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.

UPDATE: We’ve completed this process. You can read the responses here.

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