tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58886148278346862742024-03-13T07:51:45.977-07:00BAUUC Peace GroupPeace covenant group formed from the BAUUC members interested in peace initiatives in the Clear Lake and greater Houston area.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888614827834686274.post-24742466562708659382010-06-25T11:49:00.000-07:002010-06-25T11:49:43.640-07:00NPR: Books<a href="http://n.npr.org/NPRI/jN111115628_492791_492762_Z.htm">NPR: Books</a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517138721313538180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888614827834686274.post-17685702186818219412010-03-19T14:43:00.000-07:002010-03-19T14:43:14.524-07:00test of paypal for king tut putt....<form target="paypal" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"><br />
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</form>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888614827834686274.post-86072058612135156212007-12-12T16:05:00.000-08:002007-12-12T16:06:41.360-08:00<p class="MsoNormal">See links to peace related events for <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Houston</st1:City>, <st1:state st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place> at the end of this blog page.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">12/5/07</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Peace Tree Wishes<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At the urgent suggestion of a fellow congregant, the Peacemaking Council agreed to join Yoko Ono’s <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Peace</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> created in commemoration of John Lennon.<span style=""> </span>Rather than compete with the Mitten Tree that will collect donations for the homeless, an imitation tree made of a lighted spiral is set in place of the Sunday floral arrangement at the front of the sanctuary. <span style=""> </span>Thoughts for peace can be written on the backs of copied cutouts of the groups peace logo and hung with hope that this war, that all of its devastation and loss, will soon end.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After the holidays, a photograph of the peace tree, along with the writings, will be collected and mailed to join others in <st1:city st="on">Raykjavik</st1:City>, <st1:country-region st="on">Iceland</st1:country-region> as part of the Yoko and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">John</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Lennon</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Imagine</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Peace</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>The tower is a beam of light featuring the words 'imagine peace' in 24 languages.<span style=""> </span>It will be lit every year from October 9 to December 8<sup>th</sup>.<span style=""> </span>October 9<sup>th</sup> is John Lennon’s birthday while December 8<sup>th</sup> is the anniversary of his death.<span style=""> </span>Over half a million wishes from all over the world will be put in a series of capsules and placed on the island surrounding the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Imagine</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Peace</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. Peace messages can be sent to <a href="http://www.imaginepeace.com/">Imaginepeace.com</a> site. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">11/18/07</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Peacemaking Council has been more active than this blog site would attest.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Attorney Dave Salinsky conducted a mediation workshop on May 19<sup>th</sup>, focusing on family conflicts and settlements<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">.<span style=""> </span></span>Mr. Salinsky is a 1984 graduate of Tulane University School of Law in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">New Orleans</st1:City></st1:place> where he served on the Moot Court Board and was selected for the Order of the Barristers.<span style=""> </span>He relocated to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:City> following law school, working for a number of law firms before opening his own firm in 1992.<span style=""> </span>In addition to his primary practice with family cases he also handles wills, real estate and general civil litigation.<span style=""> </span>Since 1998 Mr. Salinsky has served as an associate municipal judge for the City of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Webster</st1:City></st1:place>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Immediately following the mediation workshop, the Peacemaking group began planning for the third event.<span style=""> </span>The second peace vigil, held October 7, 2007, was part of a larger Unitarian Universalist faith event.<span style=""> </span>It was followed by a day of fasting for peace.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The vigil was held in the Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church sanctuary.<span style=""> </span>That evening, the sanctuary lighting was kept dim to strengthen the simplicity of the vigil.<span style=""> </span>Dove cut-outs taped to the partition behind the podium, a series of flags with the word “peace” depicted in various languages, and a larger peace flag were position about the church.<span style=""> </span>A small table that is usually home to service flowers was position before the podium.<span style=""> </span>Following UU Reverend Matt Tittle’s homily and lighting of the chalice, candles placed on the table were lit:<span style=""> </span>one each for the <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> soldiers who have died.<span style=""> </span>Other candles were lit for the children who have died, their parents, for all families and for those still in harms way and, finally, for all those affected by the war in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Iraq</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">While the first vigil was held for peace, this event focused on ending the war in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>Peacemaking group leader, Brenda C., implored, “We must end the shattering of Iraqi and American lives by offering American generosity and support, but not control, for international and nongovernmental efforts to assist Iraqis in making peace and rebuilding their country, while swiftly and safely bringing home all American troops.<span style=""> </span>American culture society, and policy are addicted to violence at home and overseas.<span style=""> </span>The day we officially call <i style="">Columbus Day</i> is overlaid with a history of violence and conquest.<span style=""> </span>In our time, the hope of a decent future is endangered by an unnecessary, morally abhorrent, and disastrous war.<span style=""> </span>Ending this war can be the first step toward a policy that embodies a deeper, broader sense of generosity and community at home and in the world.