Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Network of Spiritual Progressives in Maryland

Tues, Dec 16 at 7:30 pm- NSP Mgt - Discussion Topic: What Do We think of The Anti-Consumerism Movement? At: Paint Branch Unitarian Church, 3215 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783

What do we think when we hear activists say "Buy Less, Give More"? How does this fit with NSP's new bottom line of compassion, generosity and care of the earth as opposed to the old bottom line of money and materialism. We'll explore the work of Rev Billy Talent and his fictional "Church of Stop Shopping". They provide performance art done as comedy and satire but with a gravely serious message in this year of economic down turn, and distress in so many families who are in deep debt and losing homes partially due to greed and consumerism. What do we think of the connections these activists draw and how does this impact our holiday decisions? We'll see segments about a documentary on the Stop Shopping movement called "What Would Jesus (or Buddha or Krishna, or Moses etc) Buy" and have a lively discussion. (For a preview see YouTubes here and here and here). Join our holiday spiritual refocusing! More information: www.revbilly.com/ Optional preparation for the discussion - read the General and Christian resource/disscussion guides here and here.

Next NSP meeting - Wed. January 14th - same time and place.

SEE NSP WEBSITE HERE FOR INFO ON WEEKLY TIKKUN/NSP AUTHOR TELECONFERENCES - Mondays - 9pm EST
Dec. 15: Israel/Palestine: Tom Friedman's Myths - Jerome Slater
Dec. 22: Is Christmas Christian? - Richard Rohr
Jan 5: An Economy for the 21st Century - David Korten
Jan. 12: Coming Out... Again - Idit Klein
Jan 26th: Engaging Obama's Volunteers - Randy Shaw
AND More to come— and download PODCASTS OF PREVIOUS MONDAYS:
Dec. 1: Childhood & Capitalism - Allen Kanner (click to download WAV file)
Dec. 8: Obama's Emotional Intelligence - Peter Dunlap (click to download WAV file)


Last Month's Meeting: Mon Nov 24, 2008, 7:30 pm, NSP Meeting at
Paint Branch Unitarian Church, 3215 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783

Our NSP chapter will have a discussion on the current economic meltdown, and explore the causes, and the winners and losers in the current crisis. We'll discuss how we and those we know are affected, and how to respond as spiritual progressives. A short video and a summary of some articles will guide our discussion. This is not a time for progressives to retreat. How are we responding? In difficult choices in the days ahead, what are the choices that help reflect our values and our care for the vulnerable in our neighborhoods? Globally, we will continue our discussion of how this impacts our Global Marshall Plan advocacy. Join us!
Optional background for our discussion:
"Obamanomics: How Bottom-Up Economic Prosperity Will Replace Trickle-Down Economics" by John R. Talbott
and an NPR: This American Life radio segment
http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1242
OR
http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=355


Also two events where NSP Co-Founders are in DC:

Fri, Nov 21 - Dr. Cornel West will discuss his new book Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom, a collection of quotations, speech excerpts, letters, philosophy, and photographs. This gift book features an original CD that highlights Dr. West's outstanding spoken-word artistry. At Busboys and Poets Bookstore, 14th and V Streets NW Washington DC.

Mon, Jan 19 5:30 pm Rebirthing King, Rebirthing America - Celebratory service and teaching. Scheduled to speak:
Vincent Harding of Iliffe School of Theology, one of Dr. King's closest advisers;
Rev. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches;
Dr. Sayyid Syeed, general secretary of the Islamic Society of North America;
Sammie Moshenberg of the National Council of Jewish Women;
Rabbi Michael Lerner of the Network of Spiritual Progressives;
Celeste Zappala of Gold Star Families for Peace;
Mubarak Awad of Nonviolence International;
Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, of the Chautauqua Institution; and
Rev. William G. Sinkford of the Unitarian Universalist Assoc.
Sponsored by the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership
For preparation see Dr. King's speech at Riverside Church at www.shalomctr.org/node/71
LOCATION: All Souls'Unitarian Church, 2835 16th st NW at Columbia Rd

Peace and Justice Activism, Winter 2008-9

Sat, Nov 22th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 2008 Maryland Progressive Summit - Annapolis Senior High School, 2700 Riva Road, Annapolis - Join hundreds of your fellow progressive activists from all over Maryland for this substantive conference and discussion to help form the upcoming progressive agenda for 2009. Come hear from progressive leaders in the labor, education, environmental, civil rights, health care, and criminal justice reform as they discuss their own agendas and add your voice. Buses from many areas around Maryland. Reserve your space here.


