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A Message from
Executive Director, Rodney L. Petersen
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Dear Friends of CMM,
Both events acknowledge heroes: The first chosen in honor of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass whose birth dates fall in February; the second acknowledges the pioneering work of the heroes behind
The Common Word initiative. The former is embodied in the Black Lives Matter movement; the latter in an initiative calling for religious leaders to engage in a dialogue of love; Love of God, and Love of Neighbor. The Marrakesh Declaration,
Muslims Advance Consensus for Citizenship for All, is in this light. But Valentine's Day, February 14, centers the month, named for the physician who long ago reached out to show care for his jailor in a Roman cell. Love is not easy.
February is love month.
How to show love in a time of racial and religious tension is summarized by a moniker associated with The Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian-Muslim Relations at Merrimack College: "There is no one in the human race to whom we do not owe love," St. Augustine (Letter 130.13). This spirit carries into
the address at Northeastern University by Liberian Noble Prize Winner Leymah Gbowee responsible for leading a women's peace movement that helped bring an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003 (2/11); and encouragement to join the greater New England community for the
New England Interfaith Student Summit (2/12).
So, too, CMM begins a 10-week training in Forgiveness and Reconciliation at the Walker Centre, running from February 3 - April 6 as we work with the Mattapan/Dorchester group and shape the curriculum for schools and prisons. Note that Part II of The Dignity Project for religious leaders and seminarians focused on religious tolerance will be held again at Hebrew College on April 11th.
So we show love for one another and for the earth through CMM's Food Justice Book Club and collaborative environmental work, caring for our terrestrial terrarium! We encourage all to sign up for programs like the
Ecumenical Carbon Fast for Lent.
So we will show love for all of you and for ourselves at the
CMM Annual Dinner, now set for May 5, to be hosted by Temple Ohabei Shalom, keynote speaker "Nuns on the Bus" Sister Simone Campbell and featuring the Workmen's Circle Yiddish Choir! Save the date!
Sincerely,
Rodney
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CMM's Questionnaire for the 50th Anniversary
Thank you for your interest in and support of the Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries (CMM). CMM is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and is taking this opportunity to ask our subscribers and supporters - like you - how best to move CMM forward for the next 50 years.
Would you consider taking 5 minutes to complete this short survey to tell us what you think and what you'd like to see?
What social and interfaith issues are important to you? What can CMM do to foster greater interfaith understanding?
How can we work together to resolve conflict and strengthen relationships across religious lines? We'd like your input into these and other important questions.
Thank you for taking time to tell us what you think. It matters!
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SAVE THE DATE: CMM's 50th Anniversary Annual Dinner with Sister Simone Campbell
Thursday, May 5, 2016, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Temple Ohabei Shalom - 1187 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02446
We invite you to come and celebrate our 50th Anniversary with us!
On Thursday May 5, CMM will hold a fundraising dinner featuring Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director of Network, who will speak on the event's theme: TBD. We will celebrate the past 50 year's accomplishments, honor our outstanding awardees, hear Sister Simone's message and charge to us, enjoy listening to the live music, and look forward to the goals and projects for our coming year and next 50!
Sponsorship Opportunities for Groups and Individuals:
- Gold Supporter - $10,000: A table of ten, public acknowledgement the evening of our event and a full-page ad in our program brochure and as a supporter on our website
- Silver Supporter - $5,000- $9,999: A table of ten, sponsorship listing on our website as a CMM supporter, and a half-page ad in our program brochure
- Bronze Supporter - $2,500-4,999: A table of ten and a quarter page ad in our program brochure
- Congregational/Community Table- $350-500: A table of ten
**All sponsorships can be made by check and mailed to CMM, or via our online donations portal on our website.**
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President Obama made his first visit to a mosque in America
Speaking at the Islamic Society of Baltimore, he said:
"At a time when others are trying to divide us along lines of religion or sect, we have to reaffirm that most fundamental of truths-we are all God's children, all born equal with inherent dignity. So often we focus on outward differences, we forget how much we share."
Watch his remarks:
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The President Speaks at the
Islamic Society of Baltimore
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Just Peace in the Community
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Petition in Support of Wheaton College's Professor Larycia Hawkins
Wheaton College is trying to fire Professor Larycia Hawkins - the first tenured African American woman at Wheaton College since 1860, and the only full-time African American woman on the faculty.
During a time of anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence in our country, Professor Hawkins posted a photo of herself wearing a hijab, writing on Facebook, "I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book. And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God."
