Brian
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Post by Brian on Sept 1, 2010 23:06:06 GMT -8
I've been thinking so much about the monthly RAPP meeting I was fortunate enough to attend last Monday at Pastor Paige's Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Ave. in Montrose, that I have to start a thread. This group reads, talks and acts: Read and Practice Peacemaking's (RAPP) next action will be to gather at the peace pole in front of the church on Saturday, 9/11, to remember, heal, and understand. There will be some reading from different faiths. Because Ramadan happens to be ending on 9/11, there is heightened Islamophobia and we thought it would be good to counteract that with a chance to learn. I'll post more details when we have them. Last I heard, the gathering could be scheduled in the late afternoon, perhaps with a special guest. If you've been heartsick like me by all the reports of fear and ignorance in the news, the cure is to show up and speak up for peace, love and understanding. Just hanging around the members of RAPP is uplifting. |
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anni
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Post by anni on Sept 3, 2010 8:27:18 GMT -8
Last I heard, the gathering could be scheduled in the late afternoon, perhaps with a special guest. If you've been heartsick like me by all the reports of fear and ignorance in the news, the cure is to show up and speak up for peace, love and understanding. Just hanging around the members of RAPP is uplifting. And this in an e-mail from Paige: Date: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 1:16 PM Hello Peaceful friends - As it turns out, the late afternoon 4-6 pm slot works out for most everyone on Saturday, 9/11. Levent and I spoke this morning – he will try to get at least 6 members of the Islamic Community of La Canada to be present, and he will prepare an introduction to the Quran. Here is how I have introduced the event in our church bulletin: I’ll work on a press release for the CV Weekly, Glendale News-Press, and La Canada Outlook, and order a vertical banner to have out there with us. Peace, Paige Picturing Peace together... |
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Sept 9, 2010 23:02:01 GMT -8
The Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church bulletin says it best -- so far:
RAPP hosts A Time of Healing & Understanding - Saturday, September 11: Join peacemakers and community friends as we gather around the peace poll from 4 to 6 p.m. We'll read words of peace from our sacred texts, and welcome friends from the Islamic Congregation of La Canada, who will offer a brief introduction to/discussion of the Quran. Join us as we seek to counter fear and woundedness with knowledge and healing. Come and go at your convenience. Bring a lawn chair.
I actually have to work on Saturday, but I'll leave in time to meet Anni in front of the church at 2700 Montrose Ave. in Montrose -- hope to see you there too! And we invite more posts about this gathering.
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Sept 12, 2010 0:11:33 GMT -8
Admittedly, I'm a political creature who tends to think of peace as more of a policy goal than a state of mind. Given the news of the past week, the best place for me to be late in the afternoon of Sept. 11 was in the company of some folks practiced in spirit for A Time of Healing & Understanding.
Pastor Paige brought together nearly 30 members of the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church, the Islamic Congregation of La Canada, All Saints Church in Pasadena, the Center for Spiritual Living in La Crescenta, Montrose Peace Vigil and other groups on a tree shaded patch of grass in front of her church, right by the sidewalk on Montrose Avenue. Taking it to the street.
How could anybody demonize a book written by an illiterate guy in timeless Arabic poetry that has been read essentially unedited for centuries? Or fault a creator who made the entire earth as a praying space so you could stop five times a day if possible to make yourself right with the world?
You can't, as Edmond demonstrated by reading ten versions of the Golden Rule from ten ancient faiths.
Before I go, I have get political. We can't let Boehner, Palin and Gingrich get away with morally equating a zoning application in Lower Manhattan with the burning of the holy scriptures of one billion humans, some of whom live and love right here. You know, we've never held accountable those Republicans who conflated the 9/11 attack with Saddam Hussein to justify the invasion of Iraq. Where people die to this day.
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Sept 13, 2010 17:53:20 GMT -8
Before I go, I have to get political. We can't let Boehner, Palin and Gingrich get away with morally equating a zoning application in Lower Manhattan with the burning of the holy scriptures of one billion humans, some of whom live and love right here. You know, we've never held accountable those Republicans who conflated the 9/11 attack with Saddam Hussein to justify the invasion of Iraq. Where people die to this day. Everyone connected with CVUMC's Read and Practice Peace 9-11 event must be commended. It was a lovely, nurturing and edifying afternoon. I too like to have some politics (esp. in the street) with my inner spiritual peace. Jeanne and I and who's knows who -- maybe you? -- will be at the corner with the peace banner (blue? green?) tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5:15. In Old Town Pasadena at 12 noon on Wednesday we will vigil for an hour, as I reminded on other peace lists: "Our regular vigil is at noon til 1pm, this Wednesday (9/15) at Raymond and Holly, across from Schiff's Pasadena office. PDA is working in an expanded coalition this month, see pdamerica.org/articles/misc/2009-11-13-12-49-50-misc.php for details and links to Jobs with Justice. The focus is jobs, but only stopping these wars and the run-away military budget will allow us to afford much of anything else. I have extra signs." |
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Post by dnomde on Sept 13, 2010 18:50:33 GMT -8
I'll be there in spirit. Wish I could be there in physical.
I enjoyed my first day of social studies with my 6th graders. Talked about the community center ("mosque") near ground zero. They ask great questions! Hope to continue to sprinkle as many seeds as possible.
Power to the People!
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Post by Jeanne on Sept 18, 2010 19:06:25 GMT -8
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Sept 20, 2010 18:50:51 GMT -8
I got this from PeaceWitness LA listserve, and posted back about Glendale Education/Social Justice Advocates work protecting GUSD family rights not to be recruited, etc. Thought LAUSD and other teachers/family in RAPP and at corner would like to see: PROTECT YOUR LAUSD STUDENT'S RIGHT TO NOT BE APPROACHED BY MILITARY RECRUITERS Here's the link to the newest LAUSD Student Handbook, found on the LAUSD web site here: notebook.lausd.net/pls/ptl/docs/PAGE/CA_LAUSD/FLDR_ORGANIZATIONS/FLDR_COO/16790_PSHB1011_FINAL_ENGLISH%20_LOWRES.PDF The link above is for the English version of the handbook You will find the actual Information Release Form on page 39 of this version of the handbook. The Information Release Form is the only way a parent can OPT OUT of having their LAUSD student son or daughter's vital information handed over to military recruiters. This vital information can include the student photo as well. If this form is NOT SIGNED AND RETURNED TO LAUSD in a timely manner, your son or daughter's academic records and contact information WILL be made available to military recruiters. If you do not want the military to have access to your son or daughter for targeting in military recruiting campaigns, you - the parent of an LAUSD student - MUST sign and date this form and get it back to the school where your student attends. So if you cherish your privacy and that of your child's at home or in public and do not wish for them to be harangued by military recruiters, you MUST sign and date this form and get it back to LASUD school administrators each year your student attends an LAUSD school. |
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Read and Practice Peacemaking's (RAPP) next action will be to gather at the peace pole in front of the church on Saturday, 9/11, to remember, heal, and understand. There will be some reading from different faiths. Because Ramadan happens to be ending on 9/11, there is heightened Islamophobia and we thought it would be good to counteract that with a chance to learn. I'll post more details when we have them.
