From moriah at preferred.com Fri Jun 1 10:29:52 2001 From: moriah at preferred.com (Mary Calhoun) Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 10:29:52 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] IMP^o^ 106 Reminder! YM registration Message-ID: <008f01c0eaad$8bb04240$0500a8c0@oem> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMP ^o^ Bulletin 106 Reminder...! YM Pre-Registration for meals & room ends June 4th ------------------------------------------------------------------- Day-Visitor registrations begin Thurs afternoon, June 7th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (from YM Registration packet, and 5-11 message from Registrars) <|> Please share this info with your meeting. <|> The SAYMA Yearly Meeting Gathering begins next Thursday, June 7. <|> Pre-registration will CLOSE 72 hours before the start of Yearly Meeting. Registration forms received after June 4th will be returned. Pre-registration is required in order to get a room and meals. <|> Day visitors are welcome, and can register on-site once Yearly Meeting begins. <|> Registration hours will be -- -- Thu, June 7 -- 1-5pm, 8-11pm -- Fri, June 8 -- 9-11am, 3-5pm, 8-10pm -- Sat, June 9 -- 9-11am, 3-5pm, 8-10pm <|> A $30 late fee is required for pre-registrations since it's past May 15. <|> In order to receive a room key you must be paid in full. <|> Please bring $5 in correct change for a key deposit. <|> For further details, please see the YM registration packet. Information and registration forms are also available on the SAYMA web site at www.sayma.org <|> Our theme this year is "Teach Us to be Whole: Gather Us, Heal Us, Lead Us." It emerged from worship sharing and contains words from the song "Rainbows in the Sun" -- Give me rainbows in the sun, give me peace when the day is done Give me love to fill my soul, teach me to be whole <|> Missy Ivie, Registrar MBIvie at home.com 865-482-8077 Susan Carlyle, Registrar Carlyle at juno.com 828-626-2572" ~~~~~~ end ^o^ ~~~~~~ 1stpost 060101 ~~~~~~ _______________________________________ IMP ^o^ ... "Information Made Present" is a bulletin service of the SAYMA office to provide practical details to our geographically-challenged Yearly Meeting via our free list-server: semi-official information, bulletins that you can print, post, announce, publish, or pass around. Please address questions, corrections and additions to AdminAsst at sayma.org, 540-628-5852 (machine), or SAYMA Admin. Asst., c/o 165 Jackson Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Thank you! ^o^ Mary Calhoun, AA ----------------------------------------------------- To receive IMP^o^ bulletins, subscribe to the free list server, sayma at kitenet.net. You can e-mail to sayma-request at kitenet.net, writing only the word subscribe in the body of your e-mail message. You can also subscribe on the web at http://kitenet.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sayma. ------------------------------------------------------ From moriah at preferred.com Fri Jun 1 16:03:47 2001 From: moriah at preferred.com (Mary Calhoun) Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 16:03:47 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] IMP^o^ 107 $$ to Treas Message-ID: <01d101c0ead6$54685b00$0500a8c0@oem> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMP ^o^ Bulletin 107 Please send $$ to the Treasurer ... ... send $$ to the Treasurer, please! -------------------------------------------------------------- annual reminder...annual reminder...annual reminder ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (from the Administrative Assistant) <|> ...........$.......... Please send Monthly Meeting and Worship Group assessments directly to the SAYMA Treasurer...........$........... <|> Kendall Ivie, Treasurer 113 Cooper Circle Oak Ridge TN 37830 ....................$.......... Please send Monthly Meeting and Worship Group assessments directly to the SAYMA Treasurer...........$........... <|> Please pass this info to your local mailers and money-handlers. ....................$.......... Please send Monthly Meeting and Worship Group assessments directly to the SAYMA Treasurer...........$........... <|> The Treasurer does not work at the SAYMA office. The SAYMA office has not been in Atlanta since 1997. ....................$.......... Please send Monthly Meeting and Worship Group assessments directly to the SAYMA Treasurer...........$........... <|> If the money comes to the office, the Administrative Assistant is instructed to deposit it "locally." The bank is a 40-mile round trip at $1.40-something/gallon. The teller needs reminded to give a duplicate receipt for the Treasurer. The AA is trying to keep hours down to 40-odd/month. ....................$.......... Please send Monthly Meeting and Worship Group assessments directly to the SAYMA Treasurer...........$........... <|> Before you mail $$ to SAYMA -- if you're not sure of the address -- please contact the AA at AdminAsst at sayma.org or 540-628-5852. ....................$.......... Please send Monthly Meeting and Worship Group assessments directly to the SAYMA Treasurer...........$........... <|> Thank you!Thank you!Thank you! ....................$.......... Please send Monthly Meeting and Worship Group assessments directly to the SAYMA Treasurer...........$........... ~~~~~~ end ^o^ ~~~~~~ 1stpost 060101 ~~~~~~ _______________________________________ IMP ^o^ ... "Information Made Present" is a bulletin service of the SAYMA office to provide practical details to our geographically-challenged Yearly Meeting via our free list-server: semi-official information, bulletins that you can print, post, announce, publish, or pass around. Please address questions, corrections and additions to AdminAsst at sayma.org, 540-628-5852 (machine), or SAYMA Admin. Asst., c/o 165 Jackson Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Thank you! ^o^ Mary Calhoun, AA ----------------------------------------------------- To receive IMP^o^ bulletins, subscribe to the free list server, sayma at kitenet.net. You can e-mail to sayma-request at kitenet.net, writing only the word subscribe in the body of your e-mail message. You can also subscribe on the web at http://kitenet.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sayma. ------------------------------------------------------ From quaking at earthlink.net Sat Jun 2 01:12:29 2001 From: quaking at earthlink.net (Brett Miller-White) Date: Sat, 02 Jun 2001 01:12:29 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] AFSC Considerations Message-ID: <3B1875BC.C7761382@earthlink.net> To SAYMA Friends... Upon reading the Statement regarding the AFSC, drawn up and offered "in the light" by the Chattanooga Friends Meeting, my first reaction was not one of light but of darkness. My second reaction leads me to offer my own personal 'statement' which undoubtedly might be criticized as being premature for my not first listening to, nor exploring Chattanooga's concerns. The thing is, I already know enough in terms of having 'been there, done that' long before the bottom-line issue was raised i.e. I've been around the AFSC too many years to stand by and allow the attempt of some uncomfortable Friends to have our Quaker identification removed from AFSC's outstanding work, either historically or currently. This is not to say that I would not be available to listen and perhaps even join in with some of the concerns that prompted the Statement. Those, however, are side issues. They, by themselves, do not excuse this attempt to turn the AFSC into some sort of oddball faith and/or secular entity. No way. Not during my Quaker life. I will briefly offer two AFSC examples out of my overseas experience (as the Church World Service Representative to the Middle East) in working with Palestinian refugees. Our relief program was the largest within a group of ten major international voluntary agencies which included the AFSC and the latter used our distribution centers to handle its clothing program. Which bundles of clothing do you suppose were cherished above all others. You got it...the one with the red and black star! Quaker! Another example...one segment of the CWS program involved village development work in 112 villages on the border of the West Bank. I had three staff internationals, each one introducing limited self-help concepts into 37 villages. Meanwhile, AFSC placed a single staff worker (Ralph Johnson) in just one village where every day for two years he played an ongoing role in the productive life of those villagers. Now, which book would you want to read? A fleeting glimpse of short-term projects in 112 villages or an intimate in-depth look at the long-term impact of a Quaker pilot project upon one village? AFSC is in a class by itself whenever one looks at the work of the voluntary agencies. It is highly individualistic and is known particularly for its 'seed'-planting concepts. It's Quaker logo is recognized all over the world and has been since 1917. All of its 150 corporation members are Friends. And of its Executive Corporate body, only 7 of its 48 members are non-Friends who are on the Board because they serve as Clerks of various program committees. As to the presence of non-quaker staff, whether you go overseas or whether you are dealing with the needs of the inner city or elsewhere, why not hire the cultural peers of whomever requires help? What would be the next step in this scenario? Would we be measuring the Quakerism of the Canadian and British service committees, both of which work closely with the AFSC? I think not. In closing I'm wondering whether Chattanooga might need to be reminded that AFSC does not officially represent any Yearly Meeting nor does AFSC ever attempt to speak for the Society. However, any hard look, particularly at the recent visionary efforts of its former Exceutive Director, Kara Newell, would disclose an ongoing effort to emphasize its longstanding identification as a bonafide Friend's service organization. It knows better than to hide its light. With pride... Brett Miller-White Swannanoa Valley Monthly Meeting From moriah at preferred.com Sun Jun 3 00:18:50 2001 From: moriah at preferred.com (Mary Calhoun) Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2001 00:18:50 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] IMP^o^ 108 Treasure hunt... Message-ID: <012c01c0ebe9$1d28e2e0$0500a8c0@oem> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMP ^o^ Bulletin 108 Treasure hunt: where oh where is the SAYMA assessment figure? ------------------------------------------------------- (...not wanting to deprive fFriends of fun!