Group Structure
It was agreed that our meetings would be conducted rather informally, and that there is currently no need to elect officers. Chris volunteered to continue taking the minutes and putting together a website for the group.
Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) Charter
In preparation for our first regular meeting, we each examined the Episcopal Peace Fellowship's website and contemplated the merits of organizing under an EPF charter.
Chris explained that he viewed the primary benefits of chartering with EPF to be (1) access to valuable information and training materials, and (2) a venue for sharing our work and receiving feedback from others (e.g., via the national newsletter). EPF serves as a kind of information and idea clearing house for people and groups interested in peace and justice issues; as such, we may benefit from reading success stories and reflections from people in other areas of the country.
All of the members present (Becky, Chris, David, Haley, and John) signed the application for creating an EPF charter. Chris will complete the paperwork and submit it prior to our next meeting.
Local Focus
John proposed that we conceive of our approach to peace and justice issues along the lines of "think globally, act locally." It was agreed that, at least for the time being, we will take this to mean that discussions and educational programming may have a more national or international scope; however, our actions and projects will be principally devoted to local matters. Following up on our initial discussion in September, we reaffirmed our desire to focus on issues of immediate relevance to the people in our church neighborhood and the downtown community.
It was agreed that the question with which we are thus faced is how to become respectfully involved: we do not want to rush in, engaging in "outreach" which is ineffectual, unsustainable, or paternalistic. But neither do we want to spend all of our time simply talking about peace and justice issues.
The following suggestions were put forth as ways of better orienting ourselves to the neighborhood and its needs:
- Haley suggested that we could begin entering into communion and eventually dialogue with people in the neighborhood by sharing in the Fifth Sunday Dinners hosted by St. John's.
- John knows many of the people involved with the Dubuque Human Rights Commission. He will contact them to see if they have any immediate suggestions and/or if they would be willing to speak with us, as a group.
- Dave volunteered to serve as a point person for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Dubuque, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, and the neighborhood association. And Chris will keep us informed about projects developed or discussed at Dubuque Area Congregations United (DACU). The hope is that our relationships with these organizations will allow us to avoid duplicating efforts, while also allow us to assist with their initiatives, when appropriate.
- Haley noted that Maria had once suggested that the church take advantage of the talents and skills possessed by our church neighbors. Perhaps our group could be involved in facilitating such relationships (e.g., by collecting information and contact numbers) and making the case for buying "ultra-local".
We discussed ways in which we could educate ourselves about such things as poverty, respectful engagement, etc. Everyone was in agreement that some common readings and/or discussions would be a great way to begin. Hence, if you are aware of a great article, book, etc., please share your suggestions. Two specific suggestions were offered during the meeting:
- John and Becky reported that they have been reading a book titled, The Non Nonprofit, which is by the founder of Twin Cities RISE, a job training program in Minnesota. They have found the book illuminating, and they offered to secure copies for those interested in reading and discussing it. If you would like to purchase a copy to read, please let John or Chris know.
- Chris recently came across a film series titled, Why Poverty?, which has received a great deal of attention on various Episcopalian-oriented blogs and websites. It was agreed that we could begin the November meeting by watching and discussing a short film from this or a similar series. (This could turn into a regular or semi-regular activity.)
Please contact Chris if you have any additions or corrections to make to the minutes.