Two weeks from now there will be a hearing to decide if Professor Hawkins will be fired or not. Before then, I (John L. Esposito of Georgetown University) will be going to hand deliver a letter from multifaith leaders, people of faith, and people of moral courage calling on Wheaton to do the right thing and reinstate her.
Thank you for joining the struggle,
Rev. Dr. Peter Goodwin Heltzel (Wheaton, Class of 1994) and the Auburn Senior Fellows
Rev. Dr. William Barber II
Rabbi Sharon Brous
Sister Simone Campbell
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
Dr. Sharon Groves
Lisa Sharon Harper
Valarie Kaur
Rabbi Stephanie Kolin
Rev. Dr. Jacqui J. Lewis
Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews
Rev. Brian McLaren
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
Bishop Gene Robinson
Linda Sarsour
Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock
The Council on American Islamic Relations in MA - Job Openings
CAIR-Massachusetts is currently seeking two part-time employees, in the fields of Development and Community Organizing (one each, respectively). Please forward them to anyone whom you believe might be interested, and share them widely in your networks.
Harvard Immigration Project's 2016 Symposium - Refugee Voices
Friday, February 5, 2016, 12:00pm - 5:00pm
WCC 2019 Milstein West A - Harvard Law School
Please join us for a symposium discussing the refugee crisis and immigration system from those most affected by it: refugees themselves.
Lunch will be served at the keynote address.
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Keynote Address.
Suyapa Perez, Honduran women's and teachers' rights activist.
1:00pm - 3:00pm: Panel: The Refugee Experience in America.
Nabeel Almohtade, Idiatou Balde, Jane Mallei and Faras Sadek discuss their journeys from Iraq, Guinea, Kenya and Syria, and experiences applying for asylum and adjusting to America. Moderated by Sabrineh Ardalan, Assistant Director and Lecturer on Law at the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic.
3:00pm - 5:00pm: "Lost in Detention" Documentary Screening and Discussion with Director
Documentary about the Obama administration's record number of deportations, and those most affected by immigration detention. Discussion with writer and director Rick Young moderated by Phil Torrey, Lecturer in Law at the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic, Supervising Attorney for the Harvard Immigration Project and Crimmigration specialist.
No RSVP required. Open to the general public.
Public Conversations Project Workshops
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
$150 (discounts available)
Preparation isn't just for the "sage from the stage" type of communication - it's critical for conversation, too, enabling a group to avoid ruts of dysfunctional and transform their relationships. As a result of preparation, participants can engage more deeply with others on subjects about which they feel passionately...and differently. A facilitator can prepare people to enter a new kind of conversation and avoid old, stuck patterns of communication. This workshop offers participants one of Public Conversations' signature contributions to the field of dialogue: a toolkit for participants - and facilitators - to prepare themselves and a group for conversations across deep differences.
For more workshops into July,
click here to download more information.
Building a Culture of Forgiveness and Reconciliation Workshops
February 3, 2016 - March 30, 2016,
10 consecutive Wednesday afternoons (4-6pm)
CMM
has started another two-month training in Newton "Building a Culture of Forgiveness and Reconciliation" with The Protestant Chaplaincy Council Community Chaplain Program, and The Walker Center for Ecu
menical Exchange. Stay tuned for more opportunities to join our efforts in violence reduction in the city of Boston. For more info, please email:
[email protected]
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Creating an Action Plan for Your Organization
Wednesday, February 10th, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420
Presenter Bob Voss, PhD
Effectively leading change in an organization requires the mastery of an integrated set of capabilities and behaviors that enable a leadership team to align culture, structure, strategy and implementation simultaneously. A team needs to be able to assess the current state of their organization, the ideal future state and the primary constraints to both higher team performance and business growth. Then, strategic initiatives for resolving these constraints need to be created and effectively implemented.
Bob will briefly review the Seven Principals for Leading Change, a powerful framework and roadmap for navigating complex change in an organization. The focus of the seminar will be the last of these seven principals, Implementation-the art and science of successfully organizing and leading change projects.
In this workshop you will: Do a self-assessment of the key attributes required to be an effective project leader. Learn about the key components of the life cycle of leading a project. Learn how to use some project management tools.