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (from Yearly Meeting 2000 Minutes) <|> YM '00 Minute 23, pg 18 -- budget approved as presented <|> YM '00 Minute 23, pg 17 -- proposed budget is "presented earlier in the minutes" <|> YM '00 Minute 9, pg 9 -- proposed FY '01 budget; note 7 states then-current and proposed assessment figures. <|> Short cut -- the latest $ figure for assessments is in paragraph two of the Clerk's cover letter for YM '00 Minutes. <|> Desperation alley -- if you can no longer find the above documents, feel free to contact the office (contact info below). ~~~~~~ end ^o^ ~~~~~~ 1stpost 060301 ~~~~~~ _______________________________________ IMP ^o^ ... "Information Made Present" is a bulletin service of the SAYMA office to provide practical details to our geographically-challenged Yearly Meeting via our free list-server: semi-official information, bulletins that you can print, post, announce, publish, or pass around. Please address questions, corrections and additions to AdminAsst at sayma.org, 540-628-5852 (machine), or SAYMA Admin. Asst., c/o 165 Jackson Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Thank you! ^o^ Mary Calhoun, AA ----------------------------------------------------- To receive IMP^o^ bulletins, subscribe to the free list server, sayma at kitenet.net. You can e-mail to sayma-request at kitenet.net, writing only the word subscribe in the body of your e-mail message. You can also subscribe on the web at http://kitenet.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sayma. ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From scarlyle at juno.com Sun Jun 3 13:25:58 2001 From: scarlyle at juno.com (Susan Carlyle) Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2001 13:25:58 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] VIDEO REQUEST Message-ID: <20010603.132558.-4161279.0.scarlyle@juno.com> On Saturday evening, at the SAYMA gathering at Warren Wilson College, EARTH MAMA, Joyce Johnson Rouse of Nashville MM, will be giving an inter-generational concert. Is there anyone out there who would be willing to video tape the performance? Then- you might wind up with a copy of the video for your Meeting. If you can do the job- please contact Susan Carlyle at scarlyle at juno.com before Wednesday June 6. Thank you. ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. From csiceloff at mindspring.com Sun Jun 3 21:25:01 2001 From: csiceloff at mindspring.com (COURTNEY SICELOFF) Date: Sun, 03 Jun 2001 21:25:01 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] ATLANTA MTG FORUM AFSC/SERO Message-ID: <4.2.0.58.20010603211846.009e5270@pop.mindspring.com> GREETINGS: The attached was a report of a forum on October 24, 1999 on the subject of the relationship between SAYMA meetings and AFSC/SERO. SAYMA had requested Meetings to discuss the relationship and report on the ensuing discussion. courtney siceloff Forum Held at the Atlanta Meeting on the Relationship of AFSC and SAYMA A forum on AFSC and its relationship with the Yearly Meeting (SAYMA) was held on October 24, 1999. Present were 28 members/attenders of the Atlanta Meeting and three regional office (SERO) representatives. SAYMA had requested feedback from Meetings in regard to the SAYMA/AFSC relationship. Currently SAYMA contributes $800 annually to AFSC, and sends 2 of 3 allocated representatives to the AFSC Corporation, as well as a representative to the SERO executive committee. The co-clerk of SERO sits on the National AFSC Board by virtue of the position. There are four other National Board Members from the region, including James Fletcher from the Atlanta Meeting. There is a proposal that SAYMA withdraw its contribution to AFSC. In self-introductions of those present, a number had had an extensive relationship with AFSC as volunteers and/or staff. Others indicated that they know little about the organization. Three persons not in attendance sent messages giving their opinions; two were critical and one was supportive. There was an opportunity to express concerns and support about the organization. The concerns included that few Quakers are currently on staff, that some did not know what programs AFSC had undertaken, and that affirmative action procedures used by AFSC precluded a substantial number of Quakers on the staff. There was mention that AFSC no longer conducts workcamps for young people, that AFSC has little connection with Monthly Meetings, and it appeared that decisions on programs were strongly influenced by staff rather than the Board. A concern was expressed that AFSC has become an amorphous organization, spending too much time, money and energy on organizational and personnel matters at the expense of focusing on its raison d'etre: program work. Others felt that AFSC provided opportunities for individuals to support Quaker testimonies through the support of AFSC domestic and international programs, and provided an outlet for the Meeting First Day students to make concrete connection in relieving suffering, as in kits for Iraqi children impacted by sanctions. There was an opportunity for persons from Meeting to serve on SERO program committees, as well as for young people to participate in the nonviolence program of Help Increase the Peace (HIP) led by a young man who grew up in the Meeting. One person expressed pleasure that AFSC's affirmative action program made certain that the staff achieved and maintained a balance of minorities, females and gays and lesbians. The requirement that AFSC staff be committed to the principles of nonviolence and peaceful resolution of conflict was seen as positive. There was no attempt to come up with a concluding statement or recommendation. No one called for withdrawing SAYMA funds to AFSC. Some expressed a need for SERO to relate more closely to Meetings, so that Friends may learn more about the SERO programs. Others expressed appreciation for a Quaker agency involved in social and economic issues in which individuals could be a part.* The Atlanta Meeting encourages SAYMA to continue funding of AFSC at $800 or more per year, to select representatives to the SERO and national office to participate in the administration of the agency, as well as to convey concerns and support of SAYMA Meetings. We acknowledge and encourage the positive efforts that have been made by AFSC in response to concerns expressed by SAYMA. Likewise, we encourage SAYMA to participate more actively in the governance of AFSC, including filling SAYMA's vacancy on the Corporation Forum summary prepared by committee of participants: Beth Ensign, Jack Honderd, Dan Hungerford, Bill Jenkins, Courtney Siceloff. *Note on followup: It is the understanding of Courtney Siceloff that Charles Zoeller, former interim SERO director, took the forum comments to include in the strategic planning process, and that these, along with the comments from other Meetings, are being taken seriously in that process. From lingle at bellsouth.net Mon Jun 4 08:16:47 2001 From: lingle at bellsouth.net (Larry Ingle) Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 08:16:47 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] SAYMA's discussion of AFSC Message-ID: <20010604121641.NQWR29547.imf08bis.bellsouth.net@[209.215.9.193]> Will anyone please let me know, preferably privately as I have been unable to receive material from the listserve for nearly a year now, at what time Thursday SAYMA's discussion of AFSC will commence at Warren Wilson College? Thank you. Larry Ingle Chattanooga From grudolph at clarity-dev.com Mon Jun 4 15:25:06 2001 From: grudolph at clarity-dev.com (Gerald Rudolph (Jerry)) Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 19:25:06 GMT Subject: [saymaListserv] AFSC Message-ID: <20010604.19250600@meiseki.dynip.com> The following is a minute from the Columbia Friends Meeting re AFSC: “The American Friends Service Committee is a practical expression of the faith of the Religious Society of ‘Friends (Quakers). Committed to the principles of nonviolence and justice, it seeks in its work and witness to draw on the transforming power of love, human and divine. “ “We recognize that the leadings of the Spirit and the principles of truth found through Friends’ experience and practice are not the exclusive possession of any group. Thus the AFSC draws into its work people of many faiths and backgrounds who share the values that animate its live and who bring to it a rich variety of experiences and spiritual insights.” -- from the Mission Statement of the American Friends Service Committee We in the Columbia Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends affirm the mission of AFSC as reflected in this statement. As a meeting we have been active with AFSC. We have worked with the HIP project, have conducted listening projects, and have invited the Middle East Peace Education project staff to our meeting. We have had members and attenders on the SERO board, on national committees, and as members of the Corporation. As within any organization that deals with issues of social injustice there has been conflict. Nevertheless, AFSC, both regionally and nationally, has been a support and an inspiration for our work in South Carolina. We encourage other meetings to support AFSC , to use the excellent resources they provide, and to become actively involved in joint projects with AFSC. From moriah at preferred.com Tue Jun 5 13:52:21 2001 From: moriah at preferred.com (Mary Calhoun) Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 13:52:21 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] IMP^o^ 