Created with NationBuilder, software for leaders. |
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Ukraine: The Path to Peace --- ICUJP Forum on Friday, April 1
Monday, March 7, 2022
A Quaker Vigil for Peace in the Ukraine, Yemen, Everywhere
I am very grateful to those who took part in our Quaker peace vigil. It was inspired by Cecelia Valentine, the newest member of Orange Grove Meeting's Peace and Social Concerns Committee, who called on us to have this demonstration. This vigil wasn’t authorized by Orange Grove Meeting. But I feel that it was authorized by the Holy Spirit who called us to witness for peace during this dark time. What a joy it was to stand together and "be peace!"
Ten people took part: Bill Evans, Estelle Stevens, Steve Rosenbluth, his two
Highlights: Steve Rosenbluth’s daughter holding up a sign
that said, “Cookies, Not War.” Hearing the approving honks of passing cars (at
least 35, by Steve’s count), someone donating $5 to our cause. People smiling
when they saw us and our signs.
Interest was expressed in having a vigil next Sunday from rise
of meeting till 1:00 PM (so it won’t interfere with business meeting). Everyone is welcome to join us. The more, the Friendlier!
Next steps?
· Urge our elected officials to opt for diplomacy and sanctions, not war. FCNL.org
·
Donate
to the UN relief fund for Ukrainian families and children: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/unicef-children-crossfire-ukraine-crisis/
I also encourage you to pray for guidance and take part in
an international Quaker worship service that takes place daily at 9 am. I have
attended a couple of times and it was a deeply spiritual experience, with
between 180 and 450 Friends attending from the USA, UK, Ireland, France,
Germany, Latvia, etc. I give thanks to God for this beloved Quaker community and
for my dear friend Julie Harlow who has been faithful in her support of Friends
House Moscow since the 1980s. Here’s what Julie says about this daily worship:
This daily Meeting for Worship is sponsored by Friends House Moscow, a small Quaker non-profit living out Friends' testimonies in service to the people of Russia, Ukraine and
beyond.
We invite you to join other Friends holding in the Light all the
people affected by the current crisis in Ukraine.
The room opens at 8:45am Pacific time in the US; if you are
familiar with security and other co-hosting functions, consider arriving at
8:45 and volunteering to co-host.
We allow the first 10 minutes for centering in silence and the
last 10 minutes also in silence to let the messages settle in our hearts.
The host will mute everyone at the beginning of
Worship. Sink deeply into the Spirit which is not of this world and
let ministry rise from that spirit to give us guidance and
light. Raise your digital hand if you have ministry to offer and
wait patiently to be asked to unmute yourself to speak. A co-host will also be
scanning for those who must raise a human hand or use chat to request to speak.
We leave a cushion of silence between messages, giving everyone a chance to fully
absorb the message and return to centering in the Spirit.
During Worship use the chat only for contacting the host if you
are having technical difficulties or notice something that does not seem
right. If you are new to Quaker unprogrammed worship and wish
to talk with someone about it, send a message to the host and someone can join
you in a breakout room.
Live transcription will be available for those with hearing
difficulties so please speak slowly and clearly. Some other functions
will be disabled during the meeting in order to discourage disruptions.
After Worship has concluded, you will be invited to a breakout
room where you can introduce yourself to a small number of Friends and share
thoughts that did not rise to the level of ministry.
Peace in our hearts, Peace for all the people,
Julie Harlow
Friends House Moscow board
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4165005614?pwd=NUtieEtqbDBYbjBrcGdMMzBKQ3drQT09
Meeting ID: 416 500 5614
Passcode: 182805
Monday, February 28, 2022
A Quaker Response to the Conflict in Ukraine
Dear Friends,
Greetings of peace to you all during this dark time of war! The situation in the Ukraine is painfully complex and there are no easy answers, but as Friends, we believe that the Inward Light will guide us individually and collectively to do what we can to help alleviate this crisis. As our Russian Friend Boris Fedyukin wrote, “Act according to your conscience, do not allow the circumstances to destroy you. Hold to those you hold dear, help those near to you, make a public witness for peace…” To read his full letter, go to https://mailchi.mp/westernfriend.org/extra-extra_2022-02-26?e=2e2e2f6184
You are invited to join in daily meeting for worship by Julie Harlow, a dear Friend and member of the Friends House Moscow Board (see below). Around 450 Friends attended our Zoom worship on Monday, from the USA, UK, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, etc. I was very inspired and heartened to see so many Friends gathered for peace! Please hold the people of Ukraine and Russia in the Light, especially those working for peace….
Although the current situation seems grim and terrifying, I am reminded that in the early 1980s I was led to my first Quaker project: "spiritual linkage with the Russians" (the title of a Pendle Hill pamphlet I wrote). When President Reagan was rattling his sabre and calling the Soviet Union an "evil empire," many of us were fearful that we were on the brink of nuclear war, and for good reason. That's when Spirit led me to work with Friends like Janet Riley to do a Soviet-American joint book project to dispel stereotypes and build understanding between Americans and Russians. We also hoped to start a Quaker meeting in Moscow. As we got to know Russian writers as well as "ordinary" people, we became part of the citizen diplomacy movement that helped end the Cold War without bloodshed. Thanks be to God, we were able to start a Quaker meeting in Moscow. For this reason, I believe that when we seek Divine Guidance and work together for peace, miracles can and do happen. As Paul says, we have "grounds for hope."
