We Love You - Iran & Israel -- Two minutes that will change the world!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mYjuUoEivbE

Very cool film "Something Good"

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

                      Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Search For Peace  is soliciting entires for the 2010 poster contest and art exhibit.

$100 cash prize for each age group!

See the flier below for contact information, or go to http://www.searchforpeaceart.org/

”Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". (the Brundtland Commission)

"We are the people we've been waiting for."  --Van Jones

On January 15th I attended an "Awakening The Dreamer" symposium, hosted by the West Hills Unitarian Church click here to see a video trailer of the symposium.

The Inter-religious Action NW is planning to host this symposium for its annual Faith Forum in April, so I figured I'd better attend one first, see what it's like!

I have to admit being impressed, which isn't easy. I say that because my nickname around my house--possibly my whole neighborhood--is "Recycling Zealot". Which is really a misnomer because I am a much bigger drum-beater for reduced use than recycling. If you just have to end up with that plastic packaging in your hand, by all means recycle it when you're done with it (I bet you didn't know you could recycle packaging, or any of this other stuff: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=1383). But real change of impact on the planet is better achieved by not having that packaging in your hand in the first place!


The symposium is essentially a series of beautifully filmed videos on four topics, starting with what is the existing planetary condition (not just natural resources, but also the state of cultures and peoples), how we got to this point, what's possible for the future and what each of us can do personally from here. In between videos were short interactive exercises and conversations.

"If you wouldn't trade places with any segment of human society,
there's work to be done." 

--Van Jones

One of the (many) things that struck me was a section that compared how we use Earth resources to living your daily life on credit cards. We live at a level of consumption much higher than our "Earth bank account balance," so we borrow against the future. We use today the oil, crystal, coal that's supposed to be sitting there in 50 years when our grandchildren are to use it.  In the process of getting to them, we destroy the automatic Earth systems that create these resources, so they can't replenish.

The symposium lets the audience choose their forms of action at the end.  From my perspective, I think what's really needed is for us all to change how and what we consume; if a product just can't be made without dipping further into the Earth's credit card, then, well, skip it! Live without it.  Find one made without the use of slaves for example.

If you knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that an asteroid was heading toward North America, or some plague had been released (fill in the plot of your favorite disaster movie), and you had only four years to be ready to live in the resulting world...what would you be doing today to get ready?   Figure out how to capture and clean rain water (think The Road, now there's a cheery piece of film)? How to eat without freight trucks and supermarkets?  Wouldn't we be doing everything we could to use the technology, communication systems and innovative thinkers we have right now to figure out how to not need them in four years when we know for a fact they will be gone?

So how do we get ready?  The good news is, if you do even a brief Internet search on sustainability topics you end up with a HUGE LIST of people working on this topic. From incredibly bright-minded thinkers and inventors to incredibly brave-hearted champions.  You have many competent teammates waiting for you in both the "reverse the damage" and "prepare to live post-disaster" teams.  Although, they aren't really separate teams because everything we do to figure out how we'd survive post-disaster will contribute to the reversing the damage, which is basically the whole point.

They had this book for sale at the symposium that I am convinced is a KEY tool for the "reverse the damage" team:  The Better World Shopping Guide (http://www.betterworldshopper.org/). It grades product-makers A to F according to their impact on the planet and the people on it.  It tells you which corporations are doing everything they can to create their goods in new ways that can actually be sustained into the future, and which ones are doing everything they can to get in the way. Which ones are using child slaves, and which ones are spending profits to fight slavery. I was outraged to find that my hard-earned money is being used to enslave others via the products I purchase every week.  Armed with this book, each of us has a way to reverse and repair.

"Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream."  -- L. Ron Hubbard

Once you know about something, you are in the terrible position of having a responsibility for that thing, and must choose to do, or not do, something about it. This book gives you back that power to choose. Very concrete, effective action each of us can take to make a considerable impact.

"As citizens, on average, we might vote once every four years, if at all. As consumers, we vote every single day with the purest form of power...money." 