109 Office\YM & vac Message-ID: <00a501c0ede8$5d06dba0$0500a8c0@oem> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMP ^o^ Bulletin 109 SAYMA office closing for Yearly Meeting... ... and for vacation ------------------------------------------ June 6-10 ... & ... June 24-July 8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (from the Administrative Assistant) <|> The SAYMA office will be temporarily closed June 6 (midday) - 10 while the Administrative Assistant goes to Yearly Meeting in Swannanoa, NC. <|> The SAYMA office will also be temporarily closed June 24 - July 8 while the Administrative Assistant goes to FGC Gathering. <|> The answering machine will be on, with power backup, and incoming e-mail will await pickup at preferred.com <|> Non-urgent messages would be best held until the office re-opens, so that space in the electronic mailboxes remains for those who have limited chances to call or e-mail. <|> Thank you! ~~~~~~~end ^o^ ~~~~~~1stpost 060501 ~~~~~~ ___________________________________ IMP ^o^ ... "Information Made Present" is a bulletin service of the SAYMA office to provide practical details to our geographically-challenged Yearly Meeting via our free list-server: semi-official information, bulletins that you can print, post, announce, publish, or pass around. Please address questions, corrections and additions to AdminAsst at sayma.org, 540-628-5852 (machine), or SAYMA Admin. Asst., c/o 165 Jackson Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Thank you! ^o^ Mary Calhoun, AA ----------------------------------------------------- To receive IMP^o^ bulletins, subscribe to the free list server, sayma at kitenet.net. You can e-mail to sayma-request at kitenet.net, writing only the word subscribe in the body of your e-mail message. You can also subscribe on the web at http://kitenet.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sayma. ------------------------------------------------------ From csiceloff at mindspring.com Wed Jun 6 18:23:02 2001 From: csiceloff at mindspring.com (COURTNEY SICELOFF) Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2001 18:23:02 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] VISIONING QUERIES Message-ID: <4.2.0.58.20010606181737.009ec2a0@pop.mindspring.com> GREETINGS: Participants in the SAYMA Meeting for Business' discussion of the relationship of AFSC/SERO to SAYMA might be interested in the attached. courtney siceloff American Friends Service Committee VISIONING QUERIES Spring 2001 AFSC is calling together hundreds of representatives of its communities to try to discern what God is calling the organization to do in the world. The final discernment will occur at the Board meeting in September 2001. The queries below are distributed to every participant in the AFSC Visioning Retreats. Each participant is asked to reflect on the Queries before coming to the Retreat weekend and are encouraged to reflect on them during the retreat itself. Those invited to the retreats include members of the Board, Corporation, Program and Executive Committees, and staff. ________________________________________________________________________ Are you open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit? Are you open to hearing others' opinions even if they are different from your own? How is discernment different from a planning process? How can I contribute to the "gathering and grounding" necessary in this process? How can I prayerfully consider the leadings shared in this process of discernment? How can we continue to explore our leadings, individually and corporately? Are you open to letting go of things in your life? How does your sense of calling to this work help to keep you focused? How does your sense of calling to this work cause you to overwork? Does your level of work allow you space for reflection and perspective? How do you see your work as "preparing God's kingdom on earth"? How do you see your work as making the world a better place to live? How does your work create change in the world? How does your work create change in you? How is your own transformative power and potential reflected in the transformation you promote through your work (or in the world)? How might the Spirit inform our decision-making? How is your hope for the world reflected in your hope for AFSC as a vital organization? From bright_crow at mindspring.com Thu Jun 7 10:46:06 2001 From: bright_crow at mindspring.com (Michael Austin Shell) Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2001 10:46:06 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] AFSC-NCRC June Meeting Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.20010607104606.007a51e0@pop.mindspring.com> AFSC National Community Relations Committee, June Meeting Dear Friends, I've just returned from the thrice-yearly meeting in Philadelphia of AFSC's National Community Relations Committee (NCRC), the executive committee for the organization's Community Relations Unit (CRU). NCRC is made up of staff and volunteers from the nine autonomous North American AFSC regions and their programs. Additional people serve on its various task forces and working groups. CRU does not administrate the domestic regions or programs, but it encourages, supports and sometimes initiates the development of cooperative program efforts across the organization. Its purpose is to unite all AFSC domestic entities, together with their non-AFSC coalition allies, in a network of shared goals, resources, knowledge and grassroots organizational expertise. It also has an advise and consent role with the AFSC Board of Directors. Finally, CRU is developing a new role in helping the International Unit to integrate community relations concerns into its overseas programs. Although NCRC meeting agendas vary greatly, the June meeting exemplifies well the range of AFSC's community relations concerns. What follows is a summary of the principle concerns and program developments discussed at that meeting: CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1. Anti-death penalty work: -- Religious Organizing Against the Death Penalty Project, an ecumenical coalition founded by AFSC, continues to provide extensive study-group materials, most recently focusing on the McVeigh case -- New Mexico Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty reports substantial progress toward repeal in that state 2. Prison privatization: various programs are investigating and challenging the rapid growth in the U.S. of two disturbing, interwoven trends -- building of speculative private, for-profit prisons (which must be kept full to be profitable), under the guise of spurring economic development in poor regions of the country -- increased use by private industry of forced prison labor, often without standard worker rights or protections, exploiting the fact that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution does NOT protect inmates from slavery or involuntary servitude 3. Education vs. incarceration: several efforts address two more interrelated trends -- a drastic shift of public funding from education to increased law enforcement efforts and prison building -- increased reliance by schools upon "zero tolerance" disciplinary policies, criminalization of normally rebellious teenage behaviors and incarceration of young people (especially minority youth), rather than using community-centered approaches to prevention, mentoring, conflict resolution, etc. IMMIGRATION In keeping with the peace testimony and the equal valuing of all people, AFSC consistently challenges immigration policies which make borders permeable to capital and profit, but not to the movements of people seeking honest labor 1. Mexico-U.S. border work: -- monitoring and lobbying for civilian review of abuses by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) -- providing local communities in both nations with comprehensive models for abuse documentation and community organizing 2. Immigrant rights work: continued work for a new legalization program (general amnesty) for undocumented immigrants in the U.S. 3. Migrant worker issues: -- helping migrant workers internationally to education and protect themselves with regard to their exposure to toxic agricultural products and other health risks -- monitoring of negotiations between the U.S. and Mexican governments re migrants, and potential lobbying to prevent abusive work visa legislation 4. Globalization issues: continued monitoring, public education and community organizing regarding the impact of globalization on local economies and immigrants INDIGENOUS PEOPLES For the same reasons it addresses immigration issues, AFSC works both domestically and internationally to support the protection of indigenous peoples and their rights. The June NCRC meeting heard reports on three relevant efforts 1. Binational indigenous migrant worker organizing, developed by indigenous people of Oaxaca, Mexico, together with migrants from several nations who work in the Central Valley of California 2. Continued nonviolent efforts by the Zapatistas of Chiapas, Mexico, to assure indigenous rights, in the face of the Mexican Congress' watering down of a bill promised by President Fox 3. Growth of international indigenous movements, and continued efforts to gain U.S. consent to the United Nations "Draft Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" ECONOMIC JUSTICE 1. Grassroots Alliance to End Poverty: an effort supported by AFSC, described on its Website at 2. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) reauthorization work: efforts to restore to families the supports removed by recent nation welfare "reform," including the publication of a workbook for activists called "Everyone is Deserving: A Toolkit on TANF Reauthorization and Welfare Reform," (see ) CIVIL RIGHTS The last June agenda item brought us full circle back to the concerns discussed under criminal justice work. While revisiting Sunflower Co., Miss., to prepare a documentary on the outcomes of school integration there 35 years ago, NCRC folk learned that the state is building 15 prisons, several of them private, in the predominantly black delta region of the state. Public schools are over 90% black, while most white students go to private academies, yet white administrators still control the public system. Local interviewees reported a clear pattern of escalating disciplinary suspensions and expulsions, criminalization and incarceration of young people, especially young black males. This is a pattern which is playing out increasingly all over the country. I encourage Friends to visit the AFSC Website at or to contact me for more information or referrals. Blessed Be, Michael. From freepolazzo at mindspring.com Sun Jun 10 22:34:04 2001 From: freepolazzo at mindspring.com (Free Polazzo) Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 22:34:04 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] Fwd: Should Peace Movements Criticize Terrorism?? Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.2.20010610222352.03679aa0@127.0.0.1> Dear Friends, At this past weekend's yearly meeting, there was a minute introduced by Crossville to encourage us to ask the US Government to stop sending weapons and the 6 Billion Dollars each year to Isreal. We don't need to wait another year for the MM and YM to "season" this concern. This is a very real and current crisis. Friends need to have their voices heard. . .. now not in June 2002! Please read the messages from Ilise Cohen, of our AFSC SERO office's Middle East Peace Education Office, and the message she sent to me from Rabbi Arther Waskow. They will explain, very clearly, what is happening and why we need to act. Friends's voices carry far when they speak out. Please consider this issue as one critical importance. Each of you can make a difference. Let your voices be heard. Shalom/Peace Free Polazzo, Anneewakee Creek WG (GA) >From: Ilisec at aol.com >Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2001 11:06:43 EDT >Subject: Should Peace Movements Criticize Terrorism?? >To: Ilisec at aol.com >X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 120 > >Dear Friends, >AFSC as a nonviolent organization condemns all acts of violence, both by the >Israelis and Palestinians. We are supporting vigils across the country to end >the occupation along with many women in black groups and other peace and >justice groups that are working/struggling for a genuine and lasting peace >between both peoples. The last few months have been extremely difficult for >people on the ground. Please support the end to all violence, state or >inidividual, and support the freedom, rights, dignity and livelihood of >Palestinians and Israelis. >In Peace, >Ilise Cohen > >PLEASE NOTE -- HOW TO SUB (ENCOURAGE FRIENDS!) OR UNSUB IS DESCRIBED AT END >OF THIS MESSAGE. >****************************************** > >Dear Friends, > >For the last several months, there has been an important debate going on in >semi-private among various organizers of the emerging and rebirthing >movements, Jewish and otherwise, for a just peace in the Middle East.. > >The debate has included disagreement over whether those movements should >criticize the violence that is being used by some Palestinians, including >terrorist attacks on unarmed civilians, as well as criticizing the violence >inherent in the Israeli occupation of the proto-Palestine of the West Bank, >Gaza, and the Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. > >In the wake of the Tel Aviv terrorist bombing, and as we are on the verge of >the June 8 world-wide vigils against the occupation, I think this debate >needs to be public. > >My own position (and that of Break the Silence, as expressed in one of the >points of our OLIVE TREES FOR PEACE statement) is that a movement for peace >and justice needs to criticize violence by Palestinians, especially >terrorism, and to urge all Palestinians to heed those Palestinian voices that >are calling for the use of vigorous nonviolent resistance to the occupation, >instead of violence. > >Before explaining my own views, let me first give as adequate an account as I >can of the arguments of those who oppose doing this, or who mute the >criticism of Palestinian violence almost beneath audibility. > >The main argument is that the relationship between Israel and Palestine is >not symmetrical. Israel has overwhelming power and is using it: > >˙ Israel has cut the Palestinian territories into small enclaves, separated >by corridors of Israeli settlements and soldiers and military checkpoints. > >˙ Israel is besieging and blockading Palestinian towns and villages. > >˙ Israel has shattered the Palestinian economy, shuttered many of its schools. > >None of these is true in reverse: Israel is not under occupation, siege, or >blockade, its schools are open and its economy is working, there are no armed >Palestinian settlers swaggering down Israeli streets, forcing curfews on >Israeli towns, etc. > >As facts, I think all of this is accurate. > >And I think this situation is unjust, and anti-peace, and deserves to be >criticized, protested, and (nonviolently) resisted, by Palestinians, by Jews, >and by anyone else. We need to say that ending the occupation and the >extra-territorial Israeli settlements will not only serve justice and peace, >but will save Israeli lives the lives of soldiers and settlers as well >as Palestinian lives. > >The question is whether this asymmetry justifies terrorism, and whether it >requires silence about terrorism from a movement for peace and justice. > >I think not. And I think it is legitimate for me, and people who agree with >me, to insist that actions against the Israeli occupation (like the June 8 >vigils) also speak out against Palestinian terrorism, at the same time making >clear that the power relationship between the people is not symmetrical. > >Why do I think this? > >First , because from every ethical standpoint the murder of unarmed civilians >is vile. > >I have been told that ethics is a world different from politics, and that >from a political standpoint one should focus on the asymmetry of power and >not address the ethical vileness of this terrorism. > >But there are two things wrong with this view: > >1. I think we all have seen that a politics that is severed from ethics >becomes an unethical, anti-ethical, brutal, destructive, dehumanizing, >tyrannical politics. > >As Martin Buber wrote in "Recollection of a Death" (in Pointing the Way, p. >118): > >"I cannot conceive of anything real corresponding to the saying that 'the end >'sanctifies' the means; but I mean something which is real in the highest >sense of the term when I say that the means profane, actually make >meaningless, the end, that is, its realization! > >"What is realized is the farther from the goal that was set, the more out of >accord with it is the method by which it was realized." > >Buber was writing this in 1921 or thereabouts, in regard to the Leninist use >of the "Red Terror." > >AND it applies with great power today, to both Israel and the nascent >Palestine. The use by either of them of terror, torture, bombings, >demolition of homes, sieges, assassinations, etc becomes part of the fabric >of the society. > >Those who are committed to a Jewish state, to a free Palestine, to a just and >peaceful world, should condemn such actions for what they create politically, >as well as for their ethical corruption. > >2. Terrorism is itself a political act. > >Read this from Uri Avneri, one of the most stalwart of Israelis committed to >peace and justice, an opponent of the occupation from practically the instant >of its beginning in 1967: > >"When the al-Aksa intifada broke out and many Palestinians withdrew from open >contacts with Israelis, Faisal [Husseini] did not retreat one step. > >"We met several times at the Orient House and we held a big public meeting >there. A week before his death he suddenly appeared, without prior notice, at >an Israel-Palestinian press conference for the international press, in which >we expressed our unshakable belief in peace between the two peoples. > >"This spirit was prevalent at yesterdays funeral, too. The few Israelis who >came to tender their condolences were received with open arms in the >courtyard where thousands were crammed, hundreds came to shake our hands. One >of the Israelis was invited to speak. > >"In my heart I treated Faisal as a brother. For me, the frontline does not >pass between Israelis and Palestinians, but between the Israeli and >Palestinian peace lovers on one side and the war-mongers of both peoples on >the other. > >"Less than six hours after the Palestinian people united around Faisals >coffin, the war camp hit back. > >"The suicide bomber who blew himself up among the boys and girls at the >Dophinarium discotheque on the sea-shore of Tel-Aviv did a great service to >the settlers, who are trying to convince the Israeli public that it is not >because of them that the rivers of blood are flowing and that there is no >difference between the settlements and Tel-Aviv. > >"The collaboration between the Islamic fanatics and the extreme right-wing in >Israel is a fact of life, as is the cooperation between the likes of Faisal >and the Israeli peace activists. > >"The Israeli government does not belong to put it mildly - to the peace >front. If not stopped by international forces, it will choose escalation. In >the ping-pong game between Rehavam Zeevi and Sheikh Yassin, Hizbullah and >the settlers, the ball is a human skull. > >"The heart of Faisal Husseini stopped beating when we need him more than >ever. " > >Then why should a movement for peace and justice refrain from condemning a >political act that is vile in its ethics and destructive in its politics? An >article by Henry Lowi (excerpt just below) makes this same point even more >colorfully. As Lowi wrote: > >". . .those who sent [ the Tel Aviv bomber] should be branded as criminals to >the cause of a Free Palestine. > >"There is no need to remind readers that, among Tel Aviv discotheque >revellers one can find opponents of the occupation, enemies of Zionism, army >resisters and deserters, and just