By Chuck Warpehoski

Cover the Uninsured Week hits close to me, because I’ve been there.

In 2001-2002, my wife, Nancy, did a year of volunteer service through Lutheran Volunteer Corps. While volunteer service is a great way to learn how to live on the cheap and to explore issues of faith, justice, and simplicity, it doesn’t provide you with a financial cushion for when you leave the program. Continue Reading »

Yesterday the Interfaith Roundtable of Washtenaw County hosted a forum exploring religious healing traditions. Four of the six presenters included song in their demonstrations, launched a powerful discussion about the role of prayer, song, and imagery in healing and change.

The theories and perspectives were widely varied, ranging from the quantum mechanics as it relates to spiritual energy to the power of hypnosis.

Whatever the theory, many participants affirmed their traditions teach that songs and prayers and chants can have an effect on the world, even if that’s only to change the one who prays, sings, or chants.

These actions have power.

Which raises a question, if our songs of peace and prayers for healing do have an effect, what is the effect every Superbowl and Michigan football game when we sing about the “rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air”?

And how should we respond?

I know some peace activists who refuse to stand for the national anthem at sports events, and I’ve been to peace marches that started with the national anthem to show that peace is patriotic.

How do we work for peace and pray for justice in a nation that sings about war?

Please share your thoughs in the comments below.

ICPJ’s Hunger Task Force host the May “Dinner and a Movie,” a film series designed to build community, educate about current issues, and motivate action.

When: Thursday, May 24. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., movie at 7:00, followed by a community discussion.

Where: Memorial Christian Church, 730 Tappan, Ann Arbor.

How much: Free and open to the public. Donations accepted.

What: Deconstructing Supper is an eye-opening journey into the billion dollar battle to control global food production. Starting with a gourmet meal in his five-star restaurant, Chef John Bishop travels the world, on a personal quest to find out what our food choices are today. From North America to Great Britain to India and back, Bishop meets scientist and activists with opposing views on genetic engineering, journalist and farmers who have experienced the might of giant biotech corporations and organic farmers in India who are fighting to preserve the natural biodiversity of crops. This video is a trip every eater will want to take, a journey into the revolution in modern food production and its effects on our lives.

What to bring: Feel free to bring a dish to share (but it is not required).

RSVPs Requested: email jason@icpj.net or call 734-663-1870

Yesterday (April 10, 2007), the ICPJ Board of Directors approved a new process for launching new programs, evaluating exiting ones, and thoughtfully allocating our resources among ICPJ programs.

You can read about the process here. You can also download the New Program Application and Program Self Evaluation (Word document). Continue Reading »

By Jason Crosby, ICPJ program coordinator

[NOTE: Jason closed the ICPJ Annual Meeting on March 22 by inviting participants to participate in this call-and-response litany]

Leader: This work is hard.  It is demanding and time consuming.  But, it must be done.  Will we recommit ourselves to working for peace and justice?

We will. Continue Reading »

From the ICPJ Annual Meeting on March 25, approved by the ICPJ Board on April 10.

You can also read the notes from the 2007 Annual Meeting Breakout Group Notes (word document).

Continue Reading »