FTq6KGm65v-jeM&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=6" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">You can listen to the program here:</a></strong><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></h3><h3 style="outline: none !important;"><img alt="" data-inlineimagemanipulating="true" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1135%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FFrame_76.png%3F1698342620&t=1700186243&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c68-01001c016200&sig=_zAICmyP0cz5ywIgOqGp8A--~D" style="max-width: 640px; outline: none !important; width: 297px;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Steve was also interviewed by Jason DeRose of NPR on the difficulty in making definitive statements about the Israel/Hamas tragedies that do not get misinterpreted by either side.</strong><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">He was interviewed along with Tahil Sharma, an interfaith minister with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, as well as Phoebe Milliken of Hartford International University, and you can<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=oGkNRIpNU-65tzHrfmdwr-tVY6jWosotGxXYoM-NKQcb5EY7k3i6y0rV7SZ6xUHPqEvYOYMcW3CS8YSfunsb2Xw8JFaxIpfDQWUi96oK1yjFpyepW2X-otSldkURCkJS1-deLpVRXyS2iMMLzFGu5KogDbLKd-oX_7FRkBB22vv1P7VAY961cz1_J-moE9Na962yoLHM-9Ni1UXnOZDJs0K1JYX1X3E85P1Jrfbt4y0Dt-d1lOszvPPI9R9le8xf&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=7" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">listen to that segment here.</a></strong></h3><h3 style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">_________________________________________<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></em></h3><h1 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">22nd Anniversary of ICUJP: 22 years of working for Justice and Peace</span><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;"><img alt="" data-inlineimagemanipulating="true" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1120%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FUntitled_design.png%3F1694466648&t=1700186243&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c68-01001c016200&sig=a1EH2Ks7E.dB9GSIVcZbEw--~D" style="max-width: 667px; outline: none !important; width: 381px;" /></span></h1><h4 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">Twenty-two years ago, Rev. George Regas of All-Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena reached out to clergy, community leaders, and laypeople to come together to seek an alternative to the fear-mongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation in the wake of September 11. The message that they wanted to convey was coherent and powerful: “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.” On that day, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=8" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace</a> was born.</span><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">These past 22 years have been a journey for ICUJP - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crises and issues that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated of activists. But through it all, we go forward in our mission to be the voice for "the least of these", and our determination to create the change we want to see in the world.</span><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">On Sunday, September 10th, 2023, ICUJP honored Rev. George Regas's life and legacy, and recognized deserving organizations with the 2023 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Award. As our theme was "Housing is a Human Right", we were glad to shine a light on the work of <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Y_VUt-4qv0wwjYUU7Z2M54JsWbGcencOx3g0tNC6c9v71FddNZ_idd3d7Pj_IPZe&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=9" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Making Housing and Community Happen</a>, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=3eagzYCeS8GMKWzDRPceALIiirJkdOEGogWLDNugxzTnS5Rhk9jIULrXHos8csy9hZoDFh-xb5FDFlZ3-8D3jgrb7o-Wf0H8-AuLSiI96dE&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=10" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">All-Saints Church Safe Haven Bridge to Housing</a>, the <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=ly0Xyl7SYfHgNSW392bffem8sxptU4b4AHzVESa6wtb5M0cYYIT4Qt_LtQ3CZb6QSEjXnQA0TseeKJqsmSFzz-7-y8LVYKF9f9N3ip1-m-AOctts0dx_-P5iDFNdE99NMCnqhSWAPWCF9HLwJubmAnzDgYfNYGV0usg2LKqCnZY&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=11" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Office of Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles</a>, and the <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=OwvItB0bICjByHsUWaDT_aUa3gS9A-ciBBpWzeUPezc&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=12" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center</a>.</span><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Thank you for your part in keeping the vision of George F. Regas alive as we continue creating a place to gather, organize, pray, and act together united by the fundamental principle that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.</span><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Please consider helping Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace in its mission. ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for over 20 years through the generosity of individuals and organizations like you. Like so many other organizations, our ability to raise donations has been hampered during the COVID pandemic. </span></h4><div style="font-family: inherit; outline: none !important; width: 721.996px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #303030; border-collapse: initial; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px auto 0px 0px; outline: none !important; width: 200px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; outline: none !important; padding: 15px 30px;" valign="middle"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=13" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; display: block; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="DONATE HERE!"></a><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=a4ab089dbf9854c4758be9eb41acb5f0&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_17_23friday_forum2&n=13" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: white; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">DONATE HERE!</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;"> </em></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-29798678806991359682023-11-03T08:48:00.001-07:002023-11-03T08:48:08.931-07:00A Quaker Perspective on Mysticism and Activism For Spirit Seekers<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I shared this with a group of Methodists who wanted to know more about how the Quaker practice of contemplative worship and mysticism is linked to social activism/prophetic witness. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black;">What Do We Mean by Mysticism
and Prophetic Witness?</span></b><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Mysticism is </span>the belief that people can directly experience God
or true reality, rather than through books, ritual or other people<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">. People who
practice this are called mystics. Mystics usually experience this direct
connection through contemplation, or silent worship.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">The prophet is distinguished first by a face-to-face relationship with YHWH. </span>The
prophet then serves as a witness of YHWH and ministers by speaking and
actuating the word of God<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">. In an intimate encounter, a prophet hears from God,
receives a word to be shared with God's people, then acts.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black;">What do prophets and mystics have in common? How are they different?</span></i></b><b><i><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black;">Have you ever had a direct experience of the Divine that led you to take
action? </span></i></b><b><i><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Quakers believe that everyone can have a direct experience of God
through the practice of contemplative worship. Some Quakers feel called to
prophetic witness either individually or collectively as a result of waiting
and listening for the Word of the Lord. For this reason, Quaker worship is
sometimes called “listening” or “expectant” worship.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">When we sit in contemplative silence during times of pain and experience
the healing power of Spirit, we can become more compassionate listeners. This
led the Quaker peace activist/mystic Gene Hoffman to develop a technique called
“Compassionate Listening.” She brought together Israelis and Palestinians and
taught them how to listen to each other’s stories nonjudgmentally and
compassionately. This has proven to be a powerful tool for reconciliation. Her
work is being carried on by Leah Green through the Compassionate Listening
Project.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">After 9/11, Gene Hoffman’s insights had a profound effect on me: </span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">“Some time ago, I recognized that terrorists were people who had
grievances, who thought their grievances would never be heard, and certainly
never addressed. Later, I saw that all parties to every conflict were wounded
and that at the heart of every conflict was an unhealed wound. I began to
search for ways to heal these violence-causing wounds.” <a href="file:///C:/Users/inter/Downloads/A%20Quaker%20Perspective%20on%20Mysticism%20and%20Activism%20for%20Spirit%20Seekers.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">In addition to listening compassionately, Quakers also see themselves as
“speaking truth to power” (a phrase coined by the Quaker activist Bayard
Rustin), like the prophets of old. </span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">“Like the Hebrew and Christian prophets whose lives [early Quakers] used
a models, they experienced God as a living, energizing power that spurred them
to confront corrupt institutions and to form communities of believers” (<i>Pacific
Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice</i>, 2001,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>p. 3).</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black;">Have you ever felt Spirit or God leading you to take some action to
correct or protest an injustice? Describe what this was like for you. What did
you do? </span></i></b><b><i><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Quakers believe that we can have a mystical/prophetic experience
collectively when we sit in contemplative silence together, seeking to hear and
do the will of God. This was also the belief of early Christians, as Rohr
explains:</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black;">Richard Rohr on
Prophetic Witness</span></b><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Christianity has given little energy to prophecy, which Paul identifies
as the second most important charism for building the church (1 Corinthians
12:28; Ephesians 4:11). Too often, when Christians talk about prophecy, we
think prophets make predictions about the future. In fact, prophets say exactly
the opposite! They insist the future is highly contingent on the now. They
always announce to the people of Israel that they have to make a decision
now. </span>You can go this way and the outcome of events will undo you or you can
return to God, to love, and to the covenant<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">. That’s not predicting the future as much as it’s
naming the now, the way reality works. The prophet opens up human freedom by
daring to tell the people of Israel that they can change history by changing
themselves. That’s extraordinary, and it’s just as true for us today.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">The prophets ultimately reveal a God who is “the God of the Sufferers”
in the words of Jewish philosopher Martin Buber (1878–1965. I’d like to put it
this way: it is not that we go out preaching hard and difficult messages, and
then people mistreat and marginalize us for being such prophets (although that
might happen). Rather, when we go to the stories of the prophets and of Jesus
himself, we discover the biblical pattern is just the opposite! When we find
ourselves wounded and marginalized, and we allow that suffering to teach us, we
can become prophets. When we repeatedly experience the faithfulness, the mercy,
and the forgiveness of God, then our prophetic voice emerges. That’s the
training school. That’s where we learn how to speak the truth.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">The prophets were always these wonderful people who went to wounded
places. They went to where the suffering was, to the people who were excluded
from the system. They saw through the idolatries at the center of the system
because those who are excluded from the system always reveal the operating
beliefs of that system. Speaking the truth for the sake of healing and
wholeness is then prophetic because the “powers that be” that benefit from the
system cannot tolerate certain revelations. They cannot tolerate the truths
that the marginalized—the broken, the wounded, and the homeless—always reveal.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">A favorite Bible passage for Quakers: </span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black;">The story of Elijah from
Kings 19:9-13</span></b><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-kings/19-9.html"><span style="background: white; border: solid #E5E7EB 1.0pt; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: solid #E5E7EB .25pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; padding: 0in;">9</span></a><span style="background: white; color: black;"> And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here,
Elijah?” </span>Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The
Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your
prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are
trying to kill me too.”<span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-kings/19-11.html"><span style="border: solid #E5E7EB 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: solid #E5E7EB .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0in;">11</span></a> The
LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for
the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the
mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not
in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in
the earthquake.<span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-kings/19-12.html"><span style="border: solid #E5E7EB 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: solid #E5E7EB .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0in;">12</span></a> After
the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the
fire came a gentle whisper.<span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-kings/19-13.html"><span style="border: solid #E5E7EB 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: solid #E5E7EB .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0in;">13</span></a> When
Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at
the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here,
Elijah?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black;">Why did Elijah run away? Was he simply afraid? Did he lose faith in God?</span></b><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black;">Have you ever experienced times when you needed to withdraw from a
difficult situation to find clarity? During this time of withdrawal, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>did you seek God’s guidance and experience a “gentle
whisper” or “still small voice” giving you wisdom on how to deal with this
situation?</span></b><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black;">Elijah is asked the same question twice by God: “What are you doing
here?” How do you think Elijah’s mountain-top experience changed the way he
responds to this question?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/inter/Downloads/A%20Quaker%20Perspective%20on%20Mysticism%20and%20Activism%20for%20Spirit%20Seekers.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
See <i>Compassionate Listening and Other Writings by Gene Knudsen Hoffman:
Quaker Peacemaker and Mystic</i>, 2002, ed. by Anthony Manousos.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-89256845001148546542023-11-03T07:38:00.003-07:002023-11-03T07:38:52.725-07:00The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign: A Multifaith Approach to Countering Anti-Muslim Discrimination<p> </p><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv0213357546container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 30px; outline: none !important; width: 600px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #3e728f; background-image: url("https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icujp.org%2Fthemes%2F1%2F511c1067ba6d1d2a61000003%2F0%2Fattachments%2F14275231951582325497%2Fdefault%2Fheader-bg.jpg&t=1699022191&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c66-73000301b000&sig=5zjIxQlYsbvai.nZqOpDYA--~D"); border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 12px 20px 20px; word-break: normal;"><div style="outline: none !important; overflow: hidden; width: 220px;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_03_23friday_forum2&n=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #338fe9; outline: none 0px !important;" target="_blank"><img alt="Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace" border="0" class="yiv0213357546logo" height="auto" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fsites%2F1%2Fmeta_images%2Foriginal%2FICUJP_lo_res.jpg%3F1535336236&t=1699022191&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c66-73000301b000&sig=D8lk5.6MrZcoJ01noo1stA--~D" style="height: auto; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px; width: 219.996px;" width="220" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td bgcolor="#ffffff" class="yiv0213357546body-content" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 15px; word-break: normal;"><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please join us online</em></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">November 3rd, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific</strong><span style="font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="768" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1138%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FS2S_Image.jpg%3F1698790893&t=1699022191&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c66-73000301b000&sig=SNAf.mJC.Neq34J_yAkjAg--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="1024" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><span style="outline: none !important;"> The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign: A Multifaith Approach to Countering Anti-Muslim Discrimination</span></h2><h4 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Jo</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">in video conference</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"> here:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJkxog0tUb0TIO9JxvFuB7n97eomLBAEq_RjS4B8xdeLiD&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_03_23friday_forum2&n=2" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85795929427</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Call in by phone: </strong>+1 669 900 6833* <br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID: 857 9592 9427</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 800955<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em><em style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></em></h4><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Event Description:</strong> Participants will explore the importance of multifaith solidarity work, the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign's specific framework for practicing it, and discuss strategies and tactics for building a more pluralistic and inclusive nation where all people are treated respectfully, fairly, and with dignity.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Shoulder to Shoulder</strong> is a national multifaith coalition that connects, equips, and mobilizes faith communities in the United States as strategic partners in countering, addressing, and preventing anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination, and violence.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Join the conversation with our speaker:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="293" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1138%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FNina_Headshot_2021.jpg%3F1698795372&t=1699022191&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c66-73000301b000&sig=5CIfpC.rAAoIsHXrpxHMIQ--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="220" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Nina M. Fernando</strong> serves as Executive Director of the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign: Standing with American Muslims, Advancing American Ideals, a multifaith coalition of religious denominations and faith-based organizations committed to countering and preventing anti-Muslim discrimination and violence in the United States by building a society where all are treated with dignity and respect. She first joined the Shoulder to Shoulder team in 2017.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></p><table border="2" style="background-color: #99f2ef; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; height: 49px; min-height: 49px; outline: none !important; width: 722px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><h3 class="yiv0213357546gmail_quote" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></h3><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=pg0yHEznWOq8mHptVEkXx7bWDI0Lp6vjiE7xU52i2gjnIphHa3r17dE1KSfr0T3XCR3pklkFp-q-pwId6ofenA&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_03_23friday_forum2&n=3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign</strong></a></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=pg0yHEznWOq8mHptVEkXx7bWDI0Lp6vjiE7xU52i2gjSheEhH4Y0NjRqz2_WTvwi8NmMlhPwZsfXlthN_LCjrw&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_03_23friday_forum2&n=4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Faith Over Fear Training</strong></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions <br style="outline: none !important;" />7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:15 - 9:20 Announcements<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Start your morning with us!<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Facilitator: Steve Rohde<br style="outline: none !important;" /></span>Reflector: Jasmine Hailey<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;">** Meetings begin promptly at <strong style="outline: none !important;">7:30 am Pacific.