Saturday, April 22, 2006

Meeting Notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met April 22, 2006, at Associated Ministries at 10:00 a.m. Present for check-in were Sallie S., Kathryn, Joel, Martell, Mark, Kristi, Annah, Rob, Colleen, Louisa, and Karen H.

AGENDA

1. INTERFAITH CAMP (Sallie).
Another meeting planning the Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp was held this week. The camp's web site is now online. Recruitment of campers and counselors continues. The camp will be held Aug. 27-Sept. 1, 2006, at Camp Seymour, for girls and boys entering grades 7 & 8: 10 Christians, 10 Jews, 10 Muslims, & 20 kids of other faith traditions (call 360-357-7224 [Kathy Erlandson] or write to Interfaithworks@aol.com). Camp counselors will be men & women at least 18 years old with experience with children (a multi-state background check is required); counselors are now being recruited (call 253-564-7101 [Rabbi Bruce Kadden] or write templebethel18.org).

2. ACLU IMMIGRATION EVENT WORKING GROUP (Colleen)
An organizing group of the Pierce County chapter of the ACLU is meeting next week to work on planning for a June 3 (2:00 p.m) event on immigration issues to be held at King's Books. Volunteers interested in this issue are needed to help with organizing and are urged to attend the meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wed., Apr. 26, at Carl Anderson's house (3320 N. 27th St., Tacoma; call Carl at 761-8726 for more information).

3. MAY DAY IMMIGRATION EVENT (Sallie)
Todd Iverson of America in Solidarity is planning a May 1 gathering and event in Tacoma that will address issues around undocumented workers.

4. FUNDRAISER BRAINSTORMING (Louisa)
Louisa is planning to host a fundraiser for Mark Wilson's U.S. Senate campaign on Sat., May 20, and sought ideas about possible venues. A place is needed big enough for 25-75 people, with enough space for fun activities like an "Eschew obfuscation" game involving remote-controlled toy vehicles. If you know of such a place, please contact Louisa Beal (565-8447).

5. CONVERSATION CAFE (Kathryn)
The Converstation Cafe on undocumented workers on Apr. 18 was animated. Discussion of how the aim of the conversation cafe is to encourage listening and understanding rather than persuasion and education. Question chosen for Tues., May 2: "Is reality subjective or objective, really?" (The question for this week, Tues., Apr. 25, is: "Our lives: choice or chance?" Since its inception in the summer of 2004 a Conversation Cafe has been held on Tuesday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mandolin Cafe (3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma) to encourage community conversation. Questions are chosen through discussion and consensus at the Saturday meeting of PPJH.

6. LETTER FROM SOUTH SOUND PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER (Sallie)
Sallie read a letter on Associated Ministries stationery addressed to PPJH by Sallie Shawl and David Alger, asking for support toward having a full-time person (a young intern from the Lutheran Volunteer Corps who would live in community in the area) for the South Sound Peace and Justice Center's peace and justice work. At present PPJH has $652.08 in the bank. PPJH agreed to donate $300.00 toward this end and to organize a fund-raising event to raise further funds for this purpose.

7. EARTH CHARTER (Group)
Today is Earth Day. For background on the history of Earth Day, which has grown spontaneously from public consciousness from an event held 36 years ago, on Apr. 22, 1970, see here.

8. VALUES CLARIFICATION (Rob)
PPJH's purpose, history, and accomplishments were reviewed for newcomers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. (Mark) The UFPPC book discussion group "Digging Deeper" has decided to extend its discussion of Kevin Phillips's American Theocracy, which began on Apr. 3, from four to at least five sessions, continuing at least through on Mon., May 1, at 7:00 p.m., at the Mandolin Cafe, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma. American Theocracy: The Perils and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money (Viking, 2006) is currently the #3 non-fiction bestseller in the U.S. on the New York Times list and was #6 on Amazon.com on Apr. 22. The book is widely available at local bookstores, such as King's Books (218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, "located in the historic Stadium District of Tacoma . . . one block from the Temple Theatre and four blocks from the historic Stadium High School . . . [with] a myriad of used books, a selection of new books, and a lovely Rare Book Room [as well as] convenient off-street parking"). Late arrivals to the Apr. 24 and May 1 discussions of this important book are welcome.

Respectfully,
Mark