 --Ellis Jones, Author of The Better World Shopping Guide

SOLV Project Leader Training

SOLV is pleased to announce a new training opportunity in Hillsboro on Wednesday, January 26th. Learn how volunteers can help improve the environment and your community. This workshop is designed to help community members organize a SOLV project. Topics covered include:

· Watershed basics
· Envisioning and defining your project
· Managing and recruiting volunteers
· Educate volunteers on the impact of their work
· Add new energy to volunteer projects
· Finding sponsors, fundraising, and working with the media
· Project logistics for the day of your event

To Register or find out more:

Read the full story >>

Important news from Interfaith Committee on Homelessness

One of the feel good stories of 2010 was what Rolling Hills Church did to restore the Essential Health Clinic to serve people in need in Tigard and the surrounding communities. Here is the story. Read it and rejoice:


http://www.tualatintimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=129314386336019000


The Essential Health Clinic relies on volunteers for food, support staffing, as well as the doctors and nurses who see patients. Consider volunteering, or make a contribution. They save lives. They give people hope.


See this site for the latest update on the churches who open for the Severe Weather Shelter Program. It is important to note that these shelters do not operate alone. They are possible because other churches, businesses and individuals step up with food and volunteers in support of their efforts. In the case of my church there are five other churches who help us along with many local businesses and individuals, and Pacific University. Shelters like these are an opportunity for the community (you and me!!!) to come together to respond to homelessness, the suffering for which becomes all too plain when we have weather like we have now. People die outside when it's as cold as it is now. So in addition to offering hope and a helping hand, shelters save lives. Meet the human beings in your community who have no home of their own. They have names and stories. Volunteer at a shelter now.





Happy New Year everyone!



Eric Canon (Chair)

Interfaith Committee on Homelessness

www.ahomeoftheirown.com

HELP END HOMELESSNESS: EAT COOKIES!! BUT HURRY: OFFER EXPIRES DEC 15!

Go into any Sweet Tomatoes restaurant in the Portland Metro area and donate $2.00 to Family Bridge (an Interfaith Hospitality Network), and they will give you NOT ONLY a nicely decorated package of 13 delicious cookies, BUT ALSO discount coupons for future meals at the restaurant.

I tried the chocoloate chip and they were YUMMY.

Perfect hostess gifts, stocking stuffers or party contributions.

This is the perfect example of spending your money in a socially responsible way!

To find the restaurant nearest you, click here then enter your zip code: http://www.souplantation.com/locations/

To learn more about Family Bridge, click here: www.family-bridge.org

COMMUNITY FORUM: SEXUAL EXPLOITATION & TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Sexual Assault Resource Center, will convene a COMMUNITY FORUM to address the growing problem of child sex trafficking in the Portland-Metro area and how it is affecting children in Washington County. Click here for date, location, etc:

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/11115039/1203853622/name/Forum%20flyer.pdf

The forum will feature a screening of the Dan Rather documentary, Pornland and will follow with a panel presentation by local experts on the subject.

To ensure adequate seating for all, an RSVP is requested but not required. Please leave a message at 503-216-7192 if you plan to attend. (No calls will be returned from this number.)

Dress for Success Oregon will be holding it's bi-annual fundraiser, Acey's Closet Clothing Sale, on October 8th, 9th, and 10th!

Join in on the fun and score some great deals on women's seperates, suits, shoes, handbags and jewelry. All proceeds go to support the programs of Dress for Success Oregon, whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

When:

Friday, October 8th 12-8pm
Saturday, October 9th 10am-4pm
Sunday, October 10th 12-4pm (All items are 50% off on Sunday)

Where:

On the corner of NE 37th and Sandy Blvd in the Hollywood District (the Budweiser Bldg) Parking is available on the street or in the parking lot at the Banfield Motel.

Cash and Credit Cards only, all sales are final. Due to limited space, adults only please. Call 503-249-7300 for more information.

Tropfest NY 2008 winner, "Mankind Is No Island" by Jason van Genderen

Click here to watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrDxe9gK8Gk

The email I got with this link in it said:

Jason is a young Australian who shot this film entirely on his mobile phone. It cost him $57 to make and won him $20,000.

GET INVOLVED!! Put your time or money into any one of these worthy agencies:

Sisters of the Road http://www.sistersoftheroad.org/
Inter-religious Action Network http://www.ianofwashingtoncounty.org/
Oregon Faith Roundtable Against Hunger http://ofrah.worldpress.com
Tualatin School House Pantry http://www.schoolhousepantry.org
Faith Cafe www.faithcafeor.org
Tualatin Valley Gleaners www.tvgleaners.org

Great quote

"Successful people have the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either, necessarily, but their disliking is subordinate to the strength of their purpose." E.M. Gray

I have no idea who "E.M. Gray" is, but I loved the concept!