</strong> **</div><div style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">-----</span></div></div></div><h3 style="outline: none !important;">Here's how to join the online meeting:</h3><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum 11/03/23</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" />Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 1: Join video conference <br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJkxog0tUb0TIO9JxvFuB7n97eomLBAEq_RjS4B8xdeLiD&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_03_23friday_forum2&n=5" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85795929427</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 857 9592 9427<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> 800955</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 2: Dial in by phone only:<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong>+1 669 900 6833 US (California)<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 857 9592 9427<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> <span style="outline: none !important;">800955</span></p><h4 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em></h4><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">(To find a dial-in number closer to you, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=7Rww7-WoOzTdDmOnNYpKE2F67rl-AZbUZjnLU3jdEkgTmeqznlBaUgs5wHQ7uU8J&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_03_23friday_forum2&n=6" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="Zoom dial in numbers">go here</a>.)</p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-60739604236039570022023-10-30T10:01:00.004-07:002023-11-17T10:14:37.387-08:00How to Make Sure the Bedbugs Don't Bite (and a poem about Bed bugs)<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bHzlHNCZLJQcO4P1KkAuSJWZ71oGwYHRnJwiUjNWCT8f3x7G0aul8XNZppbWxJT5xAFwl-m4PlUlBiMTXZe-GwRBG45fVNKAougYfSqOxDx7H2Q_WS02NeOMJ-hgD6_2OGotG-Qu-pn5Jdk3Wk9BYVz-8j1oJXx4pbfEK3WSeWzKYxs03cOB_UdEJrg4/s269/beds%20bugs%20breakfast.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="269" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bHzlHNCZLJQcO4P1KkAuSJWZ71oGwYHRnJwiUjNWCT8f3x7G0aul8XNZppbWxJT5xAFwl-m4PlUlBiMTXZe-GwRBG45fVNKAougYfSqOxDx7H2Q_WS02NeOMJ-hgD6_2OGotG-Qu-pn5Jdk3Wk9BYVz-8j1oJXx4pbfEK3WSeWzKYxs03cOB_UdEJrg4/s1600/beds%20bugs%20breakfast.jpg" width="269" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Having recovered from our month-long bed bug infestation, I'm finding others who went though a similar experience of feeling traumatized. When you have bedbugs, you not only suffer from sleepless nights, you also become socially isolated. You can't have people in your home. You can't visit other people (lest you bring bedbugs with you). It's deeply disturbing psychologically as well as physically unpleasant, especially if you are hyper allergic like me. Thirty percent of people aren't affected by bed bugs (my wife is one of these), but they can carry bed bugs to other people's homes since bed bugs like to hitchhike on clothes, luggage and handbags.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So here are some lessons learned: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1) When you discover you have bedbugs, deal with the problem immediately and don't try to get rid of them yourself. You'll probably make it worse. Hire a professional asap, preferably one with excellent credentials and recommendations who can provide all three types of service: chemical treatment, heat treatment and fumigation. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We highly recommend a company called </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial;">Isotech Pest Management that provided a bed-bug sniffing canine as well as excellent advice and service. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Chemical and heat treatment are not infallible, no matter what your exterminator says. Both require that you remove stuff from the room being treated. The trouble is bedbugs may be hiding in these items, so when you return them, the bed bugs return. However, if your infestation is limited, these treatments may work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3) The only infallible treatment is fumigation. The fumigants kills all bedbugs and eggs (and also termites). Fumigation means tenting your home. It costs a small fortune but produces peace of mind. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This week Jill and I went on a date and had veggie burgers and fries in Old Pasadena, and compose this "Little Bad Bed Bug Saga." It was good to be able to look back and laugh. We are finally beginning to heal from our bed bug nightmare.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">"The Saga of the Little Bad Bed Bugs"</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The first night after returning from Greece</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We hoped to spend time sleeping in peace</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">But bedbugs invaded while we were away</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Their message was clear: we’re here to stay!</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">They gave sweet Anthony 40 plus bites</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">As well as a month of restless nights.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">These bugs for some reason disliked Jill’s taste</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">So she worked super hard to clean up our place.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When bed bugs bite, you can’t have a good night:</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Going to bed makes you very uptight.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">So we hired an exterminator who promised to kill</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">These irksome pests who hide where they will.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We were told to take everything from our humble abode</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Wash our clothes and our blankets, load by load by load……</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bedbugs expire when the heat is too high.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">So we put some stuff in the dryer to fry</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Those bad little bugs ‘til they finally die. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In black plastic bags we put other stuff</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hoping the sun's rays would be enough. </span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">But the days were too chilly so this work was in vain.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Finding stuff later was really a pain!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jill was exhausted past reason or rhyme</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anthony was the canary in the coal mine.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">With daily bites he’d let us know</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Those bedbugs had no plans to go.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Weary and anxious and living in fear,</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We never knew if the bedbugs were near.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">So we hired a beagle with an amazing nose </span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">That knows 10,000 times more than a human nose knows!</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rocky could tell where the bedbugs were hiding </span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">and even could sniff where their eggs were abiding.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We learned that our efforts were on the wrong track.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We needed to try a different tack. </span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We learned from Isotech that fumigation</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Was the only cure for our grim situation.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">To make room for the tent, we had to clear</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Around the perimeter front and rear.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">So we hired Walter, a human machine</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who worked harder than anyone we’d ever seen</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">He gathered up 35 bags of yard waste.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It cost us a bundle to clean up our place!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then our water heater went on the fritz.</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We bought needed tires! We were having fits!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">For four nights we lived in an Airbnb,</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">And boarded our cats in a place of safety,</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">while the fumigant wiped out our bug colony.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We spent a small fortune to be bed bug free</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">And it seemed to take an eternity. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">After fumigation, we spent many days</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Unpacking our bags in a kind of a daze.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It feels good to have our old lives back</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">But our bodies take time to learn to relax.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">On a happy note our long saga ends:</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We can finally hang out in our home with our friends!</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Free at last! Free at last! Free of bed bugs at last!</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Celebrating with friends will be such a blast!</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-13945080414613255582023-10-29T21:59:00.004-07:002023-10-29T22:08:19.980-07:00Celebrate Jill's 70th Birthday with Your Support!<p> </p><div class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_jb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_gb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ib yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_hb" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 700px; outline: none; text-align: center;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; width: 699.991px;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; direction: ltr; font-size: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 20px; text-align: center; word-break: normal;"><div class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ab" style="direction: ltr; display: inline-block; outline: none; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 659.998px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="outline: none; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="outline: none; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="font-size: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; word-break: normal;"><div style="font-family: Ubuntu, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; outline: none;"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 40px; max-width: 100%; outline: none;"><img alt="" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.wixstatic.com%2Fmedia%2Fb49ee3_b1d04af02c8c47ca9b58205d16225b0a%7Emv2.png%2Fv1%2Ffit%2Fal_c%2Ch_13%2Cq_100%2Cw_700%2Cbr_-9%2Csat_-5%2Chue_180%2Fb49ee3_b1d04af02c8c47ca9b58205d16225b0a%7Emv2.png&t=1698641382&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c16-c80007010700&sig=TnO2Gk3Cx_VvJmE8mH8AZw--~D" style="display: inline-block; max-width: 667px; outline: none; text-indent: -9999px; vertical-align: middle; width: 660px;" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_jb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_gb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ib yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_hb" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 700px; outline: none; text-align: center;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; width: 699.991px;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; direction: ltr; font-size: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 20px; text-align: center; word-break: normal;"><div class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_hc yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_fc" style="direction: ltr; display: inline-block; max-width: 41.8182%; outline: none; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 275.995px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="outline: none; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="outline: none; padding: 20px 20px 20px 40px; vertical-align: top; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="outline: none; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td align="left" class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="font-size: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; word-break: normal;"><div style="font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; outline: none;"><div style="outline: none;"><div class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_l" style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><p class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_pb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ub" style="font-size: 30px; line-height: 48px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-align: center;"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_pb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ub" style="color: #e70c0c; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">Celebrate Jill's 70th Birthday with Your Support!</span></p></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ic yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_fc" style="direction: ltr; display: inline-block; max-width: 58.1818%; outline: none; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 383.998px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="outline: none; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="outline: none; padding: 20px 40px 20px 20px; vertical-align: top; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="outline: none; 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font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 700px; outline: none; text-align: center;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; width: 699.991px;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; direction: ltr; font-size: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 20px; text-align: center; word-break: normal;"><div class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ab" style="direction: ltr; display: inline-block; outline: none; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 659.998px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="outline: none; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: none; padding: 20px 40px; vertical-align: top; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="outline: none; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td align="left" class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ec" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="font-size: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; word-break: normal;"><div style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1; outline: none;"><div style="outline: none; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-align: left;"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="font-style: italic; outline: none;">Join us in celebrating the birthday of Jill Shook, co-founder of Making Housing and Community Happen, who turns 70 years old on Wednesday, November 1. Jill has been tirelessly working for affordable housing for 23 years, advocating, organizing teams and churches, <span style="outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;">giving workshops nationwide, </span></span>and publishing a book, </span><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="outline: none;">M</span><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="outline: none;">aking Housing Happen: Faith-Based Affordable Housing Models, </span><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="font-style: italic; outline: none;">that has been used in campuses across the country. </span></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-align: left;"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="font-style: italic; outline: none;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-align: left;"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="font-style: italic; outline: none;">Jill has worked tirelessly, but is not getting any younger and is aware that our organization needs to plan for a transition when she can no longer work at her current pace. We need to hire younger staff to replace her (and her husband Anthony). Both Jill and Anthony feel led by the Spirit to work full-time as volunteers. Replacing them will require significant funds. </span></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-align: left;"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="font-style: italic; outline: none;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-align: left;"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="font-style: italic; outline: none;">If you'd like to express your appreciation for Jill, please contact her at jill@makinghousinghappen.org and make a contribution in her name to MHCH by </span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/edOjaxanH/c?w=AiROc0rP5pEnp2e7TVA98kQJcKMAs-ZvqTmd9wCxV5Y.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmxpcGNhdXNlLmNvbS9zZWN1cmUvY2F1c2VfcGRldGFpbHMvTVRrMk9EZzEiLCJyIjoiNzkwZjgwMzQtNmQyZS00M2E3LWFjMjctZjgyYzQ4NTllOThlIiwibSI6Im1haWwiLCJjIjoiYzU4NWFlZGYtYTI3My00OWNiLTlmNjktMzViZGVmMzQxNmY3In0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #109fff; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_ob yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_vb" style="color: #e70c0c; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: underline;">clicking here.</span></a> Your support will help us to plan for a bright future for MHCH and to continue Jill's legacy.</div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-align: left;"><br clear="none" style="outline: none;" />Also please join us on Nov. 19 when we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Making Housing and Community Happen and honor affordable housing rock stars as well as Jill's 70th birthday. T<span style="outline: none;"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_rb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_wb" style="font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_rb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_wb" style="line-height: 25px; outline: none;">o register, </span></span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/edOjaxanH/c?w=S7ctlgbgMjDiEwf65vP8bAChjJm8yMoyfpijLeStb5s.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmxpcGNhdXNlLmNvbS9zZWN1cmUvY2F1c2VfcGRldGFpbHMvTVRrMk9EZzIiLCJyIjoiOGY1NDFlMjQtYWU5ZS00YzkxLTkwZDQtMmNmMzgzNWQ1OGY4IiwibSI6Im1haWwiLCJjIjoiYzU4NWFlZGYtYTI3My00OWNiLTlmNjktMzViZGVmMzQxNmY3In0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #109fff; font-size: 16px; outline: none;" target="_blank"><span class="yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_rb yiv9062237168ydp69fc4c5fyiv2715170609ydpa8743e4eyiv0758483180ydpcc7a94e7yiv0835382157ydp7a5f3060yiv3490122259ydp79ac314byiv8668202499ydp328e403byiv7722696192ydpc5b0a5e5yiv7435171597ydp308bb225yiv2764794571x_wb" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 25px; outline: none;">click here.</span></a></span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-33214710909354765042023-10-27T08:02:00.002-07:002023-10-27T10:13:37.229-07:00The Quaker witch trial and the socio-political context of witch hunts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwPgkqJQh96UKRK-0R_bP5ocMlkuWlRwpGlYfdhpd0N_z4SESrpP2HrU8QxiiF-weA8kUYt5PzcLFTr-M7T3lST_mhHxen58LGDc-IASdgOcy6jUTkhvdElNimfhCZAamTUAfWeqa693cmnLRsUUo7j4nK1EqNnI4EWDbwLlIaqIm3ogtOZKIKQWkom_B/s1280/witch%20hunts%20jpeg.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwPgkqJQh96UKRK-0R_bP5ocMlkuWlRwpGlYfdhpd0N_z4SESrpP2HrU8QxiiF-weA8kUYt5PzcLFTr-M7T3lST_mhHxen58LGDc-IASdgOcy6jUTkhvdElNimfhCZAamTUAfWeqa693cmnLRsUUo7j4nK1EqNnI4EWDbwLlIaqIm3ogtOZKIKQWkom_B/s320/witch%20hunts%20jpeg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">With Hallowe'en just around the corner, I'd like to reflect on the socio-political context of witches and witch hunts. I'd like to start my reflection on witch hunts
with a true story about the only Quaker witchcraft trial known to have
occurred. The year was 1684, and the name of the woman accused of witchcraft
was Margaret Mattson. Margaret and her husband arrived in what is today called
Pennsylvania before William Penn, and they were Swedish, and along with their
neighbors, made up the first group of immigrants to settle along the lower
Delaware River. They soon would be displaced by the ever more numerous English
settlers who followed Penn. Their being “foreigners” was probably a significant
cause of this accusation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Margaret’s neighbors accused her of being a witch and she
was brought before William Penn who served as magistrate. Penn didn’t believe
in witches, but there was a law against witchcraft in England and he was legally
required to question her, so he asked: “Do you fly on a broomstick?” She didn’t
understand his question so she said, “Yes.” Penn responded, “That isn’t a
crime. Case dismissed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This story illustrates how Quakers did not buy into the
myth that women who are different are somehow evil. Perhaps that’s why so many
powerful women leaders have emerged from the Quaker movement. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Historically, witch hunts have been a way for the
patriarchy to target women who are “different” and challenge the norms. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4c4e4d; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Historian </span><a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Witchcraft_and_Religion.html?id=03ystwAACAAJ"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4f7177; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Christina Larner</span></b></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4c4e4d; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> estimates that about 80 percent of those
accused of witchcraft in the European witch hunts of the 16th and 17th
centuries were women. At the same time, the witch hunters were overwhelmingly
male.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4c4e4d; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">According to Erin Cassese,
McCarthy’s anti-communist witch hunts also tended to target women. Women were
overrepresented among defendants in federal loyalty cases, and agencies that
employed a disproportionately large share of women were often singled out for
close scrutiny. Historian </span><a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/20459124?casa_token=e71N2wEAHBMAAAAA:VvWuD7y6_WOLzRgBk5pqc9H8Rx5n2rvRn0J8_cY4UkWgJE-4KNZYhtDChs5jkkCjKfdmHktfxuXnwPCfij6-NvSuFT3yhEiB_ZpedVXPFm8LiKKvh0Z9&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4f7177; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Landon Storrs</span></b></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4c4e4d; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> notes that evidence presented against
female defendants took on a distinctively gendered tone. For example, keeping
one’s maiden name, “needlessly” holding a high-paying job while married, and
having a “dominant personality” were all grounds for suspicion of communist
sympathizing, ostensibly because communists eschewed traditional gender roles.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4c4e4d; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today the term “witch hunt”
has renewed cultural and political resonance, largely because it’s one of