Nov 21 - 24 - Jerusalem Women Speak: Three Women, Three Faiths, One Shared Vision. Three women -- a Palestinian Christian, an Israeli Jew, and a Palestinian Muslim -- living the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, will share their experiences and their hopes for a just peace. Ms. Enas Muthaffar, a Palestinian Muslim film maker from Jerusalem, OPT, Dr. Julia Chaitin, an Israeli Jewish educator from Kibbutz Urimin in the Negev, Israel, and Ms. Lucy Talgieh, a Palestinian Christian conflict resolution specialist from Bethlehem, OPT.
http://www.partnersforpeace.org/JerusalemWomenSpeak15.html

Fri Nov 28 - BUY NOTHING DAY

"There’s only one way to avoid the collapse of this human experiment of ours on Planet Earth: we have to consume less.

It will take a massive mindshift. You can start the ball rolling by buying nothing on November 28th. Then celebrate Christmas differently this year, and make a New Year’s resolution to change your lifestyle in 2009.

It’s now or never!" From Adbusters site - www.adbusters.org and ww.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

Nov 30, 2008, 6:00 - 8:30 PM -Economic Crisis - How we got in and how we get out: A participatory teach-in on the roots of the collapse, its effects on our communities and how we are going to organize ourselves to respond
LOCATION: 2640 Space (St. John’s of Baltimore United Methodist Church), 2640 St. Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218 Presenters: Bill Fletcher, Executive Director of The Black Commentator and former President, TransAfrica Forum; Kostis Papadantonakis, Professor Emeritus of Economics, CCBC-Essex; Kevin Zeese, Executive Director, Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics and co-founder BreakTheBailout.com
Sponsored By: Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, Ric Pfieffer Memorial Lecture Committee, Advocacy Committee of the Baltimore Algebra Project, Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics, Generations for Peace and Democracy, United Workers, Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics

Sat, Dec 6, 6:30pm Human Rights Potluck Dinner in Howard County - Commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Florence Bain Senior Center 5470 Ruth Keaton Way, Columbia, MD 21044 .Event Co-sponsors: Amnesty International Chapter 228, Howard County Friends of Latin America, and Howard County Human Rights Commission

Sun, Dec 7, 4 pm: Dramatic Performance: "A Land Twice Promised" with Noa Baum. Suggested minimum donation: $15. At the Rabbis for Human Rights Conference, Dec. 7-9, for Rabbis, Cantors, Rabbinic Students and all who are committed to human rights. At Adas Israel Congregation, 2850 Quebec Street, NW Washington, DC. Information: www.adasisrael.org
Registration : http://www.rhr-na.org/files/SOPflyer-4.pdf

Wed, Dec 10, Human Rights Day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Day

Sun, Dec 14 5pm - Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Executive Director, The Shalom Center, Philadelphia, PA; co-author of The Tent of Abraham: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Stories of Hope and Peace at the Pax Christi Baltimore 2008 Advent Prayer Series. Reception with speaker follows service. All Welcome! All Invited! LOCATION: Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart Chapel - 1001 W. Joppa Rd., Towson, MD 21204 - (Joppa at Chestnut, west of Bosley Ave.)


Thurs Dec 18, 6-9 pm Washington Peace Center is throwing us all a Gala!
All Souls'Unitarian Church, 2835 16th st NW at Columbia Rd Tickets are $10-20, $35 Premier Entry (includes gift). Info and RSVP to wpc@igc.org or 202-234-2000.
www.washingtonpeacecenter.net/civic/

Sat, April 4, 2009 9-4pm - Annual Maryland United for Peace and Justice Conference - Church of the Resurrection., 3315 Greencastle Road, Burtonsville, MD 20866

April 26-29, 2009 Sojourners Mobilization to End Poverty. Washington Convention Center, 8801 Mt Vernon Place NW, Washington DC 20001

April 29-30, 2009 - Christian Peace Witness for Iraq , Washington DC event http://christianpeacewitness.org/

Climate Change Action, Winter 2008-9

Sun, Nov 23 - 4:30-6:30 PM Baltimore Green Forum - Legislative Preview with League of Conservation Voters (Jen Brock) MD Presbyterian Church, 1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286 www.mpchurch.org/directions.htm

