Sunday, March 14th, 6:30-8:30pm – What is the role of nuclear weapons in today’s world? What are the prospects for disarmament? What, if anything, has changed with the Obama administration? What threats do nuclear weapons that already exist pose? What are the current nuclear weapons issues in the Middle East? Our speaker, Andrew Lichterman is a well-known lawyer, scholar, and activist on nuclear disarmament issues joining us from San Francisco. Hosted by ICPJ’s Common Ground for Peace in Israel/Palestine and NOW: No Weapons, No War Groups. 6:30 potluck; 7:00pm presentation followed by discussion. Temple Beth Emeth/ St. Clare’s Episcopal (2309 Packard St., Ann Arbor). For more information, call (734) 663-1870 or email info@icpj.net. Free and open to the public. Join us!

Saturday, March 20, noon–March 20 marks 7 years of war in Iraq. Join Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and Michigan Peaceworks that Saturday to call for peace. While the troop reductions in Iraq are a good step, we need grassroots voices like yours to keep up the pressure to continue to return Iraq to Iraqis and redirect money spent on the military to help rebuild Iraq and the United States economy. We’ll gather on March 20 at noon by the intersection of East University and S. University (across from the School of Social Work) for an time to sing out and speak out for peace in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information please contact me at 734-663-1870 or chuck@icpj.net or Anne Garcia with Michigan Peaceworks at (734) 645-8470 or awgarcia@wccnet.edu.

2010 ICPJ Annual Meeting – “Many Issues, Many People, One Movement: Building a Diverse and Effective Movement For Progressive Change.”

Sunday, March 21st, 6:30 P.M. – Connect with other members of the peace community, hear what the local peace movement has accomplished through ICPJ in the past year, and get inspired for social justice! Enjoy great food and a presentation by Bill Wylie-Kellermann, a United Methodist pastor who has served city parishes in Detroit and is currently pastor at St. Peters Episcopal Church in Detroit. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York City, Wylie-Kellermann is also a frequent contributor to Sojourners and other publications, often on topics framed biblically by “the principalities and powers.” 6:30pm Dessert Reception; 7:00p.m Business meeting; 7:45pm Program. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (1501 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor). Open to the public, voting limited to current ICPJ members. Become a member today by donating online at www.icpj.net. Questions? (734) 663-1870 or info@icpj.net.

Faith & Food Kick-Off Meeting

Monday, March 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm — Faith and Food is back for the 2010 growing season! Faith and Food assists congregations in growing community gardens to fight local hunger.  Come to our kick-off meeting on March 22 to hear from past participants, get all the information you need to get growing, and sign up your congregation for this year’s Faith & Food program! Memorial Christian Church (730 Tappan, Ann Arbor). Light dinner will be served. Questions? Call 734-663-1870 or melihe@umich.edu. Free and open to the public.

Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine: What are Effective Strategies?

Thursday, March 25th, 7-8:30pm – How can people in the faith communities in our area be most effective in advocating for a peace and justice in Israel/Palestine? Join us to discuss three very different strategies being pursued by various groups within the faith community in Ann Arbor. A panel of presenters will discuss 1) building alliances with Israeli-Palestinian peace groups on the ground,  2) supporting the J-Street “Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace” approach of seeking to change the direction of U.S. policy and to broaden the public and policy debate in the U.S. about the Middle East, and 3) promoting economic sanctions against Israel. What are the pros and cons of each of these strategies? How can we from SE Michigan really make a difference? Free and open to the public. 7pm. Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church (1717 Broadway Street). Check www.icpj.net for more information.

ICPJ Benefit Concert Featuring Charlie King and Karen Brandow, with opening act Joe Reilly

Sunday, April 11, 7:00pm — Charlie King and Karen Brandow will be performing a benefit concert for ICPJ at Temple Beth Emeth/St. Clare’s Episcopal Church on April 11 at 7 pm.  Charlie and Karen have a strong local following, and have been loyal supporters of the annual gatherings at Fort Benning.  Their concerts are always a wonderful blend of Charlie’s own songs along with covers of both classics and new material from songwriters all around the country.  An excellent way to re-energize ourselves for our ongoing work for peace, justice and equality.  Regular tickets are $15, benefactor tickets are $50, and we encourage folks to consider taking out ads in our concert program.  Call 734-663-1870 or email info@icpj.net if you want to get on the list for advance tickets or take out a program ad.

School of the Americas/WHINSEC Lobby Days in D.C.

Sunday, April 18th-Monday, April 19th - Each November, ICPJ’s Latin America Task Force organizes labor leaders, students, faith community members, veterans, families, and others to take a bus to Ft. Benning, Georgia, to protest the School of the Americas/WHINSEC for the human rights abuses committed by its graduates. This April, we’ll take our protest to Congress. Delegates from Michigan will carpool/fly/train to D.C. to lobby our elected officials demanding that the school be closed. You can join us for this important mission! Join us! Click here to fill out a registration form and learn more about trip logistics. Questions: contact Grace at ICPJ (734) 663-1870 or gracek@icpj.net.

U.S. Social Forum in Detroit

June 22-June 26 – ICPJ’s organizing individuals, congregations, and organizations to get to the the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit! The USSF will convene social movements from across the United States and globally. Connect with others concerned about peace and justice; learn about improving social conditions from our community to Detroit to New York to California. The USSF will take place June 22-26, 2010 at Cobo Hall and Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit. Read more about this very exciting effort at http://www.ussf2010.org/. Sign up your congregation, load up the vans, and be a part of this exciting grassroots movement for peace and justice!