President Trump’s preferred strategies for deflecting criticism and mobilizing
his base. Since assuming office, Trump has tweeted some variant of the phrase
“WITCH HUNT!” innumerable times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4c4e4d; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so common in Trump world, Trump inverts the
conventional usage and casts himself as the victim. Unlike in the past, the
term “witch hunt” is often invoked defensively by men in positions of power and
authority. Recent events show that men with political and economic power can
often rely on the idea of witch hunts to work for them, not against them. The
witch hunt still uses institutional authority to enforce traditional gender
norms and power relations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #4c4e4d; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I think that Hallowe’en is a
good time to unmask the ugly face of patriarchy which has persecuted women throughout
history for being different, for defying gender norms, and for challenging
accepted beliefs. Let’s not allow these perpetrators of violence against women
to portray themselves as the victims. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-43997624953228104952023-10-26T21:21:00.002-07:002023-10-26T21:21:14.812-07:00Building Housing on Faith Lands: How Congregations Can Take Action for Housing in CA: Friday Forum<p> </p><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv3535013009container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 30px; outline: none !important; width: 600px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #3e728f; background-image: url("https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icujp.org%2Fthemes%2F1%2F511c1067ba6d1d2a61000003%2F0%2Fattachments%2F14275231951582325497%2Fdefault%2Fheader-bg.jpg&t=1698380400&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-0c000b013a00&sig=SSJpkvQjcASGvO0y._kB5g--~D"); border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 12px 20px 20px; word-break: normal;"><div style="outline: none !important; overflow: hidden; width: 220px;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><img alt="Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace" border="0" class="yiv3535013009logo" height="auto" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fsites%2F1%2Fmeta_images%2Foriginal%2FICUJP_lo_res.jpg%3F1535336236&t=1698380400&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-0c000b013a00&sig=vtDPQBRFpbfc2NMQuV3Zlw--~D" style="height: auto; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px; width: 219.996px;" width="220" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td bgcolor="#ffffff" class="yiv3535013009body-content" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 15px; word-break: normal;"><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please join us online</em></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">October 27th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific</strong><span style="font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="480" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1133%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FIKAR.jpg%3F1698176196&t=1698380400&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-0c000b013a00&sig=5rN1O6iFl96LcsOYOt2q7Q--~D" style="max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="718" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><span style="outline: none !important;">Building Housing on Faith Lands: How Congregations Can Take Action for Housing in CA </span></h2><h4 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Jo</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">in video conference</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"> here:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk5tztqljKiMm0yCnwwXas0eXf-DG_nl_1Y0karjJdAG3&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84519726689</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Call in by phone: </strong>+1 669 900 6833* <br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID: 845 1972 6689</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 742119<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em><em style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></em></h4><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">Brooke Wirtschafter, Director of Community Organizing at <strong style="outline: none !important;">IKAR, a Jewish Spiritual Community</strong> will speak about IKAR's efforts to build affordable housing on their site and advocate for housing in Los Angeles and California.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Join the conversation with our speaker:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><img alt="" height="157" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1133%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FBrooke_Wirtschafter.jpg%3F1698177501&t=1698380400&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-0c000b013a00&sig=l9BYE_rPuliWmuCQYirS_g--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="236" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Brooke Wirtschafter</strong> is Director of Community Organizing at <strong style="outline: none !important;">IKAR</strong>, a Jewish spiritual community<br style="outline: none !important;" />in Los Angeles. At IKAR, Brooke works with community members to build effective teams and<br style="outline: none !important;" />cultivate leaders, to identify shared values and goals and work toward a better, more just, more<br style="outline: none !important;" />humane city, county, and state, with partners from across Los Angeles. Brooke has been proud<br style="outline: none !important;" />to support IKAR's work in coalitions advocating for immigrants' rights, justice system<br style="outline: none !important;" />transformation, environmental justice, climate action, and housing. She helped IKAR lay the<br style="outline: none !important;" />groundwork for building a permanent supportive housing development for formerly homeless<br style="outline: none !important;" />seniors as part of its new building, with plans to break ground in 2024.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />In 2022, she led IKAR’s successful effort to draft and pass a state law (AB 2244) that reduced parking requirements for faith communities that choose to build affordable housing. Brooke also serves as a member of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></p><table border="2" style="background-color: #99f2ef; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; height: 49px; min-height: 49px; outline: none !important; width: 722px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><h3 class="yiv3535013009gmail_quote" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></h3><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=c40DS1-gtXZKRWkIDTitCGhlhzloawd14_nCzY4IWsg&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Join Our Future LA Coalition to support the work of IKAR</strong></a></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Pm6nSK4O9ZkaQuo1mEneiCFYeE8W9AI83_XRfiGWH1c&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Website: IKAR</strong></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions <br style="outline: none !important;" />7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:15 - 9:20 Announcements<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Start your morning with us!<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Facilitator and Reflector: Anthony Manousos</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;">** Meetings begin promptly at <strong style="outline: none !important;">7:30 am Pacific.</strong> **</div><div style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">-----</span></div></div></div><h3 style="outline: none !important;">Here's how to join the online meeting:</h3><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum 10/27/23</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" />Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 1: Join video conference <br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk5tztqljKiMm0yCnwwXas0eXf-DG_nl_1Y0karjJdAG3&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=5" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84519726689</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 845 1972 6689<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> <span style="outline: none !important;">742119</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 2: Dial in by phone only:<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong>+1 669 900 6833 US (California)<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 845 1972 6689<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> 742119</p><h4 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em></h4><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">(To find a dial-in number closer to you, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=7Rww7-WoOzTdDmOnNYpKE2F67rl-AZbUZjnLU3jdEkgTmeqznlBaUgs5wHQ7uU8J&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=6" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="Zoom dial in numbers">go here</a>.)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">-----</p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. <strong style="outline: none !important;">By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes</strong>. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.<br style="outline: none !important;" /></em><em style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">_________________________________________<br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></em></p><h1 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">22nd Anniversary of ICUJP: 22 years of working for Justice and Peace</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><img alt="" height="215" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1120%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FUntitled_design.png%3F1694466648&t=1698380400&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-0c000b013a00&sig=t6xjBea8fmR_fY3G8et7iQ--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="381" /></span></h1><h4 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Twenty-two years ago, Rev. George Regas of All-Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena reached out to clergy, community leaders, and laypeople to come together to seek an alternative to the fear-mongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation in the wake of September 11. The message that they wanted to convey was coherent and powerful: “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.” On that day, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=7" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace</a> was born.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">These past 22 years have been a journey for ICUJP - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crisis and issues that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated of activists. But through it all, we go forward in our mission to be the voice for "the least of these", and our determination to create the change we want to see in the world.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">On Sunday, September 10th, 2023, ICUJP honored Rev. George Regas's life and legacy, and recognized deserving organizations with the 2023 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Award. As our theme was "Housing is a Human Right", we were glad to shine a light on the work of <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Y_VUt-4qv0wwjYUU7Z2M54JsWbGcencOx3g0tNC6c9v71FddNZ_idd3d7Pj_IPZe&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=8" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Making Housing and Community Happen</a>, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=3eagzYCeS8GMKWzDRPceALIiirJkdOEGogWLDNugxzTnS5Rhk9jIULrXHos8csy9hZoDFh-xb5FDFlZ3-8D3jgrb7o-Wf0H8-AuLSiI96dE&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=9" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">All-Saints Church Safe Haven Bridge to Housing</a>, the <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=ly0Xyl7SYfHgNSW392bffem8sxptU4b4AHzVESa6wtb5M0cYYIT4Qt_LtQ3CZb6QSEjXnQA0TseeKJqsmSFzz-7-y8LVYKF9f9N3ip1-m-AOctts0dx_-P5iDFNdE99NMCnqhSWAPWCF9HLwJubmAnzDgYfNYGV0usg2LKqCnZY&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=10" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Office of Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles</a>, and the <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=OwvItB0bICjByHsUWaDT_aUa3gS9A-ciBBpWzeUPezc&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=11" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center</a>.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Thank you for your part in keeping the vision of George F. Regas alive as we continue creating a place to gather, organize, pray, and act together united by the fundamental principle that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Please consider helping Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace in its mission. ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for over 20 years through the generosity of individuals and organizations like you. Like so many other organizations, our ability to raise donations has been hampered during the COVID pandemic. </span></h4><div class="yiv3535013009nb-tmce-btn yiv3535013009nb-btn" style="font-family: inherit; outline: none !important; width: 721.996px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #303030; border-collapse: initial; border-radius: 4px; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px auto 0px 0px; outline: none !important; width: 200px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; outline: none !important; padding: 15px 30px; position: relative; word-break: normal;" valign="middle"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=12" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; display: block; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="DONATE HERE!"></a><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_27_23friday_forum&n=12" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: white; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">DONATE HERE!</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;"> </em></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-34255121200408682402023-10-26T19:22:00.002-07:002023-10-26T21:15:57.306-07:00War and Housing Insecurity Go Hand in Hand: Micah 4-4<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvmNGF_SaUG36TwENC3lq3nL_FFIKQ0M9KesEFNBaZ9Ud-zHYdYMvAH-CBk39zaR2It-ax9mUt64kRVPzB8EXh5RCkDmX5UL6NYxEz3UWGo1xglj_qC88cSI4Nnejt4czaAf8i0DZydQ6IrbOQQPhKaZj3KX4QYLT3_XK6CYA9FSK00XzlgeKscol5LSN/s343/Logo%20for%20MHCH.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="343" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvmNGF_SaUG36TwENC3lq3nL_FFIKQ0M9KesEFNBaZ9Ud-zHYdYMvAH-CBk39zaR2It-ax9mUt64kRVPzB8EXh5RCkDmX5UL6NYxEz3UWGo1xglj_qC88cSI4Nnejt4czaAf8i0DZydQ6IrbOQQPhKaZj3KX4QYLT3_XK6CYA9FSK00XzlgeKscol5LSN/s320/Logo%20for%20MHCH.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />This past Tuesday, at our monthly MHCH Housing Justice Forum, I gave a reflection focusing on the motto of MHCH, which is taken from the
prophet Micah, who declared that
“Everyone beneath their vine and fig tree shall live in peace and
unafraid.”<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In other
words, it is God’s intention that everyone should have secure, decent and
affordable housing. Micah also states that “nations shall turn their swords
into ploughshares and study war no more.” He makes the connection between war
and housing insecurity and displacement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the
past few weeks, we’ve seen the devastating effects of war not only on women and
children and families, but also on their homes. Over100,000 Armenians fled
their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh, fearing “ethnic cleansing.” Nearly 170,000
residences were damaged and nearly 16,000 homes destroyed in Gaza since October
7. One third of Ukrainians have been displaced since the Russian invasion two
years ago. That’s nearly twelve million people. According to a UN report,
world-wide 108 million people lost their homes due to war by the end of 2023.
And 35 million had to leave their homeland due to war.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These
numbers are staggering and mind-numbing, but we need to face the fact that our
country bears a responsibility for these wars since we are by far the largest
arms exporter, or as Dr. King put it, “purveyor of violence,” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the world. We produce and sell 40% of the
world’s weapons!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, I’d like to close by asking us to reflect on how war is
affecting not only the world but also our homeland. President Eisenhower gave a famous speech in 1953 in
which he said, that<b> “<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">Every gun
that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the
final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold
and are not clothed</span>.”</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These are prophetic words, especially when you consider
that President Biden is asking for over $100 billion in additional military aid
to Ukraine and Israel, and many in Congress are eager to allocate these funds.
$100 billion could pay for 200,000 homes and end chronic homelessness in our
nation!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So let’s pray that our leaders take to heart the words of
the prophet Micah and spend our tax dollars not on weapons of war, but on basic
human needs like education, medical care, and housing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="yiv9061892451ydpd33bed1fyiv9434564433rb yiv9061892451ydpd33bed1fyiv9434564433wb" face="helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; outline: none;">Please </span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/edOjaxanH/c?w=DRx4Eda7CDvH8i1PslbzcMu3ajkFpgGAQiuJWo8gS7w.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9mY25sLnF1b3J1bS51cy9jYW1wYWlnbi81MTg4Ni8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1iaWxsYm9hcmQiLCJyIjoiM2JmYzY5YmYtMTA2OS00MzI1LWI0MjUtNDYyOGIyODNiMmI3IiwibSI6Im1haWwiLCJjIjoiMDAwMDAwMDAtMDAwMC0wMDAwLTAwMDAtMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwIn0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #109fff; font-size: 16px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span class="yiv9061892451ydpd33bed1fyiv9434564433rb yiv9061892451ydpd33bed1fyiv9434564433wb" style="line-height: 25px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: underline;">click here</span></a><span class="yiv9061892451ydpd33bed1fyiv9434564433rb yiv9061892451ydpd33bed1fyiv9434564433wb" face="helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"> to let your elected officials know that you support a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to Gaza</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><br /><p></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-27292709994618927012023-10-12T11:26:00.000-07:002023-10-12T11:26:00.850-07:00Israel and Palestine: Yes, there IS a Path to Peace: ICUJP Forum this Friday at 7:30 am<p> <span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: YahooSans, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 700;">Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace</span><span class="u_N C_Z1VRqsb c1AVi73_6FsP c1AVi7H_6LEV" style="color: #828a93; font-family: YahooSans, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important;"> <communications@icujp.org></span></p><div style="color: #1d2228; font-family: YahooSans, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; 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border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 12px 20px 20px; word-break: normal;"><div style="outline: none !important; overflow: hidden; width: 220px;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><img alt="Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace" border="0" class="yiv5741897596logo" height="auto" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fsites%2F1%2Fmeta_images%2Foriginal%2FICUJP_lo_res.jpg%3F1535336236&t=1697135084&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ca4-6d001b01db00&sig=uEPcrKUg4_6awbFF9dKEWA--~D" style="height: auto; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px; width: 219.996px;" width="220" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td bgcolor="#ffffff" class="yiv5741897596body-content" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 15px; word-break: normal;"><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please join us online</em></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">October 13th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific</strong><span style="font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="375" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1131%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2Fjvphope-israel-LEAF-Small-copy.jpg%3F1697044164&t=1697135084&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ca4-6d001b01db00&sig=9_1KEnP36qYDekkV_2zg3A--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="600" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Israel and Palestine: </strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Yes, there IS a Path to Peace <br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></h2><h4 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Jo</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">in video conference</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"> here:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk45YNNHbnP2GCKQVY04Tb4PdVoTXHruELc3X0pCMoPsn&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86278308583</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Call in by phone: </strong>+1 669 900 6833* <br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID: 862 7830 8583</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 033009<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em><em style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></em></h4><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">It is hard at this time to see a way to peace in many parts of our world, especially now in the Middle East. But how did we come to this place in time, and how can we forge a path to compassion and understanding?<strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong>Join us as we take a serious look at the root causes of the ongoing violence in the Middle East, and do the work of healing our world one person at a time.<strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Join the conversation with our speakers:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="243" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1131%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FEstee_Chandler_3072_FULLBLEED.jpg%3F1697045987&t=1697135084&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ca4-6d001b01db00&sig=B3DW0ZPlHP0tunOuHkPkRg--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="194" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Estee Chandler</strong> is a longtime film and media professional who now focuses her work on human rights. In 2010 she founded the Los Angeles chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), and now proudly serves on the JVP and JVP Action boards of directors. Along with Nagwa Ibrahim she is a Host/Producer of KPFK’s long running radio show Middle East in Focus.