NSP MEETINGS and Other Spiritual Activism

National NSP Conference in DC April 2008 - Plan to attend!

MARYLAND CHAPTER MEETINGS IN OCTOBER

Mon Oct 15, 7:30pm NSP Montgomery/PG/Howard meeting
Paint Branch UU Church - 3215 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-1097
The group will view parts of a film "Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity, Islam" (segments not shows at the shown at the Oct 7 Tents of Abraham event) and will discuss how the values from our own lives/spiritual experiences led us to take action in the world for "the healing of the world". This is a first step in planning our focus for the coming winter/spring, leading up to another national NSP spiritual activism conference in DC April 2007. NSP national organizer, Nichola Torbett is in town briefly and will join us!

Sat 10 AM , Oct 27 Network of Spiritual Progressives meeting in Baltimore
Info email: " jraitzyk AT hotmail DOT com "

Mon Nov 19 7:30 pm - Network of Spiritual Progressives meeting in Adelphi MD
3215 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-1097
DIRECTIONS: http://www.pbuuc.org/info/directions/index.html
www.nspmaryland.org and www.spiritualprogressives.org
info 443-803-8546 or nspmaryland@gmail.com

EVENTS NSP MD Chapters are Co-Sponsoring

Sun Oct 7 , 1:30 to 5:00pm, Interfaith Gathering - Tents of Abraham
At: Friends (Quaker) Meeting of Washington, 2111 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 Interfaith Celebration: Segments of film "Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity, Islam" shown and Jewish, Christian, Muslim speakers lead discussions to mark the the close convergence this year of holy days from 3 major world religions, Judaism, Christianity,and Islam.See flyer here.

Sun Oct 14, 2007 - 3:30-7 PM Under the Tent of Abraham 2007 -An Interfaith Gathering for Peace - Free, all welcome
Stony Run Friends Meeting House, 5116 North Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218
PROGRAM: Panel Discussion (Jewish, Christian, Muslim participation)
"Tent of Abraham" Interfaith Prayer Service (Jewish, Christian, Muslim prayer leaders)
Shared Food and Drink to Break Ramadan Fast (sunset) & Final (Evening) Prayer
See Pax Christi Baltimore website www.paxchristibaltimore.org/ and flyer here.

Oct 7 4-6 PM Baltimore Interfaith Peace Service & Witness (This is part of national Interfaith Peace Witness and Oct 8 Fast for Peace in Iraq - see below)
First and Franklin Presbyterian Church Park Avenue and Madison Street Baltimore, MD, Info here and flyer here.
Mon, Oct 8, 2007 Interfaith Fast and Prayers for Peace (Dawn to Dusk)
Gather to break the fast at Washington Monument in Baltimore at 6pm . See flyer with more information here INFO: Gary Gillespie 410 323-7200x21 ggillespie@afsc.org

NATIONAL ACTIVISM NSP ENDORSES

Interfaith Fast for Peace to End the War in Irqa on October 7, 2007

• http://christianpeacewitness.org/interfaithfast and
• www.shalomctr.org/node/1270

Cancel Debt Fast (Jubilee USA, Sept 6 to Oct 15, 2007)

Iraq Moratorium - 3rd Fri of every month, Oct. 19, 2007 and ongoing

No War No Warming - October 21-22: No War, No Warming is calling for a massive intervention in Washington, DC, with solidarity actions around the US and internationally.

UN Day - October 24, 2007
Step It Up 2 - Nov 3, 2007 National Day of Climate Action
The Nonviolent Peaceforce
Peace Pledge
The Declaration of Peace

RABBI LERNER ON PBS with Moyers , In DC and Elsewhere

Fri, Oct 5 - Rabbi Lerner will appear as one of the 2 commentators on Bill Moyer's program this week on the role of Christian Zionism in supporting a preemptive strike against Iran

Tue, Oct 16, 8 to 10 AM Jubilee USA hosts Rabbi Lerner and others for a Capitol Hill Prayer Breakfast. Register here. This is part of the Week of Action for International Debt Cancellation and Economic Justice.

