Peace and Social Concerns Committee meeting of 3/6/17

Present: George M, Frank G, Beth A, Roger C, Jane J, Ka R, Dan G.

FCNL Representative: We hear that Miryam wants to be replaced. Beth will talk with Miryam to get clarity on that. In considering who might be willing to replace Miryam, Will Snyder’s name arose and Beth will also talk with him. Jane and Ka may be interested in sharing the responsibility. In our next meeting we may have more information and be able to discern our way forward. Roger will make the FCNL announcement on the last Sunday in March.

We considered the Pioneer Valley Workers Center as a possibility for Meeting sponsorship as a “Friends Concerns: Other Organization” (FC:OO) Frank offered to talk with Katherine Golub about writing up, and presenting to our committee, a recommendation for it, if she is willing. Frank may also talk to her about ways the Meeting could be supportive of her in her concern for immigrants and undocumented people. Frank will talk with Mary Ellen P about this idea.

Beth recommended Centro de Amigos Cuaqueros Para la Paz to us as a FC:OO. We approved, as we have in earlier years, and Beth will present it to the meeting for business in April.

Jan will come to our April meeting to present Right Sharing of World Resources as a FC:OO.

Follow-up for the Doctrine of Discovery movie: Friends suggested that it might be shown in the Jones library or in the Congregational Church film series. [also, Frances Crowe’s film series.] We told Beth how much we appreciated her work and initiative on the event, showing the movie and arranging the evening. It was very well arranged and well attended.

There was a brief discussion about the MA seal, which incorporates items that make us uncomfortable. Beth will find out more about efforts to change it.

11:40 hour on March 26: Dan was encouraged to create queries on the issue of the environment and how it relates to our spiritual life. Dan, Beth, and possibly Roger will think how to arrange the hour.

Letter writing: Roger agreed, with Frank’s help, to manage letter writing on 3/19, on the topic of the Safe Communities Act currently in the legislature.

Safe Communities Act: Roger agreed (1) to contact Mary Gilbert about it and (2) to write up a proposal about it for the meeting for business. The proposal would ask state officials and the Governor to support the Act. The Minute would also be sent to the media. The deadline for April meeting for business agenda items comes before our next P&SC meeting, so Roger will circulate his proposal to the Committee for comment and suggestions before it is sent on to the Clerk. Dan will ask the Clerk to put it on the agenda for the April meeting for business.

Virginia Holmes is willing to do a presentation about her Peace Corp time in Georgia, and we think that Wednesday May 31 would be a good date. Dan will contact her to say so.

Ka mentioned a way to go to Washington DC for the Climate March on April 29. She has other announcements which she will post on the easel and the listserv.

Dan will talk with Andy G about his proposal to get the Meeting re-involved with Habitat for Humanity.

As we began, we ended with a time of silence.