News from the Israel Palestine Mission Network
Reports by UNJPPI Guests at IPMN
Curtis Marwood and Jan McIntyre were guests of the Israel Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church USA at their annual meeting in Chicago October 11-13, 2012.
Israel Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church USA (IPMN) Annual Meeting – Oct 11-13, 2012
Report by Curtis Marwood
Jan McIntyre and I attended the annual meeting of IPMN at the Cenacle Retreat Centre in Chicago. The Centre is a conference and retreat house in Lincoln Park neighbourhood in NE Chicago, a beautiful area near the lake. Jan and I spent 3 hours Thursday morning walking through the area, including a stroll through the free zoo that is open 365 days of the year.
It was the largest gathering they have had in the 6-7 ears with over 100 in attendance. The meeting began at 4:00 pm on Thursday and ended at noon on Saturday.
The new Moderator is Katherine Cunningham.
Over the 3 days, some of the business they dealt with was elections for new officers, By-law changes, treasurer’s report and budget. They set a budget of $80,000, with $60,000 of that as the goal for 2012-13. At the end of the meeting they had new pledges from members of $23,000 toward the goal, and with other pledges and funds on hand, they have $43,000.
Worship was a meaningful part of the weekend for me. The worship times included opening worship on Thursday, morning devotions on Friday, Evening vespers on Friday, Communion Saturday morning and closing devotions at noon.
Highlights of the program were:
Thursday evening: Miko Peleg, author of The General’s Son, co-hosted with Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s Palestine Mission Network, was the guest speaker for a public event at the Episcopal church across the street from the Centre. Father Fadi Diab from Palestine was scheduled to be part of the event but was unable to get a visa to leave. Rev. Rani Abdulmasih, pastor of the Mother of the Saviour church in Dearborn was able to come at short notice and participated in the conversation.
Friday morning: Conversation with Miko and Rani continued in the morning, with Rani presenting the message in the morning devotions.
Friday Moring: Conversation on Boycotts with Dr. Dalit Baum (WhoProfits.com) and Rae Abileah (Code Pink)
Task Groups: members self selected to attend break-out sessions on Friday morning:
1. Boycott strategies/divestment, socially responsible investment
2. Boycott outreach & education
3. Monitoring Positive Investment
4. Communications strategies (Curtis)
5. Partnerships and Coalitions (Jan)
I have extensive notes from the Communication session in the morning.
Committees: members self-selected to attend break out sessions on Friday afternoon focusing on Committees with the task of developing strategies, Actions and Values for committee work:
1. Advocacy/Education
2. Positive Investment
3. Communications
4. Partnerships
5. Building Community – membership
Among the actions taken, the Advocacy Committee (Jeff DeYoe) presented a motion to begin a national campaign on SodaStream.
In summary, both Jan and I found a warm welcome and were well integrated into the work of the gathering. There were several other ecumenical partners present who took part in the work. Since there were several “guests”, we were not given individual time for presentations, but we were made welcome and invited to participate in the conversations. I was part of a small group or the Building Community committee session in the afternoon (along with 1 UCC (Christ) member, an Episcopalian and 2 from IPMN) The leader of the group did not show up so I made a few notes and presented them to the plenary.
Perhaps the most valuable part of the event was the opportunity to make personal connections with members of IPMN.
Israel Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church USA (IPMN) Annual Meeting – Oct 11-13, 2012
Report by Curtis Marwood
Jan McIntyre and I attended the annual meeting of IPMN at the Cenacle Retreat Centre in Chicago. The Centre is a conference and retreat house in Lincoln Park neighbourhood in NE Chicago, a beautiful area near the lake. Jan and I spent 3 hours Thursday morning walking through the area, including a stroll through the free zoo that is open 365 days of the year.
It was the largest gathering they have had in the 6-7 ears with over 100 in attendance. The meeting began at 4:00 pm on Thursday and ended at noon on Saturday.
The new Moderator is Katherine Cunningham.
Over the 3 days, some of the business they dealt with was elections for new officers, By-law changes, treasurer’s report and budget. They set a budget of $80,000, with $60,000 of that as the goal for 2012-13. At the end of the meeting they had new pledges from members of $23,000 toward the goal, and with other pledges and funds on hand, they have $43,000.
Worship was a meaningful part of the weekend for me. The worship times included opening worship on Thursday, morning devotions on Friday, Evening vespers on Friday, Communion Saturday morning and closing devotions at noon.
Highlights of the program were:
Thursday evening: Miko Peleg, author of The General’s Son, co-hosted with Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s Palestine Mission Network, was the guest speaker for a public event at the Episcopal church across the street from the Centre. Father Fadi Diab from Palestine was scheduled to be part of the event but was unable to get a visa to leave. Rev. Rani Abdulmasih, pastor of the Mother of the Saviour church in Dearborn was able to come at short notice and participated in the conversation.
