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Now that the war with Iraq no longer continuously dominates our news
sources, it may be easy for us to go on with life as usual. It is possible
to leave our anxiety, concern and passion for peacemaking slip into the
background. Yet we know that peacemaking is not seasonal and life for
the people of Iraq is far from ‘normal'. How can we live in our part
of the global village so that there is an increased understanding of the
words of Michel Sabbah? (See prayer request from the Middle East.) ‘Without
forgiveness and without God's presence among men (and women), death will
lead only to death, and war will only produce war and terrorism. One cannot;
under any pretext, build a new world order while starting with the demolition
of the human person in it.' May our response be to live daily with the
greatest commandment, ‘Love the Lord our God with my heart, mind,
soul and strength, and my neighbor as myself.' Matt. 22:37-40 ~LHN [top] The possibility of a draft will be discussed throughout the day's events. Groups or individuals are welcome to come during the week as well. For more information and to inform the MCC Washington Office of your plans call (202) 544-6564. Consider participating in a MCC Great Lakes sponsored learning tour to Colombia, South America, November 7-19. Some of the goals for this learning tour include meeting MCC workers, learning about the MCC Colombia program, interacting with Colombian Mennonite Church partners, learning through stories, visits, reflections and discussions about the social, political and economic realities and the impact of U.S. foreign policy towards Colombia. Particpants will be challenged and encouraged by the faithful witnesss of sisters and brothers and will be encouraged to share from their experiences in their church and other settings after they return home. Participation costs are approximately $1,500-1,600. If you would like more information, please call the MCC Great Lakes Kidron office: (330)857-7721. Enough for All; Sustainable Living in a Global World- How do we live sustainably in a world that is moving toward a single global economy built on free market capitalism and free trade? How can we build a human economy that is environmentally sustainable, just, and honors all of God's creation? This conference June 20-23, 2003 at Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, will be of interest to individuals and congregational groups who are interested in addressing issues of social justice and environmental sustainability. For more information contact Cassandra Carmichael at cassandra@toad.net or visit www.webofcreation.org/ncc If you want to travel, here is an opportunity or send this information on to folks you know in the Seattle, Washington area. When the Saints Go Marchin'; Peace
Gathering, July 1-3, 2003 in Taccoa Falls, GA. A peace gathering
for everyone interested in peace and justice! Held in conjunction with
Atlanta 2003 at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center. Mennonite Conciliation Services, Mennonite Central Committee Office on
Crime and Justice and Eastern University are sponsoring a Summer
Mediation and Restorative Justice Training Institute, July
13-18, 2003 at the National Christian Latinos Unidos: Realizing the Promise: The League of United Latin American Citizens invites you to participate in the 74th Annual LULAC National Convention & Exposition, Latinos Unidos: Realizing the Promise to be held in Orlando, Florida from June 16 through June 21, 2003. Enjoy- Outstanding Speakers & Seminars:Local and national political leaders, celebrities and Presidential candidates address participants during a week of exciting events and informative seminars. Free Admission. This event includes the following: Exposition, Career & College Fair: Over
200 companies, federal agencies, and colleges showcase job opportunities
and services. Bring your resumes and be ready to interview, or get a head-start
and e-mail your resumes by May 15th, 2003 to: Youth & Young Adults Conference: Featuring 3 days of workshops on education, career opportunities and leadership. On Friday, federal agencies will discuss scholarships, internships, & employment. Free Admission. Federal Training Institute: An intensive and structured career development training program for government employees conducted in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S.D.A. Graduate School. Presidential Candidates Forum: The 2004 Presidential candidates will present their views on issues of importance to the Hispanic community the afternoon of Friday, June 20, 2003. More information at: http://www.wyndhamevents.com/palace/lulac30.htm The 2003 National Conference of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty will take place October 16-19, 2003, at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. If you plan to attend or need more information please contact the MCC Washington Office. (202) 544-6564. Lombard Mennonite Peace Center has training
events planned for the late fall of 2003! MCC Bike Michiana at Amigo Centre, September,
19-21, 2003, Join other bicycle enthusiasts and novices for an enjoyable
experience of pedaling the beautiful lake and farmland region of southern
Michigan and northern Indiana while supporting the mission and service
of Mennonite Central Committee. Terrain is rolling and flat. Fellowship
and worship included. Registration Information/Questions: MCC Bike Michiana
C/O Claude & Margaret Schrock, P.O. Box 129, Grabill, IN 46741, (260)
657-5678, schrockcm@juno.com [top] The Global Economic Justice Packet
from MCC Washington Office covers issues such as U.S. trade policy, international
debt, environmental concerns, development aid and economic sanctions.