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="230" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1130%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FUnknown-1-1-224x300.jpeg_%25281%2529.dat%3F1697050386&t=1697135084&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ca4-6d001b01db00&sig=um5xKiKfI5owWLU5QTsTpg--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="172" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Benjamin Kersten </strong>is a member-leader with Jewish Voice for Peace at UCLA. He is a graduate student in the UCLA Department of Art History and the Graduate Student Fellow at the UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies. He also works as a youth educator.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="217" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1131%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FDrAhlamMahutaseb.jpg%3F1697055428&t=1697135084&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ca4-6d001b01db00&sig=vVnk_mzjbOpgH_tUoc3yIA--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="181" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Dr. Ahlam Muhtaseb</strong> is a professor of media studies at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). She is the recipient of the 2020 CSUSB Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities Award and was one of the 2019-20 Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Faculty Mentor Awardees. She has an M.A. in Journalism and a Ph.D. in Digital Communication from the University of Memphis, Tennessee. Her research interests include digital communication, digital resistance & decolonization, social justice and diasporic communities. Dr. Muhtaseb is also the co-director and producer of the film 1948: Creation and Catastrophe.</p><table border="2" style="background-color: #99f2ef; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; height: 49px; min-height: 49px; outline: none !important; width: 722px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><h3 class="yiv5741897596gmail_quote" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></h3><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><span class="yiv5741897596x_gmail-Apple-converted-space" style="font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=b60V0dD1WbT8UW_iZ9meif0qJKsUTC483MdQkCdQLXY&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Muslim Public Affairs Council</a></span></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Tmmc1aD3dqsCgc4TeRtMaGXs8wdRWRvcViXu707bat6mnlLIC-LjH2321TFik1G3&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Jewish Voice for Peace</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=TpqAy45vDAwdIPkVK6yh-oJ5m6PSLbNUr_tpYW-ME9o&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=5" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><span style="outline: none !important;">1948: Creation & Catastrophe</span></a><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions <br style="outline: none !important;" />7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:15 - 9:20 Announcements<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Start your morning with us!<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Facilitator: Dave Clennon</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Reflector: Rubi Omar</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;">** Meetings begin promptly at <strong style="outline: none !important;">7:30 am Pacific.</strong> **</div><div style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">-----</span></div></div></div><h3 style="outline: none !important;">Here's how to join the online meeting:</h3><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum 10/13/23</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" />Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 1: Join video conference <br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk45YNNHbnP2GCKQVY04Tb4PdVoTXHruELc3X0pCMoPsn&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=6" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86278308583</a></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 862 7830 8583<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> 033009</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 2: Dial in by phone only:<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong>+1 669 900 6833 US (California)<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 862 7830 8583<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> 033009</p><h4 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em></h4><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">(To find a dial-in number closer to you, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=7Rww7-WoOzTdDmOnNYpKE2F67rl-AZbUZjnLU3jdEkgTmeqznlBaUgs5wHQ7uU8J&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=7" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="Zoom dial in numbers">go here</a>.)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">-----</p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. <strong style="outline: none !important;">By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes</strong>. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></em><span style="color: #333333; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Oct. 20th Forum: Dr. Richard Davenport - Interspirituality</strong></span><em style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">_________________________________________<br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></em></p><h1 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">22nd Anniversary of ICUJP: 22 years of working for Justice and Peace</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><img alt="" height="215" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1120%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FUntitled_design.png%3F1694466648&t=1697135084&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ca4-6d001b01db00&sig=lzPSvMJuxlJJRU3rvrJ9GA--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="381" /></span></h1><h4 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Twenty-two years ago, Rev. George Regas of All-Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena reached out to clergy, community leaders, and laypeople to come together to seek an alternative to the fear-mongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation in the wake of September 11. The message that they wanted to convey was coherent and powerful: “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.” On that day, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=8" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace</a> was born.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">These past 22 years have been a journey for ICUJP - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crisis and issues that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated of activists. But through it all, we go forward in our mission to be the voice for "the least of these", and our determination to create the change we want to see in the world.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">On Sunday, September 10th, 2023, ICUJP honored Rev. George Regas's life and legacy, and recognized deserving organizations with the 2023 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Award. As our theme was "Housing is a Human Right", we were glad to shine a light on the work of <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Y_VUt-4qv0wwjYUU7Z2M54JsWbGcencOx3g0tNC6c9v71FddNZ_idd3d7Pj_IPZe&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=9" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Making Housing and Community Happen</a>, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=3eagzYCeS8GMKWzDRPceALIiirJkdOEGogWLDNugxzTnS5Rhk9jIULrXHos8csy9hZoDFh-xb5FDFlZ3-8D3jgrb7o-Wf0H8-AuLSiI96dE&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=10" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">All-Saints Church Safe Haven Bridge to Housing</a>, the <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=ly0Xyl7SYfHgNSW392bffem8sxptU4b4AHzVESa6wtb5M0cYYIT4Qt_LtQ3CZb6QSEjXnQA0TseeKJqsmSFzz-7-y8LVYKF9f9N3ip1-m-AOctts0dx_-P5iDFNdE99NMCnqhSWAPWCF9HLwJubmAnzDgYfNYGV0usg2LKqCnZY&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=11" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Office of Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles</a>, and the <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=OwvItB0bICjByHsUWaDT_aUa3gS9A-ciBBpWzeUPezc&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=12" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center</a>.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Thank you for your part in keeping the vision of George F. Regas alive as we continue creating a place to gather, organize, pray, and act together united by the fundamental principle that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Please consider helping Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace in its mission. ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for over 20 years through the generosity of individuals and organizations like you. Like so many other organizations, our ability to raise donations has been hampered during the COVID pandemic. </span></h4><div class="yiv5741897596nb-tmce-btn yiv5741897596nb-btn" style="font-family: inherit; outline: none !important; width: 721.996px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #303030; border-collapse: initial; border-radius: 4px; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px auto 0px 0px; outline: none !important; width: 200px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; outline: none !important; padding: 15px 30px; position: relative; word-break: normal;" valign="middle"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=13" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; display: block; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="DONATE HERE!"></a><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_13_23friday_forum2&n=13" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: white; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">DONATE HERE!</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;"> </em></p><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-47887390181290437482023-09-08T08:14:00.004-07:002023-09-08T08:37:27.517-07:00Greece: A War and Peace Report<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18lglTWXQzS8SikWPIPvw9qVmxoJEEScd--g31fBbY4DjlZ6eZVsbS-nYYUDORvqy3HMWwfo1Jzl45_rUTbBU7MRXSjUc2Qq8EQZXL8-bsjrOmRBVrs6ctrz66-Opw18dgMWS-K-GCRIdLNgBmAyOZ-TEl5HhNjEurrW1a1GWxSj7Rvm11vf6NkzCosjx/s960/jill%20and%20anthony%20ephesus.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18lglTWXQzS8SikWPIPvw9qVmxoJEEScd--g31fBbY4DjlZ6eZVsbS-nYYUDORvqy3HMWwfo1Jzl45_rUTbBU7MRXSjUc2Qq8EQZXL8-bsjrOmRBVrs6ctrz66-Opw18dgMWS-K-GCRIdLNgBmAyOZ-TEl5HhNjEurrW1a1GWxSj7Rvm11vf6NkzCosjx/s320/jill%20and%20anthony%20ephesus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As many of you know, I’ve just returned from a fabulous
three-week trip to Greece with my sister, my cousins, and two dear friends from
Pasadena who are African American and wanted to have a genuine Greek
experience. We not only saw the amazing sites—Delphi, Olympia, Meteora, the
Acropolis, Patmos, Ephesus, Rhodes, and much more--we also spent a weekend on
Andros, the island where my Dad was born, went to the church where he was
baptized and hung out with my delightful Greek relatives. We experience Greek
hospitality at its finest. This was my fourth trip to Greece, and each time I
go, I love Greece and the Greek people more and more. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">What I’d like to reflect on today is the Greek attitude
towards war and peace. Like most people of their time, the ancient Greeks were
a warrior as well as a trading culture. Even Socrates was a war hero. Their
national epic, the <i>Iliad and the Odyssey,</i> is all about a ten-year war between
the Greeks and the Trojans that didn’t end well for either side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdDtfiZ1ULpnBokK6BxrksHb60cFup79H_yfYDhjSW2VbUUv90XvUeC_wuKJpOIJXnIodClwytngAWme29_OTHVxy-8hQ4sx5toXnGsyrVvU8jfaomlH0nG3EecTejSez4wu_5AzS93b4_D5OCR1Nf8BEJ2lVJNSTmpQIQ1hL_4U4ILA1FXObrASWncYZ/s350/iliad%20simone%20weil.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="244" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdDtfiZ1ULpnBokK6BxrksHb60cFup79H_yfYDhjSW2VbUUv90XvUeC_wuKJpOIJXnIodClwytngAWme29_OTHVxy-8hQ4sx5toXnGsyrVvU8jfaomlH0nG3EecTejSez4wu_5AzS93b4_D5OCR1Nf8BEJ2lVJNSTmpQIQ1hL_4U4ILA1FXObrASWncYZ/w139-h200/iliad%20simone%20weil.jpg" width="139" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />The Greeks honored warriors, but did they glorify war? Just
as World War II was breaking out, French writer Simone Weil wrote a powerful
essay about the Iliad that was published by the Quakers as a Pendle Hill
pamphlet. <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Simone
Petrement, a friend of Weil, wrote that the essay provided a new perspective for
viewing the <i>Iliad</i>. Whereas previously the <i>Iliad</i> had
often been regarded as a stirring tale of heroic deeds, after the essay it
could be seen as an accurate and compassionate depiction of how both victors
and victims are harmed by the use of force. </span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The
scene in the Iliad that I find most compelling is the one in which Priam, the
King of Troy, goes to the camp of his enemy the Greeks to beg Achilles, the man
who killed his son Hector, to give him his son’s body for a proper burial. During
their painful conversation, Achilles grieves over the death of his best friend
Patrocles, who was murdered by Hector, Priam grieves over the death of his son,
who was murdered by Achilles, and both men weep so loudly they can be heard
throughout the Greek camp. For Homer, and most Greek dramatists, war is tragic.
</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">The ancient Greeks fought many wars, including the war
against Persia that changed the course of history, but they also engaged in
peaceful trade most of the time. One of the high points of my trip was going to
Cnossus, in Crete, the center of the Minoan civilization that flourished from
2000-1400 BC. The Minoans were a peaceful people. Their art focused on
fashionably dressed women and men, not warriors, and depicted bull fights in
which men did not kill bulls but performed acrobatics on their backs.<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> The Minoans
had weapons—beautiful, ornate swords—but were more interested in trade and
making jewelry than in war and piracy. One anthropologist stated that:
"The stark fact is that for the prehistoric Aegean we have no direct
evidence for war and warfare <i>per se</i>.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils73nKCKQ7sHe8M2JTjQNV0Z3qtV8jPvW3TsUGpw7pRJ86y2Hg9QjpnhtxT4FGMNlqLkuNcbqV5wIEqcKOb030yetutERgL51EnGpp_x7gVtzjaA55e6sdrNu1fP-6DkKkoygMTh3XVA4ape1O3UmNaUnIX_Bi4nQy0xbfWPZCqNkpopYOINlQeo9PTfk/s1000/voice%20of%20the%20goddess.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="705" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils73nKCKQ7sHe8M2JTjQNV0Z3qtV8jPvW3TsUGpw7pRJ86y2Hg9QjpnhtxT4FGMNlqLkuNcbqV5wIEqcKOb030yetutERgL51EnGpp_x7gVtzjaA55e6sdrNu1fP-6DkKkoygMTh3XVA4ape1O3UmNaUnIX_Bi4nQy0xbfWPZCqNkpopYOINlQeo9PTfk/w141-h200/voice%20of%20the%20goddess.jpg" width="141" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />Judith
Hand, an evolutionary biologist and a friend of the Quakers, wrote a
fascinating novel called <i>The Voice of the Goddess</i> depicting the Minoan
civilization as peace-loving and matriarchal, until the advent of war-like
mainland Greeks. I highly recommend this book for its fascinating depiction of a
matriarchal society.</span><div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: large; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: large; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The Greeks found in athletic contests an alternative to violence that
has had a profound influence on the world. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: large; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Every four
years, from 776 BC to 394 AD, participants across the entire Hellenic world engaged
in organized competition as part of a shared religious tradition honoring Zeus
and honoring the glory and beauty of the human body and <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLnFa9yM4j1zk1VAChn4GON-FEFdG3I89DbhDShwGUa5E4dVYqnxP9CdcR7O7oinGrORuv3qxg0g7JWGtGWNW_lv06WAPTyWFrcyf6sH-MYRFyBUK9wGYXtkF5J_M-ZjiPtT1z74cPSNehVT-63WLXg6iGx9UCb8knIWZBTLbhf4T2nev8Uig9JzLc3b8/s300/Olympic_Truce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLnFa9yM4j1zk1VAChn4GON-FEFdG3I89DbhDShwGUa5E4dVYqnxP9CdcR7O7oinGrORuv3qxg0g7JWGtGWNW_lv06WAPTyWFrcyf6sH-MYRFyBUK9wGYXtkF5J_M-ZjiPtT1z74cPSNehVT-63WLXg6iGx9UCb8knIWZBTLbhf4T2nev8Uig9JzLc3b8/w200-h150/Olympic_Truce.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />spirit. If the Greek
city states were at war, they would cease fighting until the Olympic games
ended. So compelling was that Olympic spirit of human excellence and peaceful
competition, that it lasted more than 11 centuries, and was reinitiated in 1896
at the modern Olympic Stadium in Athens.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Some
of the best antiwar plays ever written were composed during the later phases
of the devastating war between Athens and Sparta (431–404 BCE)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Euripides' <i>The Trojan Women</i> (performed
in 415 BCE) showed the tragic impact of war on women, and Aristophanes' <i>Lysistrata</i> (411
BCE) showed the power of women to end war. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2s3diEXK0uCUHl6pZCP-LEuwSgItlWXjkyUdh-YpLn6nrt9fm3Bmi_OFUNipMvbAVkUMEbpp5FchCMIfKI7SEVaLGgIxahCo1xNkk2M3PQuMEM79WEktIkVChzTqeirz92PwVmUmwjgwKLkTrsNWo1MIhdmJPpHU_6GXeHSoVe4GOCpa8rsd2hjfewb3/s600/lystrata.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2s3diEXK0uCUHl6pZCP-LEuwSgItlWXjkyUdh-YpLn6nrt9fm3Bmi_OFUNipMvbAVkUMEbpp5FchCMIfKI7SEVaLGgIxahCo1xNkk2M3PQuMEM79WEktIkVChzTqeirz92PwVmUmwjgwKLkTrsNWo1MIhdmJPpHU_6GXeHSoVe4GOCpa8rsd2hjfewb3/w200-h200/lystrata.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />Aristophanes’
comedy depicts a sex strike undertaken by the women of Athens and Sparta to
compel men to stop their senseless war-making. It is a bawdy comedy that was
very popular during the Vietnam War era. (I highly recommend Sarah Ruden's translation.)</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">This
work may have influenced the Liberian women who also adopted a sex strike as
one of their tactics to compel their men to come to the peace table. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In
2003 my wife Kathleen and I went on journey in the footsteps of St. Paul with a
boat load of Methodists and other Christians just as the United States was
about to bomb and invade Iraq. I was the lone Quaker in this group of religious
pilgrims. When we took the ferry to Patmos, the island where John had his
revelation, we heard over the loudspeaker that the US had started bombing
Baghdad. Distraught by this news, I burst into tears. A Methodist pastor asked
me, “Are you alright?” I responded, “How can I be alright when my country is
bombing Iraq?”</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">After
this cruise, Kathleen and I went to Athens and took part in the largest
antiwar demonstration in Europe. Tens of thousands of Greeks marched in
protest, condemning the US for this invasion. Some of their language was so
anti-American it worried Kathleen, so I reassured her. “The Greeks love Americans,
but they don’t like what our government is doing.”</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">This
outpouring of antiwar sentiment makes me curious about the peace movement in
modern Greece. Unfortunately, I know little about it. Once I learn more, it could
be a topic for another reflection.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-22390448270684772592023-08-08T21:36:00.004-07:002023-08-08T21:36:42.869-07:00Save the Date: ICUJP George Regas Award event on Sept 10: Housing is a Human Right<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv8315804344x_x_container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 30px; outline: none !important; width: 600px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #3e728f; background-image: url("https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icujp.org%2Fthemes%2F1%2F511c1067ba6d1d2a61000003%2F0%2Fattachments%2F14275231951582325497%2Fdefault%2Fheader-bg.jpg&t=1691555606&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ce9-7c0003013000&sig=zfAQ3cLZmeI5XtkaY1Rl8A--~D"); border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 12px 20px 20px; word-break: normal;"><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 220px;"><a class="yiv8315804344x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=09_10_23save_the_date&n=1&test_email=1" id="yiv8315804344OWA576ff659-f88c-ac5a-ae49-b94a2042d29b" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><img alt="Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace" border="0" class="yiv8315804344x_x_logo" height="auto" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fsites%2F1%2Fmeta_images%2Foriginal%2FICUJP_lo_res.jpg%3F1535336236&t=1691555606&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ce9-7c0003013000&sig=PGd9Bdxmi2Q_pbpiJPMbtg--~D" style="height: auto; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px; width: 219.996px;" width="220" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv8315804344x_x_body-content" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 15px; word-break: normal;"><h1 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">SAVE THE DATE!<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></span></h1><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"> <strong style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Pursuing Justice and Peace</em><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP 2023 Rev. George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards - <br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></em></strong></span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Housing Is A Human Right </em></strong></span><strong style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;"></em></strong></h2><h1 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><img alt="GeorgeRegas" height="331" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F933%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FG_Regas_arrest.jpg&t=1691555606&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ce9-7c0003013000&sig=iE07QUjZtSh_9Df_MBUtaA--~D" style="max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" title="GeorgeRegas" width="496" /></span></h1><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Sunday, September 10, 2023 • </strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">1:00-3:00 pm, All-Saints Church, Pasadena </strong></span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important;">132 N Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101 <strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><span style="outline: none !important;">(Also Live Streamed Online)</span><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><em style="outline: none !important;"></em></h2><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: x-large; outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">Only days after the devastating 9/11 attacks, the late Rev. George F. Regas brought together Christians, Jews, Muslims, Quakers, humanists and people of many faiths and beliefs to establish </span><span style="color: #cb008e; outline: none !important;">Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace,</span><span style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"> </span>with the mission that<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span></span><span style="color: #cb008e; outline: none !important;">Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></span></span></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: x-large; outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">Since its founding 22 years ago, ICUJP has remained true to George's vision, holding over 1,000 Friday Forums with speakers from all over the world, and engaging in a wide range of activities to advance the struggle for justice and peace.</span><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /><br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></span></strong></div><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: x-large; outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">To celebrate the ongoing work of ICUJP, to honor George's life and legacy, and to recognize deserving individuals and organizations, </span><span style="outline: none !important;">please join us at:</span></span></strong></div><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: #4c76a2; font-size: xx-large; outline: none !important;">Housing Is A Human Right</span></em></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP 2023 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards </em></strong> </span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">Sunday, September 10, 2023 • 1:00-3:00 pm All-Saints Church, 132 N Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101 and live streamed online<br clear="none" style="outline: none !important;" /></span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">The event is free, but we would appreciate voluntary donations of $25, $50 or $100 per person. See below regarding Sponsorship packages. </strong></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"> </span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important;">We're delighted to recognize the following remarkable individuals as 2023 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemakers:</h2><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><img alt="" height="250" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1102%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2F2022_George_F._Regas_Courageous_Peacemaker_Awards.png%3F1691542736&t=1691555606&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1ce9-7c0003013000&sig=4Y4k4gL7b56.A0yJQaqdBQ--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="444" /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Watch for the announcement of additional special guests!</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-17308341552471777672023-08-03T15:56:00.007-07:002024-01-09T22:26:56.186-08:00The Power of the Peace Movement vs. The Folly of Scientists: A Quaker Perspective<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr0MiEQsAhg6JuQnrWz1nQ9L2Sm37dc_kRp-GN3Xf5rogxOGQ2aVy22T9G5hPcm-K3rJiDmiZwsbS5-65XKoiWizY0pp2iHXVjpE0z2YMX2fYFQmR_Gc4ARinRfCxj38whiU8EWdb_pqmZshsX8eJjqFVQJ2yZxNf-N_lv9taOFwyWp0Qq4spkMQkO4br/s1024/Oppenheimer-Christopher-Nolan-0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr0MiEQsAhg6JuQnrWz1nQ9L2Sm37dc_kRp-GN3Xf5rogxOGQ2aVy22T9G5hPcm-K3rJiDmiZwsbS5-65XKoiWizY0pp2iHXVjpE0z2YMX2fYFQmR_Gc4ARinRfCxj38whiU8EWdb_pqmZshsX8eJjqFVQJ2yZxNf-N_lv9taOFwyWp0Qq4spkMQkO4br/w538-h303/Oppenheimer-Christopher-Nolan-0.jpeg" width="538" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;">The Power of the Peace Movement vs. The Folly of Scientists: A Quaker Perspective</span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">My wife and I went to see “Oppenheimer” with some friends and were deeply moved by its complex