Friday morning: Conversation with Miko and Rani continued in the morning, with Rani presenting the message in the morning devotions.
Friday Moring: Conversation on Boycotts with Dr. Dalit Baum (WhoProfits.com) and Rae Abileah (Code Pink)
Task Groups: members self selected to attend break-out sessions on Friday morning:
1. Boycott strategies/divestment, socially responsible investment
2. Boycott outreach & education
3. Monitoring Positive Investment
4. Communications strategies (Curtis)
5. Partnerships and Coalitions (Jan)
I have extensive notes from the Communication session in the morning.
Committees: members self-selected to attend break out sessions on Friday afternoon focusing on Committees with the task of developing strategies, Actions and Values for committee work:
1. Advocacy/Education
2. Positive Investment
3. Communications
4. Partnerships
5. Building Community – membership
Among the actions taken, the Advocacy Committee (Jeff DeYoe) presented a motion to begin a national campaign on SodaStream.
In summary, both Jan and I found a warm welcome and were well integrated into the work of the gathering. There were several other ecumenical partners present who took part in the work. Since there were several “guests”, we were not given individual time for presentations, but we were made welcome and invited to participate in the conversations. I was part of a small group or the Building Community committee session in the afternoon (along with 1 UCC (Christ) member, an Episcopalian and 2 from IPMN) The leader of the group did not show up so I made a few notes and presented them to the plenary.
Perhaps the most valuable part of the event was the opportunity to make personal connections with members of IPMN.
| ipmn_annual_meeting_report-oct_2012_-_curtis_marwood.pdf |
Pro-Divestment Presbyterians Win By Losing
07jul12 by James M. Wall
Do you really want to know what happened at the just-concluded 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian U.S.A. denomination?
As a veteran watcher of Protestant church political struggles, I urge you to remember that neither the cross nor the crown are free of an eagerness to grasp deliberate obfuscation in struggling to win each political battle.
The winner of the obfuscation battle in Pittsburgh was, hands down, the anti-divestment crowd. The pro-divestment crowd, on the other hand, won by losing a key vote in the Assembly.The presumed “winners”, the anti-divestment forces, operated with a strategy that set up a “stalking horse” to enter the field of battle.
Faced with the huge problem of how to persuade delegates to vote against basic human rights for Palestinians living under occupation, the anti-divesment forces created a “stalking horse” of “investments that will benefit Palestinians”.
Read more...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2012
Presbyterian General Assembly
Passes Boycott Motion
Following last night’s vote by the plenary of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on a motion to divest from three companies whose products are used in non-peaceful pursuits in the occupied Palestinian territories, the plenary has voted in favor of a separate resolution to boycott products made in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, including Ahava Dead Sea beauty products and dates grown by Israeli cooperateive Hadiklaim.
Although the plenary failed to pass the divestment motion, its approval of the boycott resolution sends a strong signal nonetheless that the Presbyterian Church (USA) supports those Palestinians who are using peaceful means to secure their freedom and human rights in the face of Israel’s 45-year-old military occupation and colonization of their lands. The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) believes this is a positive step and hopes the church will continue to support Palestinians who are struggling nonviolently to achieve freedom and self-determination.
The razor thin margin of last night's vote on divestment, which was defeated by just two votes, demonstrates that the General Assembly remains divided on both divestment and investment, and has failed to provide a clear mandate on these issues. Sadly, it is the millions of Palestinians living under occupation who will pay the price for this lack of a moral directive.
PRESS CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey DeYoe, IPMN Advocacy Chair
386-793-1412
info@theIPMN.org
www.theipmn.org
Presbyterian General Assembly
Passes Boycott Motion
Following last night’s vote by the plenary of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on a motion to divest from three companies whose products are used in non-peaceful pursuits in the occupied Palestinian territories, the plenary has voted in favor of a separate resolution to boycott products made in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, including Ahava Dead Sea beauty products and dates grown by Israeli cooperateive Hadiklaim.
Although the plenary failed to pass the divestment motion, its approval of the boycott resolution sends a strong signal nonetheless that the Presbyterian Church (USA) supports those Palestinians who are using peaceful means to secure their freedom and human rights in the face of Israel’s 45-year-old military occupation and colonization of their lands. The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) believes this is a positive step and hopes the church will continue to support Palestinians who are struggling nonviolently to achieve freedom and self-determination.
The razor thin margin of last night's vote on divestment, which was defeated by just two votes, demonstrates that the General Assembly remains divided on both divestment and investment, and has failed to provide a clear mandate on these issues. Sadly, it is the millions of Palestinians living under occupation who will pay the price for this lack of a moral directive.
