by WebPost | Oct 12, 2023 | Peace and Social Concerns
Our State Legislative government has an enormous impact on how we individually and corporately live our Faith in our day to day lives. Your vote is one way to “speak Truth to Power” and support the enactment of policies that are congruent with our testimonies. This year, 100 % of our legislative seats are up for election, so it is an especially important year to vote.
To vote you must be registered and go to the proper polling place. To make sure that your registration is accurate or to register to vote, go to https://www.elections.virginia.gov/. League of Women Voters provides another portal to check registration in addition to providing information about your ballot. Their site is https://www.vote411.org/virginia
If you need assistance to access your information, there will be someone with their computer to assist you at the rise of Meeting this Sunday, October 15, 2023.
Deadlines:October 16th: deadline for on line and mail in registrationsSame Day registrations begin on Oct 17th. It is only available:in-person at the general registrar’s office for your localityat your satellite early voting site during the early voting periodat your precinct on Election Day.
If you need an transportation to the polls you can contact Ellen Arginteanu or Randee Humphrey (information in directory)
by WebPost | Aug 22, 2023 | Current, Peace and Social Concerns
In our July Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business we approved joining Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy’s “100% Voting Congregations Initiative”. This is a crucial year for our community and state legislative elections. Recent changes to our district lines increase our need for proper information and registration. As a 100% voting congregation, we agree to
• encourage/facilitate registration and voting among our attenders and members,
• distribute information about ways to vote,
• disseminate information about ways to learn about our local candidates,
• encourage participation in community wide efforts to register voters
• engage those among us who cannot vote in other ways to participate.
Peace and Social Concerns Committee cannot make this happen by ourselves. If you are willing to help us in this effort, please contact Rhonda Ligon or Ellen Arginteanu.
by WebPost | Jun 21, 2023 | Current, Peace and Social Concerns
We have been contacted by a member of Morningside Meeting in NYC about two recent emigres from Afghanistan. They wish to increase their contact with other Richmonders. While in Afghanistan they worked in different capacities for climate and human rights. After the withdrawal of the US, with their own lives in jeopardy, they helped other Afghan refugees fight for their rights. They are used to being involved in civic life and would like to find ways to help others in Richmond. If you would like to contact them, please contact Rhonda Ligon or Ellen Arginteanu. Also, they are looking to buy a second hand car, so if you know of a car for sale or a reputable dealer contact either Rhonda or Ellen for their contact information.
by WebPost | Jun 21, 2023 | Current, Peace and Social Concerns
The Peace Testimony Reading Group had their first session on Saturday, June 17th. There will be three more sessions, each on the third Saturday at 9:30 am, specifically, July 15th, August 19th and Sept 16th. If you wish to join and have not signed up, please contact Ellen Arginteanu.
by WebPost | Jun 9, 2023 | Clerk’s Business, Peace and Social Concerns
From Tina Eshleman of First Mennonite Church:
As a fellow peace church in the Richmond area, I wondered if you might share this announcement about a peace-themed musical theater production we are hosting on June 16: https://fb.me/e/3123pF3gX.
Selah’s Song, written by Johnny Wideman with original music by beloved Mennonite musician Brian Moyer Suderman, tells the story of a young girl whose courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Inundated with catchy pro-war propaganda songs, Selah is inspired to share her own music with the village. Selah’s Song is a heartwarming musical that is fun for all ages!
by WebPost | May 28, 2023 | Current, Peace and Social Concerns
Have you ever wondered if you could do something to help those in poverty that would help get them out and to thrive? You can make a difference. Circles RVA does this one person at a time in a small group, but over time those small groups of one person with allies builds up as more and more become financially stable and are able to thrive.
Circles RVA has been in Richmond since 2017. It is part of Circles USA, which was developed after over 20 years of research into poverty. Their model was developed after learning that social service agencies was effective in providing long term solutions for only a small proportion of those in poverty. They saw that placing the responsibility for making goals, making them in steps that could be measured in the hands of each poor person within 18 months a huge difference could be made.
Circles RVA is starting a new cohort and looking for people in poverty to be trained to be Leaders in their journey to escape poverty and to build a better life for themselves and their loved ones. They are taught about becoming leaders, financial management and setting goals to make it possible to attain their dreams. We are also looking for Allies to join them in an intentional relationship in this journey. In this Allies are many things: someone to listen to them, to help them with problems, if possible, or to help them find help for a problem, mentor may be a small part.
Circles meets every Tuesday from 6-8pm at Grace and Holy Trinity Church, between Sacred Heart Cathedral and The Altria Theater on Laurel St. We have a dinner and then time for the Circles to get together or programming of some sort. We also get together outside of our regular times. For more information see Verna Boos or talk to Chris Olsen Vickers, a former ally. Check out www.CirclesRVA.org for more information on how you can help and to learn about previous cohorts.