portrayal of the “Father of the Atomic Bomb.” Oppenheimer’s story is profoundly
tragic, as most war stories are. He is portrayed with all his ambiguity:
brilliant, full of hubris, and morally conflicted. He realizes too late that he
has released the genie of mass destruction from its bottle, and his effort to curtail
the consequences of this act of hubris leads to his political downfall. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">The movie
assumes that the dropping of the bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima was a
necessary evil to end the war with Japan and saved countless lives. This claim
has been disputed by “revisionist” historians like <span style="background: white; color: black;">Gar Alperovitz, author of “The Decision to Use the Atomic
Bomb,” and a former fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, and Martin J. Sherwin,
professor of history at George Mason University and author of “Gambling With
Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette From Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">In 2020 these historians</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">wrote an op ed piece in the <i>LA
Times</i> showing that even the military questioned the necessity of using the
atomic bomb on Japan.<a href="https://d.docs.live.net/c170afeabcd94b50/Documents/Oppenheimer%20reflection%20for%20ICUJP.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C., </span><span class="link"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">states unambiguously on a plaque with its atomic bomb
exhibit: “</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The vast destruction wreaked by the bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the loss of 135,000 people made little impact on the
Japanese military. However, the Soviet invasion of Manchuria … changed their
minds.”</span> Furthermore, the authors point out that “seven of the United
States’ eight five-star Army and Navy officers in 1945 agreed with the Navy’s
vitriolic assessment. Generals Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur and Henry
“Hap” Arnold and Admirals William Leahy, Chester Nimitz, Ernest King, and
William Halsey are on record stating that the atomic bombs were either
militarily unnecessary, morally reprehensible, or both.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">What the movie portrays instead is
the frenzied jubilation of most Americans when they learned that the atomic bomb
had been dropped on the Japanese, who surrendered the next day. In a dramatic scene,
Oppenheimer boasts that the bomb has been dropped on the Japanese, and should
have dropped on the Germans, and everyone applauds wildly. During the deafening
and uncontrollable applause, Oppenheimer has a horrific vision of the room
consumed with atomic fire. This ambivalence is what makes Oppenheimer a tragic
figure, and the movie worth watching.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The movie ends on an apocalyptic
note, with Oppenheimer realizing that he has started an arms race that could
lead to the destruction of all life on the planet. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The power of the atomic bomb is seen
as god-like through the eyes of Oppenheimer and also the film maker, Christopher
Nolan. In a best-selling biography of Oppenheimer, </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Bird" title="Kai Bird"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Kai Bird</span></a><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> and </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_J._Sherwin" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; outline-color: rgb(51, 102, 204); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Martin J. Sherwin</span></a>
compare him to Prometheus, the Greek god who gave humans fire and was punished
by Zeus by being chained to a rock and tortured for eternity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oppenheimer names the first atomic test “Trinity,”
in reference to a poem by John Donne called “Batter my heart, three-personed
God.” When Oppenheimer witnessed the awesome power of the atomic bomb, he recalled
a line from his favorite scripture, the<span style="color: #040c28;">
Bhagavad-Gita</span><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">: “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.” <br />
<br />
In reality, Oppenheimer is all too human. His efforts to prevent the US from
building hydrogen bombs prove ineffective. He never expressed regret for having
developed the atomic bomb or its use against Japan; and </span><span style="background: white; color: #202122;">rather than consistently oppose the
"Red-baiting" of the late 1940s and early 1950s, Oppenheimer
testified against former colleagues and students, before and during his hearing</span>.
He symbolized for many the folly of scientists who believed they could control
the use of their research, and the dilemmas of moral responsibility presented
by science in the nuclear age</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202122;">I’d like to contrast this tragic and morally ambiguous story with
that of the unsung heroes of the peace movement who helped to end the Cold War
and reverse the arms race. I am thinking of Albert Bigelow, a naval commander
who had a change of heart after he went to Hiroshima and witnessed the devastation
caused by the atomic bomb. He quit the Navy a month before being eligible for a
pension, joined the peace movement and became a Quaker. In 1958 he set sail on
a boat aptly named “The Golden Rule” with the intention of entering the nuclear
test site in the Marshall Islands. He and his crew were arrested in Hawaii, but
his action inspired others like Earl and Barbara Reynolds and Greenpeace. What
a great movie his life would make!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202122;">The American Friends Service Committee and the Quakers began
reaching out to the Soviets in the early 1950s to build trust and dispel stereotypes,
with the hope of ending the Cold War. They persisted in this effort for the
next thirty some years and in the 1980s their efforts bore fruit. When
Gorbachev came to power, he wanted an end to the Cold War and the nuclear arms
race. Reagan was a staunch anti-Communist and Cold Warrior, but he was willing
to meet with Gorbachev, thanks in part to pressure from the peace movement. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202122;">The Nuclear Freeze movement not only garnered the support of
most American peace organizations but also was endorsed by numerous public
leaders, intellectuals, and activists. Former public officials, such as George
Ball, Clark Clifford, William Colby, Averell Harriman, and George Kennan, spoke
out in favor of a nuclear freeze. Support also came from leading scientists,
including Linus Pauling, Jerome Wiesner, Bernard Feld, and Carl Saga</span>n. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202122;">Reagan was also influenced by the “citizen diplomacy
movement,” of which I was a part. Because of <i>glasnost,</i> Gorbachev’s
policy of “openness,” thousands of Americans went to the Soviet Union to meet
the Russians, build relationships and advocate for peace. This had a profound
impact on Reagan and Gorbachev. They eventually met at </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">the<span style="color: black;"> Reykjavík
Summit in October 1986, and came very close to agreeing to ban all nuclear
weapons </span>by 2000. Both men wanted nuclear abolition, but the American
generals persuaded Reagan not to go that far. While Reagan and Gorbachev didn’t
ban all nuclear weapons, their meeting <a href="http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/reykjavik-summit-legacy/"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">paved the way
for the 1987 INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) and the 1991 START I
(Strategic Offensive Arms Reductions) Treaties, as well as limitations on
nuclear testing.</span></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> There were over 60,000 nuclear weapons in the world
in the 1980s, and today there are 12,500. Far, far too many, but this reduction
wouldn’t have happened without the peace movement.<span style="background: white; color: #202122;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Hollywood buys
into the myth that Great Men are the ones who make history, but I believe that lasting
and positive change usually happens at the grass roots. I agree with Margaret
Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">As people of faith, committed to peacemaking, we shouldn’t underestimate our power. Around the world there
are thousands of groups like ours working for peace. Our efforts are generally
not reported in the media or portrayed in movies, but we are nonetheless
influential. I believe that with God’s help, we can change the world for the better. As Quakers say, we just need to be "persistent, passionate, and prophetic."<span style="background: white; color: #202122;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmwKAccOi1WWFWbbROTw6SKaE45etGn_LPWhIBaQX7PqpOv1Zuqs_stEone9JD3Dh0Ke3QgoibgnklVyWFPBaem4WoSXAci7oiNZQelEFRmnNi5-lVBALnCuxMbWdbCkbhIzZG5ysnOHVArYipLOPRAyo8aIheGS5wzhDVvW5atKkOYV7dlu-DMAmpiPH/s640/albert%20bigelow%20golden%20rule%20book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmwKAccOi1WWFWbbROTw6SKaE45etGn_LPWhIBaQX7PqpOv1Zuqs_stEone9JD3Dh0Ke3QgoibgnklVyWFPBaem4WoSXAci7oiNZQelEFRmnNi5-lVBALnCuxMbWdbCkbhIzZG5ysnOHVArYipLOPRAyo8aIheGS5wzhDVvW5atKkOYV7dlu-DMAmpiPH/w558-h419/albert%20bigelow%20golden%20rule%20book.jpg" width="558" /></a><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/c170afeabcd94b50/Documents/Oppenheimer%20reflection%20for%20ICUJP.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span face=""Arial",sans-serif">https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-08-05/hiroshima-anniversary-japan-atomic-bombs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>
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</div>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-2051981305365526002023-08-01T14:49:00.004-07:002023-08-01T14:49:56.172-07:00Apartheid-Free Communities: An Interfaith Effort to Resist Racism and End Support for Israeli Apartheid.<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv8291983362x_container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 30px; outline: none !important; width: 600px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #3e728f; background-image: url("https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icujp.org%2Fthemes%2F1%2F511c1067ba6d1d2a61000003%2F0%2Fattachments%2F14275231951582325497%2Fdefault%2Fheader-bg.jpg&t=1690926490&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c7d-4d0003019100&sig=3BLgFZp0MP2bOjN6ElUL4g--~D"); border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 12px 20px 20px; word-break: normal;"><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 220px;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/?e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08_04_2023&n=1&test_email=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><img alt="Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace" border="0" class="yiv8291983362x_logo" height="auto" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fsites%2F1%2Fmeta_images%2Foriginal%2FICUJP_lo_res.jpg%3F1535336236&t=1690926490&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c7d-4d0003019100&sig=xq.qKv2N1LtEy0SpHtXF1Q--~D" style="height: auto; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px; width: 219.996px;" width="220" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td bgcolor="#ffffff" class="yiv8291983362x_body-content" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 15px; word-break: normal;"><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please join us online</em></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">August 4th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific</strong><span style="font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="857" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1099%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FApartheidFreeCommunity.jpg%3F1690914110&t=1690926490&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c7d-4d0003019100&sig=G0gfu3Fq81MzDI2TM_p3QA--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="717" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;">Apartheid-Free Communities:<br style="outline: none !important;" />An Interfaith Effort to Resist Racism and End Support for Israeli Apartheid.</h2><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Jo</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">in video conference</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"> here:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk7TrNzVqJf1jGKdhwLAMCQRJmfv6AwerSD_LO6B_sBV7&e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08_04_2023&n=2&test_email=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81302287359</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Call in by phone: </strong>+1 669 900 6833* <br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID: 813 0228 7359</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 793648</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Event Description</strong>: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Yesh Din, and B’Tselem have all named the collection of systems and laws that the Israeli government uses to rule Palestinians inside Israel and Palestine as apartheid. Sonia Tuma, Associate General Secretary for Global Cohesion at the American Friends Service Committee, will speak about the Apartheid-Free Communities campaign, which came together in 2022 as an interdenominational coalition of faith groups in North America following the emerging consensus among the international human rights community that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people amounts to the Crime of Apartheid.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Join the conversation with our speaker:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="212" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1099%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FTuma_Headshot_March_2019.jpg%3F1690914169&t=1690926490&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c7d-4d0003019100&sig=p35ZQjty5eFhUTcwOzaTQA--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="200" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Sonia Tuma </span></strong>is the Associate General Secretary for Global Cohesion at the American Friends Service Committee. In that role she leads the organization in threading together AFSC’s global work on peace and justice in 18 countries toward greater collective impact. Sonia’s career includes community organizing, the development and delivery of educational programming, advocacy work on local and national levels and at the UN. Sonia has an academic background in International Relations, with special focus on political economy and the interplay between nationalism and feminist movements. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;">In addition to work with the AFSC, she has been a researcher, educator, organizer, and activist. Sonia is a trained mediator and facilitator who has worked with community groups and nonprofit organizations to develop shared visions and creative, strategic programming toward social change. <strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong></p><table border="2" style="background-color: #99f2ef; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; height: 49px; min-height: 49px; outline: none !important; width: 722px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><h3 class="yiv8291983362x_gmail_quote" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></h3><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=1lQvb841Oxsi7ad3h9PKi09cIfmb-sTbByMYETeXowqQHdbPn6iGGnNw9kuinjzN&e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08_04_2023&n=3&test_email=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Learn More about the Apartheid-Free Pledge here</strong></a></div><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;">7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions <br style="outline: none !important;" />7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:15 - 9:20 Announcements<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Start your morning with us!</strong></p><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #0610a7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Facilitator:</strong> Dave Clennon</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Reflector:</strong> Anthony Manousos</span></p></div><div style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">** Meetings begin promptly at <strong style="outline: none !important;">7:30 am Pacific.</strong> **</div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">-----</span></div></div></div><h3 style="outline: none !important;">Here's how to join the online meeting:</h3><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;">To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;">If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;">If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum 08/04/23</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" />Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 1: Join video conference <br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk7TrNzVqJf1jGKdhwLAMCQRJmfv6AwerSD_LO6B_sBV7&e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08_04_2023&n=4&test_email=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81302287359</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 813 0228 7359<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> 793648</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 2: Dial in by phone only:<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong>+1 669 900 6833 US (California)<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 813 0228 7359<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 793648</strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">(To find a dial-in number closer to you, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=7Rww7-WoOzTdDmOnNYpKE2F67rl-AZbUZjnLU3jdEkgTmeqznlBaUgs5wHQ7uU8J&e=762d48cdf6231126025a2a8b87f70efc&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08_04_2023&n=5&test_email=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="Zoom dial in numbers">go here</a>.)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">-----</p><div style="background-color: #cecece; color: #0610a7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. <strong style="outline: none !important;">By attending, you c</strong></em></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-37333705637366636992023-07-01T21:41:00.006-07:002023-07-01T21:48:55.350-07:00Affordable Housing Bus Tour on July 15<p><br /></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7491846538046340087" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570.015px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFRB0m8fFQTJTmN0ebL--VZ6yZSy5dg4pLzMVw8MRb6iK99dAR8scut1S6CcIWlAPW1bp3ys2Kh0WL6kgjxUCzfK4QA6GZXdcKVTRKHJJauIxvHcU6w3Zp_dTp3liOzONV9RXqvn7_GLRDB6--874xi4p-RNP4kGuy6q-xAWArzwUXIfIVR5gn2b3--iv/s1275/Affordable%20Housing%20Bus%20Tour%20Landscape.jpg" style="color: #993300; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1275" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFRB0m8fFQTJTmN0ebL--VZ6yZSy5dg4pLzMVw8MRb6iK99dAR8scut1S6CcIWlAPW1bp3ys2Kh0WL6kgjxUCzfK4QA6GZXdcKVTRKHJJauIxvHcU6w3Zp_dTp3liOzONV9RXqvn7_GLRDB6--874xi4p-RNP4kGuy6q-xAWArzwUXIfIVR5gn2b3--iv/w574-h202/Affordable%20Housing%20Bus%20Tour%20Landscape.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="574" /></a></div><p></p><p><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #287028; font-size: 30px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Join us on July 15 for either or both of these two events</span></span><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #287028; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">:</span></span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: 0em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><ol><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>A tour of ten beautiful affordable communities in Pasadena that are reducing homelessness, delivering millions to cities in outside investment, and improving neighborhoods.