Adelphi

distributes annually $10,000 to local non-Quaker charities and peace/civil rights advocacy groups.  Adelphi  published an ad in an Arabic language newspaper, signed by 55 Friends Meetings, stating that American Quakers oppose the war and the torture at Abu Graib and Guantanamo. 

 

Alexandria

distributed $5,500 to Quaker organizations and community groups.  A presentation for Adult Religious Education is provided monthly and a HIPP workshop was co-held with Children's Religious Education.  Members met with delegates and senators regarding the Virginia. Death penalty and resumed vigils on the eve of state executions.  An ad hoc committee on same gender issues was formed and the Same Gender Marriage Minute approved by the Meeting; it has been recommended that the ad hoc become a standing committee.

 

Baltimore, Homewood

continues to respond to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  On-going Friday night peace vigils were organized.  Homewood and Stony Run co-sponsored a public film series.  Homewood co-sponsored a "Voices of Dissent" concert and presentations at Johns Hopkins U.  Sharon Fried was an election observer in El Salvador with the Meeting's sanction.  Stan Becker and Claire Twose organized a Tax Day Witness; over 1,000 fliers were handed out illustrating how much of the federal budget goes to war and war-related activities.  Letters were sent to Congress expressing concern over the domestic and foreign policy impact of the Iraq war and to Gov. Ehrlich regarding the legality of same-sex marriages.  Activities were hosted to ascertain FCNL priorities.  Through a budget of $30,000 and wicker basket collections, the committee supported Quaker activities promoting peace and justice at home and abroad.  Monies that went to FUM:lugulu and FUM:Ramallah were re-directed to AIDS Africa and Ramallah Friends Meeting.  Other recipients were U.S.Campaign to Ban Landmines, CeaseFire Maryland, Cloud Forest School (Costa Rica), Shepherd's Clinic, Quaker House (Fayetteville, NC), Casa de los Amigos (Mexico City), U. of Fondwa (Haiti), AIDS Interfaith Residential Services, and Manna House.  David Green continues to deliver food to VIVA House.

 

Baltimore, Stony Run

sponsored two film series on issues of war and peace and social justice, a project that grew out of a called Meeting for Worship in response to distress over the Iraq war in which a Peace Actions Minute was written.  Some 1600 "War is not the answer" yard signs were printed and distributed through AFSC.  A forum/workshop focused on "War prevention works:  50 Stories of people resolving conflicts."  Copies of the documentary "Uncovered:  the whole truth about the Iraq war" were given to the U.S. representatives and senators.  A minute on truth telling and the importance of educating on peaceful alternatives to the current "defense" strategy was sent to BYM and over 200 Meetings.  A Poets for Peace poetry reading raised $189 for social justice projects.  The January retreat clarified the importance of starting from our spiritual center and the committee affirmed that peace work has to remain spiritual practice and be joyful.

 

Bethesda

hosted AFSC country representatives in Iraq at an evening meeting and met with Rep. Chris Van Hollen and Sen. Paul Sarbanes concerning the war in Iraq and the issue of torture, urging co-sponsorship of the SMART Security Platform for the 21st Century.  Bethesda sponsored a talk by Joyce Ajlouni, head of Ramallah Friends Schools, Jim Matlack's report from the 2002 AFSC delegation to the region, and supported an evening forum by "Three Women from Jerusalem."  Health care reform, FCNL priorities, voter registration, and the interfaith housing coalition walkathon received attention.  The Center for Constitutional Rights was added to the groups receiving Peace and Justice Giving, and a budget was set to build Kenyan orphanage for children of AIDS victims.

 

Goose Creek

sent winter clothing to the Rosebud People (Lakota Nation) in South Dakota, provided weekly Alternatives to Violence sessions at the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), facilitated a "train the trainer" weekend for the Meeting and JDC employees, lobbied alternatives to the death penalty, organized sharing sessions and film presentations for the Meeting, provided funds for those affected by the Iraqi war and southeast Asian tsunami via AFSC, and gave to numerous groups.

 

Herndon

wrote legislators during monthly potluck, collected bicycles for Pedals for Progress, assembled bag lunches for the homeless, lobbied state Legislature about the death penalty, sponsored a spare-change collection children forward to a charity of their choice, sold holiday ornaments to benefit the Medical Care for Children Partnership, and supported an interfaith work day and Habitat for Humanity. 

 

Little Falls

donated money to local assistance groups and Friends organizations.  First Day education discussions on peace topics included the Sudan crisis and Arundhati Roy, Indian author of The God of Small Things." Dr. Mahmud Thamer spoke on "Reflections of an Iraqi-American." The committee and elementary-school-aged Meeting members took part in the Heifer Project's "Read to Feed" Program. A "Sow the Seeds of Peace" sign was erected in front of the Meeting.

 

Maury River's

renamed Peace and Justice Committee did civil disobedience at Rep. Goodlatte's Roanoke office, trying to defuse the Iraq war, and collected health and infant care kits and donated to AFSC for Iraq relief once the war started.  The Meeting sent contributed to Codepink/Global Exchange for relief efforts with Fallujah refugees.  Weekly contributions are collected for AFSC relief work in Iraq.  The committee wrote Congress and the media supporting SMART legislation.  They worked on voter registration.  One committee member applied to be a member and peaceful presence on the local Selective Service Board.  Members held a two-day workshop by Chuck Fager on the "Peace Testimony" and heard from AFSC-MAR director Mark Lancaster and Barbara Ginzburg, Bob and Susie Fetter on FCNL.  Activities included protecting Moore's Creek Watershed in Rockbridge Co., promoting HIPP program, opposing the death penalty, helping the local food pantry, supporting YF's simple meals for Heifer Project, a booth at the local community festival and a lighted peace crane float in the Lexington holiday parade.

 

Midlothian

Friends distributed $17,530 in proceeds from their thrift shop to 13 charities and non-profits.  A series of Quaker Forums were initiated on racial equality, Vote 2004, homophobia and modern day slavery. And an information table was organized on conscientious objection status for a community peace festival.

 

Patapsco

provides monthly meals at a homeless shelter. Members also provide speakers from social justice/peace organizations and information from FCNL.  Members are exploring participating in an emerging IAF organization and responses to potential reinstitution of a military draft.

 

Sandy Spring

Peace Committee has joint oversight with Social Concerns for distribution of $10,000 annually.  The Peace Committee presents Peace Awards in memory of Lee Stern to deserving high school students in Montgomery County.  Money is raised by an annual white elephant sale.  The Committee hosted Malesi Kinaro of Kenya who spoke on behalf of African Great Lakes Initiative and Jean Zaru, Clerk of Ramallah Friends Meeting.  Graham Johnson told about his visit to Bolivia and the Quaker Bolivia Link; Judith Simmons spoke of her Witness for Peace trip to Cuba. 
 
Members main focus is providing discussion leaders on conscientious objection to the Meeting's YF's.  Gini Floyd and Bette Hoover facilitated a workshop on non-violence and creating beloved community.  Two networking days for BYM P&SC clerks were hosted.  Donations are collected weekly for AFSC relief work in Iraq.  A March 12 coffee house/concert featuring Richard Broadbent and Jesse Palidofsky will benefit Iraq relief.

[For the full texts and list of committee clerks contact Mary Ellen Atkinson.]