Rainbow Peace & Justice: December 2007

January

Haiti ~ Whole Committee
Publicized & Organized two speaking events for Matt Kaiser, a MVSer who presented information on the socioeconomics, politics, and history of Haiti and and told about how his organization, the Lambi Fund of Haiti, is working to create democracy and sustainable development in the country. (Matt is now a student at KU Med and regular attendee at Rainbow).
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Web Page ~ Several members
Developed a “Peace and Justice” link on the RMC website and an online blog for communicating about events and issues — http://rainbowpeacejustice.blogspot.com/
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Israel / Palestine ~ Several members
Publicized and attended: Combatants for Peace tour, which is coming to Kansas City in late January. Combatants for Peace consists of former Israeli and Palestinian soldiers and militants who once fought each other, but now are fighting for peace. Sounds very interesting. Iťs happening on Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m., at the Jewish Comm. Center.
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February

Coalition building ~ Regina Troyer
Publicized the KC Olive Branch online newsletter — www.kcolivebranch.org
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Iraq War ~ Several members
Promoted the “Policies of Hope” postcard campaign, organized locally by the American Friends Service Cmte. — providing this opportunity to the congregation, to write brief messages on the cards to then be delivered to area elected officials. The best time to have RMC folks participate is after worship on Sunday mornings. There could be a table set up in the fellowship hall, where people could write their messages on the postcards. There could also be announcements in the midweek notables, newsnotes, during the worship service, etc. If we are to get this done quickly, we need volunteers to sit at the table in the fellowship hall during the next several Sundays. We probably need at least 2 volunteers per Sunday. Any takers? I propose that we use the next three Sundays (Feb. 11, 18, & 25) — RMC folks wrote 88 postcards to local elected officials. I will deliver the cards to the AFSC office, and the cards will then be taken to the offices of each elected official.
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March

Iraq War ~ Chris Alliman ~ $100.00
Coordinated with Small Groups to collect Relief Kits for MCC and sent donation to MCC
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Global Warming ~ Regina Troyer
Promoted signing petition sponsored by Al Gore
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New Sanctuary Movement ~ Phil Rhoads & Muriel Stackley
Attended dinner with Rev. John Fife (from the original Sanctuary Movement in the 1980’s) at Grandview Park Presbyterian Church in KCK
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Environment ~ Chris & Elizabeth Alliman
Promoted and attended event for “Community Supported Agriculture” sponsored by KC Food Circle.
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Environment ~ Chris Alliman
Promoted and attended training event for “Rain Barrels” sponsored by Bridging the Gap
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Iraq War ~ Phil Rhoads
Attended Christian Peace Witness for Iraq in Washington, DC — received $100 for the three Mennonites from Western District Conference for travelling expenses
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Iraq War ~ Several members ~ $50.00
Endorsed event and attended Vigil for 4th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, and to call for an end to the war — starting at Penn Valley Community College at 1:00 p.m. and ending up at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo. around 5:30 p.m. The goal is to ensure that there will not be a 5th anniversary of the war next year.
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Immigration Reform ~ Several members
Participated in two local immigranťs rights groups, calling for a just and humane response to the broken immigration system. The groups are: People of Faith for Hospitality and Justice and the New Sanctuary Movement.
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Homosexuality ~ Phil Rhoads
Posted on Blog: “Urban Kansas Mennonites and Homosexuality, 1968-1999” — Robert Michael Weaver’s senior seminar paper for Bethel College
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April

Global Warming ~ Phil Rhoads
Attended Step It Up KC at Community Christian Church, sponsored by Sierra Club and True Blue Women — http://april.stepitup2007.org/
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Immigration Reform ~ Joel Goering
Signed on to letter that El Centro is sending to elected officials calling for comprehensive immigration reform that: emphasizes family reunification, humane treatment, an earned path to citizenship, and workers’ rights. El Centro wants local faith groups to sign on to the letter.
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Peace & Justice ~ Joel Goering ~ $100.00
Sent donation to Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA — Muriel brought up the fact that since RMC is not contributing to Mennonite Mission Network this year (due to Freedom School and other budgetary demands), it is important for us to show at least some commitment to the efforts of the wider church by supporting the PJSN
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Iraq War ~ Phil Rhoads
Participated by being in the KS delegation delivering “Too Many Have Died” postcards to our (2) Senators’ offices and (1) Congressperso’s office in Overland Park.
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Bolivia and MCC ~ Several members
Hosted potluck after Sunday School for Carmen Shelly’s brother, Mark Epp, and wife Cathy Wismer and children Hannah & Carlin.
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May

