Peacemaking at UUCR

Turning from a culture of war to a culture of peace

In support of the UUA's Peacemaking Study/Action Issue, the Peacemaking Group is leading UUCR members and friends in studying and discussing all aspects of what it means to pursue peace, including development of an annual plan for education, reflection and action. Activities include the First Friday Freedom Film series (of which at least one film per quarter will be devoted to issues related to peace); Wonderful Wednesday educational forums; a book discussion group; special worship services; and cooperation with organizations such as PeaceAction Montgomery to encourage participation in peace vigils, petition drives, demonstrations, etc. Contact: Pam Rasmussen.

Here is a Peacemaking Action List (pdf).

Upcoming Peacemaking Events

2nd Sunday monthly, walk mindfully and silently for peace around the White House, 1:00 pm

People of all faiths (or no faith) are invited to join on the second Sunday of each month for a silent interfaith peace walk around the White House. We meet on Sunday in the center of Lafayette Park by the statue of Andrew Jackson on a horse (16th and H St.). Sponsored by the Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Past Events

Wednesday, January 30, 7:30 at UUCR

A Peacemaking Opportunity: Book Discussion

This book has been a focus of discussion in many UU groups, as an overview of what has led to the societal and environmental violence underlying many of our social problems, and what needs to be done to move toward a peaceful, just, sustainable global community. In "The Great Turning" Korten argues that corporate consolidation of power is merely one manifestation of what he calls "Empire": the organization of society through hierarchy and violence that has largely held sway for the past 5,000 years. "The Great Turning" traces the evolution of Empire from ancient times to the present day but also tells the parallel story of the attempt to develop a democratic alternative to Empire. Finally, Korten draws on evidence from varied sources to make the case that "Earth Community"--a life-centered, egalitarian, sustainable alternative to Empire based on democratic principles of partnership--is indeed possible. And he outlines a grassroots strategy for beginning the momentous turning toward a future of as-yet unrealized human potential.

JANUARY 11, 11:15, Sunday: Vote on the Draft Peacemaking Statement of Conscience

For a Draft Statement of Conscience (SOC) to appear on the 2009 General Assembly Final Agenda, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) bylaws require a minimum of 25% of certified congregations to participate in the ballot vote on whether the Draft SOC should be placed on the Final Agenda. UUCR will vote on whether our congregation believes the Draft SOC is worded well enough to be considered by the General Assembly, as refined by congregational comment before and during the 2009 General Assembly. Join us for the vote on the draft Peacemaking statement of Conscience after church at the mid-year congregational meeting. The Religious Education classes will have a peacemaking program January 11 and childcare will be provided during the congregational meeting. Childcare sign-ups after church at lobby table prior Sundays.

Nov 28, 7:30 Wonderful Wednesday

Jean Athey: Torture is a Moral Issue
Film and discussion

DECEMBER 3, 7:30–9 Wonderful Wednesday

Discuss the draft UU Peacemaking Statement of Conscience to prepare for January 11 congregational meeting.

NOVEMBER 23, 11:15–11:45, Sunday, Repeated December 3

After church forum to discuss the draft UU Peacemaking Statement of Conscience to prepare for January 11 congregational vote on Statement. Sign up to attend and for childcare after church at lobby table prior Sundays.

Oct 30, 7:30 Book discussion

Nonviolence: 25 Lessons for the History of a Dangerous Idea, by Mark Kurlansky
This is a concise and readable history of non-violence, Kurlansky's book is a primer on peacemaking. He applies the microhistorical approach of his bestsellers (Cod; Salt) to the loftier subject of nonviolence -- which, he observes, is so profoundly dangerous to the powers that be, that it has never been debated seriously as a policy option. Active practitioners of nonviolence are always seen as a threat, he says, and the conflict between authority and nonviolent resistance becomes a moral argument that, all too often, the nonviolent lose by abandoning their ideals in the name of self-defense. As he analyzes the history of nonviolence from the dawn of Christianity to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Kurlansky also points to prominent victories, like Gandhi's quest for Indian independence and the Eastern European resistance to the Soviets.

OCTOBER 29, 7:30–9, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY

Book discussion: Three Cups of Tea, One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time. Read the book on all the bestsellers lists. Greg Mortensen has been addressing poverty, empowering women and girls, and overcoming cultural divides in Pakistan and Afghanistan since the mid-90's. He's built 55 schools. “Three Cups of Tea (2006) is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson's dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it's proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.” -Tom Brokaw.

October 21, 2007: A Peacemaking Sunday with Phyllis Bennis

As part of UUCR's Peacemaking activities, Ray Watts and other members of the UUCR-SJ Peacemaking committee invited Phyllis Bennis, a Fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington and Director of its New Internationalism Project, to speak on Sunday, October 21. Her areas are U.S. foreign policy, including U.S.-United Nations relations and the Middle East, particularly Israel-Palestine and Iraq. She is an author of seven books and appears frequently as a commentator/analyst on U.S. and international television and radio programs, including "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" on PBS, the CBS "Morning Show," NPR's "Diane Rehm Show," and is active in the global peace movement.

On Oct 21, she gave a very inspirational talk on the question of whether and how we should renounce violence, and had strong suggestions for what we individually and our congregation and denomination can do about our own government's use of violence and war.

You can download her talk (or the reading that preceded it) by right-clicking a link below and saving the mp3 files to your computer (or just click the link and listen):

Talk: Violence and war: inevitable parts of the human condition? (mp3, 4Mb)

Reading: Challenging Empire (mp3, 1.4Mb)

Oct 21, 11:15 am Film and discussion after the service

Ghosts of Abu Ghraib
The Abu Graib film was a gift from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture; if you missed it, please contact Terrie Barr to check out the film. Former President Carter says the US tortures prisoners in violation of international law. Carter told CNN that President Bush makes up his own definition of torture. He also says that the interrogation methods cited in memos reported by the NY Times constitute torture using international definitions. The Times reported those techniques included simulated drowning and frigid temperatures.

Oct 17, 7:30 Peacemaking Wonderful Wednesday

The Peacemaking discussion began with the question: What is peace? Alex Winnett, UUA Advocacy Office rep and peace studies graduate offered this, "It is not an absence of conflict but an absence of violence. Violence is an action that imposes on another's economic, emotional, physical, or spiritual wellbeing" Alex admitted we will always have conflict but suggested we have the intention of choosing to learn from conflict. We talked about the importance of peace s/heroes and cultivating inner peace for outer peace. Go to www.org/csai for the latest on the peacemaking study/action issue.

Oct 5, 7:30 pm First Friday Freedom Film

West Bank Story and Seeds of Peace
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Two Filmmakers' Perspectives on Hope for the Future If you are like most people, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict seems like a war without end. But there is hope, if only we can help both factions to "walk in each other's shoes." Learn how, through two short productions: West Bank Story (which won the Oscar for best short film) and Seeds of Peace.