plain folks who want to escape from the >madness and relax. > >By targetting them, what message does one send? Does one send a message of >despair; i.e. look at how desperate I am, understand me, sympathize with me, >embrace me? > >"No way. One sends the following message: > >"Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, we will get you. Our enemy is not >the settlers. Our enemy is not the army. Our enemy is not racism. Our enemy >is not colonialism. Our enemy is you, wherever you are, and whatever you are >doing. > >"This is exactly the message that Sharon, and Katzav, and their allies, and >their predecessors, want Israelis to get. . . . The media spin, in support of >Israeli violence against Palestinians, has now received an amazing boost. The >spin will clearly be that the Israelis are the victims of Palestinian racist >violence. > >"Thus, the beneficiaries of Palestinian suicide bombings are not the Palest >inian people, but the Israeli racists." > >This leaves a question: If we oppose and criticize terrorism, what can we say >about how to prevent it? > >The official answer of the Israeli government has been with more violence. >But we have already seen that draconic blockades, sieges, bombings, etc. etc. > all fail to stop such vile actions as the Tel Aviv bombing. > >Given that all life is a gamble, how? > >It seems to me that what would ENHANCE the chances of stopping terrorism >--without a guarantee -- -- is a serious peace, because it would redirect >energy into society-building instead of rage and hatred. (But it might for a >brief period also bring about a burst of terrorist attempts just as >agreement is near, as has happened in the past, for the precise purpose of >preventing agreement.) > >And within its own boundaries, Israel would certainly be correct in taking >the measures any state would take to prevent terrorism. > >Finally, let me repeat: I think all of us who are committed to justice, to >peace, to the safety and freedom of Israel as well as the emerging Palestine, > ought to insist on incorporating this perspective into actions for peace >including June 8. Where we vigil and what our signs say and what message is >given the media are important. > >Shalom, Arthur > >Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Director >The Shalom Center >www.shalomctr.org > >----------------------------- >PLEASE ENCOURAGE OTHERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE SUCH IDEAS TO JOIN THIS >LIST, by writing > > >To unsubscribe, send a blank email to: > > >To read archives of back articles or comments from this list on the Web, >visit the following url: >< ">http://www.topica.com/lists/shalomctr1> > >To access the back files or to start your own E-list, if you are not already >registered with Topica, complete their simple registration process. > >This is an announcement rather than a discussion list. Please DO NOT REPLY >to messages you receive. Instead, to respond, please send your message to: >responsA18 at aol.com > >I look forward to talking, wrestling, and dancing with you and through you >with the Holy One Who is the Breath of Life. > >Shalom, >Arthur > >Rabbi Arthur Waskow >Director, The Shalom Center. See Website < >">http://www.shalomctr.org> > >Convenor, Free Time/ Free People Multi-religious Project on Overwork in >America. See < ">http://www.FreeOurTime.org> Donate free food with a simple click: http://www.thehungersite.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From csiceloff at mindspring.com Wed Jun 13 15:07:50 2001 From: csiceloff at mindspring.com (COURTNEY SICELOFF) Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 15:07:50 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] Fwd: Kaddish for 3 Palestinian Women? Message-ID: <4.2.0.58.20010613145537.009d1dd0@pop.mindspring.com> GREETINGS: Coming from the SAYMA discussion on AFSC/SERO in which there was a suggestion that AFSC/SERO employ more Quakers as staff, I was struck by the email sent out by Ilise Cohen, the SERO Middle East Program director. No additional comment is needed. I planned to send only Ilese's email, but feel the other emails attached demonstrate the level of discussion/action that is generated by this program. courtney siceloff >From: Ilisec at aol.com >Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 13:41:39 EDT >Subject: Fwd: Kaddish for 3 Palestinian Women? >To: Ilisec at aol.com > >Dear Friends, >I have been getting many emails from people, many who are thanking me for >sending out emails with information from grassroots peace activists and from >organizations and groups that are working on supporting the end to the >occupation, and end to the violence in the middle east. > >i have also received emails from people who were unhappy with the information >that they are receiving, feeling that it does not give a fair picture of the >situation. I can imagine that with all the feelings that arise from what is >happening on a day to day basis, people have strong reactions, are scared, >angry, frustrated and feeling more and more impatient. Between the military >violence in the Occupied Territories and the violence of the suicide >bombings, every one is on edge and under duress. > >i think it is important for us to recognize that no one can inform you of >everything, just as the media is often only giving us particular soundbites >where we miss much of the information that might help us make better >decisions. I am trying to send you what you regularly do not hear (unless you >are on all the lists i am on, which is possible). I am happy to continue >sending info from groups in Israel and Palestine and in the US, who will give >you updated info about how you can support peace, justice and nonviolence in >Israel and Palestine and other things you need to know to be better informed, >as well as event and campaign information. > >As an organization, we cannot issue a statement every time something happens, >(though sometimes we try). Nevertheless, we are conscious of upholding the >dignity, freedom, and worth of every individual, and believe that the power >of nonviolence and love can change the world. Every loss of life is a >tragedy, every life that is impacted by the continued violence is a tragedy. >Every moment there is hope through the work of those on the ground AND they >need our support. I hope you are finding your way to support an end to the >violence, hope and a future for the people of Israel and Palestine. > >AFSC is a Quaker, pacifist organization that rejects violence and works with >the victims of all sides of a conflict, regardless of political belief, >religion, race or ethnicity. AFSC received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 on >behalf of Quaker relief and reconciliation efforts throughout the world. > >I am always happy to have conversations with people or come speak to groups >about the situation in Israel and Palestine. There are many factors that we >do not always get a chance to hear about. > >thanks for your support and for continuing to hope >peace, >Ilise Cohen >Director, Middle East program, Atlanta-AFSC > >please read below! >Return-path: >From: Awaskow at aol.com >Full-name: Awaskow >Message-ID: <95.bf6311c.2858e9fc at aol.com> >Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 12:08:28 EDT >Subject: Kaddish for 3 Palestinian Women? >MIME-Version: 1.0 >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >To: undisclosed-recipients:; >X-Mailer: AOL 5.0 for Mac sub 40 > >Dear Chevra, > >The article that follow show that while some dissident Palestinian groups >carry out murderous attacks on Israeli civilians like the Tel Aviv bombing, >the Israeli government (as well as individual settler groups) are carrying >out lethal attacks on Palestinian civilians. > >The main difference, it seeems to me, is that formal governmental attacks are >often not labeled terrorism whereas attacks by non-governmental groups are. > >On the one hand, we should grieve and mourn for all these children of God, >all the more becaause they are children of Abraham. > >Just as in some of our communitiues we said Kaddish two weeks ago for the >people who were blown up in Tel Aviv, so we should say Kaddish for the three >Palestinian women killed by "nail bombs" fired by the Israeli Army. (See >below.) > >And at the same time, we -- the Jewish people -- should take our share of >responsibility for creating the over-all context in which these deaths are >happening. I think it is the larger share, because the settler system, and >the Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and the Palestinian neighborhoods of >East Jerusalem is at the root of the rage that fuels much of the violence. > >I am NOT saying that no Palestinian groups and institutions are >war-oriented. Even if the Occupation ended entirely, and all the settlements >were withdrawn, Hamas might still try to shatter the peacemaking process. But >many of the anti-Occupation actions by Palestinians that the government of >Israel and much of the official Jewish community treats as illegitimate, we >would probably applaud if it were Israel that were under military occupation >(by, say, Syria). > >The articles follow. > >Shalom, Arthur > >************** >This article by Ben Lynfield >appeared in the Christian Science Monitor: > >AL HADABE, GAZA STRIP > >The damage spread widely in this tiny Palestinian community, as befits >the Israeli weapon that killed three civilian women Saturday night and >deepened the mistrust that is hanging over efforts to reach a durable >Middle East cease-fire. > >The weapon was a tank shell packed with flachettes: small, deadly darts >that spread out in an arc of dozens of meters with such force that they >can penetrate concrete blocks. > >The use of the weapon in populated areas, which the Israeli human rights >group B'Tselem says violates the Fourth Geneva Convention, highlights >the continued risks faced by Palestinian civilians despite Israeli Prime >Minister Ariel Sharon's declaration late last month of an Israeli >cease-fire. > >Israeli army chief of staff Gen. Shaul Mofaz says that