Get ready for National Night Out!!

Just in case you're not reading the paper, National Night Out is just days away!

Find out what's happening in your Washington County neighborhood by clicking here:
http://www.co.washington.or.us/Sheriff/OtherServices/CrimePrevention/national-night-out.cfm

Events in Portland are listed here: http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=28986

If you don't find something that suits your tastes, create your own!!

3 in one day. Unfortunately, just more par for the course for this industry

Appeals court upholds psychologist's 3-year prison term for sex with 14-year-old patient
June 11, 2010





An appeals court has upheld the three-year prison sentence a judge handed last year to Jennifer A. Hastings, a former Rensselaer County psychologist who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old boy she was counseling.

Hastings, 35, pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree rape and other sex abuse charges in October of 2008.

Hastings, a Sand Lake resident, was employed by the county Department of Mental Health when a court sent the boy to her for counseling in 2006. State Police began investigating her in October of the following year after a trooper found her waiting in a car outside Tamarac High School, where the boy was a freshman at the time.

When the trooper asked Hastings what she was doing, she told him she was there to pick up her brother; the trooper, however, was familiar with the boy and knew he did not have an older sister. The student later detailed sexual encounters he had with Hastings at her Sheer Road home and area motels to police.

The sex acts with the 14-year-old were not committed forcibly.

Following her arrest, Hastings was suspended without pay from her county job. She later resigned and her license to practice psychology was revoked.

Source: Dave Canfield, " Former Rensselaer County counselor to remain in jail," Troy Record, June 10, 2010.

http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2010/06/10/news/doc4c111a6e11b42496147405.txt


Psychiatrist Allen C. Weiss charged with assault of patient
June 11, 2010


A Milford-area psychiatrist was arrested Wednesday morning on assault and unlawful imprisonment charges after one of his patients accused him of holding her in his office against her will.

The 28-year-old patient who accused Dr. Allen C. Weiss, 64, of assaulting her told police that she had gone for a new patient appointment to his office in the 100 block of Russell Road. According to court papers, the woman spoke with Weiss about her mental health condition and said that she was interrupted when his phone rang. When Weiss hung up the phone, he yelled, cursed and started biting and chewing on his own hand, the woman alleged in court papers.

He calmed down briefly but became upset again, leading her to walk toward the door in fear. Weiss had been yelling about "three letters and losing his license," the woman told investigators.
Weiss grabbed her by the arm and called her a junkie, according to court papers. The two yelled at each other and struggled for a short time before she broke free and run away, police said.

When Weiss spoke to police, he told them the woman was trying to get him to prescribe painkillers and that when he refused, there was an altercation. The woman also had a scratch on the side of her neck, which she claimed Weiss caused. The woman also alleged Weiss took off his belt and unbuttoned his pants, police said.

Weiss was charged and released on unsecured bond.

Source: Ira Porter, "Delaware crime: Psychiatrist charged in assault on new patient," The News Journal, June 11, 2010.

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100611/NEWS01/6110339/Psychiatrist-charged-in-assault-on-new-patient


UK psychiatrist Malcolm Darley suspended 6 months; solicited prostitute
June 11, 2010

Psychiatrist Malcolm Darley was suspended today for six months after a UK General Medical Council (GMC) hearing, in which it was revealed he'd been prosecuted for "kerb crawling" [UK slang for "driving slowly by at the curb, soliciting sex from prostitutes or other women"].

The consultant worked at Arundel House, a mental health unit in Wavertree, and also cared for acute in-patients at the Broadoak Unit, in Broadgreen.

He was dismissed from mental health trust Mersey Care in January last year.

Darley, now of Wallings Lane, Silverdale, Carnforth, after moving from his home in Southport, was cleared in June last year at Liverpool Crown Court of having indecent images of children on his computer.

But on April 19, 2008, while he was living in Southport, Darley was arrested and later fined for kerb crawling. He also gave a false name to the police and lied to his employers. The suspension, imposed on Tuesday, will come into effect in 28 days.

