Peace and Social Concerns Committee

Purpose: The role of P&SC is to identify, prioritize, communicate, advocate, collaborate and follow-up to peace and social concerns of the day where we can witness the Peace Testimony and contribute to solution of social concerns.

Frequency of meeings: Quarterly, Saturdays, 8:30 AM to 11 AM. Brunch, Mandatory

 

Current or recent special endeavors/projects: Two mercy missions to support morale and cleanup after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Mississippi and Louisiana, Alternatives to Violence for youth in the Loudoun Detention Center, Workshop for teens regarding consideration of being a Conscientious Objector, letter signed by Meeting in support of the Peace Tax Fund, warm clothing drive for Rosebud Indian Reservation, volunteer support to FCNL.

Scheduled Alternatives to Violence Workshop late March, early April to bring other facilitators into the fold. Peace Tax Fund workshop scheduled for April 22, joining with Frederick Meeting. Quaker Initiative to end Torture (QUIT) conference June 2-4, endorsed by BYM. Planting a tree in Billie Hetzel’s memory. Working actively with Virginia legislators with many bills both in judiciary committee as well as hitting the floor on the death penalty. FCNL priorities being collected for focus during the next two years. Intense support to Amnesty International’s Urgent Campaigns for letter writing to country leaders and decision makers. Being active in phone calls, faxes, meetings with our legislators, both on the Hill and in Richmond regarding voting opinions and directions.

Interaction or work with other Committees: Two committee members are FCNL focal points, one a volunteer. This committee does a vast amount of lobbying for issues important to P&SC.

Outreach: Alternatives to Violence/Help Increase the Peace program is faithfully facilitated by Friends at the Loudoun Juvenile Detention Center. More facilitators are always needed desperately. Lobbying to Congress from FCNL to show Quaker values. Actively involved with Amnesty International. Support of mercy missions to Lousiana and Mississippi.