Meanwhile, there is much work to be done to ensure peace since we are God's hands and feet. So please
consider writing to our elected officials about the Ukraine situation, as suggested by the Friends Committee on
National Legislation: https://www.fcnl.org/
David Hartsough and George Lakey, our leading Quaker peace activists, call on us to “build a powerful global movement to say No to Russian invasion and occupation of Ukraine and No to NATO and an end to threatening one another with nuclear annihilation.” Here are links to efforts to use the power of nonviolence to quell this conflict:
https://wagingnonviolence.org/2022/02/ukraine-secret-weapon-civilian-resistance/
https://wagingnonviolence.org/2022/02/the-dangerous-assumption-that-violence-keeps-us-safe/
In peace and friendship,
Anthony Manousos, OGMM Rep to FCNL
Below is the letter from Julie Harlow of Friends House Moscow:
Dear Friends,
Let us join together
in holding in the Light the situation in Ukraine, the decision makers, the
soldiers, the citizens, all the people whose lives are in danger and
disrupted by fear.
You are invited to
participate with Friends House Moscow in a virtual Meeting for Worship each
morning for one hour throughout the crisis in Ukraine.
The online room opens
at 8:45am Pacific time; worship begins on the hour and ends an hour
later. After worship you are invited to introduce yourself and share
brief thoughts that did not rise to the level of ministry. You may also
want to rename yourself indicating your geographic location. There will
be no audible indicator when one enters or leaves and everyone will be muted on
entry. Please leave yourself muted unless giving ministry.
Ministry may also be
shared in the chat, but it is not the place for private conversations. If you
are new to Quaker unprogrammed worship and wish to talk with someone about it,
send a message to the host and someone can join you in a breakout room.
Daily
9:00AM Pacific = 10AM Mountain
Click here to join the Meeting for Worship
for Ukraine directly.
Meeting ID: 416 500 5614
Passcode: 182805
from Julie Harlow,
Friends House Moscow Board (2/25/2022)
Below is a letter from Boris Fetyukin, a "Friend in Russia"
This Morning
February 24, 2022
This morning, President Putin declared war against Ukraine.
Cities are under rocket fire, paratroopers are being landed, people are being killed.
This morning, I pray God to protect as many people as possible in Ukraine, that He take them under His shield. In a time of force gone mad, I hope that the power of the Holy Spirit, that which dwells in each of us, may give each of us the strength and forbearance to stand against the madness. I believe that, in each person, there is that of God, and that each person is deserving of life. The people of Ukraine are deserving of life, of peace and of freedom.
Let us cast war out from our own hearts.
This morning, our nation has broken into two parts.
A demon-ridden elite has supported Vladimir Putin’s terrifying ideas: his propagandists, his security men and the courts will safeguard the existing order of things. Each of them, who has refused to take action on behalf of peace, bears a personal responsibility for the deaths which are taking place. There are others, banned from decision-making, deprived both of voice and of the power to choose, forced out of our country, stung silent by the propaganda, who are becoming only spectators to the on-going madness, And each of us in the majority of the citizens of Russia is called to come to an understanding of the pain of war, of the malignancy of the developing situation. And God will give each of us the strength to make a stand and to speak out, as long as we listen to the song of peace.
This morning, I asked my son not to to believe his teachers, if, even in passing, they should speak in favor of the rightness of Russia’s and Putin’s acts of war, and to tell me about them this evening. I will not allow the government to indoctrinate my child with the propaganda of death.
Discuss the situation with friends and family. make it clear to the children, that the what is happening is harmful to the soul, make it clear to yourself.
Act according to your conscience, do not allow the circumstances to destroy you. Hold to those you hold dear, help those near to you, make a public witness for peace, don’t give an ear to the blandishments of the propagandists.
No to war.
– Boris Fedyukin (2/24/2022)
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
"Let's Talk About Environmental Justice" Friday, Feb 18, at 7:30 am at ICUJP!
Schedule: Start your morning with us! Reflection: Avon Leekley Here's how to join the online meeting: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. 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. If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.
ICUJP Friday Forum 2/18/22 Option 1: Join video conference here Meeting ID: 885 2372 0563 Option 2: Dial in by phone only: (To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.) Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. 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. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know. UPCOMING FRIDAY FORUMS FEB 25: Stories from Yemen: Ending U.S. Involvement in War and Blockade - more info coming soon!
