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Peace and Justice Committee Announcements
January 24, 2006 EIGHT REASONS TO GO TO PALESTINE THIS SUMMER As you look ahead to your 2005 plans, we encourage you to consider joining us for the 2005 Palestine Summer Encounter. www.hlttravel.org www.holylandtrust.org[Please share this with other friends, of all ages. Lois Kenagy] The Palestine Summer Encounter is a one-to-two month Arabic-training and volunteer program starting on June 12th, 2005. The purpose of the program is to create a dialogue between members of the global community and Palestinians. During these two months, participants will learn Arabic with an intensive and competitive language-training program, partner with Palestinian non-profit organizations as volunteers and have the opportunity to participate in 8 separate weekend excursions to visit Hebron, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Haifa and Jericho, the Dead Sea and other important sites throughout the region. The program is open to all interested participants. More information is available at: http://www.hlttravel.org Still not convinced that you should join us in Palestine this summer? Here are eight reasons why you should plan to participate: #1 YOU’LL SEE THE SITUATION FIRSTHAND There’s only so much you can learn by watching the 6 o’clock news or reading history books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This is why fact-finding missions to the Middle East are so important. Frequently, those who participate in Travel in Encounter programs describe their trips as “life-changing experiences.” By visiting the region and seeing the situation firsthand, you will learn a tremendous amount about the daily life of Palestinians under Occupation. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers—people who have devoted their lives to bringing peace with justice to the Holy Land. #2 YOU’LL SERVE AS A WITNESS FOR PEACE Palestinians who have suffered through more than thirty years of Occupation often feel that the world has abandoned them. As more and more of their land is confiscated, more and more of their homes are demolished and more and more of their citizens are killed they wonder: why is no one standing up for us in the world community? This is why some Palestinians are cheered by the presence of international witnesses for peace, who are willing to live among Palestinians and learn from them. It reminds them that there are still people in the international community who believe that Palestinians should be able to live with freedom, peace, security and independence. It helps bring a small amount of hope into a situation that has caused an enormous amount of suffering. #3 YOU’LL SUPPORT THE PALESTINIAN ECONOMY According to a BBC report, the Palestinian economy lost 22,000 jobs in the first half of 2004. Closures and checkpoints, both of which halt or slow business and trade, have helped cripple the Palestinian economic sector. Those Palestinians who rely on tourism—such as hotel owners, gift shop owners, craft makers or artisans, and tour guides—have also been hard hit. The Palestine Summer Encounter will not be a lavish or expensive trip, but it will bring some much needed funds into Palestine. #4 YOU’LL LEARN ARABIC IN AN ARABIC-SPEAKING COUNTRY It’s very hard to learn a foreign language if you don’t have access to native speakers. The best way to learn Arabic is to immerse yourself in an Arabic-speaking culture. This way, you’re sure to be able to practice the Arabic skills you learn outside of the classroom. #5 YOU’LL GAIN CRUCIAL SKILLS AS A VOLUNTEER As a volunteer in a foreign country, you’re certain to develop many valuable skills. In addition to the types of skills you would develop by working for any nonprofit or humanitarian group, you’ll develop important skills in the area of cross-cultural communication. It’ll also make a great addition to any resume. #6 THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT Seriously, if you’re not already familiar with Arabic cooking, you’re in for a treat. The Arabic speaking world is famous for its great cuisine and its unparalleled hospitality! #7 YOU CAN GET COLLEGE CREDIT The Arabic class is worth 2 units of college credit! Additionally, many industrious students can find ways to earn additional units through independent studies and student projects. (Note: the Palestine Summer Encounter is open to all ages!) #8 YOU’LL BE ABLE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH OTHERS Most people, regardless of their cultural or political perspectives, are interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unfortunately, despite their interest, most people are not receiving very good information about what is actually happening on the ground in Palestine and Israel. By sharing your experiences from the Palestine Summer Encounter with others, you can help your friends and family learn more about the current situation in the Middle East. Additionally, Middle East Fellowship and Holy Land Trust are eager to help prepare participants for interviews with local newspapers and radio programs if they are interested in sharing their experiences with a wider audience. For more information: www.hlttravel.org www.holylandtrust.org George Rishmawi Coordinator, Travel and Encounter Program December 9, 2005 To all the PNMC congregations and their leaders (and members): As I grieve and pray on behalf of the four men from Christian Peacemaker Teams who have been kidnapped and are currently being held, I'm reminded of what an important witness CPT makes to our peace commitment -- that Jesus calls us to love our enemies and to be a force of healing and justice rather than vengeance. We have a right to be grateful for the Mennonite Church's courageous witness through CPT. Now the question: does your congregation include in your budget an item for Christian Peacemaker Teams? This organization operates on a very frugal budget, and needs regular support from churches. Let me encourage you to send your contribution to CPT, Box 6508, Chicago IL 60680-6508. With the publicity that CPT is now receiving, it is important that they have sufficient funds to cover all the related expenses. Let me suggest that you also put the address in your church bulletins, encouraging individuals also to make contributions. to CPT. Thanks; Lois Kenagy, Albany (former Mennonite Church representative on the Christian Peacemaker Teams steering committee) November 26, 2005 Draft Counselors available: As a result of the Draft Counseling Workshop sponsored by Salem Mennonite, there are 30 community members in the NW who are trained to counsel those feeling a call to Conscientious Objection. If someone would like to talk to a trained CO advisor, please email Matt Friesen and he will put you in touch with someone nearby. |
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