DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND-I hear that great things
are happening with the PF and on the AU campus!
Congratulations!
My visa has been approved and I'm starting a new position, working to bring victims
of the Troubles-former paramilitaries, former British soldiers, and victims of
State or paramilitary violence, etc.-together to dialogue. Also, I'll be starting
work on a master's degree in Irish History and Politics. So I'll be a busy girl,
but I'm very much interested in doing what I can to support the PF from Northern
Ireland. Please let me know if there is anything I can do from this part of the
world to contribute to the work you are doing.
-SARA COOK
MIAMI, FL-We made it through the hot, humid summer, and are enjoying winter, the
ideal time of the year here.
Our kids have made the transition into the overcrowded school systems. 98 new
students arrive each day-mostly from outside the country. Some high schools are
going to two shifts-a morning group and an afternoon group. Many kids come knowing
no English, but seem to catch up quickly.
School quality varies according to area, community resources and parental involvement.
I pray for my kids, their teachers, and administrators every day.
The Kendall congregation is making the transition from the long-term, fruitful
pastorate of Rev. Dan Harden. We're enjoying getting acquainted with wonderful
Caribbean people who represent 60% of the constituency. The church includes over
40 nationalities, which makes for rich experiences. This pastorate calls for good
communication, inclusiveness, and sensitivity. We are trying to reach the next
level of Christ's call to do the work of reconciliation. Blessings,
-BILL AND DEBBIE FERGUSON
BANGKOK, THAILAND-Congratulations to Maurice and Dondeena Caldwell on the honors
bestowed by A.U. in May. We are very glad for their faithful work and for this
recognition.
We have moved from Switzerland to Thailand. I am still with the International
Labor Organization. My husband John is finding his way in the export labor market.
Cory and Jasper are enjoying their new school and learning Thai.
My parents, Rev. Cecil and Annette Evans, of Littleton, CO, enjoyed being in Anderson
for A.U. Homecoming.
Enclosed are our PF membership dues, a second mile contribution, and another gift
to the AU Peacemaking Fund.
-CHRIS EVANS-KLOCK
ARLINGTON, VA-Thank you for sending the collection of PF Newsletters, the Peacemaking
Fund pamphlet, and the brief historical sketch of COG peace heritage. The material
was helpful in my research.
I am happy to be a member of the COGPF. I planned to attend the PF conferences
last June, but could not. The members of the PF Steering Committee are national
treasures.
I have come to my pacifism late in life. I grew up in the shadow of Washington
during the Vietnam war. The excesses of the peace movement at that time turned
me away from peace and justice work. But I have gradually come to see that war
never has been God's method for extending his kingdom. Therefore I am trying to
increase my knowledge of COG historical material and our pioneer peacemakers.
-REV. DALE DAWSON
CAMROSE, ALBERTA, CANADA-Greetings, COGPF! I admire the Steering Committee's leadership
in the peace movement. And I commend you for the superb quality of the Newsletters.
Recent articles by Bishop Tutu and Kay Shively were most insightful and courageously
written.
I keep in touch with Siegfried Pudel. He is quite zealous and has a vision for
starting a COGPF in Canada.
It's interesting to watch and listen to our Canadian politicians, whose country
is committed to being a peacekeeper, trying to keep friendship with the U.S. while
not wanting to be involved in war. When your country shares the longest unarmed
border in the world with a superpower, when your country borders three oceans,
and when your country's defense depends on the superpower, then you really are
between a rock and a hard place.
Research shows that the city of Toronto has more ethnic groups than any other
city on earth. And surprisingly they live in relative peace. Can Toronto serve
as a microcosm of the whole world?
Hurrah for Scott Kerr and the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Colombia, Iraq, and
Israel/Palestine! We are proud of the senior citizens on the PF Advisory Council,
but it's Scott's generation that is blazing new trails of reconciliation and peacemaking.
We pray for them and are encouraged to see them put their lives on the line for
Jesus and his kingdom of peace.
-Robert J. Hazen
ANDERSON, IN-We thank Heidi Freer-Fry for sharing with PF Newsletter readers the
wonderful drawing by her 4-year-old son, Thad. He is an artist and a winner!
Yes, we want to be peacemakers, and we enclose our annual membership contribution,
and a second mile gift, and a check for the AU Peacemaking Fund.
-VIRGIL AND ALICE ROBOLD
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI-Yes, we want to be among the peacemakers who will be called
children of God. We enclose our membership contribution and a gift to the AU Peacemaking
Fund in Memory of Rev. Ernest H. Gross, Jr.
As we write this, there is much unrest and turmoil in Port-au-Prince. Please pray
for a positive resolution to the current government crisis. Blessings,
-JOHN AND JODIE ACKERMAN
ANDERSON, IN-Our hearts are with you all the way for the AU Peacemaking Fund!
We're happy that Lilly is doubling each contribution, large or small. We appreciate
you, and your dedication to most worthy causes! Dondeena's columns in The Herald
Bulletin (Anderson newspaper) are clipped regularly and sent to siblings. God
bless!
-WALT AND MARY MILLER
PORTLAND, OR-We continue to promote the Peace Fellowship whenever we can, and
appreciate the valuable sessions during the COG North American Convention. We
enclose our membership fee and a Second Mile contribution.
-MONICA AND DALE MONROE
LAKE WALES, FL-Dear PF Friends, we don't want to miss the opportunity to make
a Peacemaking Fund contribution that will be matched by the Lilly Endowment. We
are so thankful for your tremendous leadership and the wonderful results. The
PF is a blessing to many. In Christ,
-BOB AND FRAN CLARK
DELAWARE, OH-Hello, Peacemakers! We are pleased to make this contribution to the
AU Peacemaking Fund in honor of our dear friends Christie and Stan Stephens. Thank
you all for your work and commitment to these efforts!
-TERRI AND RANDY LITCHFIELD
FISHERS, IN-I have been reading Dondeena's book, Amazon Adventures, and upon Dr.
Reardon's advice in the Introduction, I am taking my time with it. A delightful
account, I hope it reaches the hands of many people of goodwill as it promotes
the idea of nonviolent resolution of conflict at all levels. Enclosed is a contribution
for the AU Peacemaking Fund. God bless you in your work.
-LUZ POORE
ANDERSON, IN-Thanks for all you do to promote peace in our world. We are sending
$500 to the AU Peacemaking Fund in memory of Jane's parents, Don and Betsy Ritchey.
God bless your work.
-JACK AND JANE SAMUELS
OMAHA, NE-The PF Newsletter is so refreshing! Thank you for your efforts over
the years. I think of Mack and Irene Caldwell often, and especially Dr. Mack,
outside the classroom. I remember the Good Earth Camp, splitting shakes for the
log cabin, and eating poached eggs. I became part of Volunteers for Missions at
Warner Pacific College because they just drew me in. Their fire for Christ and
missions sparked something in my life for sure that smoldered for several years.
It's a small world after all. God bless you!
-RAY AND NINA MARTIN
ELMORE, OH-Merl and I are so very grateful for the PF Newsletters. We took
copies with us on our last two trips to visit my family in England and Wales.
Recent issues have been great and it is heart warming to know so many other
Christians see the supreme wisdom of the teachings of Christ. Our prayers are
particularly with the young peacemakers who are placing their very lives "on
the line." We pray also for their parents and families.
-JOAN (LARMOUR) KARDATZKE
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