Darley currently works as a locum consultant psychiatrist specialising in old age psychiatry, but it is not thought he operates in Merseyside.

The panel’s conclusions added: “You outlined the steps you are taking to address your behaviour and gain an understanding of why you acted in the way you did.”

Source: Liza Williams, "Kerb crawling psychiatrist suspended by General Medical Council," Southport Visitor, June 11, 2010.

http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/southport-southport-news/2010/06/11/kerb-crawling-psychiatrist-suspended-by-general-medical-council-101022-26630398/

CONGRATULATIONS ON 40 YEARS!

WWW.NVOAD.ORG

Church of Scientology of Los Angeles Opens New Ideal Quarters

Take a virtual tour of this and other Church by click here: http://www.scientology.org/

8TH ANNUAL AUGUSTANA INTERFAITH PEACE SERVICE

“CULTIVATING THE CULTURE OF PEACE”

SUNDAY, January 24, 2010 4:00 P.M.
Augustana Lutheran Church
2710 NE 14th, Portland

Peace Fair and Interfaith Dialogue following service

Sponsored by: Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, The Interfaith Alliance of NW Oregon, Interfaith Council of Greater Portland and the Inter-Religious Action Network of Washington County

SUPPORT THE CHURCHES OF SCIENTOLOGY DISASTER RESPONSE IN HAITI:

Click this link to see the TV news report on the medical team fired out to Haiti:

http://www.wpix.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=238a3e2e-b27b-4053-9127-6c676d3e572c&src=front

Click on the image to see larger view

Youth For Human Rights annual review

What a great year YFHR had! To receive a copy of the 2009 year-end report, email a request to: info@youthforhumanrights.org

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Anniversary Event

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE FLIER:
HRDay09Flyer2.pdf


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, 2009
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
First United Methodist Church
1838 SW Jefferson, Portland, OR 97201

* Special Story: Koffi Dessou, Executive Assistant, Office of Human Relations, City of Portland – Tells the story of his fight to ensure the rights for all in Togo, Africa

* Thai Princess Dance performance by BAAN SAAN FUHN

* Keynote Speaker: Greg Hamilton, President, Northwest Religious Liberty Association – Speaking on the UN UDHR and the American Constitution

Visit the tables of the Co-Sponsors and enjoy the refreshments.
Sign up to read on stage an article of the UDHR
Support the U.N. by joining UNA-Oregon

(website: http://www.una-oregon.org/)

For more information email: info@una-oregon.org

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE AND FELLOWSHIP DINNER

This is a great event. Please click here to view the pdf file with time, day, location, etc.

ThanksgivingFlyer20091.pdf

New short film "Struck"

This is a very cute new short film that's worth watching:

www.struckthefilm.com

I couldn't get the link to insert properly, so just copy/paste the web address into your browser.

This event is part of a Parliament of World Religions process of hosting gatherings around the world prior to their December World Parliament in Melbourne, Australia.

Several in Portland will be taking what we learn from this event to Melbourne, and returning to share what we've learned in a Post-Parliament event intended to further energize our work

Our intent is to gather the wisdom of this area in terms of the ethics and activities we share. Please go to our own event web page to learn more and to print a flyer that we hope you will post, extract information for announcements in your organization bulletin, and forward to friends.

This event will be highly interactive and engaging--no panels or speakers--and we hope each person will make new friends across the region and deepen existing relationships. Please confirm your attendance by RSVPing from the website so we can include you in our food and beverage planning.

We hope to see you July 26th at the First Methodist Church on SW 18th and Columbia from 4-7PM.

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth,

but most of them pick themselves up and

hurry off as if nothing ever happened."

Sir Winston Churchill

British politician (1874 - 1965)

A message from AbleChild: A Non-profit parents rights organization

Defeat Mother's Act by Mother's Day!

Please Take Action and Call Your Representative

Ablechild has been following The Mother's Act, a bill that clearly violates informed consent and places mothers and children at risk. This bill would mandate the government to screen all new mothers for subjective mental conditions. We would like to update you on this act and request that you take the time to familiarize yourself with it.

Ablechild strongly opposes The Mother's Act. This special interest bill entitled The Mother's Act should fool NO MOTHER into thinking it is harmless! It is truly lethal. Take a look

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BQtDir%2Bw0XJcTl/kstdOw9Cm3hLBecyb

Every call, fax and e-mail to your representative counts. It is simple. Tell them you strongly oppose the Mothers Act by going here.