<span style=""> </span>We are joining together . . . . with millions of faithful Americans in local communities across the nation who believe in changing the course of our nations priorities from Conquest to Community and Violence to Reverence.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation was read.<span style=""> </span>Written in 1870 as a call for peace, it is relevant today, and reads in part:<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 45pt;">Say firmly, ‘We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies.<span style=""> </span>Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.<span style=""> </span>Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience.<span style=""> </span>We women of one country will be to tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own.<span style=""> </span>It says, ‘Disarm, Disarm!’<span style=""> </span>The sword of murder is not the balance of justice!<span style=""> </span>Blood does not wipe out dishonor nor violence indicate possession.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Numbers current to that evening of those who died or wounded were sited.<span style=""> </span>As of that evening, there were more than 3800 United States fatalities and 28,000 wounded.<span style=""> </span>There were at least 75,000 Iraqi civilians killed although one study claimed that number was more than 600,000.<span style=""> </span>Over a million Iraqis have fled their home country while many do not have enough drinking water or electricity.<span style=""> </span>Iraqi unemployment is soaring.<span style=""> </span>As of October 2007, the cost of the war in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Iraq</st1:country-region></st1:place> is more than $457 BILLION, not including veterans’ healthcare and disability payments, and income losses.<span style=""> </span>Since the vigil, the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> fatalities total 3,880 with 28,451 wounded.<span style=""> </span>At least 77,000 Iraqi civilians have died.<span style=""> </span>The cost in military spending has reached $473 billion.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">These somber statistics were followed by a presentation of <i style="">Bringing the War Home<span style=""> </span>On the Road with Eyes Wide Open</i>.<span style=""> </span>The DVD film, produced by American Friends Service Committee, features a pair of boots honoring each <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> military fatality along with a field of shoes to memorialize the Iraqis killed.<span style=""> </span>The film explores the history, cost and consequences of the war.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>For more information, visit their web site at <span class="a"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">www.afsc.org.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Those attending were invited to fast for peace the following day.<span style=""> </span>“Just as Isaiah called the People of Israel to hear the Yom Kippur fast as a call to feed the hungry, just as Jesus fasted in the wilderness, just as Christians through Lenten fasting and Muslims through Ramadan fasting have focused on spiritual transformation, just as Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and others drew on fasting to change the course of history, so we cal on all our communities of faith to draw now on fasting as a path toward inner spiritual transformation and outward social transformation.”<span style=""> </span>Those attending then <span style=""> </span>broke bread together as a “sign of our commitment to work together for peace and an end to violence.<span style=""> </span>This shared bread will be a sign of our covenant with one another as individuals and as communities to stand against the war in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Iraq</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and to work with one another to stand against violence in our communities and around the world.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rev. Tittle closed the evening with a prayer for peace.<span style=""> </span>Vigil events were interspersed with singing, lead by “Just Us.”<span style=""> </span>They included <i style="">Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream, Where Have All the Flowers Gone</i> and ending with <i style="">Blowin’ in the Wind</i><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Before leaving, those attending were invited to sign either or both of two petitions.<span style=""> </span>One was a petition the Unitarian Universalist Association provided to congregations.<span style=""> </span>President Sinkford would take signed petitions to President Bush within a few days of the event.<span style=""> </span>A second petition, “Nine-Point Comprehensive Peace Plan for <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region>” was also available.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Links to Peace:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The following are a few web sites for local, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:City> community peace action events.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">First</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Unitarian</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Universalist</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, <a href="http://www.firstuu.org/">www.firstuu.org</a>, select “The Blast” for their Social Just Events and News.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, <a href="http://www.imgh.org/">www.imgh.org</a><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">South Texas Alliance for Peace and Jusice, <a href="http://www.stpeace.org/">www.stpeace.org</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <st1:placename st="on">Boniuk</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType> for the Study and Advancement of Reigious Tolerance at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Riche</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, <a href="http://boniuk.rice.edu/">http://boniuk.rice.edu/</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">KPFT’s Calendar for the Houston Peace and Justice Center, <a href="http://houston.kpf.org/">http://houston.kpf.org</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Blast lists the following as regular <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Houston</st1:City></st1:place> peace activity events:<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><st1:city st="on">Houston</st1:City> Freeway Blogging:<span style=""> </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Dunlavy</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Bridge</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, Tuesday and Friday</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25in;"><span style=""> </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Mandel</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Bridge</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> on Highway 59 (Wednesday)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25in;"><span style=""> </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Woodhead</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Bridge</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, Friday</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Live Oak Friends <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sunrise</st1:place></st1:City> Vigil for Peace at <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">1318 West 26<sup>th</sup> Street</st1:address></st1:Street></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Department of Peace Campaign-Houston Chapter’s Second Saturday Walking Medication for Peace.