VT Faith Community's Online News - #2 August 2007

Previous VECtor & Faith Common Articles

Faith Common is the email newsletter of the Vermont Ecumenical Council & Bible Society (VEC). PLEASE POST IT in your house of worship. To be added to this newsletter mailing list or to submit news, please send an email to the VEC office at info@vecbs.org.

More newsletter items were received this month, thus this second August issue.

SUPPORTING COMBAT VETERANS & THEIR SPIRITUAL CAREGIVERS

On Monday, September 17th, the White River Junction VA Medical Center is sponsoring this program to help clergy and other church leaders answer their call to be available when service men and women in their church community turn to them in need. During the last five years, thousands of Vermont soldiers in the National Guard and Reserve have been called to active duty and have served in Afghanistan and/or Iraq. Some have served more than one tour in the combat zone. When they return home, many service members have difficulty transitioning from a combat environment to the civilian peace environment. They may have emotional/social, physical, and spiritual health issues. Research indicates that because local clergy are highly respected and trusted to keep confidences, service men and women most often turn to them for support and advice with these issues.

Speakers will include Dr. Andrew Pomerantz, MD, Chief, Psychiatry Service and the Rev. Dr. John P. Oliver, BCC, Chief of the Durham VA Medical Center Chaplain Service and CPE Supervisor. The program will be held in Building 44, first floor, at the VA Medical Center in White River Jct., on Sept. 17 with registration beginning at 8 a.m. It will run from 8:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. The $10 fee includes continental breakfast and box lunch. Participants will receive a packet with fact sheets on service agencies and bibliographies. For more information, to register and/or get the schedule, contact the Chaplain, Rev. Joseph O’Keeffe. Since the program is coming up soon, please act quickly by calling Tel. 802- 295-9363 x 5416 or FAX 802-296-6431 or email: joseph.okeeffe@va.gov

INTERFAITH FAST TO END THE WAR

The Shalom Center is sponsoring a nationwide fast on Oct. 8th. Faith community members are encouraged to participate and spread the word. Religious leaders from across the country have signed onto the statement, “Interfaith Fast to End the War in Iraq: Oct. 8th From Conquest to Community, From Violence to Reverence”. The fast is to move Americans away from the policies and practices of violence, at home and overseas. To learn more and/or read and sign the statement, go to: www.shalomctr.org “

SPOTLIGHT ON TORTURE” PROJECT

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture or NRCAT, an interfaith coalition of more than 125 religious organizations from across the country, is encouraging congregations to be one of the 1000 congregations nationally to show Rory Kennedy’s HBO documentary “Ghosts of Abu Ghraib” (nominated for four Emmy awards) as part of the “Spotlight on Torture” project. The film showings will happen during the week of October 21-28.

The film features familiar and very disturbing photos of torture at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison, and digs beneath the headlines to find out about the psychological and political context in which torture occurred. It asks critical questions about impact and accountability. For those congregations that register, the DVD of “Ghosts of Abu Ghraib” (length: 80 min.) will be provided for free, along with a packet of supporting materials which includes a detailed Facilitator’s Guide, handouts with background information, and suggested action steps. NRCAT wants to help communities of faith go beyond the emotional response to the film’s intensity - to get to a positive and constructive commitment to faithful action.

The film is for mature audiences only; it makes extensive use of photographs from Abu Ghraib. It is important that congregations showing the film provide the audience with the opportunity afterward to talk about their thoughts and feelings through facilitated dialogue, and possibly to consider some anti-torture activities. To find out more and/or register a congregation to show the film, go to: www.nrcat.org For additional questions, contact John Humphries, NRCAT’s Program Coordination Director, at 860-216-7972 or by email: spotlight@nrcat.org

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH: OCTOBER

The Rev. Ann Larson is working on plans for an interfaith observance in the Burlington area during October as part of this Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Anyone who wants more information or is interested in helping with this observance, may contact Ann at 802-879-5360 or by email: AnnLarson@juno.com

UPCOMING MEETING DATES:

VECBS Board of Trustees: Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, 10 – 12 Full Council: Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, 1 – 4 PM at the Shelburne United Methodist Church.