IN THE NEWS AT ALL SOULS
RETREAT REUNION
—by Florence Daniels
On Sunday, May 6, 2001 almost
40 people gathered at the home of Inez Miller for a Lifescapes
Retreat Reunion. At the luncheon, which lasted from 1:30pm to 4:00pm,
Inez shared a very recent present of fois gras from France in addition
to a large variety of foods that she cooked herself.
Both former and potential "retreaters" were welcomed by
Jan Carlsson-Bull. After a round of introductions, many commented
on aspects of former retreats that had left lasting memories. A minute
of silence was then observed for those who died during the past year,
and personal comments were offered.
Plans are now being made for the next retreat to be held from October
19th to 21st at Wisdom House in Litchfield, Connecticut. Since space
at this facility is limited, early registration is encouraged.
ALL SOULS AND THE PEACE CORPS
All Souls member Ronna Abbott
has started her Peace Corps adventure in the heart of Africa. After
a lengthy application process, she has finally been given an assignment
and left from Philadelphia on May 22. In a letter to Pat Taylor
before she left for Lesotho, Africa, Ronna wrote about this different
world she was about to enter.
| “As Lesoto is inside South Africa, I expect you all to
visit me. I will be living in a hut inside a compound for safety.
The hut will not have electricity or water. Nevertheless, you
are welcome. I know so little at this point. My training takes
place in Roma, Lesotho, which is outside the capital of Maseru.
This is mountainous country so I'll have winter and summer. In
fact I think when I get there it will be the beginning of winter.
Since I won't have electricity, I'm not sure if the country has
cyber cafés. It takes about two weeks to get a letter.
Sounds fun. Very high number of AIDS cases, probably as they export
workers to South Africa. So everyone will be trained to give aids
prevention instruction. No malaria.
I'm keeping an open mind and crossing my Þngers that I can
get through this new adventure.”
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At the time Ronna wrote this, she did not yet know her assignment options
although her first choice was working in a tree nursery. Other possibilities
were potato farming, teaching quilting, embroidery, fabric painting, or
crocheting as well as training staff in business management or developing
business plans.
Ronna, if this Quarterly reaches you in Africa, do let us have an
update!
A NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE
UPDATE
Guy Quinlan submitted
the text of a letter recently sent by UU clergy to President Bush and
Congress. The letter, signed by John Buehrens as well as 22 other UU
ministers, including Forrest, Galen and Jan, reads as follows:
![[No bombing! logo]](../oldquarterly/bannukes.gif)
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“I write to express my deep concern about recently
announced plans for a national missile defense (NMD). Efforts
to deploy such a defense, the feasibility of which is at best
extremely uncertain, would risk a major new escalation of the
nuclear arms race. This would present a grave threat to the future
of our country and of the whole human family. For the same reason,
we strongly oppose any unilateral move to withdraw from the Antiballistic
Missile Treaty, an action which could unravel existing arms control
agreements and isolate the United States in the international
community.
I and the other signatories of this letter are also concerned
about the enormous expense of the proposed NMD project, which
would consume resources better devoted to health care, education,
and other human needs.
The danger of nuclear conflict is very real, but NMD is not
the answer. The risk of accidental or unauthorized launch, which
has been one stated objective of deploying the NMD, should be
addressed by an early agreement to take nuclear weapons off
hair-trigger alert. The United States should also take the lead
in negotiating deep cuts in the size of nuclear arsenals, with
the ultimate goal of a verifiable and enforceable agreement
to prohibit nuclear weapons altogether.”
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![[Mark Allen Receives Award]](../oldquarterly/markallen.gif)
Mark Allen receiving
the award signed by
New York City Police
Commissioner
Bernard B. Kerik.
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MARK ALLEN AWARDED FOR BRAVERY
Mark Allen, son of Board
member Lorraine Allen, received an award for outstanding service
rendered in the joint program between Security Guards and the Police Department,
on the grounds of the Rockefeller Center complex where he is employed
as a security guard. At a May 1st ceremony attended by both Police Department
officials and Rockefeller Center Security ofÞcials, Mark was honored for
capturing and holding a robbery suspect. Despite a scuffle, Mark was able
to radio for help, and the police arrived to arrest the man, who had been
wanted for a $30,000 mid-town hotel robbery. Mark has been part of the
All Souls family most of his life, having attended our Church School,
and becoming an adult member in 1990.
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