</b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: 0em;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"> A session on how congregations can provide affordable apartments in their underutilized land. Includes lunch.</span></b></span></li></ol><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #ff4040; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Event #1 Affordable Housing Bus Tour</span></span><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">—See for yourself how Pasadena has provided beautiful and environmentally friendly homes for seniors, families, people with mental illness and those who have been chronically unhoused. You'll see ten different housing types and sizes with different funding sources. You'll hear from developers and also from some residents on how these communities have transformed their lives. </span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Time: 8:30 am and return at 12:30 pm</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Where: 960 E. Walnut, Pasadena, CA, We leave from the Salvation Army Hope Center (they have plenty of free parking).</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How: Our air-conditioned tour bus holds 57 passengers and is equipped with a restroom.</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cost for Bus Tour: $25.</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #287028; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="wixui-rich-text__text" href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/d0OY20bH5/c?w=b9056fYXWdd9pZXW4H5XEi8SVWqc6rLfNRkt5O1pxPE.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmxpcGNhdXNlLmNvbS9zZWN1cmUvY2F1c2VfcGRldGFpbHMvTVRneU5ERTEiLCJyIjoiZjU3OTE1YTMtMTY1NC00OGY0LWJlOTUtY2U2MzEyOTRlM2JlIiwibSI6Im1haWwiLCJjIjoiMDAwMDAwMDAtMDAwMC0wMDAwLTAwMDAtMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwIn0" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #993300; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Click to register.</a></span></span></span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #ff4040; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Event #2: Affordable Housing on Religious Land.</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Time: 12:30-2pm:</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What: Lunch and presentations by the Pasadena’s Housing Department and the Congregational Land Committee of Making Housing and Community Happen, on how congregations can use their underutilized land for affordable and supportive housing.</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Where: the Salvation Army Hope Center.</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cost for Lunch & Presentation: $15.</span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 29px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #287028; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="wixui-rich-text__text" href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/d0OY20bH5/c?w=b9056fYXWdd9pZXW4H5XEi8SVWqc6rLfNRkt5O1pxPE.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmxpcGNhdXNlLmNvbS9zZWN1cmUvY2F1c2VfcGRldGFpbHMvTVRneU5ERTEiLCJyIjoiZjU3OTE1YTMtMTY1NC00OGY0LWJlOTUtY2U2MzEyOTRlM2JlIiwibSI6Im1haWwiLCJjIjoiMDAwMDAwMDAtMDAwMC0wMDAwLTAwMDAtMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwIn0" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #993300; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Click to register.</a></span></span></span></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 29px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="inherit-font-size wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: rgb(var(--color_24)); font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Deadline for lunch and presentation about affordable housing on religious land: July 10th. We will accept registrations for the bus tour as long as there are seats available. We recommend that you reserve your seat soon to ensure you have a place on the bus.</span></span></p></div>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-46212012736332461582023-06-01T10:57:00.003-07:002023-06-01T10:57:15.889-07:00ICUJP Friday Forum: Confessions of John Cobb, American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist <p> </p><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv8263839050container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 30px; outline: none !important; width: 600px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #3e728f; background-image: url("https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icujp.org%2Fthemes%2F1%2F511c1067ba6d1d2a61000003%2F0%2Fattachments%2F14275231951582325497%2Fdefault%2Fheader-bg.jpg&t=1685642141&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1cb4-7a006c019800&sig=t2e7YX42k2tzj_rvBZiOsQ--~D"); border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 12px 20px 20px; word-break: normal;"><div style="outline: none !important; overflow: hidden; width: 220px;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td bgcolor="#ffffff" class="yiv8263839050body-content" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 15px; word-break: normal;"><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please join us online</em></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;">ICUJP Friday Forum<br style="outline: none !important;" />June 2nd, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="1000" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1077%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FCobbJ_-_Confessions_-_book_cover.jpg%3F1685482615&t=1685642141&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1cb4-7a006c019800&sig=ZNEQH38WXOB_Zx4TIQ_z0A--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="667" /></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;">John Cobb: Confessions</h2><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Jo</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">in video conference</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"> here:<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk9P0ib1EFyBTQ-mN71_9QBG_TE59I30R17VMqsYjTsEN&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85723124624</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Call in by phone: </strong>+1 669 900 6833* <br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID: 857 2312 4624</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: <span style="outline: none !important;">286694</span></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Event Description</strong>: "I wanted to write once to state, if only for myself, what I really felt most keenly about, without worrying about whom I might offend. That primary concern has, for many years, been the global crises and the policies of my own country that, on the whole, speed up the move to the destruction of civilization and the physical world that supports life. I have felt called by Jesus’ Abba to do what I could for the healthy survival of the biosphere and for an ecological civilization for humans.”</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">In these pages, a “here I stand” near the end of a long and prestigious career, Cobb declares his faith, tells us his view of the world, names the dangers we face, and urges us to act.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Join the conversation with our speaker:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">John Cobb</strong> is an American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist known for his work across multiple disciplines and sectors of society. He taught theology at the Claremont School of Theology from 1958 to 1990. Author of more than 50 books, most recently <em style="outline: none !important;">Confessions</em> (2023), his work <em style="outline: none !important;">For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy Toward Community, Environment, and a Sustainable Future</em> (1989), co-authored with Herman Daly, won the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. In 2014, Cobb was elected to the prestigious Academy of Arts and Sciences.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">In retirement John Cobb lives at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California. In 1973, with David Griffin, he established the Center for Process Studies. Throughout his career he has contributed to Whitehead scholarship and promoted numerous process programs and organizations. In recent years he has given special attention to supporting work toward the goal of becoming an ecological civilization. Toward this end he led the efforts to found Pando Populus in 2014, Institute for Ecological Civilization in 2015, Cobb Institute in 2019, and Living Earth Movement in 2022.</p><table border="2" style="background-color: #99f2ef; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; height: 49px; min-height: 49px; outline: none !important; width: 722px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><h3 class="yiv8263839050gmail_quote" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:</strong></h3><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Websites: <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=pZycURq4DdX8x1RQDV6u6bk-Vrfy7h9Vg63bLN1udhwg2mOzQ8BJaqh4jnG6-5fN&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">John Cobb: Confessions</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=YambFxWWhxwr6842YsR6l2DzdX_4BHnnLcpLP_RRN9k&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Cobb Institute</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions <br style="outline: none !important;" />7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:15 - 9:20 Announcements<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Start your morning with us!</strong></p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Facilitator:</strong> Rick Banales</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Reflector:</strong> Carolfrances Likins</span></p></div><div style="outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;">** Meetings begin promptly at <strong style="outline: none !important;">7:30 am Pacific.</strong> **</div><div style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">-----</span></div></div></div><h3 style="outline: none !important;">Here's how to join the online meeting:</h3><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum 06/02/23</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" />Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 1: Join video conference <br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk9P0ib1EFyBTQ-mN71_9QBG_TE59I30R17VMqsYjTsEN&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=5" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85723124624</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 857 2312 4624<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> 286694</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 2: Dial in by phone only:<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong>+1 669 900 6833 US (California)<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> 857 2312 4624<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 286694</strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">(To find a dial-in number closer to you, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=7Rww7-WoOzTdDmOnNYpKE2F67rl-AZbUZjnLU3jdEkgTmeqznlBaUgs5wHQ7uU8J&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=6" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="Zoom dial in numbers">go here</a>.)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">-----</p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. <strong style="outline: none !important;">By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes</strong>. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.<br style="outline: none !important;" />_____________________________________________<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></em></p><h2 style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">PLEASE SUPPORT ICUJP'S FERVENT CALL THAT <em style="outline: none !important;">RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES MUST STOP BLESSING WAR AND VIOLENCE </em>BY MAKING A GENEROUS DONATION<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="1600" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1077%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FGray_And_Beige_Spa_Background_Photo_Collage.png%3F1685483006&t=1685642141&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1cb4-7a006c019800&sig=IqAPGgvlh.7QoRpKytMIWw--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="2000" /></strong></h2><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">Since 2001, </span><strong style="outline: none !important;">Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span></strong><span style="outline: none !important;">has been advocating for a more peaceful and inclusive world, often in the face of constant war, violence, disinformation and cynicism. With a small part-time staff and lots of volunteers, </span><strong style="outline: none !important;">your donations help us meet our budget and expand our reach</strong><span style="outline: none !important;">.<br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">So far this year alone we have presented a series of exceptional <strong style="outline: none !important;">Friday Forums </strong>exploring:</p><ul style="outline: none !important;"><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRb8zE6MwzwcoK_Xm8N-c_9h&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=7" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Susan Stouffer from the Peace Center on why and how do we teach peace</a>;</li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRZ8xPOZtsl9HA0NhUjwO29S&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=8" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Richard Zaldivar of The Wall Las Memorias on building the nation's only AIDS monument and establishing a premier health prevention organization in Los Angeles</a>; </li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRbl6zf6onqFikLikCFVPOLf&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=9" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Anthony Manousos of Making Housing and Community Happen on dispelling myths about affordable housing and homelessness</a>;</li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRblmNtp1SLfAbs6NCUX5j_3&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=10" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Elizabeth Gonzalez of Public Counsel’s Consumer Rights and Economic Justice Project</a>;</li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRanINMjes8W1faIAv8JdxvD&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=11" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Mark Gale and Richard Bunce of the National Alliance on Mental Illness on how the justice system fails people struggling with mental illness</a>;</li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRboPXWD1pnDvgt5jY3clToJ&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=12" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">A performance of Dave Brubeck's The Gates of Justice with Rev. Dr. Ken Walden of Holman UMC, and Mark Kligman and Jeff Janeczko of the Milken Archive of Jewish Music at UCLA</a>:</li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRapFvI3-rpG8R0Ljwb4-Zu1&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=13" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Dean Wallraff on his book Earthling - Climate Ethics</a>; </li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRZnK4x6TDnfHrUu8OBxiVsT&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=14" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Greg Palast on recent and ongoing attempts to disenfranchise voters</a>; </li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRY4mw7U62yIoSnu82sgjk8u&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=15" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Taher Herzallah of American Muslims for Palestine</a>; </li><li style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=GQ96LxW7tJscudkL8mlwNzVEKXk7dMDJzwJlfbbiiRZeqLU__yxSchHhSy4hFSuJ&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=16" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">Denise Duffield of Physicians for Social Responsibility on Local Organizing to Prevent Nuclear War</a>;</li></ul><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">We know that you are asked to support a wide array of worthy organizations. All we ask is that you include ICUJP among them with as generous a contribution as you can afford. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">We are especially grateful to whose who can make a <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=17" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><strong style="outline: none !important;">sustaining monthly donation</strong></a> of<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">$5</span>,<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">$10</span>,<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">$25</span>,<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">$50</span>, or<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">$100</span>. If you're able to give an annual contribution of<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">$250</span>,<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">$500</span>, or<span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">$1,000</span>, it would allow us to mount more events and conferences throughout the year. If you belong to a congregation or organization, please explore whether they can make a donation or grant. </p><div style="outline: none !important;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="middle"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=18" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="DONATE"></a><div class="yiv8263839050nb-tmce-btn yiv8263839050nb-btn" style="font-family: inherit; outline: none !important; width: 250px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #303030; border-collapse: initial; border-radius: 50px; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none !important; width: 250px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; outline: none !important; padding: 15px 30px; position: relative; word-break: normal;" valign="middle"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=19" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; display: block; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="DONATE"></a><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=Srr26mpXavC6zTzAKvb5MSZk4DeKm_zTPiHOgEyQi65wpfvgR1bR6q7tFoGAXS32t_fZ_ZteuZ-iKC57vYCM6-qLRr2nuYvKhtmGh3RF7S2caNUhSxY7Qt6kUQ6lBp1JnElCUUm627O1zV4yP4TRjmCWf3O07276cuF0VcBmv9zA5KTrtyz-TwRhf6yOk7NCxSEst2jcFF83bY9uQmPYlHfBIGR1bn5YIxE_KECQIf8u3p1Cd1fbmHe1Wtldh7_y&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06_02_23friday_forum_p&n=19" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: white; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">DONATE</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-5785405209463145112023-05-20T14:19:00.002-07:002023-05-20T14:19:37.378-07:00How the Holy Spirit Turned Believers into Doers of God's Word, in Acts 4: 31-35<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>I gave this reflection today at a gathering of 30 pastors and religious leaders who wanted to have affordable housing built on their church property, with guidance from our MHCH Congregational Land Committee. Our team of experts gave them aerial view maps of their property with specific information about height, density, number of units allowed, etc. Architects helped them envision different possibilities. One pastor said, "My eyes were opened!" And this sentiment was shared by many others as they envision potentials they hadn't imagined for their church property. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Religious leaders from four states (Washington, Colorado, Texas, and Northern California) were also participating in an Apprenticeship Program to learn how to provide similar advisement for interested churches in their states. In addition to technical advisement, we provided a biblical perspective that many of the pastors seemed to appreciate. This is what I shared: </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We’re in the post-Easter time of the church calendar, with Pentecost
only eight days from now. Pentecost is sometimes described as the birthday of the
church, and it was a wild moment with people speaking in tongues with such
exuberance some thought they were pixilated. After receiving the Holy Spirit, many
signs and wonders were performed by the apostles, such as miraculous healings. What
I’d like to talk about is how the coming of the Holy Spirit transformed<i> believers</i>
into <i>doers</i> of the Word, as described in Acts 4, verses 31-35.</span></p><p style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></sup></b></p><blockquote><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">31 </span></sup></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When [the believers] had prayed, the
meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they
preached the word of God with boldness. <b><sup>32 </sup></b>All the
believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was
not their own, so they shared everything they had. <b><sup>33 </sup></b>The
apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s
great blessing was upon them all. <b><sup>34 </sup></b>There were no
needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them <b><sup>35 </sup></b>and
bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.</span></blockquote><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is clear from this passage that early Christians took
seriously Jesus’ mission statement: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me….I have come
to proclaim <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>good news to the poor, comfort
to the oppressed…..” Jesus ends by proclaiming the “acceptable year of the
Lord,” the year of Jubilee <span style="background: white; color: #081c2a;">when prisoners
and captives were set free, all slaves were released, all debts were forgiven,
and all property was returned to its original owners.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #081c2a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think about what our nation,
and our world, would be like if we practiced Jubilee economics!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #081c2a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Early Christians were
willing to do something that most Americans would find unthinkable: sell their
homes to help the poor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad to say, many
who profess to be Christians place property values above human values. They not
only don’t want to sell their homes to help the poor. They don’t want any poor
person to live near them because it might decrease their property values. This is
a myth, but this doesn’t stop people from protesting, In San Dimas, four
thousand people recently gathered to protest an affordable housing project for
seniors experiencing homelessness. They didn’t want the poor to be housed anywhere
near their community. Blessed are the poor as long as they don’t live near my
back yard! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #081c2a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s why what we are doing
is so important and so deeply biblical. Jesus didn’t care much about temples
built by human hands; he was interested in creating a compassionate community.
He probably would be too excited about the magnificent church buildings we see
in many urban centers, where fewer and fewer people are worshipping each year.
