by WebPost | Jan 12, 2020 | Announcement, Peace and Social Concerns
Monacan Chief Kenneth Branham spoke at the Meeting House
on November 22nd as part of a Native American educational event. He has asked that we support the Monacan people in protecting their ancestral lands by signing onto a
letter to Governor Northam and Commander Patrick Kinsman of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The letter asks the Army Corps of Engineers not to allow the James River Water Authority to proceed with constructing a pump station and pipeline project at Point of Fork. If permitted in its current form, this project would destroy the historic Monacan capital of Rassewek in addition to several other significant historical and archaeological sites.
The Peace and Social Concerns Committee has signed on to the letter as a committee; we hope that other Friends who are concerned about this issue will feel called to sign the letter as individuals. More details about this issue are provided in the letter itself; just click on the link below to see it.
Thank You!
by WebPost | Jan 5, 2020 | Announcement, Peace and Social Concerns
We invite you to join us for our once a month walking peace vigil, “Take a Second for Peace”. We’ll meet in front of the new statue at the VA Museum, “Rumors of War”,
at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11. We walk from there to Broad Street and Back, usually lasting about 45 minutes. Any questions, call Al Simmons or Marcia Dickinson at
804 355 0936. We’d love to see you there.
by WebPost | Nov 16, 2019 | Announcement, Peace and Social Concerns
Please join us tomorrow, 11/17 after Meeting for Business for our fundraising lunch for the Unitive Justice Re-Entry program. Come learn about this unique program—to be taught by two men who were imprisoned for violent crimes, transformed their lives in prison and are now powerful voices for Justice as Love (aka Unitive Justice)—and an attorney “in recovery.” Returning citizens will learn Unitive Justice theory and advanced circle facilitation skills to take to the communities to which they are returning. Addressing conflicts before the police are called will avoid convictions and disrupt the cradle to prison pipeline. A delicious and hearty meal will be served. We look forward to seeing you there.
by WebPost | Oct 16, 2019 | Announcement, Peace and Social Concerns
This Sunday is a busy day- but come, drop in, even if you can’t come for the entire time.
Central Virginia Sanctuary Network is hosting their annual fall event at Temple Beth-El. Join us for delicious tamales, a silent auction, and the opportunity to learn more about how to support those in your community! We have tables available for interested organizations.
Contact Jase Hatcher at jase@virginiainterfaithcenter.org for more information.
by WebPost | Sep 15, 2019 | Announcement, Peace and Social Concerns
The mission of Circles RVA is to “offer a relationship-based model to empower individuals and families to permanently move out of poverty and thrive by engaging the strengths, goodwill and existing resources of the community and focus on the collaborative ownership of solutions to break the cycle of poverty”. Circles RVA is an area of focus for the Peace & Social Concerns Committee. As part of our support we are providing four dinners for their weekly meetings.*
Our third meal for Circles RVA will be on September 24. Mark Skolnick will be collecting donations to cover
the costs for this meal. If you would like to help with the serving of this meal, please contact Rhonda Ligon or Verna Boos. *(RFM has made the commitment to support these four meals for Circles RVA).
by WebPost | Jul 16, 2019 | Announcement, Peace and Social Concerns
Midlothian Friends are hosting at their meetinghouse an orientation session with the DC Detention Visitation Network (DCDVN)on Saturday, June 29 from 2:00 to 4:00. Other Quakers from Charlottesville Friends Meeting and Richmond Friends Meetingare also invited. The Midlothian Friends Meetinghouse is located at 900 Preservation Rd, Midlothian, VA 23113.
DCDVN offers friendship and support to immigrants held in detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Maryland and now, after several years’ effort, in Farmville Virginia. The orientation on June 29th will focus on DCDVN’s program for social visits to detainees, many of whom are held for months with no visits from family or friends. Many family members live far from Farmville and can’t afford the time away from work or the cost of a visit. Others are undocumented themselves and afraid to visit an ICE facility. Some detainees are simply estranged from their families. Visits from community members can give them a “break,” boost their morale, and help refocus their emotions on positive relationships while in detention.
Jim Bell of Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s Peace and Social Concerns Committee, and a two-year DCDVN volunteer in Maryland will lead the orientation. The session will be informal and cover many aspects of how to visit detainees: what to do, what not to do, proper attire, conversation starters, etc. All questions will be welcome.
You don’t have to be fluent in Spanish to visit a detainee!
We invite you to join with Friends and other like-minded people. For more information, visit the DCDVN website (https://dcdetentionvisitation.org/visitation-program). Jim suggests that you complete the short volunteer form before you come to orientation. If you have questions, contact Lucretia Farago of Midlothian Friends at 804-658-9021 or lsfarago@gmail.com.