<span style=""> </span>Contact Carondelet Dember, 713-522-7279.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888614827834686274.post-21834039378071148982007-05-20T19:42:00.000-07:002007-05-20T19:44:23.731-07:00BAUUC Peacemaking group beginnings<p class="MsoNormal">When a few members or our church met in September 2006 first met for a Peace Making meeting, we agreed we wanted to take action for rather than talk peace to death.<span style=""> </span>We are members of the Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church (BAUUC), Clear Lake/Houston, TX and UU members are known for discussing any topic – very thoroughly.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Several members have long been active in peace movements, attending rallies and holding signs over busy <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:City> freeways.<span style=""> </span>They shared web sites focused on peace and we parceled out information to investigate.<span style=""> </span>These included the Unitarian Universalist Associations Issue for Peacemaking and Code Pink. Our own BAUUC’s religious education program for youth completed a peace curriculum in 2006. <span style=""> </span>Since Christmas was looming, we worked toward and held a peace gathering, community welcome, on December 10<sup>th</sup> <span style=""> </span>Church youth were invited to participate with three of them having speaking parts for the vigil event.<span style=""> </span>With snacks available to fuel peace-making activities, an assembly of about 60 people joined for sing-alongs and to read passages for peace.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""> People were given the opportunity to call out names of those they knew, that have been touched by the horrors of war. One of the Peacemaking group members created a emotionally moving and thought provoking slideshow of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> war images from the internet. <span style=""> </span>Several people commented on how touched they were and some were even moved to tears.<span style=""> </span>The leader of our Peacemaking group, Brenda Cockrell, stated, “ . . .it was an awesome experience.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We met again in January and further outlined what we would like to accomplish as a group.<span style=""> </span>Suggestions included showing relevant films at a progressive film forum held Thursday evenings at the church.<span style=""> </span>We discussed finding a professional mediator who could address conflict resolution.<span style=""> </span>Another member is making arrangements with a local mediator to schedule for a spring meeting. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On February 22<sup>nd</sup> our congregation sponsored a production of <i style="">The Vagina Monologues</i> with congregant members giving voice to this powerful, provocative drama.<span style=""> </span>A flyer inside the program explains, “V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of playwright/founder Eve Ensler’s awared winning play <i style="">The Vagina Monologues</i>.”<span style=""> </span>V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>All proceeds from the performance were given to Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a shelter for abused women.<span style=""> </span>BAUUC received many calls following the performance, thanking us for making this available, giving testimony to the difference it made to many audience members.<span style=""> </span>We are proud to be a congregation that is willing to make an uncomfortable decision, supporting an uncomfortable production, provoking uncomfortable realizations that we hope creates change within individuals and our community. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Suggestions at subsequent meetings include requesting a section of the church library for books and films related to peace.<span style=""> </span>One member has been in contact with Diane Wilson, author of <i style="">An Unreasonable Woman</i> and founder of Code Pink toward inviting her to give a church sermon and weekend workshop regarding her work.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our group keeps a calendar of peace-related events, both grassroots and organized, in the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:City> community.<span style=""> </span>For instance, individuals meet at busy freeway overpasses to display anti-war and peace-advocating signs.<span style=""> </span>This may seem like a small action but it invites those trapped in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:City> traffic to take a moment to consider their own position.<span style=""> </span>Even a few, brave beeps assures others they are not alone and becomes a place of shared gathering.<span style=""> </span>A local artistic, meditative chapel held a “Music for Peace” event in collaboration with Ebony opera singers.<span style=""> </span>We leave flyers of these events on sanctuary chairs and, possibly, will list them on the church web site.<span style=""> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888614827834686274.post-40297346164754466032007-05-04T06:20:00.000-07:002007-05-04T06:29:41.253-07:00Houston Peace and Justice CenterHi All! I'm Susan Brasseux, a supporter of the BAUUC Peace Group. I have not been able to attend the meetings yet but I will do what I can to help out. I'm also the head of the Library Committee and I can help you find materials, research, etc. if you like.<br /><br />Here is a link to the <a href="http://www.hpjc.org/">Houston Peace and Justice Center</a> site. It has news about peace related groups and activities in the Houston area. The Local Events Calendar is located on the left menu bar under Highlights.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517138721313538180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888614827834686274.post-30374287362082986032007-04-24T11:00:00.000-07:002007-04-24T11:02:50.883-07:00May Meeting!Our meetings are:<br /><br />First Wednesday<br /><br />6:00 pm<br /><br />Children's RE, usually in the straight back from worship area, past kitchen.<br /><br />Thanks to Brenda for setting up the Holocaust Memorial Day candles at church last<br />Sunday, before Earth Day.<br /><br />PoomUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888614827834686274.post-84876555230786171902007-04-04T07:15:00.000-07:002007-04-04T07:16:52.643-07:00April Meeting!Hello all,<br /><br />Hope to see some postings soon!<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />PoomUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2