What probably would excite him was seeing his followers convert underutilized
parking into affordable housing for the poor. That’s what it means to be good
stewards, and that’s why we are here: to learn how we can make affordable housing
happen on religious land. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-49121535762185521522023-05-19T13:43:00.001-07:002023-05-19T13:43:02.771-07:00Are Homeless People a Threat to Children or Vice Versa?<p> </p><div class="ML16 PL0 MR16 PR0 html-email-body-section-mix ML16 PL0 MR16 PR0 html-email-body-section-mix-mix-all-css-paddings" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="background: 0px 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(231, 231, 231); font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 500.474px;"><tbody style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="mj-outlook-group-fix html-email-mix-left-column html-column-mobile-full-width" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Jim Wolf, before and after makeover</b></div><div class="mj-outlook-group-fix html-email-mix-right-column html-column-mobile-full-width" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="background: 0px 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(231, 231, 231); font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 100%;"><tbody style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="background: 0px 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(231, 231, 231); font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 100%;"><tbody style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td align="center" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="html-emails-mix-image-wrapper html-emails-mix-image-wrapper-full-width" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" scale="0" src="https://makinghousinghappendotnet1.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/78ade-e83328_45fe1f9753704c3494d599bcadb14108mv2.jpg" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 5px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 15px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="270" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By Anthony Manousos</span></em></p><p style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This article is from the May 19 MHCH Newsletter. To read the entire newsletter, <a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-?languageTag=en&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=wix-email-marketing&utm_campaign=e61ae9e9-06b0-443f-8aba-964907a0b5ef&fbclid=IwAR2jfEhg6Dy_0DTqOjXV8n5zEVm7pjaMShEKBZ8YUQnIp4OZ8sWpPsCYrZg" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">click here.</a></span></em></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the most common myths we hear about unhoused people is that they are a threat to children and our schools. Disheveled, mentally ill people acting out on the street may seem threatening, like the man pictured above on the left. Shawn Morrisey, who lived on the streets for many years and now works for Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, often says, “If you had seen me when I was homeless, you would thought I was a scary person.” This above picture went viral and shows </span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=6aogOqhzdY_LUL5qFtAemhel_h0xpdHWI8JnUlP8U_g.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9zZWN0aW9ucy90aGV0d28td2F5LzIwMTMvMTEvMTEvMjQ0NTAzMDAwL2hvbWVsZXNzLXZldGVyYW5zLW1ha2VvdmVyLWdvZXMtdmlyYWwtdmlkZW8iLCJyIjoiZDkwNjIzYTktN2I0Ny00ZTlkLTA5ODctZWI5NmY3NmQ2ZTBlIiwibSI6ImxwIn0" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jim Wolf,</span></a><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> a vet from Grand Rapids, MI, before and after a makeover that changed his life.</span></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In San Dimas thousands of people showed up to protest permanent supportive housing for seniors (elderly folks over 55 years old) who were living on the streets, claiming that their proximity to a school would endanger children. But are these fears justified?</span></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I did a google search and found very few cases where unhoused people attacked or harmed children, and in no cases were they living in supportive housing. In 2015 in Los Angeles a homeless man grabbed a child near Disney Hall and the headline said that the child was stabbed. The article goes on to state that the boy was only scratched.</span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=YhuD-B1o2WDz7o2zp7BIQrnTWFuGBAVo591at2-DPsI.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG4xIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span></a><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> There have been attacks on children and teens by homeless men on subways, none of which were fatal. In one incident a homeless man was accused of killing a child, but the charges were dropped.</span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=V4ciBkGEeWHhQxtE3XBIJ88JsO_E2W0VZ5I3JQktwxA.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG4yIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[2]</span></a></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All of these incidents are disturbing and shouldn’t be dismissed, but we need to also keep in mind that children are much more likely to be sexually abused by relatives or by teachers than by the unhoused. One of the biggest threats to students is being killed by fellow students toting a gun.</span></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What is also disturbing is the number of unhoused people who are assaulted by teens and even ten-year-old boys.</span></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Egged on by a 17-year-old, two 10-year-old boys joined in the attack of a Florida homeless man, leaving him bruised and bloody, police said. The incident highlights an upswing in violent crime across the U.S. against the homeless. In 2006, there were 142 attacks and 20 murders, several involving teenagers seeking a vicious thrill, according to the Washington, D.C.-based National Coalition for the Homeless.</span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=RhDuqfteXbYK4q03EnpMxMDSshTAbMDIa4lDo0hSEcw.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG40IiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[4]</span></a></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In January 2023, seven teenage girls in Toronto allegedly “swarmed” and murdered a 59-year-old unhoused man.</span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=1z4femSF68GDNSjio41HTXPm7Azl2p1dpMEKbDYJNoQ.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG41IiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[5]</span></a><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Such incidents have become so common they have even received a name: “sport killings.” Horrific though this seems, it is not surprising since many parents harbor such negative stereotypes that children see nothing wrong in attacking or even killing unhoused people. This is happening everywhere, even in Pasadena, where teens sometimes throw rocks at the unhoused residents of our city.</span></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some schools don’t see affordable/supportive housing as threatening to their students, however. In East Whittier, the conversion of a motel to supportive housing received a lot of community support even though it was next to a school. Monica Oviedo, Whittier Union High School District superintendent, said that the location had fewer issues as a place for unhoused individuals than when it was a motel. She affirms:</span></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Whittier Union High School District is committed to ensuring our students have access to the resources they need to succeed in not only academics but their personal endeavors as well. This includes having access to affordable housing. Whittier Union is supportive of Supervisor Janice Hahn’s efforts in making this a reality. She has always been a strong advocate for our District community, and we are tremendously grateful.”</span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=bPq8VJaetxQCx30RVIrr8h8DY2ojHGYZNEyaUztvl80.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG42IiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[6]</span></a></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-26" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="mf-16 mlh-25" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As people of faith, we need to remind our friends and neighbors that our unhoused neighbors are children of God, just like us, and we should be grateful when they are safely housed. If they are given the supportive services they need, they will thrive, and our communities will be better off and safer. This is putting the command to love thy neighbor into action. And as the Gospel says, “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).</span></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-19" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=OhKtW_kJKpz-pkQnyC-X14SXK5MmosGfVCWr6TPmdT4.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG5yZWYxIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span></a> <a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=8D4C7wc1rjlynWKUBTFlLmD92IBzvEspqwUgoS84RwI.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hYmM3LmNvbS9ob21lbGVzcy1tYW4tc3RhYnMtY2hpbGQtZGlzbmV5LWNvbmNlcnQtaGFsbC1zdGFiYmVkLWRvd250b3duLWxvcy1hbmdlbGVzLzExMTgxMjAvIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://abc7.com/homeless-man-stabs-child-disney-concert-hall-stabbed-downtown-los-angeles/1118120/</span></a></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-19" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=O1GrB5oz7oThcbdS9CxuYFKDGxm2fnXIoZb2xtz0bD8.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG5yZWYyIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[2]</span></a> <a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=2mhve7euBrJw21N352rWOaOeubx3k9RZiXoWlfbUg1M.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua2hvdS5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9uZXdzL2xvY2FsL25laWdoYm9yaG9vZC9uZWlnaGJvcmhvb2Qtb3V0cmFnZWQtYWZ0ZXItY2hpbGQta2lsbGVkLXdhbGtpbmctaG9tZS1mcm9tLXNjaG9vbC8yODUtMjAyMDQwNzAzIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/neighborhood/neighborhood-outraged-after-child-killed-walking-home-from-school/285-202040703</span></a></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-19" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=rCFm0d-PZosylFozJlx0Obc5tZblAZi5odaYXT8MAuk.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG5yZWYzIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[3]</span></a> <a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=wloWOZ5H-P-Np_Tssx2NWHaauAy2-lv1uQ-o4Ec2FOI.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudHJveXJlY29yZC5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8yNi9ob21lbGVzcy1tYW4tY2hhcmdlZC13aXRoLXNleHVhbC1hYnVzZS1vZi1hLWNoaWxkLWluLW5vcnRoLWdyZWVuYnVzaC8iLCJyIjoiZDkwNjIzYTktN2I0Ny00ZTlkLTA5ODctZWI5NmY3NmQ2ZTBlIiwibSI6ImxwIn0" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.troyrecord.com/2023/03/26/homeless-man-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-a-child-in-north-greenbush/</span></a></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-19" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=csg_Yr7cJXn4Fe8IqHYpFbpVNL5FsZCQCK1DjEpxg8M.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG5yZWY0IiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[4]</span></a> <a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=AaOPg_QcZDhG1A7gqmT_PuOJj61ZL0YNGtWs1NhXC4E.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY25uLmNvbS8yMDA3L1VTLzAzLzI5L2hvbWVsZXNzLmF0dGFjay9pbmRleC5odG1sIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/29/homeless.attack/index.html</span></a></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-19" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=rImFAUf0ltUI-U4CJ2Y_MBv_Wi8PrhAgWf5PcgpEu8w.eyJ1IjoiI19mdG5yZWY1IiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[5]</span></a> <a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=IxIhKZSoJQ-xaxxGhbgq0RZjkYZ3CId7cMvBIYyyHzk.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90b3JvbnRvLmN0dm5ld3MuY2Eva2VuLWxlZS1pZGVudGlmaWVkLWFzLXZpY3RpbS1vZi1hbGxlZ2VkLXN0YWJiaW5nLWF0dGFjay1ieS04LXRlZW4tZ2lybHMtaW4tdG9yb250by0xLjYyMjQzNTUiLCJyIjoiZDkwNjIzYTktN2I0Ny00ZTlkLTA5ODctZWI5NmY3NmQ2ZTBlIiwibSI6ImxwIn0" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ken-lee-identified-as-victim-of-alleged-stabbing-attack-by-8-teen-girls-in-toronto-1.6224355</span></a></span></p><p class="mf-18 mlh-19" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[6]</span><a href="https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/so/e8OWcQS4-/c?w=Uptg1iMC8PlOPRfT3aJIX9Qgllpuv4cq3B8HrNMsQdw.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2hpdHRpZXJkYWlseW5ld3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMDQvMDYvbGEtY291bnR5LW5vbnByb2ZpdC1jZWxlYnJhdGUtYS1yZS1pbWFnaW5lZC1mb3JtZXItbW90ZWwtNi1pbi13ZXN0LXdoaXR0aWVyLWxvcy1uaWV0b3MvIiwiciI6ImQ5MDYyM2E5LTdiNDctNGU5ZC0wOTg3LWViOTZmNzZkNmUwZSIsIm0iOiJscCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="mf-14 mlh-15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2023/04/06/la-county-nonprofit-celebrate-a-re-imagined-former-motel-6-in-west-whittier-los-nietos/</span></a></span></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-28424211612421441722023-05-17T07:39:00.000-07:002023-05-17T07:39:01.527-07:00How the peace movement thwarted Nixon's desire to use nuclear weapons in Vietnam: "The Movement and the Madman" this Friday at ICUJP<p> I am thrilled that the next speaker at ICUJP will be my friend Robert Levering, who made this documentary about how the peace movement thwarted Nixon's desire to use nuclear weapons in Vietnam.</p><p><br /></p><table bgcolor="#cecece" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 100%; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" bgcolor="#cecece" style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7409121368container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; margin-top: 30px; outline: none !important; width: 600px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #3e728f; background-image: url("https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icujp.org%2Fthemes%2F1%2F511c1067ba6d1d2a61000003%2F0%2Fattachments%2F14275231951582325497%2Fdefault%2Fheader-bg.jpg&t=1684334127&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-85000701ac00&sig=LNYRnhoVcyOQQeOiUslSjQ--~D"); border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; outline: none !important; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 12px 20px 20px; word-break: normal;"><div style="outline: none !important; overflow: hidden; width: 220px;"><a href="http://www.icujp.org/?e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05_19_23friday_forum&n=1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><img alt="Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace" border="0" class="yiv7409121368logo" height="auto" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fsites%2F1%2Fmeta_images%2Foriginal%2FICUJP_lo_res.jpg%3F1535336236&t=1684334127&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-85000701ac00&sig=WtjCu6KagQHib4ItLQr6Gw--~D" style="height: auto; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px; width: 219.996px;" width="220" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td bgcolor="#ffffff" class="yiv7409121368body-content" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; outline: none !important; padding: 20px 15px; word-break: normal;"><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please join us online</em></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;">ICUJP Friday Forum<br style="outline: none !important;" />May 19th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><img alt="" height="213" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F1065%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FMovementMadman_320x200_NowStreaming.jpg%3F1684284129&t=1684334127&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-85000701ac00&sig=Ko9VUjs45vpLfFnCw0Hiag--~D" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="341" /></h2><h2 style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;">The Power of Protest: The Movement and the "Madman"</h2><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Jo</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">in video conference</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"> here:<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk9gyScezQKJFgRAjTofXDhFjO42FQFUom6l7vVCmtVsc&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05_19_23friday_forum&n=2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88296070829</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Call in by phone: </strong>+1 669 900 6833* <br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID: <span style="outline: none !important;">882 9607 0829</span></strong><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: 109155</strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><em style="outline: none !important;">*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:<br style="outline: none !important;" />To mute/unmute yourself: *6<br style="outline: none !important;" />To raise hand: *9</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Event Description</strong>: <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">The Movement and the "Madman"</strong> </em><span style="outline: none !important;">tells how two antiwar demonstrations in the fall of 1969 helped prevent a massive escalation of the Vietnam war, including the possible use of nuclear weapons. At the time, the protesters had no idea of the impact of their actions.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span>Join the conversation with our speaker:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">Robert Levering</strong> is the executive producer of the film <em style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">The Movement and the "Madman"</strong></em> which premiered on PBS's American Experience on March 28th when it was watched by more than a half-million people. He was a fulltime antiwar organizer from 1967 to 1973. After the war, he worked as a journalist, wrote 8 books about the corporate workplace, and for 20 years coauthored Fortune magazine's popular annual feature "The 100 Best Companies to Work For." He was a producer of <em style="outline: none !important;">The Boys Who Said No!</em>, a 2021 film about the draft resistance movement.</p><table border="2" style="background-color: #99f2ef; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; height: 49px; min-height: 49px; outline: none !important; width: 722px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td style="border-collapse: collapse; outline: none !important; word-break: normal;"><h3 class="yiv7409121368gmail_quote" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:</strong></h3><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Website: <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=seUElGfJ29IEmzrjw3BPswQ6IpoTXrp1w-SJdg9pXPaEHpgz-EMyLwBB0gP4sjwO&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05_19_23friday_forum&n=3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">The Movement and the "Madman"</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions <br style="outline: none !important;" />7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)<br style="outline: none !important;" />7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:15 - 9:20 Announcements<br style="outline: none !important;" />9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Start your morning with us!</strong></p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Facilitator:</strong> Steve Rohde</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Reflector:</strong> Jasmine Hailey</span></p></div><div style="outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;">** Meetings begin promptly at <strong style="outline: none !important;">7:30 am Pacific.</strong> **</div><div style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">-----</span></div></div></div><h3 style="outline: none !important;">Here's how to join the online meeting:</h3><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;">If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP Friday Forum 05/19/23</strong><br style="outline: none !important;" />Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 1: Join video conference <br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=iKj5iuxBXy-0B6ifolAJk9gyScezQKJFgRAjTofXDhFjO42FQFUom6l7vVCmtVsc&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05_19_23friday_forum&n=4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88296070829</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> <span style="outline: none !important;">882 9607 0829</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE:</strong> <span style="outline: none !important;">109155</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">Option 2: Dial in by phone only:<br style="outline: none !important;" /></strong>+1 669 900 6833 US (California)<br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong><strong style="outline: none !important;">Meeting ID:</strong> <span style="outline: none !important;">882 9607 0829</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;">PASSCODE: <span style="outline: none !important;">109155</span></strong></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">(To find a dial-in number closer to you, <a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=7Rww7-WoOzTdDmOnNYpKE2F67rl-AZbUZjnLU3jdEkgTmeqznlBaUgs5wHQ7uU8J&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05_19_23friday_forum&n=5" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="Zoom dial in numbers">go here</a>.)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important; text-align: center;">-----</p><div style="color: #0610a7; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. <strong style="outline: none !important;">By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes</strong>. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.</em></p><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><hr style="outline: none !important;" /><div class="yiv7409121368css-1dbjc4n yiv7409121368r-1s2bzr4" style="outline: none !important;"><h2 class="yiv7409121368css-901oao yiv7409121368r-18jsvk2 yiv7409121368r-37j5jr
yiv7409121368r-1blvdjr yiv7409121368r-16dba41 yiv7409121368r-vrz42v yiv7409121368r-bcqeeo yiv7409121368r-bnwqim yiv7409121368r-qvutc0" id="yiv7409121368id__czlylgajmvm" lang="en" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><span class="yiv7409121368css-901oao
yiv7409121368css-16my406 yiv7409121368r-poiln3 yiv7409121368r-bcqeeo yiv7409121368r-qvutc0" style="outline: none !important;">ICUJP t-shirts and accessories now<br style="outline: none !important;" />available for purchase online!</span></h2><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=ZhXwqDUNdR4HYF8Vj-Y5TKGxCEhhJ0FrSqlCnBTQ1a_JbCGSUA1f69yLz0KlMkx_2Tr8WhFvzPQYVlhjJP_tJw&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05_19_23friday_forum&n=6" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #338fe9; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><img alt="tshirt" height="312" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nationbuilder.com%2Ficujp%2Fmailings%2F942%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2FFZ12DSdVsAAfrx2.jpeg&t=1684334127&ymreqid=d41d8cd9-8f00-b204-1c51-85000701ac00&sig=b0bSOxgyyxkEL31vO6KPIA--~D" style="display: block; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="312" /></a></div><div class="yiv7409121368css-1dbjc4n yiv7409121368r-1s2bzr4" style="outline: none !important;"><div class="yiv7409121368nb-tmce-btn yiv7409121368nb-btn" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center; width: 721.996px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #7b1fde; border-collapse: initial; border-spacing: 0px; border: 1px solid; color: #faf7f7; margin: 0px auto; outline: none !important;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14px; outline: none !important; padding: 15px 30px; position: relative; word-break: normal;" valign="middle"><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=ZhXwqDUNdR4HYF8Vj-Y5TKGxCEhhJ0FrSqlCnBTQ1a_OWNRoBVKX2GTAwmfgrhe-&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05_19_23friday_forum&n=7" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #196ad4; display: block; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" title="GET YOUR T-SHIRT!!"></a><a href="https://www.icujp.org/r?u=ZhXwqDUNdR4HYF8Vj-Y5TKGxCEhhJ0FrSqlCnBTQ1a_OWNRoBVKX2GTAwmfgrhe-&e=914c6bfdcdb6dc906d3e79056d5bf6c2c173178c&utm_source=icujp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05_19_23friday_forum&n=7" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #faf7f7; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">GET YOUR T-SHIRT</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-16267952739315179602023-03-31T08:00:00.000-07:002023-03-31T08:00:12.193-07:00April Fool's Day Reflection: Jesus Preaches the Gospel of Prosperity and Union Carbide Repents of Its Sins<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For April Fool's Day, I'd like to share some stories I’ve
heard from Bert Newton's podcast "Parody and Subversion in the Gospel of Matthew." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">First, I’d like to first share with you a new
paraphrase of the Gospel by James Martin, a Jesuit Priest. His dynamic,
paraphrase translation really makes this text come alive in a way that gets
right to the heart of the matter, so I’m going to begin by reading his
translation, beginning with verse 16 of Matthew 19:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
Rich and Therefore Blessed Young Man</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">1. As
Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to him and knelt before
him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”<strong><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span></sup></strong>2. And
Jesus said to him, “What have you done so far?” 3. And he said to Him,
“Well I was born into a wealthy family, got into a good school in Galilee
because my parents donated a few thousand talents for a building with a
nice reed roof, and now I have a high-paying job in the Roman treasury
managing risk.” 4. Looking at him, Jesus felt an admiration for him, and
said to him, “Blessed are you! For you are not far from being
independently wealthy." And the man was happy. Then Jesus said,
"But there is one thing you lack: A bigger house in a gated community in
Tiberias. Buy that and you will have a treasure indeed. And make sure you
get a stone countertop for the kitchen. Those are really
nice." The disciples were amazed. 5. Peter asked him,
“Lord, shouldn’t he sell all his possessions and give it to the poor?” Jesus
grew angry. “Get behind me, Satan! He has earned it!” Peter
protested: “Lord,” he said, “Did this man not have an unjust advantage?
