December Peace Newsletter
Sowing Seeds of Peace
Lutheran Peace Fellowship Youth Newsletter
Hunger in the Holidays
This morning I was packing food to take to my family’s house for Christmas— some coffee beans, cheese, and tangerines— and was reminded of how hard it is to reconcile my heart for justice with the Christmas traditions I am used to.
How can I enjoy the good food, people, and gifts that are in my life while still honoring all of those who will go hungry, who may have just lost a loved one, or who live with war every day?
I know that you also struggle with how to make the season meaningful while acting on your values of peacemaking. Our challenge is that we each have to find our own balance. This issue provides resources and ideas for a meaningful Christmas, with a specific eye toward hunger worldwide….
Peace and Justice Gifts
Be creative!
o Personalized mix CDs are always hits!
o Make a video of interview/s with family members talking about their childhood, memories of a specific person, etc.
o Pass along your favorite books to people you know would like them too.
Repaint, refurbish, or decorate used pieces of furniture, picture frames, and other items.
Buy fair trade!
o Fair Trade Federation: fairtradefederation.org
Give your time!
o Give a monthly lunch/coffee/pizza date to a friend or relative.
o Give vouchers for hours of your time doing yard work, giving massage, tutoring, babysitting, cleaning or running errands.
o Volunteer together at a soup kitchen or shelter.
Resources for Simplicity
Websites
o Simple Living, Compassionate Life, Michael Schut, ed.
o Unfettered Hope: A Call to Faithful Living in an Affluent Society, Marva Dawn.
o Unplug the Christmas Machine, Jo Robinson and Jean Staeheli.
o Simplify and Celebrate, Michael Crosby, Joan Chittister, and other writers.
Scripture and Quotes
o Parable of the rich fool, Luke 12:13-21, also Deut. 24:14-15, Matthew 6:20-34, John 6:12, Acts 4:32-35, I Timothy 6:6-10
o “Justice is sorting out what belongs to whom and returning it to them.” Walter Brueggemanno “Here [in the West] you have a different kind of poverty, a poverty of the spirit, of loneliness, of being unwanted. And that is the worst disease in the world today.” Mother Teresa
Current News
Africa: rainwater collectionIn Zimbabwe, people collect rainwater to ease water shortages in their city.
World: food stocks dwindle The United Nations warns that our food supply is rapidly dwindling and food prices will continue to rise.
US: farm bill disappointsThe Senate approved a farm bill that continues to subsidize wealthy landowners at the expense of conservation, nutrition, and equity.
WA: farming on roofsAt Start Now Farms, folks grow enough produce on their lot and roofs to feed themselves and to sell at a local farmers’ market.
Youth Organizing
Sharing food, breaking laws- Members of Food Not Bombs share food with hungry people in Orlando’s public parks.
Students against hunger-National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness educates, trains, and organizes national student campaigns.
Christian witness for Iraq- National interfaith movement of peace witness against the Iraq war. Local actions across the nation.
Upcoming Events
Global Day of Action- The 2008 World Social Forum will be a week of creative, independent activities worldwide, with actions on January 26, 2008.
Breaking Out! - 2008LSM’s alternative spring break of theological reflection, discussion, and service around poverty and injustice. March 2-7 or 9-14, 2008.
Peace Prize Forum- 20th annual peace conference- a weekend of speakers, workshops, and networking. Look for LPF! March 7-8, Moorhead, MN.
Youth & Arts in Columbia- Share skills and learn with youth-led peace and justice organizations in Columbia as part of this delegation. March 22-30, 2008.
Peacemaker Training- Challenge yourself, gain knowledge and build community with otherdynamic youth organizers! Start thinking now about summer…
Join the Network!
To get this newsletter in full color with links, contact Monica: lpfyouth@gmail.com
Lutheran Peace Fellowship 1710 11th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 Phone: (206) 720-0313
