[saymaListserv] Invitation to AFSC Palestine/Israel Study Seminar in Black Mountain

[ElizaKeiser at aol.com]

Common Light  Meetingplace 
137 Center  Avenue 
Black Mountain, NC 28711 
April 3, 2005 

Dear Friends, 
This is a special invitation to Friends and attenders of your Meeting who  
care deeply about peace and justice in the Middle East to  come to Black  
Mountain on April 15 and 16 for a  seminar at Common Light Meetingplace, the home of 
Swannanoa Valley Friends  Meeting. We will focus on current developments in 
the region, as well as on the  study entitled When the Rain Returns:  Toward 
Justice and Reconciliation in Palestine and Israel by the  International Working 
Party of the American Friends Service Committee, published  2004. Two of the 
co-authors, Tony Bing (Clerk of Swannanoa Valley Friends  Meeting) and Zoharah 
Simmons (Muslim, coming from the U of FL at Gainesville  where she is a 
professor of Islamic and Women’s Studies) will be joined by Sam  and Lulla Shermis 
(of Black Mountain, Jewish leaders of interfaith dialogues) in  this 
interfaith opportunity to think together about the issues raised by the  book and its 
recommendations for action on the part of readers.  Short talks and films will 
help focus us  on the most critical issues for dialogue as we reach for a 
common understanding  of recent developments and how to support peacemaking 
efforts here and  abroad. 
This will be the fifth weekend in our first year’s programming on the  theme 
SEEDS OF PEACE/SEEDS OF WAR.  Dan Snyder’s three-part series on the Spiritual 
Basis of  Peacemaking (co-sponsored by Pendle  Hill) drew participants from a 
variety of Meetings, and all who came, including  many from other churches, 
found this strong Quaker presence valuable.  However, thus far we have only two 
 representatives from the Society of Friends registered for the April 15-16  
seminar, so we are waiving all fees for Friends and attenders, as well as  
friends of Friends!  An onsite  donation of $25 would cover the book and two 
delicious meals (dinner Friday,  lunch Saturday).   Perhaps a participant or two 
from your  Meeting could be helped financially with travel expenses and the 
cost of  overnight accommodations.  Hospitality by local Friends can be arranged 
here for some; there are  many other options for convenient and reasonably 
priced accommodations in  Black  Mountain. For more information or to  register 
for the seminar, you may reach us at 828-669-3616 or _commonlightm at aol.com_ 
(mailto:commonlightm at aol.com)  
Thank you for bringing this letter to the attention of those in your  Meeting 
who might be interested in such an opportunity. We hope you will help us  put 
to good use the AFSC’s most recent study of  Palestine and  Israel.  This 
weekend focused on When the Rain Returns co-led by two of  its authors will 
inspire and equip  participants to provide more effective support for peacemaking 
efforts here and  in that region. 
Beth  & Mel Keiser 
Co-Directors,  Common Light Meetingplace 

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