For more information and understanding of this act and the consequences that could result if this form of legislation gets passed into law please view http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=UNWXwErgBGn5s6citW40QEqDTBFwulIY

Once again, thank you for making a difference!

Patricia Weathers
Sheila Matthews
Co-Founders
Ablechild
http://www.ablechild.org/
203-594-1700

Copyright 2001- 2007 Ablechild (Parents for Label and Drug Free Education). All rights reserved. Ablechild is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, Section 501(c) (3) charitable organization, and donations are deductible under the provisions of the IRS Tax Code. Ablechild and the Ablechild logo is a Trademark of Ablechild, Inc.

Thanksgiving Service another highest ever

Yet another successful Inter-religious Action Network Thanksgiving service! Another highest ever on attendance and on funds raised for Family Bridge. THANK YOU to all who contributed to this success. Here are some photos: ThanksgivingCollage2008.pdf

VERY COOL "WELCOME TO PLANET EARTH" VIDEO

This is a short, animated sci-fi video created by four students of the ESMA Film School in Montpelier, France that I thought was worth passing on: http://www.flixxy.com/film-school-short-animation.htm

3rd Annual FESTIVAL OF FAITH!!

!!SAVE THE DATE!!

Sunday, October 26th

10:00 to 5:00

at Portland State University

It's the 3rd annual Festival of Faith, brought to you by the

Interfaith Council of Greater Portland!

Talk about perfect timing: we've got the anti-Islam DVD distributed by the Oregonian, anti-Scientology rhetoric by the teenage Internet terrorists, and the continued fuzzying of the Church/State separation line by yet another contentious campaign.

Come find out for yourself: there will be 20 different reglions or religious organizations presented, plus great music, table info, cookies and a keynote address from David Leslie (Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon).

All the latest and greatest gets added here, right off the planning committee's presses (check back often for up-to-the-minute info):
http://www.ifcgp.org/

Inter-Religious Dialogues

A Special Program of the

Inter-Religious Action Network of Washington County

Four evening sessions from 6:30 to 9:00

First meeting, Tuesday October 28 (place to be announced)

Subsequent meeting dates will be determined by the group

Topics to be discussed:

Session one— Getting to Know Each Other

Session two - How We Know God

Session three—How Do We View Salvation?

Session four - From Exclusivism to Pluralism

Each four-session facilitated dialogue group will be limited to 12 people who commit to attending all the sessions. Everyone is invited to participate, but we will try to make sure that many different religious backgrounds are represented in each group.

The group will be facilitated by Emily Gottfried (Jewish) and Matthew Egan (Lutheran).

Register by October 15! Call - 503-846-5792 Email— ianofwashingtoncounty@gmail.com

11th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, “Sacred Gathering, Thankful Giving”, 2008 theme

Faith Communities Of Washington County

Dear Friends,

The Inter-Religious Action Network of Washington County (IAN) is in the planning stages of our 11th Annual INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE, which is traditionally held the Sunday before Thanksgiving in November on 11/23/08. An offering is given each year to the Family Bridge Homeless Shelter. We invite representation from each faith tradition to join in participation as well as the planning of this event. This year the inter-religious worship service will be from 5:30 - 6:30 pm with a fellowship meal to follow the service. We invite all faith communities throughout Washington County to gather together for an evening of rich diversity. It will be hosted by and held at the LDS church on 2220 NE Jackson School Road in Hillsboro.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, and in the true meaning of Community, we invite and ask the various faith communities to bring something to the table. We offer to you an opportunity to contribute to the event by way of helping with the logistical details of the evening--from inviting members of your congregation to sing in the inter-religious choir, to providing a portion of the meal, or providing promotional work to promote the event. We are contacting your faith community in advance, to seek your desire as to how you would like to engage your congregants. In the past, we have had as many as 750 folks gather together in worship and the fellowship meal.

Please contact DeAnne Dewey with any comments or questions and your choice of service and outreach by Oct. 15th. We look forward to hearing from you.

DeAnne Dewey
IAN Chair
gomusicdewey@comcast.net
503-844-2941 hm.
503-819-1610 cell