Other East Coat appearances:

• Oct. 12-14 A weekend intensive with Rabbi Lerner on Spiritual Politics at the Rowe Conference Center in the Berkshires of Western Mass. Information on how to register: http://www.rowecenter.org/
• Oct. 14 Rabbi Lerner, Peter Gabel and Nichola Torbett speak about how to bring a spiritual politics into the 2008 elections-- afternoon and evening in Boston (more info: nichola@tikkun.org)

Peace and committing our resources to peace (life/people) not war (death) is a key part of our spiritual covenant. See local events peace events here.

Ecological sensitivity and a commitment to reduce global warming are key parts of our covenant. See local events here.

PEACE ACTIVISM - OCT-Nov 2007

Throughout October 2007 - "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" film showing at local congregations in October 2007 in DC, MD and VA. Click here to see locations near you. This film features the familiar and very disturbing pictures of torture at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison and raises many questions. This film is for mature audiences only. The film makes extensive use of intense and difficut photographs from Abu Ghraib. . has undertaken the Spotlight on Torture project in the belief that Ghosts of Abu Ghraib will help people of faith deepen their understanding of the nature of U.S.-sponsored torture. Due to the film’s intensity, audiences at these showings will have the opportunity to talk about their thoughts and feelings through facilitated dialogue and to consider possible anti-torture activities. See: www.wrrcat.org/ghosts.html

Oct 7 4-6 PM Interfaith Peace Service & Witness
First and Franklin Presbyterian Church Park Avenue and Madison Street Baltimore, MD, Info here and flyer here.

Mon, Oct 8, 2007 Interfaith Fast and Prayers for Peace (Dawn to Dusk)
Gather to break the fast at Washington Monument in Baltimore at 6pm

Contact: Gary Gillespie 410 323-7200x21 ggillespie@afsc.org

Tues,. Oct. 16, 7 PM Extensive overview on the basics of the Palestinian Question
by Sharin Chiorazzo, a prof. of Middle Eastern History at Richard Stockton College, NJ. A comprehensive overview on the basics of the Palestine Question, including, who the Palestinians are, their culture, history, and political situation, emphasizing their historical and long attachment to the land. LOCATION: Owen Brown Community Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way, Columbia MD 21045. Sponsored by: Ho. Co. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

October 16-18, 2007 - Jubilee USA Week of Action for Debt Cancellation & Economic Justice in DC Beginning with Capitol Hill Prayer Breakfast that includes Rabbi Michael Lerner. See schedule of training and lobby day events here.

Wed Oct 17 - Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP)

White Band day - see info here Global Marshall Plan info here and here and here.
The Global Marshall Plan site says that Al Gore said "what is needed today is a "global Marshall Plan" to save the world's environment and give billions of dispossessed people the tools needed to participate in the marketplace in a rational way".

Wed, Oct 17 , 2007 5-6:30 p.m Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture (WRRCA) vigil across from Vice President Cheney’s residence, 34th and Mass. Ave. NW (Observatory Circle), Washington, D.C. This date is the one year anniversity of one of the most iniquitous bills in the history of this country--the Military Commissions Act (MCA) which allowed torture and deprived millions of people of the right to habeas corpus. Parking is available on side streets. See www.wrrcat.org/10-17-07.html

Oct. 19, 2007 and ongoing Iraq Moratorium - 3rd Fri of every month
* Wear and distribute black ribbons and armbands
* Buy no gas on Moratorium days and Pressure politicians and the media
* Hold vigils, pickets, rallies, and teach-ins, organize student actions, school closings, etc.
* Hold special religious services, coordinate events in music, art, and culture, show films
Iraq Moratorium Vigil 10/19/2007 6-7 pm, Takoma Junction, at the intersection of Carroll Avenue and Ethan Allen, Takoma Park, MD

Fri Oct 19, 10 to 5pm
Impact of War on Women and the Environment in Israel/Palestine
at Foundry United Methodist Church, 16th & P Streets NW, Wash DC
Panel of women from Israel and Palestine, Phyllis Bennis of IPS and author of
"Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer", Emma's Revolution musicians Pat Humphries & Sandy O, Pam Parker, Noa Baum with excerpts from "A Land Twice Promised" and more. See flyer here.

