Interfaith Council For Peace

Interfaith Council For Peace

604 E. Huron

Ann Arbor,MI 48104

(313) 663-1870

Office Hours: 9:30 to 5:00, Monday through Friday.

                                                Statement of Purpose

Interfaith Council for Peace, a non-profit educational organization, believes in the possibility of a world where every woman, man and child has the opportunity to live in freedom, peace and without fear. Begun in 1965 by a small group of area clergy and lay persons, Interfaith Council for Peace focused on protesting U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Over the past twenty years, Interfaith's work has expanded to address justice concerns related to hunger and agriculture in addition to the on-going work for peace.

Since 1965, Interfaith Council for Peace, a local chapter of the national Clergy and Laity  (CALC), has worked to educate and promote action on these issues. We act as a clearing house for peace and justice activities in local religious congregations and in the community at large. Interfaith raises moral questions about disarmament, hunger, the U.S. food system, economic justice, and Central America. Donations are gratefully accepted and can be sent to the above address.

                                              Meetings and Membership

Hunger Task Force: Wednesday, April 2, 7:30 p.m. in the Pine Room of First United Methodist Church (corner of State and Huron).

Disarmament Working Group: Friday, April 4, noon to 1 p.m. at the Interfaith Office. Agenda for this meeting includes discussion of Testing Moratorium and planning for a local Forum for Engineering and Physics Students on Ethical Decisions to be Made in Career Choices.

Land, Food, and Justice Committee: Wednesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. in the Pine Room of First United Methodist Church. Agenda for this meeting includes an update on the Seasonal Cookbook, and plans for Annual Farm Tour.

ICP's membership includes 60 area congregations and approximately 3,100 individuals in the Ann Arbor area, throughout Michigan and in the U.S.

                                            Organizational Structure

The work of Interfaith Council for Peace is accomplished by three task forces: The Land, Food, and Justice Committee, the Hunger Task Force, and the Disarmament Working Group. In addition there is a Steering Committee which oversees the work of the staff and task forces. Officers are: the Rev. Peter Boeve (President), Barbara S. Hall (Secretary), Robert Heald (Treasurer) .

The work of the Disarmament Working Group includes: educational presentations to interested groups, sponsorship of speakers and public events, suggestions for lifestyle changes which will help to make our society a less violent one , (e.g. , boycotting war toys and examining issues related to parenting), discussion with the University Community on the impacts of defense-related research on campus, and support for arms control legislation.

The work of the Hunger Task Force includes: the annual CROPHunger Walk, educational presentations to schools and other groups on domestic and international hunger, support of local free meal programs, and exploration of related economic justice issues and legislation.

Programs and projects of the Land, Food, and Justice Committee include: presentations to concerned groups, public tours of local farms, support of direct-marketing projects (e.g. , farmers' markets and pick-your-own operations), and production of a seasonal/regional cookbook. The committee also works with groups involved in preserving agricultural land near urban areas, encourages support of local farmers through more seasonal eating, and supports legislation favoring small and moderate size farms and sustainable agricultural practices.

                                                  Community Services

ICP publishes a monthly newsletter which contains suggestions on how individuals can help on the various issues, maintains a lending library of both written and audio-visual materials on peace and justice concerns, and has a speakers bureau which includes both staff and task force members.

                                                        Current News

Covenant for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons kits are available from the ICP office for $5. The kit lists nuclear weapons contractors, the consumer products they manufacture and non-nuclear alternatives. "There is a Season", a 117 page seasonal cookbook is available from the ICP office for $6. Drop in and visit us soon. The ICP office is located in the basement of the First United Methodist Church (corner of State and Huron).

                                                      Coming Events

April 1, Tuesday: SDI: Lemon In The Sky, noon to 1PM at the Federal Building Plaza. A demonstration of the foolishness of Star Wars which will include mime and other live performances. Stop by with your old, leaky umbrella and join in the fun, (you wouldn't use that leaky umbrella to protect you from the rain, don't use Star Wars to protect you from nuclear weapons). Sponsored by the Coalition for Arms Control, 2nd District (Interfaith Council for Peace is a member of the coalition). For more information cali 663-4897.

April 5, Saturday: Conference on Domestic Hunger, 1 PM to 5 PM in East Quad, Room 126. The conference will explore the causes of hunger and the effects of the Reagan Administration's policies on the poor and hungry. Workshops include : The Feminization of Poverty, Hungry Children, History of Hunger in America, NationalInternational Connections between Hunger, Poverty , and Militarism. Sponsored by: Interfaith Council for Peace and World Hunger EducationAction Committee. Cali ICP for more information.

April 21, Monday: "Seeking Solutions: The Politics of Food and the Roots of Hunger, A Community Forum on World Hunger", 7:30 PM at the Ann Arbor Public Library The Food First slide show will be shown, followed by discussion led by local hunger groups. Sponsored by Interfaith Council for Peace. Cali ICP for more information.

April 21 , Monday: Tour of KMS Fusion (local company which does research for Department of Energy, Nuclear Weapons Division). Preregistration required by April 4, cali Interfaith Council for Peace at 663-1870 or mail your name, address and phone number to ICP at 604 E. Huron, Ann Arbor, 48104. KMS Fusion was one of the strong opponents of the Nuclear Free Zone Campaign. The tour provides an opportunity to learn about some of the work that the company does and how they view the issue of doing work for the DOE, Nuclear Weapons Division. Sponsored by Interfaith Council for Peace.

May 4, Sunday: Trees will be doing a children's concert at The Ark as a benefit for Interfaith Council for Peace. Tickets ($2/child and $4/adult) are available in advance from the Interfaith Council for Peace office.