Immigration Reform ~ Joel Goering
Promoted Justice for Children of Immigrant Parents — march/rally for immigrants’ rights, to be held (May 1) at Washington Square Park (in front of Crown Center).
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Department of Peace and Nonviolence ~ Phil Rhoads
Discussion in Sunday School reminded me about the proposed Department of Peace which I heard about almost three months ago. I have now posted it on our blog and hope you will join me in lobbying Dennis Moore (or your congress person) to become a co-sponsor. It currently has 64 co-sponsors.
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Nonviolent Intervention ~ Phil Rhoads
In memory of the shootings in April at Virginia Tech fresh in your minds. But the shootings last October of the Amish school girls in Pennsylvania may be starting to fade. And the memory of the fourth hijacked airplane on September 11, 2001, which crashed in Pennsylvania, may no longer be haunting you.
I bring these examples up because I have been contemplating a project for some members from our church, that would be a response to these tragedies. I especially am interested in the opinions of current or past members of East Hill Singers, who have had contact with inmates in prison.
It is hard for me to describe this project precisely, because I can’t figure out what is practical and what is fantasy. Thaťs why I need your opinions and conversations.
As succinctly as I can explain it, I envision something like a “volunteer fire department” except not to put out fires, but to reduce violence. The main goal would be to save lives, including the person holding the gun, if possible. (The recent police shooting at Ward Parkway Shopping Center to stop the man who had already killed and wounded several people and was threatening to shoot more would be to me a failure of nonviolent tactics.)
Now that our church is hosting a Freedom School, we are more vulnerable to a Virginia Tech-type shooting spree. Recent gang activity at Whitmore Playground reminds us that our church is not in a violence-free “green zone.”
We have the local police, of course, as do the Presbyterians, and the Catholics and all the other people in our community, but shouldn’t we as Mennonites have our own ways to address violence whenever possible?
We were all impressed with the response of forgiveness by the Amish in Pennsylvania, but where were the Amish men when their school was entered by the gunman? Did they have a plan but just were not able to implement it in time? Did they choose not to have a plan on purpose and just trust in God to protect them? Or did they just trust in the police like everyone else?
To me, first we need to answer the question, should we develop a “volunteer nonviolence team” that we would call first, whenever possible, instead of the local police?
And second, could we do it?
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Nuclear Weapons ~ Phil Rhoads & John Mueller
Made public comment on the proposed $150 billion nuclear weapons Complex 2030 and replace the old Kansas City Plant with a new half-billion dollar facility.
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June

Iraq Vets Against the War ~ Several members
Provided tents and food for Adam Kokesh and fellow vets against the war
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Immigration Reform ~ Phil Rhoads & Muriel Stackley
Attended NSM training from 10 am to 1 pm here at Grandview Park Presbyterian Church — opportuity to meet with and be trained by people who are involved in the movement at the national level.
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Environment ~ Chris Alliman
Started Cell Phone Recycling program at church
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July

Hotdogs in the Park ~ Several members
Hosted & prepared food for community
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August

Immigration Reform ~ Several members
Attended event by NSM-KC at Argentine Presbyterian Church! There were many Catholics, and Presbyterians, along with a few Methodists, Disciples and Mennonites (4) in attendance.
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September