Sat Oct 20, 9:30-4:30 - Islamic Perspectives on Peace and Conflict
Purpose: to build peace through understanding of Islamic faith and spirituality
Speakers: Imam Yahya Hendi, a bridge builder and campus minister at Georgetown University and Sr. Eileen Eppig, SSND, associate professor of religious studies, College of Notre Dame
At: St. Matthew Catholic Church, 5401 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21239 - $15 before Oct. 5 and $20 after Oct. 5 (Students: $10) Lunch included - Pre-registration required: " Outreach at isb dot org "

Sun, Oct 21, 5 p.m Peace Witness, Lafayette Park in front of the White House, If these were silent, the stones would cry out loud...A liturgy of peacemaking including the laying of stones at the gates to the White House representing the Iraq War Dead. Their voices have been silenced; the stones themselves will bear witiness. Convened in continuation of the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq by Washington area clergy and laity.
www.christianpeacewitness.org/

Sun-Tues Oct 21-23 No War No Warming in Washington DC
www.nowarnowarming.org

Sat Oct 27 - 10 City Regional Mobilization to End the War in Iraq - Philadelphia
The Mid-Atlantic Region rally will take place in Philadelphia on Sat., Oct. 27 from 2 to 5 PM. There will be Baltimore buses, and tickets are available for $25. Call Max at 410-366-1637. There will also be a peace caravan which will begin at Arlington National Cemetery and pass through Baltimore. See: http://oct27.org/philadelphia and www.unitedforpeace.org

Sun, Oct 28, 2pm - Grandmothers for Peace - MD Chapter meeting in Columbia
Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, Maryland 21045

Thurs Nov 1, 7pm - Jerusalem Women Speak
Women in Black of Frederick and Hood College will sponsor the 3 women from Jerusalem-- one Muslim, one Jewish, one Christian who will address the ongoing crisis. Find out about this program here At: Hood College, Rosenstock Hall, 401 Rosemont Ave, Frederick Md 21701 (301) 663-3131 More here.

Fri 11/9 7 -9:30 pm - 25th Anniversary Celebration of Anne Arundel Peace Action
Annapolis Friends Meeting, 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, Md.
Ray McGovern, a retired CIA analyst who has been an outspoken critic of the Bush administration’s foreign policy, will deliver the keynote talk, and there will be a presentation of Generation of Peacemakers Awards.

Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, 7:30 PM Howard County Coalition for Peace and Justice
Owen Brown Interfaith Center

Fri - Nov 16 http://iraqmoratorium.org/
The THIRD FRIDAY of every month beginning Friday September 21st
Join with millions to:
Wear and distribute black ribbons and armbands
Buy no gas on Moratorium days
Pressure politicians and the media
Hold vigils, pickets, rallies, and teach-ins
Hold special religious services
Coordinate events in music, art, and culture
Host film showings, talks, and educational events
Organize student actions: Teach-ins, school closings, etc

Israel Peace Mission. Come with NSP/TIKKUN to Israel and Palestine
2008 - the last week in May and the first week in June. Details to come for those getting Tikkun email (if not, write pete@tikkun.org and ask to be put on email list).

LOCAL PEACE INFO
Washington Peace Center - http://www.washingtonpeacecenter.net/
Women in Black - Baltimore - www.peacepath911.com/
Women in Black - Frederick - www.wibfrederick.org/
American Friends Service Committee Mid-Atlantic - www.afsc.org/midatlantic/baltimore/
Maryland United for Peace and Justice - www.mupj.org
Peace Action Montgomery County Md - www.peaceactionmc.org/

CLIMATE CHANGE and other ACTIVISM

The Green Festival in DC - October 6 & 7, 2007
& a Mini-Conference there - "What's the Economy For, Anyway?" Oct 5-7 (admission includes the Green Festival) - Mini Conference Co-Sponsored by the Simplicity Forum, Co-op America, Take Back Your Time, Center for a New American Dream, Forum on Social Wealth, and MomsRising.org. See: http://www.simplicityforum.org/events.html Register here