the deaths here >were possibly the result of "a mistake in which they used the wrong >range. It is night, it is dark, you are fired upon, and it is possible >to make a mistake." > >The unabated mistrust and only partially reduced violence means that the >contacts the two sides are maintaining through CIA Director George >Tenet, currently visiting the region, have more to do with their >relations with Washington than any inherent belief that a lasting >cease-fire will actually come about. > >The two sides are far apart on >Israel's demand that the Palestinian Authority re-arrest dozens of >militants from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, which Israel holds >responsible for bombing attacks and who were freed at the start of the >uprising eight months ago. The PA is refusing to make the arrests. > >"If the Israelis are killing our people daily, are we supposed to make >arrests?" asks Industry Minister Saadi Krunz. "What would we say to our >people? Will the Israelis arrest the soldiers responsible for killing >these women? Do they do anything to stop these killings?" > >Dore Gold, an adviser to Mr. Sharon, says that the arrests are the >"litmus test" for a de-escalation. "We are working to help Tenet have >his best shot to make the cease-fire work. And if it does not work, it >will be because of [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat, not Tenet." > >According to a report published Sunday in Ha'aretz, flachette shells >have been banned in the West Bank by Yitzhak Eitan, the local commander, >because of the risk they pose to civilians. > >Here in al-Hadabe, near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim, blood-stained >sheets were visible in the shack that housed Nasra Malalha, Samia >Malalha, and Hekmat Malalha, the first fatalities since Mr. Arafat >declared the cease-fire. Around the structure, 1-1/2 inch flachettes >were stuck in a rock, wooden planks, a tree, and a television antenna. > >Muawiya Hassanein, the physician in charge of emergency services at Gaza >City's Shifa Hospital, said: "There were more than a dozen nails in each >one." Two other people were wounded by nails, he said. > >Dr. Hassanein said he first saw cases of flachette injuries in February >and has offered treatment for them in four instances of Israeli shooting >since then. > >The residents of al-Hadabe, bedouin refugees from what became southern >Israel in 1948, raise livestock for a living. At least three animals, >too, have been killed. > >B'Tselem staffer Lior Yavne says of the weapon: "The laws of war do not >explicitly prohibit it, but when it is used in a populated area, it is >the equivalent of indiscriminate fire. This is prohibited by the Fourth >Geneva Convention." > >In the perception of Israeli leaders, flachettes are not the issue. The >army yesterday said it would not comment on the types of weapons >soldiers were using. Officials say that continued Palestinian mortar and >shooting attacks, as well as the injury that led to the death yesterday >of an infant son of Jewish settlers, fly in the face of Arafat's >declaration of a cease-fire 10 days ago. The killing of the Malalhas, >which is being investigated by the army, was touched off by Palestinian >gunfire, they say. > >Sheikh Sueleiman Abu Abdul-Rahman, a mosque preacher in the southern >Gaza city of Rafah, said while touring al-Hadabe that international >observers are exactly what is needed. "What happened here was a big >crime," he said. >********************************************** >13 June 2001 > >B'Tselem publishes new report on the >Medical Implications of Israel's Siege Policy > >Military officials acknowledge that they intentionally obstruct access to > >medical care. > > >"The IDF has procedures intended to ensure that emergency medical cases will > >be able to pass through the roadblocks, to process applications of residents > >of the areas to receive medical treatments in hospitals..." > > From the IDF's Spokesperson's response to > >B'Tselem's report, Civilians Under Siege > > >Solider: Want to go to the hospital? No chance. No chance. > >B'Tselem: No chance? > >Soldier: Get in, turn around, and go back. > >B'Tselem: No chance at all? > >Soldier: What blabberers. Get in and turn around. > > B'Tselem fieldworker Hashem Abu Hassan, > >trying to enable Lutfiya Jaludi, 41, to cross a checkpoint to get dialysis > >treatment, 7 June 2001. Tape recording on file at B'Tselem > > >B'Tselem published a report yesterday entitled, "No Way Out" on the > >detrimental affects on medical treatment of Israel's siege in the Occupied > >Territories. The report presents seven representative cases from the past > >few months, including soldiers who delayed ambulances transporting patients > >and an elderly woman from Jenin who was jolted about in what became a > >two-day trip to reach the hospital in Ramallah to undergo brain surgery. > >These cases, which are not uncommon, are an inevitable result of the nature > >of the siege and the manner in which it is implemented. > >Yedioth Ahronoth's Internet edition in a June 12, > >2001 article that covered B'Tselem's release of "No Way Out," reports that >senior military officials > >say that since the tightening of the closures in the Occupied Territories > >last Friday following the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, Israel has not > >allowed the passing of medical teams and ambulances from the northern parts > >of the West Bank to the southern parts. From freepolazzo at mindspring.com Mon Jun 18 13:01:04 2001 From: freepolazzo at mindspring.com (Free Polazzo) Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001 13:01:04 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] AFSC a peacework in Isreal Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.2.20010618125347.00ad7318@127.0.0.1> Hi Friends, This announcement from AFSC is another example of the way that organization is working to demilitarize the Middle East. By honoring a young man who is resisting military service, AFSC is continuing to support a long tradition of passive resistance - wherever it may be found. Free Polazzo Anneewakee Creek WG Douglasville, GA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Philadelphia: The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has nominated Israeli conscientious objector Gabriel Wolff for the Reebok Human Rights Award. Gabby is a 19-year-old Israeli who has refused military conscription and has served several prison terms as a result. The award, established in 1988, honors young people who have made significant contributions to the cause of human rights, often against great odds. The purpose of the award is to shine a positive, international light on the award recipients and support their work in human rights. In making the nomination Mary Ellen McNish, AFSC general secretary, noted: "In a time when Israel is in such crisis, the courage it takes for Gabby to maintain his principles is enormous and should be recognized. He offers hope to his peers in Israel, Palestine and the rest of the world." AFSC was founded in 1917 to give conscientious objectors to war a constructive alternative to military service. AFSC has been working in the Middle East since the winter of 1949 when, at the request of the United Nations, it received, registered and cared for Palestinian refugees in Gaza. Since then AFSC has continued the search for justice and peace in the region. Quaker International Affairs Representatives (QIARs) travel exhaustively between Israel and neighboring Arab countries, promoting dialogue and understanding among people, especially youth and women. Following the 1967 war, AFSC was among the first U.S. organizations to affirm that peace in the Middle East depended upon the mutual recognition of Palestinian and Israeli rights to self-determination, including the Palestinian's right to form their own state alongside Israel. AFSC continues to work across lines of conflict and to provide opportunities for exchanges and dialogue. The nomination of Gabriel Wolff for the Reebok Human Rights Award, affirming the right to freedom of conscience, is a step toward peace. "In many countries of the world, there are other young people refusing to be part of the military apparatus of their nations." McNish states. "They too are struggling for the recognition of their human rights to be conscientious objectors as they stand up for what they believe and actively work for peace. Gabriel Wolff's unwavering commitment to exercise his right to conscientious objection is a clear illustration of young people working to build a better world." Donate free food with a simple click: http://www.thehungersite.