Iraq War ~ Phil Rhoads
Hand out Peace Buttons to our kids during the Children’s Story on Sep. 30. The kids could then hand them out to the congregation. Ordered 200 buttons ($50 + $14 shipping, which makes them 32¢ each). Attached is a picture of the button. Each button is 1” diameter and can easily be worn as a lapel pin. Wording on the button is: “Pray and Act for Peace in Iraq (CHRISTIANPEACEWITNESS.ORG)” and the graphic is a hand holding a candle.
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Iraq War ~ Several members
Promoted and attended “The Consequences of War” — Kathy Kelly — St. Francis Xavier Church, KCMO
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International Peace Day ~ Several members
Participated in the International Day of Prayer for Peace at First Central Church of the Brethren
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Immigration Reform ~ Several members
Participated in the dedication rally for the “Love the Immigrant as yourself” at Truman Rd. & the Paseo
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Worship ~ Several members
Led worship on September 30, “Peace & Justice Sunday.”
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MCC High School Essay Contest ~ Phil Rhoads
Promoted participation
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October

Burma ~ Bob Carlson & Regina Troyer
Bob Carlson found this timely blog from Gene Stoltzfus, about the current situation in Burma: http://gstoltzfus.blogspot.com/2007/09/burma-on-march.html>
Also, Regina found this on-line petition for Burma:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1
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Human Rights/Labor Rights ~ Regina Troyer
Wrote “On Fire” blog
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Hope Flowers School ~ Several members
Attended fundraising dinner on Oct. 13 by Citizens for Justice in the Middle East; this is a Palestinian elementary school near Bethlehem that teaches peace, co-existence, and democracy.
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Religion & Politics ~ Phil Rhoads
Participated in Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series Conference — “Politics pits people against each other-even Christians against Christians. Should Christians be involved in politics? Would Jesus belong to a political party? Can we talk with each another (and listen!) when we disagree? Hesston College is hosting the conference, “Christian Ministry in a Red and Blue World.” October 19-21. Greg Boyd (well known speaker and author of the New York Times Best seller The Myth of a Christian Nation), John D. Roth (Goshen College professor and popular speaker) and a host of workshop presenters will lead conversations.
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November

Calendars ~ Phil Rhoads & Muriel Stackley
HOT OFF THE PRESS (from Phil Rhoads’s print shop, that is): Offical Rainbow Mennonite Calendrs for 2008. Pick up yours today — downstaris in the Fellowship Hall. Suggested donation $20 each — leave cash or checks (to “Rainbow-calendars”) in basket on table with calendars. This year all proceeds will be divided equally between the Rainbow Peace & Justice Committee and the new Parking Lot Fund. A special option this year: for additional donation of $10, Muriel T. Stackley will add hand-drawn, full-color fraktur (Pennsylvania Ductch decorative art) to your calendar top. (Special instructions for Fraktur by Muriel: put your name on the back of your calendar top and place in special box marked “For Fraktur by Muriel” — your finished calendars will be returned to church in the next week or two. Note — this offer is restricted to the first 50 people who sign up, or until Muriel gets tired, whichever comes first!)
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Homelessness and Poverty ~ Chris Alliman & Regina Troyer
Promoted and sold Christmas cards for a good cause - from a women’s workshop in Denver called the Gathering Place. TheGathering Place serves women and children living in homelessness and poverty. The Card Project, as this specific workshop is called, is an on-site therapeutic studio environment in which women create hand-made greeting cards. Cards cost $2 each.
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Alternative Christmas gifts ~ Several members
Created and distributed a list of environmentally-friendly and socially-conscious Christmas gift ideas to RMC members.
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December

Advent ~ Phil Rhoads
Peace Lamp from MCC to focus attention on “No War on Iran”
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MCC High School Essay Contest ~ Phil Rhoads
Wrote essay about Immigration Reform and the Frances Semler controversy with Mayor Mark Funkhouser.
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Iraq ~ War Phil Rhoads
Participated in conference call for Christian Peace Witness for Iraq promoting March 7 event in DC for the 5th anniversary of the war
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Iran ~ Several members
Collected petition signatures advocating for peaceful, non-military solutions to the growing U.S.-Iran conflict.
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Iran ~ Phil Rhoads, Muriel Stackley & Joel
Delivered petitions at the local offices of (4) U.S. Senators and (3) Representatives from Kansas and Missouri.
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