SAVE THE DATE:
CMM & CIRCLE Present the next part of the Dignity Project
Monday, April 11, 2016, 8:30am - 3:30pm
Hebrew College, 160 Herrick Rd. Newton Centre, MA
Human Dignity and Religious Tolerance: A Workshop for Religious & Community Leaders
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20th Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace
Sunday, May 8, 2016, 7:00am
Town Field Park, Fields Corner
1520 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
2016 Host Committee Co-Chairs
City of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh
Dr. Kevin Tabb, CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Maura Healey, MA Attorney General
Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, MA State Senate
Please note: this year we are walking to Boston City Hall.
Exact routes are being determined and will be shared soon.
Attend a Walk info session:
We are hosting several informational sessions, so be sure to mark your calendars. Team captains and any one new to the walk are encouraged to attend this info session. Learn how to start a team page, pick up promotion materials and find out details about this years walk.
RSVP to
[email protected]
Upcoming Info Sessions:
Saturday, February 13, 10:30am-1pm
Saturday, March 5, 10:30am-1pm
Saturday, April 16, 10:30am-1pm
Questions? Call 844-PeaceWK
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Just Peace with the Earth
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A Book Club on Food **Updates to come following each session**
CMM has started a book club devoted to conversation and learning related to food and its intersections with spirituality/faith, justice, policy, economy and the environment:
February 4, 18, and March 3, 2016. For more info, please email Eva Englert at
[email protected]
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Religions and the Practice of Peace Initiative Colloquium:
Buddhist Responses to Climate Change
Thursday, February 18, 2016, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Sperry Room, Andover Hall, 45 Francis Ave
Lenten Carbon Fast Invitation
To fellow Christians, Pastors, and Denominational Leaders,
Make Lent an opportunity to enter into a spiritual discipline of fasting from carbon.
If you are a pastor -
SIGN UP
... and:
copy & paste this into an email, AND convene a weekly Lenten discussion focusing on the Carbon Fast. MAKE THIS YOUR CHURCH'S LENTEN PROGRAM!
- And if you're part of a local clergy association, email it to your colleagues, too.
If you are a denominational leader -
SIGN UP
...and:
- email this invitation to the pastors in your region, AND
- email this invitation to your regional colleagues who lead other denominations.
Here's how it works:
Beginning Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent, participants will receive a daily email with the day's suggested carbon-reducing activity.
Make this your congregation's Lenten activity:
Organize an opportunity within your congregation for members to meet each week during Lent to discuss their own experience with this fast, AND specifically to discuss the weekly themes which also invite participants to engage in suggested actions.
Please forward this invitation - to others in your congregation and to other pastors.
AN INITIATIVE OF: NEREM - New England Regional Environmental Ministries
Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ
Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
Rev. James E. Hazelwood, Bishop of the New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Thomas G. Carr, Senior Minister, First Baptist Church (West Hartford, CT), Co-Founder and Co- Chair of the Board of the Inter-Religious Eco-Justice Network, and Member of the Steering Committee of Interfaith Moral Action on Climate- signing on behalf of Rev. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, USA
Rev. Margaret R. Rose, Presiding Bishop's Deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Collaboration
Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knise
ly, S.O.Sc., Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island
Rev. R. Wayne Parrish, General Presbyter Boston Presbytery Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. Robert Mark, Sr. Pastor Church of the Covenant PCUSA Eco-Stewards Program
Rev. Stephanie Johnson (Energy Stewardship Minister of Province One, Episcopal Church)
Rev. Laura E. Everett, Executive Director, Massachusetts Council of Churches
Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Rt. Rev. Roy (Bud) Cederholm, Jr., Bishop Suffragan (Retired), Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan, Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
Rev. Mr. Charles Wildman, Interim Conference Minister, Connecticut Conference, UCC
Rev. Rick Cowles, Interim Conference Minister, Maine Conference, United Church of Christ
Rev. Gary M. Schulte, Conference Minister, New Hampshire Conference, United Church of Christ
Rev. Canon Hannah P. Anderson, Canon to the Ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
Rt. Rev. Douglas John Fisher, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
His Eminence Metropolitan Methodius, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
(representing His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew)
Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Minister and President, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
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Just Peace in the Marketplace
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City of Newton Housing Rehabilitation Program
The Newton Housing Program, using federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds, provides assistance to income qualified households to improve the health and safety conditions of their homes.
Interfaith Prayer Booklet on Just Peace in the Marketplace
CMM's new interfaith prayer booklet centering on Just Peace in the Marketplace will appear in February 2016. See our homepage for more information or to download last year's prayer booklet centering on Just Peace in the Community:
www.coopmet.org
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Can We Talk? Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center Cory Johnson Trauma Education Program
Roxbury Presbyterian Church 328 Warren St, Roxbury
Are you experiencing trauma or loss? Come share your voice & story.
