We’re working on having a strategic planning retreat in September, and we want to know where you, our members, would like to see us go.

So please write a brief, 75-word or less, summary of where you would like to see ICPJ in five years in the form below. Read the rest of this entry »

The Ann Arbor Art Fair is July 16-19 this year, and ICPJ is having a booth, and I want you to volunteer.

It’s a great chance to connect with other peace-minded people, spread the justice message through buttons and bumper stickers, and to get more folks involved in ICPJ.

Update: All our slots are filled! We are looking for someone to help with data entry on the Monday or Tuesday after art fair, though. To sign up just call 734-663-1870 or email chuck@icpj.net and tell us when you’re available.

Area congregations have begun to put up banners for torture awareness month. These banners are part of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture’s Banner Across America campaign. See all pictures here.

The Ann Arbor News has also run an article today discussing the banners and torture awareness month. Read the article here.

The banner campaign is the first of many ICPJ campaigns for torture awareness month. Next we will be hosting a dinner and a movie event featuring The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib on June 19th. For more information see our Events page

Over 60 people attended Tuesday’s 1st official Scriptural Reasoning Event on the topic of “how our faith traditions teach us to treat ‘the other, the neighbor, the stranger’,”hosted by the Common Ground for Peace in Israel/Palestine Working Group. The event consisted of:

• a delicious potluck dinner (thank you to those who brought food and to our sponsors: Jerusalem Garden, Oasis Grill, and Sahara Cafe and Grill!);
• three brief presentations on Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scripture (attached below);
• a period of small group dialogue and reflection on the issues presented through scripture.

Thanks to all who attended and to our insightful speakers!

Please join us for Scriptural Reasoning II, “This World and the World to Come: How Our Faiths Balance the Present and the Future,” at Temple Beth Emeth/St. Clare’s Episcopal Church (2309 Packard St.) on Thursday, AUGUST 28th (6:30pm).

Speakers and Scripture

• Aura Ahuvia, Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah & Rabbinic Student, ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal [jewish-scripture1] jewish-scripture-handout]

• Dawud Walid, Executive Director MI chapter, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) &

  Assistant Imam at Masjid Wali Muhammad in Detroit (visit http://dawudwalid.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/scriptural-reasoning-event-in-ann-arbor-last-night/)

• Rev. James Rhodenhiser, Rector at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church (christian-scripture)

NEW: You can now listen to the audio of the presentation here. The audio quality isn’t the best, but the content is great!

ICPJ will be on the radio. Tune into WCBN, 88.3 Ann Arbor on Thursday, June 5 at 6:00 while Charmie Gholson hosts us to talk about the banner campaign for Torture Awareness Month.

You don’t have to wait until the ICPJ print newsletter makes it to your mailbox, you can read our great newsletter right now. (Ahh, the wonders of technology).

You can download the newsletter, (10 mb, pdf), or if you’d like to be added to our print newsletter list, just send your name and address to info@icpj.net

Good food, good company, and a good cause! If you enjoy spending time with friends, like to cook, and support ICPJ’s work, this opportunity is perfect for you. An ICPJ Peace Meal House Party is a fun and effective way to support the mission and continued efforts of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice.

A complete Peace Meal House Party Organizing Guide is available for your use. Download the guide today and start planning your Peace Meal. Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, April 22nd - As we celebrate Earth Day this year, we are reminded to appreciate the beauty and sustenance our earth offers us. But unalterable change is occuring rapidly, and only we can reverse our destructive trends. Take a moment today to consider: what will future Earth Days celebrate if we continue down this path?
 
ICPJ’s working group on Global Warming is taking action, and we invite you to join us! Current involvement/upcoming project ideas are:
• Educational events on climate change
• Environmental awareness-raising through film screenings
• Political action to oppose anti-sustainable legislation 
 
Please join us in this effort! To join the Global Warming group’s efforts, email Jan Wright at janwrigh@umich.edu.
 
**UPCOMING EVENT: Free screening of “The Story of Stuff,” which focuses on the enormous amount of resources we consume and transform into an enormous amount of waste! It calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. Dinner begins at 6:30 PM, movie at 7 PM. Discussion to follow. FREE and open to the public. Located at Memorial Christian Church, 730 Tappan, Ann Arbor. Details: chuck@icpj.net, 734-663-1870.

Join us on April 6th from 5 - 7pm for a benefit shopping event where a portion of the profits go to the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice.

The benefit will take place at Ten Thousand Villages, 303 S Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

Register for a free gift basket! Ten Thousand Villages is also doing a drawing for a free gift basket. Just print out this registration form and turn it in to Ten Thousand Villages during the benefit.

Ten Thousand Villages is a great store. Since 1946 Ten Thousand Villages has supported the work of literally tens of thousands of artisans in over 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, making us one the largest fair trade organizations in North America. Working with more than 100 artisan groups, they purchase fine pieces from craftspeople with whom we have longstanding, nurturing relationships…helping to bring dignity to their lives.

Come to the ICPJ Annual Meeting featuring Nadia Tonova speaking about the Liberty and Justice All Campaign to protect due process rights for immigrants.

When: Sunday, March 30
6:30 Dessert and appetizer potluck reception
7:00 Program
7:45 Business meeting

Where: King of King’s Lutheran Church, 2685 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor.

Who: Nadia Tonova serves as the Advocacy Coordinator for the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS). In this capacity, she oversees the advocacy campaigns and activities of ACCESS and assists in technical assistance on advocacy related issues. She also serves as the Great Lakes Regional Coordinator of the Liberty and Justice for All Campaign, a campaign of the Rights Working Group. Before coming to ACCESS, she worked as the office assistant with the Democratic Communications Office for the Michigan House of Representatives. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Theory from Michigan State University and is currently completing her MA in Near Eastern Studies at Wayne State University.

What: In addition to the presentation on the Liberty and Justice for All Campaign, there will be voting on proposed by-law changes and election of new Steering Committee members.

How: The meeting is free and open to the public, voting during the business meeting is limited to current members only. Membership dues are $25 regular, $10 student low income, and must be paid by March 23. You may pay your membership dues online or by sending a payment to ICPJ, 730 Tappan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

Download and Print the Annual Meeting Flier and help spread the word.