- An Open Letter on Stealing from Soldiers

12 May 2008

An Open Letter to PSR Students, Faculty, Staff, and Other Community Members;

Last week, we, the members of Seminarians to End War (SEW), began to collect the items for our final care package for our “adopted” soldier serving in Iraq, from the donation box in the Holbrook lobby. To our deep disappointment, we found that items we ourselves had placed in the box were no longer there. That is, some member(s) of the PSR community had stolen these items from the donation box.

This theft calls for community-wide repentance.

A systemic analysis of this theft reveals that the Holbrook Lobby may be more like the Oval Office than most of us would like. Perhaps PSR is willing to continue the Bush Administration’s pattern of irresponsibility and its eagerness to deny US soldiers the human comforts that would seem to be deserved by anyone suffering the inhumane treatment of the US military.

Unlike during wars of our parents’ and grandparents’ generation, today’s US Americans have not been asked to sacrifice to help the “war effort” in Iraq. John McCain, George W. Bush, and other Republicans “hawks” who initiated this war have blocked the latest G.I. Bill, which would provide veterans with adequate care and provide soldiers with adequate safety equipment. This care would be too generous, they argue. Taking the past week’s events here at PSR as an example of citizen opinion, they might be correct. Some of us seem unwilling to sacrifice even a candy bar – which we did not even buy – for others.

Perhaps we have not made clear enough that these care packages are not part of the war effort, but instead part of our peace effort. We see how the war’s effects do not take place only abroad on the front lines of battle. The repercussions of war resound for decades in the lives of all who experience it. Currently, hundreds of veterans attempt suicide every month; this is part of the travesty of war that those who wage it would rather we did not know. As faith leaders who work for peace, we choose to know this – and to act to ameliorate this sin. By supporting the mental and spiritual health of one soldier, we are helping end part of the war being waged on the battlefront of his very soul.

This was theft not only from our friend in service in Iraq. It was also theft from all the members of the PSR community who have been donating what they can afford.

We have another chance to rectify the damage of this theft. We have postponed sending out our final care package, in order to gather more candy, snacks, and other items. If you took any items from the donation box, we invite you to donate at least as much as you took. If you did not take the items, but would like to contribute toward the care package, we invite you to join us in supporting “our” service person and we thank you for taking part in this peace effort. Please place your donations in the box by Friday, May 16th.

May we all confess our complicity in the many layers of war’s sin.

Blessings of peace and healing,
the members of Seminarians to End War, Sow Peace (SEW Peace)

- We Have the Power –

– Americans and Iraqis Can Vote Directly to End the War

If we begin to act now, we can place initiatives against the war on the ballots of as many as thirty states in the November election (and many more cities and counties), and give over half the American people the opportunity to vote to end the Iraq War.  This will be the best way to elect a pro-peace majority in Congress and successfully pressure the next president to bring all the troops home. 

We can also support the Iraqi people in their democratic, nonviolent efforts for peace, including a possible national referendum in Iraq on ending the U.S. occupation.  A U.S. withdrawal from Iraq in response to such a democratic vote will greatly reduce support for terrorist groups and the threat of terrorism. 
In California, it is too late to put an anti-war initiative on the state ballot, but if the twenty-nine cities and four counties that have passed resolutions against the war simply place initiatives on local ballots, 25 percent of the voters of this state can vote on ending the war.  If we organize more broadly, we can reach even more voters. 

Please come to the meeting to plan a campaign to place anti-war initiatives on city and county ballots throughout California, and in states and cities across the nation: 

Thursday evening, February 21, 7-9 PM

Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1606 Bonita (Cedar and Bonita)

Fireside Room (upstairs)

Iraq Initiatives Project, a project of the Ecumenical Peace Institute

initiatepeace <at> yahoo.com       

- One way to see Jesus

A friend, Esther Ho, passed on the link to this image. To read about the image, click here to visit the host blog by Greg Boyd.

- Progress on international debt reduction

Meighan Pritchard and I had a great visit to Representative Barbara Lee’s office on October 17, 2007. After several frustrating weeks trying to grab the attention of the Oakland office staff, our meeting with Saundra Andrews, Director of Constituent Services actually sent us home with the tambourines. Saundra has promised to schedule an on campus (yes – here at PSR) appearance for Representative Lee while she is in the Bay area during the next Congressional break.

