The Shalom Group
Educating about Peace and Justice needs and efforts
The Shalom Group
Educating about Peace and Justice needs and efforts
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Since we are designated a "Shalom Church"--that is, a church particularly devoted to issues of peace and justice, the Shalom Group tries to keep up with the daily news as it applies to these subjects and inform the congregation about the actions and non-actions of our government that we believe need the attention of us all. We have a large bulletin board -- the Shalom Board -- in the narthex and encourage all MCC-ers to task up articles of interest and conver, information about signficant meetings, local and far-reaching: anything that a Shalom church should be aware of and, when appropriate interested in acting upon. Every two or three months we conduct a "Letters at Lunch" program after the worship service, before which the Group has selected one or two salient topics we believe our representatives should hear from us about. Participants are urged to write their own letters, but sample letters are also provided. We also write a monthly article for MCC's newsletter, "The Messenger," and keep Board members apprised of peace and justice groups we believe the church should support financially. MCC's traditional Peace Vigil is another of the Shalom Group's responsibilities and one in which we take great delight. For 24 hours a fire is kept burning as people who have signed up for an hour, settle down in the parlor to read articles and books scattered about, look at pictures, read and write in notebooks kept and treasured since 1983, when the Vigil began. Other participants choose to pray, ponder, possibly doze. For many of us, the Peace Vigil is a time of renewal. |
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Sharon Watkins, General Minister of our Church, has wrtten to us all regarding
the recent tragic events in Tucson. Here is her message:
Disciples News Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A message from General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins regarding the
Arizona shooting
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I'll be in the Disciples Center Chapel this morning at 11:00am EST observing a
moment of silence as called for by President Obama "to honor the innocent
victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still
fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation
in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at
heart."
At Disciples Center, we'll follow with a brief time of prayer.
I invite you to observe the time as well wherever you are (or a time later in
the day) -- as we join hearts and prayers across the church.
I have written a reflection regarding this tragedy and have posted it to my
blog. You can read it at: http://bit.ly/eUBrRj
Blessings,
Sharon
Sharon E. Watkins
General Minister and President
EVERYONE
WANTS A TAX CUT!
BUT LET'S LOOK AT WHAT CUTS ACTUALLY MEAN!
We have recently seen a decade of cuts. Cities, states, the nation are all being pushed to trim budgets. And people in Michigan are still demanding tax cuts. BUT....what really gets cut? In the last decade:
•Police
and fire departments -- 3 billion dollars cut
•Early childhood programs reduced 32%
•Public employers have had to make $3.7 billion in
concessions.
•Senior
programs, including Meals on Wheels
•Higher
education funding has been reduced 18% per student
•$165
for each pupil in our public schools cut
•ISD'
for our schools and kids by 20%
•And
there have been deep budget cuts for:
Early
childhood education
Adolescent
Health Centers
Drop-out
centers
Medicaid
provider rates
Public
heal funding.
The things that help us move forward, the things that tie us together (like our public highways and streets) are in bad shape.
If this is what gets cut, perhaps we should not be so eager to demand tax cuts. Maybe we should even be willing and happy to provide better for our common needs.
Thanks to the Michigan League for Human Services
PEACE
HAS TO BEGIN EARLY! IT TAKES CONSTANT EFFORT!
HERE'S
ONE WAY YOUR FAMILY CAN HELP!
A FAMILY PLEDGE OF NONVIOLENCE
Making peace must start within ourselves and in our family. Each of us, members of the _______________________family, commit ourselves as best we can to become nonviolent and peaceable people.
To
respect Self and others
To listen
carefully to one another, especially those who disagree with me, and
to consider others' feelings and needs rather than insist on
having my own way. To
Forgive
To treat
the environment and all living things, including our pets, with
respect and care. To Play
Creatively
To select
entertainment and toys that support our family values and to avoid
entertainment that makes violence look exciting, funny or
acceptable. To Be
Courageous
To
challenge violence in all its forms whenever I encounter it,
whether at home, at school, at work, or in the community and to stand
with others who are treated unfairly. This is
our pledge. These are our goals. We will check ourselves on what we
have pledged once a month for the next twelve months, so that we can
help each other become more peaceable people. Signed:
______________ ________________ ________________ ______________
________________ _________________ --From
the Institute for Peace and Justice, St. Louis, MO.
Most of us, when we hear or see the word "water", might think about
watering the lawn, or a refreshing glass of water, or a hot tub on a
frosty day. It is something we have come to take for granted. But in
today's world, water - its purity, availability and distribution, its
vulnerability, indeed its life span - have become a world issue,
joining ongoing questions and concerns about global warming.
In a book published in 2010 and written by South Africa's Archbishop
Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho Tutu, this is what the Archbishop
has to say: "We are becoming more aware of the impact of our use of
natural resources on the global environment. We are learning that fuel
use in the United States affects sea levels in Fiji. Carbon emissions
used in many parts of the world are punching a hole in the ozone layer
that will affect all of us."
The implications of Reverend Tutu's statement bring us back to
Michigan and the new threats to the health of its waters. Large and
hungry Asian carp have been making a steady migration up the
Mississippi River and are close to invading the Great Lakes, causing
irreparable damage to its ecology and threatening the livelihood of
its huge fishing industry. And what is the status of water in and
around Ann Arbor, in the Huron River, our lakes and streams, in
Mallett's and other creeks? Fortunately for us, answers are readily
available from an assortment of local resources, among them the Huron
River Watershed Council (HRWC) (734-769- 5123) and the Ecology Center
(734-761-3186). Both organizations publish regular reports which are
chock-full of useful information. Dedicated staff are also eager to
explain how you can become involved. Barbara Fuller's legendary
question, "How can we help?" comes to mind.
Back on the farm, as the
saying goes, many of us are already flushing toilets less frequently,
using less water when we brush our teeth, and being careful in our use
of water and nutrients in our yards.
A very hands-on and adventuresome way of testing the purity of local
waters is to take part in the regular trips HRWC sponsors to nearby
creeks, where knowledgeable staff/volunteers help the group collect
specimens and determine from their presence or absence the condition
of the surrounding water. Even many of us "old-old" can participate in
these trips, taking along a folding chair and a curious spirit.
MCC-ers are accustomed to hearing about the importance of contacting l
our governmental representatives on issues of concern. A face and
voice , new to many of us is Rebekah Warren, State Representative of
the 53rd District (she is running for State Senator in the August 3rd
Democratic Primary Election). Her knowledge of and work on water
issues is extensive. Further information is available at her offices
(734-444-4220).
The complex story of water will continue to unfold during our
lifetimes. For the immediate present, however, though we don't want to
believe that water can indeed be used up, we can comfort ourselves by
knowing that ordinary people can do a lot to protect and prepare
it. Discussing the subject with our neighbor or picking up a copy of
the Ecology Center's From the Ground Up have ripple effects, and
every such effort helps create a healthier safer world for our
children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Glass of water, anyone?
To
respect myself, to affirm others and to avoid uncaring criticism,
hateful words, physical attacks and self-destructive behavior
To
Communicate Better
Top share
my feelings honestly, to look for safe ways to express my anger, and
to work at solving problems peacefully.
To Listen
To
apologize and make amends when I have hurt another, to forgive
others and to keep from holding grudges.
To Respect Nature
What's This About Water?
April 2010