Mon Oct 8, 7-9 pm The Alliance for Global Warming Solutions PLANNING MGT
At: 1000 Friends of Maryland, 1209 North Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21202 (410.385.2910). A coalition of Maryland environmental groups is meeting to plan a new wave of Town Hall. Meetings to be held late October/early November in Catonsville, Baltimore City and Towson (dates/locations TBD)

Sun Oct. 14, 1:45pm to 5pm - Stepping Up to the Challenge: How Your Congregation can be a Part of the Climate Solution, GWIPL's first annual summit
St. Columba's, 42 01 Albemarle St. NW, Washington, DC 20016
See - http://www.gwipl.org/summit2007.asp rsvp requested

Sunday, October 14, 6:30-8:30 PM SMEI 2nd Sun. Forum in Bethesda
Tools for Cultural Change - A presentation by Bob Morris, writer, environmental and social justice activist, Sierra Club leader www.simplicity-matters.org

Sun-Tues Oct 21 -23 - No War No Warming - www.nowarnowarming.org/
FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE, NOT WARS FOR OIL! - DC mobilization

Sat Oct 27, 9:30- 4 - Gather the Women -Creating Sustainable Communities Unitarian Universalist Church at 10309 New Hamphsire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland

Oct 27 9-1 pm Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry in Md At: UUCC Columbia Md, Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045 Info here

Sunday, October 28, 4:30-6:30 PM - Balt Green Forum in Towson
The Power of Community, How Cuba Survived Peak Oil, Video and Discussion
www.simplicity-matters.org

Nov 3, 2007 National Day of Climate Action- Step It Up 2 and 1SkyCampaign
In Columbia Md 1-3 pm at Howard County Recreation and Parks, 7120 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia MD 21046 - Elizabeth Bobo (MD Delegate) and Joshua Feldmark (Howard County Commission on the Environment) and MORE!

Alliance for Global Warming Solutions Town Hall Meetings Across MD

College Park Call to Action!
11/3/2007
College Park City Hall, Council Chambers

Catonsville Call to Action!
11/6/2007
Catonsville Public Library

Greenbelt Call-to-Action
11/7/2007
Greenbelt Elementary School

Towson Call to Action!
11/12/2007
Merrick Lecture Hall, Goucher College

St. Mary's County Call to Action
11/12/2007
St. Mary's College of Maryland

1/17/2008, 11 am - 1 pm Flood Annapolis Lobby Event!
Maryland State House, Annapolis, MD
Join the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions and hundreds of activists as we descend on the streets of Annapolis to demand that our elected officials find solutions to global warming.

HEATH CARE
Health Care for Howard County residents - There will be 3 town hall style meetings to explain the new Healthy Howard Plan for those without health care.

• Nov.6 (6-8pm) at Linden Hall, 4765 Dorsey Hall Dr., Ellicott City;
• Nov. 13 (6-8pm) Glenwood COmmunjity Ctr., 2400 Rt. 97, Cooksville;
• Nov. 14th (6-8pm) Savage Vol. Fire Station, 8925 Lincoln St., Savage.

Howard County Interfaith Coalition for Compassion
Sun 11/11 4-6 pm Interfaith Coalition for Compassion in Howard County
AT: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 8070 Harriet Tubman Rd, Columbia
http://www.beth-shalom.net/

People Acting Together in Howard (PATH)
Sun 11/17 Oakland Mills Meeting House (Interfaith Center - room 100)
public meeting addressing affordable housing, transportation and youth programs in Howard County http://www.path-iaf.org/


EVERY TUES - Radio and TV on Climate Change 10 to 11 AM - Earthbeat with Mike Tidewell & Daphne Wisham WFMW 89.3 FM DC www.earthbeatradio.org - listen online at www.wpfw.org/

Chesapeake Climate Action Network site -see this site for cutting edge local climate activism and climate activism news at www.chesapeakeclimate.org/blog/.

Simplicity Matters Earth Institute (SMEI) calendar is here . SMEI offers discussion and action circles in the MD from Balti to Frederick to Annapolis and DC on voluntary simplicity, globalization, etc, and a new popular 4 week discussion circle on global warming. Info at: SimplicityGrpsMD@aol.com . Also Bethesda and Baltimore Sunday night Forums

Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light - www.gwipl.org/ has many great climate change resources and a local calendar here.