In
this Issue:
A
Hope for Peace & Justice Lent
By Rev. Michael Piazza
 March
1 is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. In the Catholic,
Orthodox, and mainline Christian traditions, Lent is a
season of penance, self-examination and sacrifice. Almost
every faith tradition has a similar season. The one exception
seems to be the Fundamentalist Christians. They seem to
be so filled with absolute certainty that they are “saved” that
they need not spend time examining their souls and seeking
transformation.
Well, I envy them their certitude, if not their arrogance.
However, when I am honest, I must confess that my own soul
is filled with ambiguity, conflict and doubt … and
I’m so glad! Once upon a time, I thought I knew the
answers; now I know that I am just beginning to understand
the questions. There is amazing freedom in knowing you
don’t know and must simply live by faith and grace.
Fundamentalism poses the greatest danger in our world at
this moment. While most Americans seem to be keenly aware
of the dangers posed by Islamic fundamentalists, we have
passively allowed Christian fundamentalists to take power
in our country. Regardless of the religion, fundamentalism
is a fear-based faith that traffics in:
- Certainty,
- Control, and
- Conformity.
Hence, fundamentalism is the enemy of authentic dialogue,
genuine freedom and celebrative diversity.
During this Lenten season, I invite you to join me in seeking
ways to oppose fundamentalism. You will be in good company.
Read the gospels, and you will discover that Jesus spent
almost all of his life doing that very thing, He resisted
all those who were so certain that they knew the answers
that they could control others and exclude any who didn’t
conform. Jesus went through life asking questions, challenging
assumptions, setting people free and embracing those who
were different. Most of all, Jesus wasn’t afraid.
If the Christian doctrine of resurrection means anything
it should mean that we can live free of fear as well.
During the forty days (plus Sundays) of Lent, I ask you
to commit to doing something that will make the world more
just and peaceful:
- Start
recycling at home, or start a recycling effort at your
office.
- Come
to work or get up 15 minutes early every day and write
a letter to a politician or newspaper so others will
know that people of faith are not all right-wing fundamentalists.
- Read
a book on justice like Jim Wallis’ God’s
Politics. H4PJ will earn a portion of your purchase
of God’s
Politics or other books on justice by following
this link to Amazon.com. Click
here to purchase books on justice.
- Tithe.
For forty days, practice proportional giving to the work
of the Spirit in this world.
- Give
up your daily Starbucks or some other act of “sacrifice” and
give that amount to a nonprofit that is working
to make a difference, or to a person who is hungry.
- Write
a letter to someone with whom you have had a conflict. The older the conflict
the more important it is that you write that person. Make peace. Let it begin
with you.
The list could go on, but you get the point.
Rather than simply taking pride in the fact that
you are not a fundamentalist, act like one who
has been liberated by your faith to live differently.
Practice what you believe for 40 days with an
exceptional passion and see what a difference
you can make in the world … at least in
your world.
May this Lent bring us all closer to
resurrecting the people we all know we
were created to be.
Double Your Donation
Does Your Company Offer Matching Gifts?
An
easy way to double your donation to Hope
for Peace & Justice is through your company’s
Matching Gifts program. Most companies offer this
benefit to their employees to encourage charitable
giving. Your checks must be made to Hope for Peace & Justice
in order for your gifts to qualify for this
program. Contact your Human Resources department
for more information about Matching Gifts.
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H4PJ
Dallas Mixer: Monday Night with
Mike
Monday, March 6 | 5pm-7pm | Minc Lounge
Next
month’s Monday Night with Mike will be held
March 6 at Minc in Dallas. The event will begin at 5pm
and last until around 7pm. Minc is located at 813 Exposition.
Monday
Night with Mike is a free event. Everyone is invited!
This is a great way to meet new people that are passionate
about our issues.
Michael
Piazza, President of Hope for Peace & Justice, will
speak about current issues and H4PJ. Please mark your calendar
for this special event on March 6.
Remember
to invite your friends and family!
AIDA a Huge Success!
Benefit performance of Aida raises $4,000
 Hope
for Peace & Justice would like to extend a big “thank
you” to everyone who bought tickets for the special
performance of Aida. Through your generosity, we were able
to sell out the house and, more importantly, raise more than
$4,000 for the programs of Hope for Peace & Justice!
We are working to expand our fundraising efforts through
the arts with other organizations. Stay tuned for more opportunities
to support H4PJ.
Hope
for Peace & Justice in 2006
Retreat yields goals for H4PJ
Recently,
the staff of Hope for Peace & Justice, along with several
members of the H4PJ Board of Directors, participated in
a retreat to plan and begin developing programming for
2006. H4PJ is poised for growth in the year ahead and aims
to accomplish the following:
- Develop
Peacemaker training curricula and programs to train key
leaders of faith communities in conflict resolution techniques
so that people will again turn to churches, synagogues
and mosques as places to find peace.
- Launch
100 local H4PJ chapters in 100 communities by the end
of 2006 so that H4PJ can train grassroots activists for
local peace and justice issues.
- Partner
with the Cathedral Orders to develop a guide for individuals,
churches and other organizations to “think green.”
- Raise
$2.5 million from national supporters to build the Interfaith
Peace Chapel.
Hope
for Peace & Justice needs your support today to meet
these goals. If you would like to volunteer, please email
Program Director, Shelley Hamilton at shelley.hamilton@h4pj.org.
You can also support H4PJ by making a financial contribution. Click
here to donate to H4PJ.
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