That gives our SEWPeace and Peace Week community an opportunity to raise the dual issues of ending funding for the war machine AND raising awareness of the implications of oppressive debt (international as well as domestic). I suggested that Rep. Lee try to schedule her visit for a Tuesday during the lunch hour so that we could have a larger contingent of students, faculty, and staff. We are most likely looking at a date in mid November to early December. I will keep you posted!

The other good news is that the companion Jubilee bill was introduced in the Senate on Tuesday, October 16, 2007.

- Pictures from Peace Week 2007!

Check out our page of pictures and reflections from PSR’s Peace Week 2007 by clicking here.

- Peace Week Events!

Peace Week at the Pacific School of Religion
September 17-21, 2007

Coordinated by PSR students and PSR Peace Particles
(Seminarians to End War and Sow Peace, a.k.a. SEW Peace)
All events are free and open to the public.
For more information, please contact sewpeace <at> gmail.com.

Schedule of Events for Education, Witness, and Action

All Week Growing Art Piece on PSR Quad

Monday

12:30 pm – Mudd Building Consecration of the Art, with music and free peace T-shirts

Tuesday
PSR Chapel Service 11:10 am, PSR Chapel — Luke 16:1-13, “Drop the Debt, not Bombs” – Robyn Morrison, preaching

Wednesday
Taize Worship 7:30 pm, PSR Chapel

Thursday
Healing Prayer Worship Service 6:30 pm, PSR Chapel — Psalm 79

Thursday-Friday
24-Hour Peace Pray-in Buckham Chapel – 6:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Friday – International Day of Prayer for Peace
Peace Teach-in – all workshops take place in the Mudd Building
10:30 am – Workshops:
1. Pastoral Care for Veterans, with VA Hospital Chaplain Carolyn Talmadge
2. Peace for Israel and Palestine, with the Network of Spiritual Progressives’ Nichola Torbett
3. Rebecca Ann Parker sermon, “Theological Education in a Time of Wars,” podcast and discussion
1:30 pm – Workshops:
1. Veterans for Peace, with Ted Arrindal and other PSR veterans
2. Creative Writing for Peace, led by Christina Hutchins
3. ENGAGE Training, with Pace e Bene trainers Ryan Baum and Robyn Morrison (session runs 1:30-4:30 pm)
3:00 pm – Workshops:
1. Peace Pilgrim – movies and discussion, led by Sheryl Butler
2. “Ground Truth” – movie about the Iraq war, hosted by James Leveque

Public Panel 6:30 pm – PSR Bade Museum, “Resisting Imperial Peace: Theological Reflections”

Worship Service 8:30 pm – PSR Quad, Preaching by Lynice Pinkard of First Congregational Church of Oakland, “There is a Balm in Gilead”
Party for the Peaceful 9:30 pm – Mudd 100

- New Film Resource About Soldiers Who ‘Disobey’…

… or obey a higher calling, that is.

Ian Slattery, the Associate Producer of this film, got in touch with us about how to connect his film and our peace week. It sounds like some interesting stuff:

“Hi SEW folks!

I’m contacting you about our documentary film, SOLDIERS OF CONSCIENCE, and your Peace Week. Here’s a link to our 2-minute trailer: http://www.socfilm.com

We’re local – based in North Berkeley – and would love to share some info about our film with folks gathered at your events. For instance, we have two upcoming screenings of the film at the Mill Valley Film Festival. In addition, we’re always seeking to build relationships with faith leaders of all denominations in order to make the film available as a useful resource for religious communities across the country.

Many thanks for the work you are doing – and for considering this request!”

- NCC Resources for the Day of Prayer for Peace

To download the National Council of Churches’ four-page poster for the 2007 International Day of Prayer for Peace, which include prayers, history, and action suggestions, click here.

- A Little of Our History

Check out Kim’s new report on the founding of our SEW Peace Particular Group, at the top of the “Join Us” page. And while you’re at it, check out some updates on the “Events” page, the “Resources” page, the “Multitude” page… okay, maybe just everything! I’ve been busy here!  (Peace from Audrey)

- Week of Peace!

LOOK OUT for..

PEACE WEEK at PSR!

September 17-21, 2007

…and other peace & justice actions!

Coordinated by PSR students and PSR Peace Particles

GET INVOLVED!

Contact sewpeace <at> gmail.com

 

And click for more details…here!