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jstupak at sundayrounds.com Wed Jun 20 17:42:11 2001 From: jstupak at sundayrounds.com (john stupak) Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 17:42:11 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] Re: Antibiotics References: <001101c0e894$556a2f40$0500a8c0@oem> Message-ID: <005e01c0f9d1$dd847360$d3c9b418@hwrd1.md.home.com> Dear Ms. Calhoun: Sorry for the delay in responding to your message of the 29th of May. Very insightful. I will comment at some time in the future with Dr. Ferentz. I appreciate your comments John Stupak, Host of Sunday Rounds ----- Original Message ----- From: Mary Calhoun To: Cc: tcfm ; sayma Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 7:08 PM Subject: Antibiotics > Dear Sunday Rounds, > > Last weekend I heard part of your interview on the topic of antibiotics, > including the problem of antibiotic-resistant germs. It reminded me of > a Neosporin promotion that's been going on, and that seems to me to be > out in left field as far as good sense and public education are > concerned. > > A few months back a temp employee in a super-store handed me a free > sample and a glossy flyer. The text emphasizes preventing scars, the > image-with-the-eye-contact is a pretty young woman who might have > concern for personal appearance, and the slogan is "every cut -- every > time." I saw the same ad on TV just a week or so ago. > > The manufacturer's message struck me as superficial (playing on the > fears of aging boomers?), unhealthy (do teen girls need "unscarred" as > another form of "perfect" to worry about?), unwise (isn't public > education now stressing careful use of antibiotics?), greedy (a cosmetic > pitch to over-sell a medication?), and obscene (public health be dinged, > let's make money on this stuff!). > > For some time I've been wondering to whose attention I might draw this > ad that might make a difference. If Neosporin's campaign bothers you, > or any of your featured physicians, I hope Sunday Rounds will say so on > the air, and help keep the public message clear. If you know a reason > why cosmetic use of this antibiotic is OK, I'd be interested to hear it. > > Sincerely, > > Mary Calhoun > Abingdon, VA > (listener, WETS-FM, Johnson City, TN) > > > From moriah at preferred.com Wed Jun 20 15:12:34 2001 From: moriah at preferred.com (Mary Calhoun) Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 15:12:34 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] Fw: Quaker Board Game Message-ID: <046401c0f9fc$0843a6a0$0500a8c0@oem> Friends, I've been to the website mentioned in the message; the game is indeed colorful and professional-looking. ^o^ Mary Calhoun SAYMA AA Foxfire FM ----- Original Message ----- From: Ruth Martin To: quaker at netspace.net.au ; dfn at journey.com ; maribobd at southwind.net ; npym at impartial.com ; ludyeden at danenet.wicip.org ; rmym at aol.com ; jdmichael at aol.com ; seym at juno.com ; moriah at preferred.com ; office at fcsw.org Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2001 12:51 PM Subject: Quaker Board Game Dear Friend I would be most grateful if you could pass the following to the appropriate person in your Yearly Meeting. I am writing to inform you of a board game which is now for sale. This is for ages 5-95 and it was developed by me as an aid to those taking Children's Meetings. As it developed it became apparent that it could be adapted to include adults and I also realized that it would be a valuable tool in outreach work for the Society as a whole. It comprises a board depicting the north of England where Quakerism was born, which English Friends know as the 1652 Country. There are cards which send one around the board to such places as Swarthmoor Hall, Pendle Hill, Firbank Fell and the dungeons of Lancaster and Scarborugh Castles. On the way one picks up cards (Balby) which are phrases from Advices & Queries with a simplified version for children. There are also numbered cards to pick up which link to the pages of a book and these cover items of general interest and some early Quakers, such as George Fox, William Penn, Elizabeth Fry, the testimonies, healing etc. The game can be used as a game or cards used for discussion, to make scrapbooks, or even shown to schools with a view to them purchasing it for general use. Used as an introduction it can pave the way for Meetings to suggest the school has a visit from a Friend who can speak about the game or Quakerism in general, with perhaps a followup visit by the school to a Meeting House. It is all very colourful and professionally boxed and has many uses for a long time to come. The game has been for sale about 4 weeks and already I have sold to USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia as well as many in UK, including a school. The verdict from Friends of long standing is that even they learnt something from it. It can be seen in colour on www.themos.org/gmg The price is £25 + p&p of £4.67 surface to USA and this must be in sterling. Cheques should be made out to Ruth C Martin, 96 Busbridge Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1QH, England. I apologize in advance if the final amount is quite expensive but I can assure you that I am not making very much out of this, considering that it has taken five years to develop. The consolation is that you will have it for a long time and hopefully find it a very useful tool. Ruth C Martin From moriah at preferred.com Wed Jun 20 16:16:51 2001 From: moriah at preferred.com (Mary Calhoun) Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 16:16:51 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] Fw: Beware of diabolical virus (CNN announced) Message-ID: <046601c0f9fc$0c206ba0$0500a8c0@oem> Dear Friends, According to a link at the website http://urbanlegends.about.com this warning is a hoax. If you want to check the link yourself, you can go to the Virus Hoaxes page of the Urban Legends site, click on A to Z Listings of Virus Hoaxes then click on CIAC Internet Hoaxes. The thing that sent me to Urban Legends was the absence of any warnings from the antivirus company (Symantec) that serves the SAYMA office -- I've received no alerts via their e-mail newsletter, and there are no alerts for these "viruses" at their service page. For f/Friends concerned about safety from computer viruses, I'd like to suggest the following -- -- install reliable antivirus software on your computer -- update the virus definitions often, as advised by your software company -- avail yourself of whatever alerts the company offers, such as by newsletter or website ^o^ Mary Calhoun SAYMA AA Foxfire FM > -----Original Message----- > Date: Monday, June 11, 2001 11:32 AM > Subject: Beware of diabolical virus (CNN announced) > > > > > > > > PLEASE SEND THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST !! > > > > A new virus has just been discovered that has been classified > > > > by Microsoft as the most destructive ever! This virus was > > > > discovered yesterday afternoon by McAfee and no vaccine has > > > > yet been developed. This virus simply destroys Sector Zero > > > > from the hard disk, where vital information for its > > > > functioning are stored. This virus acts in the following > > > > manner: It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your > > > > list with the title "A Virtual Card for You." As soon as the > > > > supposed virtual card is opened, the computer freezes so that > > > > the user has to reboot. When the ctrl+alt+del keys or the > > > > reset button are pressed, the virus destroys Sector Zero, > > > > thus permanently destroying the hard disk. > > > > Yesterday in just a few hours this virus caused panic in New > > > > York, according to news broadcast by CNN. This alert was > > > > received by an employee of Microsoft itself. So don't open > > > > any mails with subject: > > > > "A Virtual Card for You." As soon as you get the mail, delete it. > > > > Please pass this mail to all of your friends. Forward this to > > > > everyone in your address book. > > > > I would rather receive this 25 times than not at all.Also: > > > > Intel announced that a new and very destructive virus was > > > > discovered recently. > > > > If you receive an email called "An Internet Flower For You," > > > > do not open it. Delete it right away! This virus removes all > > > > dynamic link libraries (.dll files) from your computer. Your > > > > computer will not be able to boot up !! > > > > > > > > SEND THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST!! > > > From moriah at preferred.com Wed Jun 20 17:30:15 2001 From: moriah at preferred.com (Mary Calhoun) Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 17:30:15 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] IMP^o^ 110 Clerk's e-info Message-ID: <046801c0f9fc$16c41d40$0500a8c0@oem> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMP ^o^ Bulletin 110 SAYMA Clerk's . . . . . . (and other) e-mail addresses --------------------------------------------------- info that still works when the appointees change! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ from the Administrative Assistant) <|> SAYMA has a new Clerk as of YM 2001 <|> Her e-mail contact info is below. <|> This e-address, in theory, will not go out of date when appointees change. <|> For this reason, the e-addresses for Recording Clerk and Treasurer are listed as well. <|> Sharon Annis, Clerk Clerk at sayma.org Carol Lamm, Rec Clerk RecordingClerk at sayma.org Kendall Ivie, Treasurer Treasurer at sayma.org <|> You can still use their personal e-mail addresses if you have or receive these; however, the ones above will be easier to keep ourselves educated about! <|> The Assistant Clerk does not have one of these "forwarding addresses" via SAYMA's web-site. To reach this new appointee, John Geary, e-mail to JudyGeary at aol.com ~~~~~~ end ^o^ ~~~~~~ 1stpost 062001 ~~~~~~ _______________________________________ IMP ^o^ ... "Information Made Present" is a bulletin service of the SAYMA office to provide practical details to our geographically-challenged Yearly Meeting via our free list-server: semi-official information, bulletins that you can print, post, announce, publish, or pass around. Please address questions, corrections and additions to AdminAsst at sayma.org, 540-628-5852 (machine), or SAYMA Admin. Asst., c/o 165 Jackson Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Thank you! ^o^ Mary Calhoun, AA ----------------------------------------------------- To receive IMP^o^ bulletins, subscribe to the free list server, sayma at kitenet.net. You can e-mail to sayma-request at kitenet.net, writing only the word subscribe in the body of your e-mail message. You can also subscribe on the web at http://kitenet.