Materials in the packet also include biblical reflections, worship resources
and advocacy suggestions. This resource expands coverage of global trade
and its impact on impoverished communities around the world. Individual
packet articles are formatted so they can be separately copied and used
as resources on specific issues. Consider using this resource along side
Sunday School lessons or in small group discussions. To order contact
MCC at (888) 563-4676 or email twk@mcc.org
The cost is $6. Global Family sponsors for Afghanistan - MCC's Global Family Program needs 122 sponsors to support teachers and students at Paghman Primary School in Kabul, Afghanistan. Through Help the Afghan Children, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, Global Family funds will support courses in training teachers, supplement staff salaries at the school and provide school resources. For more information on how you can become a sponsor call (888) 563-4676; or check online, http://www.mcc.org/globalfamily. The current MCC Web site photo gallery features Afghanistan, including students who attend Paghman school. Go to http://www.mcc.org/gallery/03_04/. Relief kits, MCC workers arrive in Baghdad - On April 23, MCC partner
CARE Iraq transported two containers of more than 4,600 MCC relief kits
into Iraq. The kits were expected to arrive in Baghdad April 24, for immediate
distribution to Iraqi families. On April 24, MCC worker Edward Miller
and Church World Service worker Steve Weaver (seconded to MCC) traveled
to Baghdad to follow up on MCC relief work and conduct MCC's first in-country
assessments since the war. Kits for Iraq will continue to be collected
here until May 15. Thanks for what you have already contributed. [top] Issues
for Action: Relief kits, MCC workers arrive in Baghdad - On April 23, MCC partner CARE Iraq transported two containers of more than 4,600 MCC relief kits into Iraq. The kits were expected to arrive in Baghdad April 24, for immediate distribution to Iraqi families. On April 24, MCC worker Edward Miller and Church World Service worker Steve Weaver (seconded to MCC) traveled to Baghdad to follow up on MCC relief work and conduct MCC's first in-country assessments since the war. Kits for Iraq will continue to be collected here until May 15. Thanks for what you have already contributed. For updates, go to http://www.mcc.org/respond/rapid_respond/iraq/. Middle East: Prayer Requests, April 29, 2003, From Alain Epp Weaver; Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the everyday determination shown by Palestinians to celebrate life. On Friday, April 25, a Palestinian lawyer from Jerusalem, Shukri Oudeh, tried to enter Nablus, where he was to marry Maha Khalil, a nurse from Nablus who works in Jerusalem (when she is able to get into the city). Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint refused to allowed Oudeh to pass. After much negotiation with the soldiers, Oudeh and Khalil were allowed to meet, with Khalil's family and with the religious leader conducting the ceremony, in the middle of the checkpoint; it was there at the checkpoint that Oudeh and Khalil were married. Every day, Palestinians like Oudeh and Khalil go about the daily routines of life-going to school, going to the doctor, getting married, giving birth, putting deceased friends and relatives to rest in cemeteries-even as these daily routines become disrupted, or become lengthy ordeals, or become dangerous. Give thanks for this everyday determination. Prayer Request: April 23, 2003, At least 7 Palestinian children have been detained for over three weeks in inhumane temporary detention conditions at Bet El military base just outside Ramallah. Eleven children are living and sleeping in an area of 5 square metres. They are allowed to take a 30 minute break just once a week. The youngest of the children, is 14 years old. DCI has taken affidavits from six of the children, at least two of whom have been subjected to positional torture, or shabeh. None of the children have been allowed to receive family visits. DCI believes that the current situation contravenes numerous international laws concerning the rights of detained children. "No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily.Children shall be treated with humanity and respect and in a manner which takes into account the needs of persons of his or her age". Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 37) DCI/PS therefore urgently calls for an immediate transfer of these child detainees to a detention center which accounts for their needs and complies with international law. BACKGROUND: Munir and Ibrahim (see affidavit below) are just two of the six prisoners who have spoken to DCI/PS about the conditions in Bet El Detention Center. Their affidavits illustrate that this facility is completely unfit for long-term detention, particularly of children. The rooms are extremely small and children and adults are being held together. There is a lack of basic facilities including mattresses and blankets, clothes, books and stationery and decent food. Although this center is supposed to be for temporary detention, all six
children have been detained for at least 3 weeks and some, for over 5
weeks in these inhumane conditions. One of the children has been sentenced
to 4 months imprisonment. But despite this, he is still being held in
the temporary center. Worsening detention conditions can be seen within
the context of a rapid increase in child arrests over the last three years.
Since the beginning of the al-Aqsa intifada, 1650 Palestinian children
have been arrested by the Israeli authorities. Around 320-350 of these
remain in Israeli jails. Although child arrest is meant to be a measure
of last resort, the Israeli authorities arrest, detain and torture children
as a matter AFFIDAVITS: Munir Zahran from Deir Abu-Misha'l, 14 years old,
detained at Bet El temporary detention center. Ibraheem Mohammed Salam ElHajj, 15 years old, Prayer Request, April 16, 2003- As Jews prepare to remember and
celebrate Passover tomorrow, as Western [top] What
You are Doing: Check out www.mcc.org/servicetree for the latest updates. ‘Now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest
of these is love.' I Corinthians 13:13
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