Saturday, December 21, 2002 Meeting Notes

AGENDA

0. Check-in
1. Buttons
2. First night
3. Nonviolent communication
4. Associated Ministries and PPJH
5. Future events
6. Coalition
7. Announcements

CHECK-IN: a few scattered notes on remarks by those present:
- Sallie will usher at the Magical Strings concert Sat. evening in Seattle, which has become a personal tradition for her.
- Kathryn, new the group, was looking forward to a break from work and came to check out PJH.
- Colleen has been reflecting on the importance of having a passport.
- Karen H. was not feeling much in a Christmas mood.
- Dorothy has been recovering from bronchitis this week. She was pleased to report that wearing her 'No Iraq War' button has led to many inquiries about where they can be found.
- Carrie was planning to have a solstice bonfire at Mother Earth farm Saturday afternoon.
- Mark was also feeling a lack of Xmas spirit.
- Pam is struck by the number of Christmas cards she's received with a 'peace' theme.
- Vivi was glad to be present.
- Elaine was glad to see a candle lit on the shortest day of the year.

1. Buttons. Vivi obtained the previous batch at 50 cents each. Discussion of how to procure more. [Unbeknownst to the group, Susan Donaldson was doing this even as we spoke, and dropped them off as a gift to PJH at Mark's later in the afternoon. Thanks to Susan, PPJH now has about 200 buttons available -- call Mark at 535-7219 for info.]

2. First night. Colleen and Sallie plan to leaflet and sell buttons downtown at First Night. Contact Colleen to get involved! (759-9680 or e-mail: cwaterhouse@att.net) About a thousand additional copies of the "No War in Iraq" and "Protest the War" flyers will be prepared.

3. Nonviolent communication. Dorothy reported on the progress of the group working on this (which includes Elaine, Adam, and Chris). See the Nonviolent Peaceforce website for more information about this project to save lives by training people in ways to reduce conflict and violence.

4. Associated Ministries and PPJH. Sallie sat down with David Alger recently to discuss further the relationship of PPJH to Associated Ministries. Out of that conversation came the idea that the Shalom Center needs to be revitalized. The Board of AM is more active than it used to be, and now requires prior approval of events, so formal association may be more trouble than it's worth. If we don't formally associate, we need to incorporate; doing this under the law of the State of Washington seems the easiest approach. Mark will look into what is required.

5. Future evetns. Possibilities: John Reese, who is just back from Palestine, has been involved with water issues there; he plans to begin a tour of the U.S. in March. Nancy Farrell, from Burlington, Vermont, has just come back from a trip to Israel, where she was involved with young children and art projects. Karen H. is learning about her plans and will pursue the possibility of an event of some kind with her. Carrie spoke of the Jan. 19 event at First United Methodist (423 MLK Jr. Way, Tacoma) from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. where Fr. Ray Bourgeois will speak about his trip to Iraq and funds will be raised to help five Washingtonians and Oregonians charged in relation to protests at the School of the Americas.

6. Coalition. Discussion of naming possibilities for the December 8th Coalition, which met on Dec. 19 and will meet again on Dec. 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Anna Lemon Wheelock branch of the Tacoma Public Library (3722 N. 26th).

7. Announcements. None.

The meeting ended with all those present briefly joining hands in a circle around a solstice candle, and concluded at 11:50 a.m.