What about those who are not born into wealthy families, or who do not
have the benefit of a good education, or who, despite all their toil, live in
the poorer areas of Galilee, like Nazareth, your own home town?” 6.
“Well,” said Jesus, “first of all, that’s why I left Nazareth.
There were too many poor people always asking me for charity.
They were as numerous as the stars in the sky, and they annoyed me.
Second, once people start spending again, like this rich young man, the
Galilean economy will inevitably rebound, and eventually some of it
will trickle down to the poor. Blessed are the patient!
But giving the money away, especially if he can’t write it off, is a big fat
waste.” The disciples’ amazement knew no bounds. “But
Lord," they said, "what about the passages in both the
Law and the Prophets that tell us to care for widows and orphans, for
the poor, for the sick, for the refugee? What about the many
passages in the Scriptures about justice?” 7. “Those are just metaphors,” said
Jesus. “Don’t take everything so literally.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Maybe
this isn’t exactly what Jesus intended, but I’d like to share with you
something that actually did occur.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">On December 3, 2004, Jude Finistera,
spokesperson for Dow Chemical, the new owner of Union Carbide, appeared on BBC
World to announce Dow’s plan to liquidate Union Carbide to raise $12 billion to
compensate the victims of the 1984 Union Carbide disaster gas leak in Bhopal,
India <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In 1984, a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal
suffered a massive leak which exposed hundreds of thousands of people to toxic
gases. The official immediate death toll was 2,259, but estimates are that
upwards of 16,000 people eventually died and over half a million sustained
injuries, many of them permanently disabling.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For 20 years, little had been done to
compensate the victims of that disaster. But now, Finestera proclaimed on BBC
World, Dow would use the $12,000,000,000 from the liquidation of Union Carbide
to pay the ongoing medical bills of 120,000 people who would need medical care
for the rest of their lives. In addition, he said that Dow would also clean up
the disaster site in Bhopal and release the full information on the chemicals
that had leaked into the community, two things that Union Carbide had never
done. And on top of all that, Finestera declared, Dow would also pressure the
U.S. government to extradite Warren Anderson, the CEO of Union Carbide in 1984,
to India to face charges for manslaughter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Finestera optimistically predicted that
although the share-holders of Dow stock would take a hit, they would be proud
to be part of this massive compensation plan for the people of Bhopal because
it was the right thing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And, as a result of Finestera’s announcement,
Dow stock plummeted by $2 billion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, then Dow issued a retraction…well, it
wasn’t really a retraction because Dow had not sent Finestera to make that
announcement on BBC World in the first place. In fact the man making the
compensation announcement on BBC World was not really Jude Finestera. His real
name was Andy Bichlbaum, a member of the prankster group called “The Yes Men.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Yes Men have been pulling these sorts of
pranks for 20 year now. They often masquerade as spokespersons for large
corporations that need to be held accountable for crimes against humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dow Chemical/Union Carbide prank forced Dow
to tell the world that it had no intention of paying for the medical care of
the victims of their disaster or fully cleaning up the site or fully disclosing
the list of chemicals released into the community, or allowing any Union
Carbide executive in the U.S. to face justice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In addition to forcing Dow to admit these
things publicly, the Yes Men had also presented, if only for a few hours, a
vision of what could happen if people choose to do the right thing, how we
might be able to turn our world around and make it a world of justice and mercy
rather than one in which the powerful get away with mass murder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">You can read more about the Yes Men and even
see videos of them in action at TheYesMen.org.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Through their antics, the Yes Men participate
in a long tradition of tricksterism. Tricksterism stretches back through and
before antiquity and has been documented in many societies around the world. In
the tradition of tricksterism pranks are played in order to reveal something
that has been concealed by the powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I hope that on April Fool’s Day, we remember
that what seems foolish to the world is really the wisdom of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-4773664541484629682023-03-16T16:00:00.005-07:002023-03-16T16:01:54.751-07:00Unforgettable Journeys to Greece - Part 1 (1973)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXfqqZwWxKUxf3Ek4C6PmUCpJJzQKk9MRMqTjBUYZzJx2IomQSsuVGHcHEH6Qp5ygoaKJr-g-aIbCX2qKUIM5qyicK-JjWBCnfJ003MD1kavj8rjhF33GFrCKBwxCKLxQKQYpIXrhw0EZraX9a3Jqmg-uzb-yK9sOvqY0hAxrTa8CYelGOXpi-fU4sQ/s1500/Unforgettable%20Journeys%20to%20Greece.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1500" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXfqqZwWxKUxf3Ek4C6PmUCpJJzQKk9MRMqTjBUYZzJx2IomQSsuVGHcHEH6Qp5ygoaKJr-g-aIbCX2qKUIM5qyicK-JjWBCnfJ003MD1kavj8rjhF33GFrCKBwxCKLxQKQYpIXrhw0EZraX9a3Jqmg-uzb-yK9sOvqY0hAxrTa8CYelGOXpi-fU4sQ/w507-h304/Unforgettable%20Journeys%20to%20Greece.jpg" width="507" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #4475a1; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"> Part I: Nostos in 1973</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">Growing up in a Greek family, and majoring in Classics, I always dreamed of going to Greece, the homeland of my imagination, but until I graduated from college, I lacked the means and the time. My father made his </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">nostos, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">his homecoming to Greece, in 1970 and saw his mother for the first time since leaving Greece as a teenager in 1923. This was, I’m sure, an incredibly moving experience for both of them. My mother and sister went to Greece after my father died in 1971. They were all warmly welcomed with heart-felt Greek </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">philoxenia</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">, hospitality.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">Two years after my father died, and after I graduated from Boston University, it was my turn. I was determined go to the place where my father was born and “pay homage to my ancestors,” as my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greek cousin<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phaedon put it recently. I brushed up my modern Greek at NYU and worked painting houses to raise money for this trip since I hadn’t yet found my vocation as a teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">I flew to Athens on an historic date, November 17, 1973, just as martial law was imposed following a student uprising at the Athens Polytechnic University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soldiers with automatic weapons patrolled the airport and prevented visitors from entering Athens. The chairs and benches had been removed for some reason so there was nowhere to rest but the baggage conveyor belt. After a sleepless night, I was picked up the next day by my Uncle Johnny and Aunt Angie who drove me to their apartment. We saw tanks and soldiers on rooftops when we passed through Syntagma (Constitution) Square.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">We all gathered on the street the next day—my Uncle and Aunt along with thousands of others. The military imposed a 4 pm curfew and meant it. Precisely at 4 pm, they started firing tear gas to disperse the crowds. I was standing next to my aunt and looked for my uncle but he was long gone. I walked back to my apartment arm-in-arm with my sweet brave angelic Aunt.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">The next day I had to go to the nearest police station to be registered as a foreigner. The 4 o’clock curfew prevailed. We were told it was illegal to gather in groups of three or more or talk politics. The newspapers were censored so we didn’t know what was happening. This was my first taste of a dictatorship, and I didn’t like the flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to take the ferry to Andros, the island on the Cyclades where my Dad was born. This proved a smart move. There were no politics and no curfew on Andros, just a loving family, and lots of splendiferous food!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">I was warmly welcomed by my Greek relatives in Andros and stayed with my Aunts. I can’t remember whether I stayed with my Aunt Maria or Evangelia or both,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but I do recall that they both spoiled me with their kindness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5WzD56aCgt8h88vIDfEiTX6wfHCiHIzNho5z_PfDE2bkFqKnrxVMpbjsC9PGznQ-qZqzeRTEwiu3Th_fDqZXbOtqt9no8IMW1YOxUuvAHXUyhibq4bKEVB5CHWrjoq0xNjKoSsfyebZnOcueqJRsJhsRo_Zu-PG7mhC6aro7FoCgVia96_TPUU3a0Q/s1200/Unforgettable%20greek%20pics%20aunts%20and%20uncles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5WzD56aCgt8h88vIDfEiTX6wfHCiHIzNho5z_PfDE2bkFqKnrxVMpbjsC9PGznQ-qZqzeRTEwiu3Th_fDqZXbOtqt9no8IMW1YOxUuvAHXUyhibq4bKEVB5CHWrjoq0xNjKoSsfyebZnOcueqJRsJhsRo_Zu-PG7mhC6aro7FoCgVia96_TPUU3a0Q/w608-h303/Unforgettable%20greek%20pics%20aunts%20and%20uncles.jpg" width="608" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;">The weeks that I spent on Andros were golden. Life on the island was much simpler back then. Hardly any cars or TV. People traveling mostly by bus or donkey. Few phones and of course no cell phones. Life was very basic.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;">Eat, drink (wine or coffee), talk, sleep. Just what I needed. One highpoint was taking part in the slaughter of a pig, a ritual that brought everyone together. We rose before dawn, drank raki (Greek moonshine) and went to work. It was a party that went on for two days that I’ll never forget!</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">When I returned Athens, things had settled down more or less to normal. The dreadful dictatorship was still firmly in place, but there were no curfews.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">During this time of relative calm I had the pleasure of meeting some of other Greek relatives, such as Melina, Rena, Ismini, and others pictured below. (I’m looking forward to seeing Ismini, Melina and others when we return to Greece in August of this year.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">In addition to visiting relatives, I went to the Acropolis and museums in Athens, took a bus trip to Delphi, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sailed to Crete. I can’t begin to describe what a feast for the mind and spirit these excursions were for me--the culmination of years of studying Greek antiquity and immersing myself in Greek literature! To see with my own eyes what I had studied and dreamed about since I was a child was an unbelievably powerful experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">Seeing Greek statues (instead of Roman copies) filled me with awe at the ilife-affirming power of Greek sculpture. Seeing the amphitheater at Delphi made me realize how amazing it was that the dramas of Euripides, Sophocles, Aristophanes, and others were staged in this awe-inspiring outdoor setting. And visiting Crete, I fell in love with the Minoan civilization—a matriarchal culture of beauty and art that was celebrated in Judith Hand’s brilliant (but little known) novel </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">The Voice of the Goddess</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">. And don’t get me started on Nikos Kazantzakis, one of my all-time favorite novelists!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">Memories keep flooding my mind as I write this but I want to keep it short. I also don’t want to paint too rosy a picture since I did have some painful misunderstandings with some of my relatives. I didn’t feel led to return to Greece for 30 years. But during this time I had a wonderful experience attending the wedding of my cousin Alexandra and her husband people, two of the most delightful people I’ve ever met. When I did return, with my wife of blessed memory Kathleen Ross, a Methodist pastor, it was also an unforgettable experience. We traveled in the footsteps of St. Paul with a boat load of Methodists and other Christians just as the United States was about to bomb and invade Iraq. I was the lone Quaker and the only Greek in this group of religious pilgrims. In the midst of yet another futile war, I had the joy of connecting with my Greek relatives. Thereby hangs a tale I’ll save for my next trip down memory lane.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibak2L8d3VemUz1K6nYX1rIOQDq_sY46-8VrPn9LMQv6bxtk0g06An_dHbs50XPqeTw5PfS4mKoAtBhRjh1PR3LsHkOEl4oCetTMNTleRIDU1a5SW5VY4qdaoPbnY9tyeZJnNBDfQWQSvDMnFwIDgsXVtZY5xMc0_koWjSwtrWGDWP-3DrjNJoMCYOmA/s1200/Unforgettable%20greek%20pics%20cousins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibak2L8d3VemUz1K6nYX1rIOQDq_sY46-8VrPn9LMQv6bxtk0g06An_dHbs50XPqeTw5PfS4mKoAtBhRjh1PR3LsHkOEl4oCetTMNTleRIDU1a5SW5VY4qdaoPbnY9tyeZJnNBDfQWQSvDMnFwIDgsXVtZY5xMc0_koWjSwtrWGDWP-3DrjNJoMCYOmA/w558-h278/Unforgettable%20greek%20pics%20cousins.jpg" width="558" /></a></span></div><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span><p></p>LA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.com0