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sayma. ------------------------------------------------------ From Vmbra at aol.com Thu Jun 21 21:16:34 2001 From: Vmbra at aol.com (Vmbra at aol.com) Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 21:16:34 EDT Subject: [saymaListserv] Charleston (WV) Meeting response to draft Mideast minute Message-ID: <18.e44339e.2863f672@aol.com> On June 3, 2001, Charleston Friends Meeting held a discussion/threshing session to consider the minute on Mideast policy that was forwarded from SAYMA. The meeting's response is below. Charles Schade Charleston, WV ============================================================ Response of the Charleston (WV Friends Meeting: The level of oppression of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli government (curfew, identity papers, restrictions on movement, home demolitions, etc.) exceeds that of the South African government during the apartheid era. This comes from Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourner's who was in the middle east recently, accompanied by other clerics, including South African. There is nothing in the minute condemning violence by Palestinians against Israeli civilians. Most recently was the suicide bomber outside the Tel Aviv nightclub. It doesn't matter who committed the first act of violence. All of it is wrong. It appears that the Palestinians engaged in the violence are more interested in creating martyrs than in creating a solution. Otherwise, wouldn't someone have noticed that nonviolent activism is more effective than terrorism, especially when directed against a nation seeking the support of the West. It would seem appropriate to encourage the Palestinians to follow the examples of the South Africans, Chileans, Poles Filipinos and others who have successfully thrown off oppression with little or no violence. There are reports that the Israelis still see themselves as weak, not strong and that would explain some of the government's behavior. It's easy to be statesmanlike and magnanimous when you're in a position of strength. There is nothing in the minute that acknowledges we are all, theologically, Abraham's children. Nothing reflecting that both nations have roots in the region going back thousands of years. Nor is there anything to acknowledge that the US government has been actively engaged in the peace process for many years. The Charleston Friends meeting believes that there are concrete actions available to Friends to address the thorny issue of violence in the Middle East. These include contact with peace groups in that region. We should all learn more about the history and cultures of the Middle East. It is more complicated and rich than most Americans know. Do we know people whose roots are in that area> Do we have Arab Americans (both Christian and Islamic) among our friends? Do we know which of our Jewish friends support the actions of Israel, including retaliation and continued settlement building and which ones deplore the government's actions? More comprehensive solutions that address the problem would include attaching more strings to US military aid to the region, and ending economic aid to Israel. It's not a struggling economy. The level of concern that Israeli citizens have for their own safety must be respected as well as the concerns of the Palestinians. The fact that Israel's government has theocratic underpinnings is a major problem. Equal citizenship rights for all Israeli citizens should be instituted (maybe a condition of US aid?) Finally, we deplore that the Israelis don't seem to remember how the Nazis treated them in the 1930s and how is their current treatment of Palestinians different? response prepared by Conni Gratop Lewis, peace and social justice clerk for CFM. say From freepolazzo at mindspring.com Sat Jun 23 13:43:54 2001 From: freepolazzo at mindspring.com (Free Polazzo) Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2001 13:43:54 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] Charleston (WV) Meeting response to draft Mideast minute In-Reply-To: <18.e44339e.2863f672@aol.com> Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.2.20010623131224.00af5e00@127.0.0.1> At 09:16 PM 6/21/2001 -0400, Vmbra at aol.com wrote: >On June 3, 2001, Charleston Friends Meeting held a discussion/threshing >session to consider the minute on Mideast policy that was forwarded from >SAYMA. The meeting's response is below. > >Charles Schade >Charleston, WV > >============================================================ Dear Friend Charles Schade, I am confused and concerned about the report you posted of the Charleston (WVA) Friends meeting on the Middle East. Could you explain whether you came up with a minute, or is this just a report of the discussion/threshing session and the opinions of individual Friends? I am also concerned about the recommendation that: "More comprehensive solutions that address the problem would include attaching more strings to US military aid to the region" Could someone explain if "attaching more strings" to US military aid to the region is a euphemism for ending military aid to the region? If not, is Charlston WVA Meeting supporting sending military aid anywhere in the world? I have been working on this issue for many years, both with the AFSC-SERO Middle East Peace Education Committee here in Atlanta, and before that. I have many relatives in Isreal that need someone to help us stop inflating the conflict by pouring weapons and money into the region. Are Quakers no longer to be counted on to demand an end to war? No matter who is "at fault" or who "started it"? Please say it "ain't so"! In the Light, Free Polazzo Anneewakee Creek WG Douglasville, GA From moriah at preferred.com Sun Jun 24 03:29:02 2001 From: moriah at preferred.com (Mary Calhoun) Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 03:29:02 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] IMP^o^ 111 New Clerk Needs... Message-ID: <009f01c0fc7f$5cd0ae40$0500a8c0@oem> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMP ^o^ Bulletin 111 SAYMA's new Clerk needs... ...from Meetings and Worship Groups... ----------------------------------------------------------- minutes/newsletters ... RE Clerk ... M&N/O/C Clerk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (from a 6-21-01 message from Sharon Annis, Clerk) <|> Sharon Annis, new SAYMA Clerk, would like to receive your meeting's minutes/newsletters -- whichever it does, or both! Her address for your mailing list is Sharon Annis 869-A West Outer Drive Oak Ridge TN 37830 [ ] we don't do minutes/newsletter <|> If your meeting has a clerk of a Religious Education committee, Sharon would like to know who it is... name ______________ [ ] we don't have one <|> If your meeting has a clerk of a Ministry and Nurture (or M&O, or M&C) committee, Sharon would like to know who it is... name ______________ [ ] we don't have one <|> Please convey your information to the office -- Mary Calhoun, Administrative Assistant 540-628-5852 (in-person tel hours Tue & Thu 5-7:30) c/o 165 Jackson Street, Abingdon VA 24210 AdminAsst at sayma.org <|> Questions? -- please contact the office. <|> Thank you very much for your help! ~~~~~~ end ^o^ ~~~~~~ 1stpost 062301 ~~~~~~ _______________________________________ IMP ^o^ ... "Information Made Present" is a bulletin service of the SAYMA office to provide practical details to our geographically-challenged Yearly Meeting via our free list-server: semi-official information, bulletins that you can print, post, announce, publish, or pass around. Please address questions, corrections and additions to AdminAsst at sayma.org, 540-628-5852 (machine), or SAYMA Admin. Asst., c/o 165 Jackson Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Thank you! ^o^ Mary Calhoun, AA ----------------------------------------------------- To receive IMP^o^ bulletins, subscribe to the free list server, sayma at kitenet.net. You can e-mail to sayma-request at kitenet.net, writing only the word subscribe in the body of your e-mail message. You can also subscribe on the web at http://kitenet.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sayma. ------------------------------------------------------ From eedgerton at wilkes.net Thu Jun 28 05:36:13 2001 From: eedgerton at wilkes.net (Ted Edgerton) Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 05:36:13 -0400 Subject: [saymaListserv] Peru Message-ID: <4.1.20010628053503.00ab2e60@mail.wilkes.net> From: "Cilde Grover" Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 3:11 PM Subject: Peru update > Dear Friends, > > I am writing to let you know that the earthquakes in Peru were centered in > the area where Friends are located. They felt the earthquake in Puno but it > was very strong in Camana, Arequipa, Moquequa, Ilo and Tacna. The casualty > numbers are rising - on Monday 70,000 were reported homeless. As of last > night they were reporting over one thousand aftershocks. Twelve of those > have measured 5 or more on the Richter scale. It is winter in Peru and many > people are sleeping in the streets. The news in Peru is reporting that > eighty percent of the buildings in the city of Moquequa are unsafe. Many of > you in the US will have noticed that the situation in Peru has dropped out > of our news here. > > We have had communication with Dan Cammack one of the missionaries from > NWYM. Peru YM is assessing the needs among Peruvian Friends and they will > make a report later this week. The Friends leadership in Tacna has also > formed a commission to verify damage in their area. Dan is in daily phone > contact with Friends in Arequipa and Tacna. > > AFSC has a staff person in Lima - Irma Chavez. She was working with a youth > group in Arequipa when the quake hit. Currently Irma and Dan are trying to > connect to see what they might do together. AFSC is committed to working > with the Friends in Peru. They have earmarked $15,000 for a crisis fund for > relief efforts in Peru and have transferred some of the money. > > Obviously there is a great need for blankets and food as well as other basic > necessities. The most direct way to help right now is to send a > contribution of money. Both AFSC and Northwest Yearly Meeting are > collecting funds for relief. I will list those addresses below for those of > you who are interested in helping - please earmark your contributions for > Peru relief. Your prayers are also appreciated. > > In Friendship, > > Cilde Grover > Executive Secretary > Friends World Committee for Consultation > Section of the Americas > 1506 Race St. > Philadelphia, PA 19102 > > Donations may be made to: > AFSC > 1501 Cherry Street, > Philadelphia, PA 19102 > Visa or MasterCard - 1-888-588-2372, ext. 1 > > Northwest Yearly Meeting > 200 N. Meridian St. > Newberg, Or 97132