Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore

• Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore Open Letter to President Obama in follow-up to his Nobel Peace Prize address – thanks to the literally dozens of people who gave input to the letter that was sent to the White House addressing President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize speech.  If you have not read it, please read the letter.  Again thanks to the many, many authors with special thanks to Bob More, Mary Liepold and Richard DeBona.

• We will be sending copies to local bishops and to the USCCB International Peace and Justice Committee as well as the elected Congress persons and Senators in our region.  Please feel free to share this letter with anyone you would like – your parish priest and/or staff; a local newspaper, etc.
• Also, please see the November 30th letter from Pax Christi USA to President Obama in regard to his decision to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan at http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_Events_more.asp?id=1539.   Many other resources regarding the war in Afghanistan are also listed there.

• Witness Against Torture Activities (and Fast) in DC – January 10^th to 23^nd – please see the attached Word document which lists many of the events that will also be taking place. Please try to take part in one, if possible, by attending and/or by praying for its success.

• Peaceable Assemblies Activities in DC – January 19th to February 2^nd – visit http://vcnv.org/pac for more information.

• Pax Christi 2010 Assembly on Nuclear Disarmament (date to be determined shortly) – will  focus on nuclear disarmament and in particular the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and meeting at the UN in the beginning of May 2010.  Come and find out what the issues are regarding the NPT Treaty as well as other information regarding nuclear non proliferation in 2010 (and before).  Please save this date – more information will be coming out in the near future.

• Welcome Reception for new Pax Christi USA DC Staff – Pax Christi USA is re-opening a DC office.  Four new interns will be the first to occupy the office.  They are moving in this month.  PCUSA Communications Director, Johnny Zokovitch, will be in town to help them settle in.  We may be putting out a call for furniture and other household items for their community house.  More information about this will be forthcoming.

• Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team Workshop – Saturday, March 13^th – Perry School Community Center, 128 M Street, N.W. – for years, Pax Christi USA has tried to be a more inclusive organization better representing the population of the country. One of the ways to start reaching this goal is by conducting Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team (PCART) Workshops.  Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore has started an initiative to become more intentional in forming bonds of friendship and solidarity with peoples of all races and nationalities in our local area.  The PCART workshop is one small step towards this goal.  Please prayerfully consider attending the day long workshop where we will interact and learn about systemic racism by talking with each other and learning facts about institutional racism in 2010 America.  Limited availability – e-mail cooker@ppnpf.com to learn more and register.

• Christian Peace Witness 2010 Regional Worship and Action (Lent/Easter) – is now being planned by representatives of many local Christian Peace fellowships.  If you are interested in helping with the planning, please e-mail cooker@ppnpf.com.  More information about these events will be coming soon.  There is an event being planned for the DC area and another one in Baltimore.

• Pax Christi Metro-DC Baltimore Web Site – please visit the web site – http://www.paxchristimetrodc.org/.