Fri, Nov 28,, 7 pm to 9 pm, Dayton, MD. Sustainable Community Suppers- Topic: Sustainable Holiday Celebrations. Fourth Friday, vegetarian potluck, discussion, sharing and speakers to support environmentally conscious living. Location: 5085 Green Bridge Rd, Dayton, MD. For more information & to RSVP, contact Karen at 410-489-6651 or sustainablecommunitysuppers@gmail.com . For directions, go to www.edenvalleycenter.org

Fri Dec. 5 2008, 7:30 pm - Howard Co. Sierra Club - "Polar Bears, "Where's the Ice?" At Howard County Recreation and Parks Headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills, Rd., Columbia. maryland.sierraclub.org/hc/

Sun, Dec 7 - Live Earth India - One World. One Climate. Be the Change. Entertainers from inside and outside of India will perform at Live Earth, and the stage will be set for never-before seen collaborations as they, and other guests, raise awareness and offer solutions to the world's climate crisis. http://liveearth.org/india/ CANCELLED DUE TO MUMBAI ATTACK

Sat, Dec 13, 1-4pm Takoma Park Md, Clean Energy Open House and Native Plant Garden Tour Come see solar panels! View electric, biodiesel, and hybrid cars firsthand! Eat solar-baked cookies and barbequed veggie burgers from a grill that burns corn kernels! Learn how to landscape your yard with native plants! Buy wind power certificates and energy-saving light bulbs! Test drive a tofu-powered lawn mower! And more! 7125 Willow Ave, Takoma Park, MD - Map to the Open House here.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=7125+Willow+Ave,+Takoma+Park,+MD+20912&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=1&iwloc=addr

Mon, Dec 15 7-9pm, Betheda MD - 2008 Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light Awards - An Evening of Chocolate Local sacred eco-building tour, talks by two local environmental champions, Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb and Mike Tidwell and yummy Chocolate Reception at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation, 7727 Persimmon Tree Lane in Bethesda, MD Reservations here or call 202-885-8684

Sat, Jan10, 2009 - Chesapeake Climate Action Network Annual Polar Bear Plunge! Keep winter cold! www.keepwintercold.org/

Wed Jan 21-Fri Jan 23 - Local Webcast of Conference - "Radical Abundance: A Theology of Sustainability" including two speakers who are heroes of the climate change movement Majora Carter and David Korten. At the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 4 East University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21218 www.ang-md.org/christian_formation/trinity/2009-registration-form_pub_0001.pdf

Mon, Jan. 26 4-8:30 - Environmental Summit in Annapolis - Show your support for global warming solutions!
President's Conference Center West I & II, 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
4:00 - 5:00 Skills Workshop TBA
5:00 - 5:30 Registration
5:30 p.m. - Welcome
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Presentations information from top state officials (Governor O'Malley, Senate President Miller, Speaker Busch, and others invited), expert briefings on the top environmental issues
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Opportunities to make your voice heard: County Caucuses to prep for future lobby meetings, distribution of environmental legislative agenda to legislators, and rally on state house steps as legislators enter for 8:00 p.m. session. Info here.

Feb 4 - 6, 2009 Green Jobs Conference, Marriott Wardman ParkHotel, Washington, D.C. Green Jobs Expo on Thurs, February 5 from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - If you would like to attend the expo as a person interested in green careers or jobs (e.g., you are not an exhibitor), no registration is needed and attendance is free.

Thurs, Feb 5 , 2009 The National Teach-in on Global Warming Solutions. Create or find a Teach-In in your school, neighborhood, faith community.
www.nationalteachin.org/

Sat, Feb 7, 10 to 2pm, Growing Food, Growing Faith: Creating a Vegetable Garden with Your Faith Community - Solid Rock Apostolic Church, 523 North Schroeder Street Baltimore, MD 21223 www.jhsph.edu/clf/PDF%20Files/events/GardeningWorkshop_Flyer09.pdf

Feb 27 - Mar 2, 2009 POWER SHIFT 2009 -At Power Shift 2009, more than 10,000 young people in the youth climate movement will converge on DC for three days of training, strategy and action, uniting as a movement and holding elected officials accountable. On the last day all will be invited to join the youth to demonstrate support for climate action! see http://powershift09.org/ Location: DC Convention Center

Tues Mar 3, 2009 - Dr. Vandana Shiva on “Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in An Age of Climate Crisis”, JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health (Wolfe Street Building), Baltimore, Md www.jhsph.edu/clf/events/#clf