You are receiving this email because you are a part of the ICUJP Mailing List. You cannot reply to everyone through this email. If you wish to join the ICUJP discussion list, sign into Google Groups, search for ICUJP, and use the "Ask to join group" button. For inquiries about our other programs, please email communications@icujp.org To learn more about ICUJP, please visit our website. | Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace Created with NationBuilder, software for leaders. |
Margot Johnson is the California Advocacy Corps Organizer for the Friends Committee for National Legislation. She focuses on Environmental Justice and lobbying for the Environmental Justice for All Act. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Justice and Radical Love: A reflection for ICUJP
I want to wish you all a happy Valentine’s week! I confess that I am an incurable romantic so I celebrate the entire week before Valentine’s Day. (Jill doesn't seem to mind!) I hope you’ll take time to celebrate this holiday with someone you care about. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of love and friendship.
What I want to reflect about today is love and justice. I am glad that the ICUJP’s statement of principles acknowledges the power of love and sees love as a force for social transformation. We recognize:
·
the
power of love to overcome hatred;
·
the
power of mercy to conquer vengeance;
·
the
celebration of our common humanity and the sacredness of human life;
·
and
our calling to build a just, equitable, and peaceful world.
Our ICUJP
statement of principles conjures up the core principles of the Abrahamic faiths:
justice, peace, truth and mercy are seen as inextricably connected. You can’t
have real justice without mercy, you can’t have real peace without justice. You
can’t have love without truth. In Psalm 85:10 the Psalmist expresses this
interconnectivity in poetic terms. “Steadfast
love and truth meet; justice and peace kiss each other.”
Justice is essential to the ethical life. It means
treating people fairly, giving each person what they deserve or what they have
earned. When an injustice is done, there should be consequences for the wrong
doer. Mercy goes a step further and gives people what they need regardless of
merit. This may seem unfair to some who are justice-oriented, but it’s the
basis of the Golden Rule: “Treat others the way you’d like to be treated, not
the way you deserve to be treated.” Mercy is not about fairness, it’s about
healing relationships. When someone does an unjust or hurtful act, mercy seeks
to bring about reconciliation through truth, forgiveness, and reparation. This
is the basis of Restorative Justice.
How does this apply to our work as peace and justice
advocates? Let me begin with the example of John Woolman, an eighteenth century
Quaker abolitionist, who spent 40 years trying to convince Quakers that it was
wrong to enslave human beings. Four years after his death, in 1776, Quakers unanimously
decided that you couldn’t be a Quaker if you owned slaves, and most historians
agree this wouldn’t have happened without Woolman’s tireless advocacy. In his
autobiography Woolman talks about how love was the motivating factor that led
him to advocate for the abolition of slavery, and to go to the homes of Quaker
enslavers and “labor” with them, so that they would see that what they were
doing was contrary to the love ethic of Jesus and hurt them as much as it hurt
those whom they enslaved. This work took great patience and love.
When I became a Quaker in the 1980s, Ronald
Reagan was president and we seemed to be on the brink of a nuclear war. During
this dark time I met a Quaker woman named Janet Riley who was trying to
deescalate the conflict between Russians and Americans through a book project
that would dispel stereotypes and show our common humanity. I went with her to
Moscow for the first time in the midst of a Russian winter armed with postcards
with the words of William Penn in Russian: “Let us then try what Love will do: for if men did once see we
love them, we should soon find they would not harm us.” When Russians found out
that we were Quakers, they immediately trusted us because Quakers had reached
out to the Russians after WW I and provided aid when Russians were starving.
Quakers had also visited the Soviet Union during the McCarthy period to build
bridges of friendship. The Russians knew that Quakers were genuine about
seeking peace. We worked with Russian writers and publishers and not only
jointly published a book of stories and poems, we also formed friendships. We
played a small but not insignificant role in the citizen diplomacy movement
that helped end the Cold War.
Acts of love and kindness can bring about profound changes
not only in our personal lives but in society. The Jesus movement was about
dismantling the empire and creating the “Kingdom of God,” a community in which
everyone would be treated as equals, with kindness and respect, and poverty
would be ended. Some early Christians put this ideal into practice, sold their
homes and redistributed their wealth so there was no poverty among them (Act
4).
Gandhi and King believed in the power of love to transform
society and made love and truth the basis for their activism. Both men went out
of their way not to demonize their opponents, but to appeal to their better
nature. Their goal was to bring healing and unity as well as justice.
Many of us underestimate the power
of love, but not Dr. King. In the 1960s he wrote “Love is the greatest force in the
universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos…” Let me add that practicing
love isn’t easy: it takes commitment, patience, kindness, and a willingness to
listen compassionately and admit one’s mistakes.
Everyone concerned about
social change comes to realize that love is essential, so I’ll end with the
words of a young medical student
who traveled throughout South America and was radicalized by the poverty, hunger, and disease
he witnessed, Yes, I am referring to Che Guevara. He wrote these oft-quoted
words:
great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality […] We must strive every day so that this love of living humanity will be transformed into actual deeds, into acts that serve as examples, as a moving force.”
I think that all the great spiritual
teachers and leaders would agree it is the power of love that transforms lives
and the world. Let us therefore continue to try what love will do.