Winter 2016 Trauma Support Programming, 6:00pm START TIME - All are welcome!
2/10 Mother's Support Group
2/11 Trauma Education:
The Traumatic Legacy of Racism
2/17 Mother's Support Group
2/18 Men's Support Group
2/24 Mother's Support Group
2/25 CAN WE TALK?
3/2 Mother's Support Group
3/3 Healing the Body-Afro-flow Yoga
& Men's Support Group
With questions or to request childcare for CAN WE TALK? call: (617) 445-2116
A Day of Movies about Addiction and Recovery
Sponsored by
Bethel AME Church &
Bethel Institute for Social Justice
In collaboration with
Boston Grassroots and Faith-based Coalition
Saturday, February 6th, 9am - 3pm
Showing 9am - 11am, Lunch and Roundtable 11am - 12:15pm
For the past 40 years, the war on drugs has resulted in more than 45 million arrest, $1trillion dollars in government spending, and America's role as the world largest jailer. Yet for all that, drugs are cheaper, purer, and more available than ever. Filmed in more than 20 states, "
The House I Live In" captures heart-wrenching stories of those on the front lines - from the dealer to the griever mother, the narcotics officer to the senator, the inmate to the federal judge - and offers a penetrating look at the profound human rights implications of America's longest war.
Showing 12:45pm - 1:45pm, Recovery Panel 1:45pm - 3pm
"The Anonymous People" is a feature documentary film about the 23.5 million Americans living in long term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Sensational mass media depicts people in active addiction and continues to perpetuate a lurid public fascination with the dysfunctional side of what is a preventable and treatable health condition. The moving story of "The Anonymous People" is told through the faces and voices of the leaders, volunteers, corporate executives, and celebrities who are laying it all on the line to save the lives of others just like them.
All showings will take place at Bethel AME Church, 38 Walk Hill St Boston 02130
This is a free event. Lunch will be served. Special thanks to our partners:
MDPH Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
MA Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR)
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO)
BPHC Safe and Sound Recovery Center
Future Hope Apprenticeship & Recovery Program
Do you know someone that is struggling with addiction and needs a recovery coach? Please send them to Future Hope Apprenticeship and Recovery Program, Inc.
Mission: The Future Hope Pre-Apprenticeship Program (FHAP) is a faith-based program providing valuable job opportunities in the construction trade, along with Life-Skills education, professional guidance, and job readiness training for a sustainable FUTURE. We are committed to meeting client's needs via supportive resources to underserved neighborhoods. We aim to build community and family leaders by replacing fear and doubt with HOPE.
The next recovery academy begins Febraury 22 Mon-Fri 10-4 PM
Recovery Coaching
For more info, please contact Rev. Hutcherson at
[email protected]
RSVP: Using Restorative Justice to Stop the Cycle of Violence
Wednesday March 30th, 7pm - 9pm
Charlotte Simpson, Leroy Ivey, and Dr. Margaret Seater will talk about RSVP, a program that helps people who have been violent not be violent again. Their goal is to bring RSVP to Massachusetts prisons. We will start with a showing of "Fatal Peril," a 60-minute documentary about violent men exploring the roots of their violence and how they can change their behavior and their lives.
Restorative justice is a set of practices that resolve harmful incidents by focusing on healing harms and making a situation as right as possible. This free event is part of Restorative Justice Heals - a year-long series of programs sponsored by the Mass Incarceration Working Group of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington.
First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington 630 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476
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Spirituality & Interfaith Dialogue
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Visiting Scholars Program Part 2:
Interfaith Panel Discussion: Commonalities Among Jews, Christians and Muslims
Sunday, February 7th, 9:30am breakfast/10am Program
Panelists:
Rabbi Ira L. Korinow, D. D., Temple Emanu-El
Dr. Joseph T. Kelley, Ph.D., D.Min., Director of the Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian-Muslim Relations at Merrimack College
Shua Khan Arshad, President of Groton Interfaith Council, CMM Executive Board Member
Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St, Haverhill, MA 01830
A $5 contribution per person for each session is suggested.
BC School of Theology & Ministry Continuing Education: On Campus Spring Lecture Events
STM welcomes all as part of our commitment to making contemporary theological discussion accessible to the community. All events are open to the public, free of charge.
Please register.
