The Acorn of LOFM

Feb 8: author of 3 Cups of Tea speaking in Houston

This fall the Children's First Day classes began by reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, about the difference one man has made in providing community-based education in Pakistan.    Greg Mortenson will be speaking in Houston on Febuary 8th at Jones Hall about his life's journey from mountain climber to humanitarian.    He is being sponsored by  the organization Texans for Pennies for Peace -- and the link for information on this event is:http://www.texans4p4p.com

Game Night at the Little House Jan 23

It's Game Night at the Little House on Saturday, Jan 23rd - beginning at 6:30 pm.   Bring your favorite games, puzzles and snack food.   See you there.
If you have questions,  call Joan Stewart .

Walk in the MLK Day Parade with the HPJC, Jan 18 2010

The Houston Peace and Justice Center will participate (walk) in the MLK Day Parade sponsored by the Black Heritage Society on January 18.    Individual HPJC organizations can bring a sign or banner for their organization and join us (HPJC has registered for the parade, so member groups should not have to do the same unless they want to).   The parade begins at 10 am in downtown Houston - corner of Jackson and Texas near Minutemaid Park.  We will assemble about 9:00 am so we are ready to go at 10:00 a.m. We will probably be marching close to the KPFT float.

 

Go to the KPFT website (www.kpft.org) for all the activities surrounding MLK Day. 

Come one come all to Greeter Orientation, Jan 24 2010

For those interested in learning about and serving as a greeter on Sunday morning prior to Meeting for Worship, there will be a Greeter orientation on January 24, 2010, 12:30 p.m.--2:30 p.m. at Barbara Cowan’s home. Lunch will be served and therefore it is necessary to call or e-mail Barbara if you are planning to come (e-mail bcsophia@swbell.net).

Online Course on the Historical Jesus

For more information and to register:

http://www.bhfh.org/qsp/qspWho_10.html#Home

Candlelighting details: Fri Dec 18 2009

Live Oak Friends Meeting

1318 W. 26th Street, Houston, TX 77008

Hosts a Special Evening of Music and Worship

Friday, December 18, 2009

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Caroling around the Neighborhood

If you wish to join us, come to the Meeting House with a flashlight

Neighbors in our community will be invited to turn on their porch lights to attract carolers! 

7:00-7:30 p.m. 

Refreshments at the Meeting House

[Let e-mail or call Leslie Cauffman to let her know if you’re able to help with food preparations.  We’ll need some small sandwhiches or other healthy finger foods for hungry carolers.]

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Candlelighting/Worship

See the flyer: Download Candle Lighting 12 18 09-web.rtf

All are welcome!

Adult Education Series: the Wheel of Non Violence

The Wheel of Nonviolence was introduced to members and attenders during a First Day School presentation, “A Quaker’s View of Gandhi’s Approach to Nonviolence,” by Victoria Albright on November 21.  Of those in attendance, nine have already committed to the 12-week worship-sharing and action series.  We have room for up to 30 individuals and hope that Friends will consider participating, if so led.  The following description is provided for those who were unable to attend:

Our Meeting is filled with individuals who are doing positive work in many areas of their lives – personally, with their family, within the Meeting, as volunteers, and professionally.  Yet what many of us seem to lack is a powerful over-arching vision within which all the pieces of our life fit.    There is another, often missing, aspect to our search for meaning and service; that is, the desire to know that the work we are doing is part of something larger, part of a combined effort that is creating a positive change in the world.

The Wheel of Nonviolence is a tool that can help us see the bigger picture. It identifies the components of a nonviolent life (and a nonviolent movement) so that we can begin to see our contributions and discern how we can make a difference in the larger scheme of things.

This personal and social change model, developed by Chris Moore-Backman (a Quaker and student of Gandhi’s teachings), was inspired by Gandhi’s three-fold approach to nonviolence:   1) personal transformation, 2) constructive program (community and social uplift/renewal), and 3) political action.  It was designed to be studied and explored both individually and collectively.  As a community, we will learn that each of us has strengths and weaknesses, but that an empowering balance can be created through mutual encouragement and the sharing of our knowledge and strengths with each other. 

 This series is sponsored by the Peace and Social Action and Earthcare Witness Committees.   The location will be determined by each group.   Regular attendance is requested. Call or email Victoria to enroll (albrightv@yahoo.comDownload Adult Education Series for 2010).  The dates and times are:

Tuesday            7-9pm      Jan 12,19,26       Feb 2,9,16,23      Mar 2,9,16,23,30

Saturday                3-5pm      Jan 9,16,23,30    Feb 6,13,20,27    Mar 6,13,20,27

Thursday              7-9pm                  Feb 4,11,18,25    Mar 4,11,18,25    Apr 1,8,15,22

War Protest Today, Dec 1

HOUSTON PEACE COMMUNITY OPPOSES ESCALATION OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

The Houston Peace and Justice Center (HPJC) understands that President Obama will announce on December 1 that he will send thousands of more troops to Afghanistan. HPJC disagrees with that decision and will participate in a protest at 4:30 pm on December 1. The protest will be held on the Montrose Boulevard bridge that crosses the Southwest Freeway. Following the protest, members of the Houston Peace Community will gather at 6:30 pm at the Maryknoll House, 2360 Rice Boulevard, to watch President Obama’s speech and discuss future plans to protest the war. For information, contact Charhonda Willilams at 281-608-5615

HPJC believe that an escalation of troops will not achieve peace and stability in the region nor deter the threat of terrorism. In fact, it may exacerbate those problems. Peace can better be achieved by diplomacy and by addressing the injustices that exist in the region. Peace is impossible without justice.

War is never the answer. War destroys the lives of innocent people, teaches how to kill, throws into upheaval the lives of those who do the killing, and leaves behind a trail of resentment and hatred, making it all the more difficult to find a just solution to the very problems which provoked the war.

War is never the answer. War and militarism rob the United States of the financial resources it needs to provide health care for all people, lift people out of poverty, repair the nation’s infrastructure, improve its educational system, reduce crime and protect the environment.

War is never the answer. A “just war” is not possible in this day and age where disproportionate military responses are common and casualties are primarily innocent civilians.

War is driven by the huge inequities that exist in the world, by religious fundamentalism in the United States and other parts of the world, by the desire of the U.S. to control the energy resources of the world, and by the military-industrial complex in this nation which supports war because it is profitable business.

It is time for the American People to recognize war for what it is – a defeat for humanity which robs millions of people of peace and prosperity now and for generations to come.

Natasha Manley Jazz Concert at LOFM, Dec 6, 7 pm

Natasha Manley is a local artist who received her Master of Music in vocal performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston .   She is a soprano soloist at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and has been teaching private voice for 13 years.  Ms. Manley discovered her love of jazz music while studying classical voice as an undergraduate.  Her favorite jazz vocal artist has a voice she describes as "pure velvet"...that of the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald.  Ms. Manley loves all things music and is excited to be presenting an evening of some of her favorite jazz and holiday standards accompanied by a four piece band.  Donations will be taken at the door.  Proceeds will benefit the Quaker Peace Festival on March 6, 2010.  For more information contact Lidney Molnari at lidneymolnari@yahoo.com.

Thanksgiving potluck at Peg Nosek's

Peg Nosek would like to invite Friends who want to share some Thanksgiving conviviality to join her, Jann Barr, and Joan and Margaret Libby for a potluck dinner at Peg's home starting around 6:00 PM on Thursday, November 26. Please call contact Peg (mnosek@bcm.tmc.edu) to let us know that you will be coming and what food you are likely to bring.