The New England Interfaith Student Summit (NEISS), featuring Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee
February 11-12, 2016 Northeastern University, Boston, MA
We hope you, your students, and colleagues will join us for the first-ever New England Interfaith Student Summit (NEISS), with Nobel Peace Prize Winner Leymah Gbowee, a leader of the interfaith women's movement which helped end to the Second Liberian Civil War in West Africa.
Ms. Gbowee has pioneered Christian-Muslim nonviolent action and dialogue with important relevance for our current climate. Her Thursday keynote and Friday "Master Class" will help frame a gathering with dynamic leadership workshops, interfaith dialogues, inter-campus networking, community service, and experiences to learn about worship and spiritual practice from other traditions.
The schedule is:
- Keynote/Opening Ceremony - Thursday, February 11, 2016 (6-8pm) - open to ALL, including community members, students, staff, faculty (tickets required).
- New England Interfaith Student Summit (NEISS) - Friday, February 12, 2016 (all day) - open to all high school students, college students, graduate students, staff/faculty advisors and mentors.
We invite partner schools and organizations to sponsor the NEISS. As a partner, your only commitment will be to publicize the event and bring at least 5 students or members from your organization to attend either the Opening Ceremony or the NEISS. All partners will be listed in the conference program booklet. Please email Alexander Levering Kern at
[email protected] if you'd like to cosponsor.
Meet Our Muslim Neighbors
Sunday, February 21st, 1:30 (doors), 2pm - 4pm
Join us for an opportunity to meet some of our Muslim neighbors as
well as listen to and ask questions of local experts on Islam.
Guests include:
Celene Ibrahim, Islamic Studies Scholar-in-Residence &
Co-Director of the Center for Inter-Religious and Communal Leadership
Education at Hebrew College & Andover Newton Theological School
Abdul Kader Asmal, MD, Past President of the Islamic Council of New
England
Reverend Manish Mishra-Marzetti, First Parish in Lincoln
John Robbins, Ph.D., Executive Director Council on American Islamic
Relations
Sponsored by the Center for Community Engagement and the
League of Women Voters of Waltham
Government Center Auditorium,
119 School St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Risky Dialogue: Women's Interreligious Hospitality in the Aftermath of Violence in Indonesia
Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 12pm
Braun Room, Andover Hall, 45 Francis Ave.
Women's Studies in Religion Program and the Religions and the Practice of Peace Initiative at HDS
WSRP 2015-16 Research Associate Septemmy Lakawa (Jakarta Theological Seminary), Visiting Assistant Professor of Women's Studies and Theology, will present her talk, "Risky Dialogue: Women's Interreligious Hospitality in the Aftermath of Violence in Indonesia." Lunch will be served.
Calling All Veterans: Stand with Our Muslim Friends
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, February 27, 2016 11:00am - 1:00pm
Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, 100 Malcolm X Blvd. Roxbury, MA
We are planning a gathering/program/rally at the Islamic Society of Boston to show our support, as veterans, for our Muslim friends, neighbors and co-workers.
PLEASE REACH OUT TO FELLOW VETERANS AND ASK THEM TO JOIN US. WE ARE INVITING OTHER VETERANS TO JOIN US FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT GATHERING TOMAKE IT CLEAR VETERANS STAND AGAINST THIS HATRED, BIGOTRY AND ISLAMOPHOBIA DIRECTED TOWARDS OUR MUSLIM FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND COWORKERS.
We anticipate the speaking part of the program to last about an hour then we will move inside to share conversation and snacks. The speakers will consist of veterans, Muslim members of the Mosque and invited guests.
We hope to see you there!
Upcoming CMM Interfaith Dialogue Dinners
Please join CMM for the RUAH Program Committee's next Dialogue Dinners: "Interfaith Spiritual Perspectives: Coping with Chronic Illness," April 2016, and "Race & Overcoming Inequality," June 2016. For more info, please contact Maxine Lyons
at
[email protected]
or Mary Kay Klein at
[email protected]
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Interfaith Youth Initiative IFYI 2016
***
SAVE THE DATES***
Knowledge | Engagement | Service | Leadership
July 22nd - July 31st, 2016
IFYI is a 10-day program that brings young people together to experience different religions, volunteer, learn, lead, and have fun, while building an interfaith community.
College and high school tracks running concurrently.
Visit
www.coopmet.org
for more information or email CMM's IFYI Program Director, Stephanie Sanger-Miller at [email protected]
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