PRESS CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey DeYoe, IPMN Advocacy Chair
386-793-1412
info@theIPMN.org
www.theipmn.org
A Message to Presbyterians:
'...listen to what they are asking for’
Anna Baltzer gave the following testimony to the Presbyterian Church (USA) Middle East Peacemaking Committee on Monday, July 2, 2012.
About Anna Baltzer
Thank you, Mr. Moderator.
I defer to the Mission Responsibility Through Investment committee to answer your questions regarding the internal process of engagement with the companies leading to the recommendation to divest. Coming from my perspective as a Jewish American who has lived in Palestine, I can speak to the two other main concerns I have heard regarding Jewish-Christian relations and investment being a positive alternative to divestment.
Friends, I am not up here as a Jew to tell that it’s okay for you to divest. Because you do not need my permission to do whatever you think is the righteous thing to do. You don’t need anybody’s permission.
I realize that divestment is controversial. That’s okay. Slavery was controversial. The Church was divided. Desegregation was controversial. Especially in the South, people were afraid of damaging relationships if they spoke out for desegregation. But the Presbyterian Church supported an end to segregation before it was common. I urge you to honor that legacy by acting today out of love and compassion rather than fear of what others will say.
You are being told that action against the occupation will estrange you from the Jewish people. But the occupation is fundamentally contrary to our shared values of equality and justice.
There is nothing Jewish about racial profiling with Hewlett Packard bioscanners.
There is nothing Jewish about protecting stolen land with Motorola technology.
There is nothing Jewish about demolishing Palestinian homes with Caterpillar bulldozers.
And to claim that ending cooperation with these human rights violations means ending cooperation with Judaism, or Jews, draws a very dangerous parallel. There is a sea change happening. Jews are divided on this issue. You have to follow your own conscience.
Regarding the idea of investment as a positive alternative to divestment, let me point out first that there is nothing neutral about profiting from the destruction of Palestinian homes and schools, as you are today. To stop profiting from those things, to divest, is not negative -- it’s positive.
Investment can also be positive, but it should be practical. No Palestinian economy can endure without access to land, water, goods, or labor. Checkpoints using HP bioscanners prevent workers from reaching work or transporting products. Settlements surrounded by Motorola cameras make it impossible for Palestinians to reach their land and resources. And anything you build can be destroyed in a flash with Caterpillar bulldozers.
For 170 years, your church has chosen the model of mission in partnership rather than missionary work, recognizing the importance of listening to the voices and choices of those you are trying to help. Why do mission in partnership in Africa and South America, but not in the land where Jesus walked?
Right now, the Palestinians are not asking for you to invest in their economy. They are asking you to stop investing in and profiting from their suffering. They are asking you to engage in divestment, a time-tested, nonviolent, faithful act of love.
Giving charity can also be loving. But dismissing Palestinian voices is not loving… It’s patronizing.
If you truly want to help the Palestinian people, I urge you to listen to what they are asking for.
Thank you.
About Anna Baltzer
Thank you, Mr. Moderator.
I defer to the Mission Responsibility Through Investment committee to answer your questions regarding the internal process of engagement with the companies leading to the recommendation to divest. Coming from my perspective as a Jewish American who has lived in Palestine, I can speak to the two other main concerns I have heard regarding Jewish-Christian relations and investment being a positive alternative to divestment.
Friends, I am not up here as a Jew to tell that it’s okay for you to divest. Because you do not need my permission to do whatever you think is the righteous thing to do. You don’t need anybody’s permission.
I realize that divestment is controversial. That’s okay. Slavery was controversial. The Church was divided. Desegregation was controversial. Especially in the South, people were afraid of damaging relationships if they spoke out for desegregation. But the Presbyterian Church supported an end to segregation before it was common. I urge you to honor that legacy by acting today out of love and compassion rather than fear of what others will say.
You are being told that action against the occupation will estrange you from the Jewish people. But the occupation is fundamentally contrary to our shared values of equality and justice.
There is nothing Jewish about racial profiling with Hewlett Packard bioscanners.
There is nothing Jewish about protecting stolen land with Motorola technology.
There is nothing Jewish about demolishing Palestinian homes with Caterpillar bulldozers.
And to claim that ending cooperation with these human rights violations means ending cooperation with Judaism, or Jews, draws a very dangerous parallel. There is a sea change happening. Jews are divided on this issue. You have to follow your own conscience.
Regarding the idea of investment as a positive alternative to divestment, let me point out first that there is nothing neutral about profiting from the destruction of Palestinian homes and schools, as you are today. To stop profiting from those things, to divest, is not negative -- it’s positive.
Investment can also be positive, but it should be practical. No Palestinian economy can endure without access to land, water, goods, or labor. Checkpoints using HP bioscanners prevent workers from reaching work or transporting products. Settlements surrounded by Motorola cameras make it impossible for Palestinians to reach their land and resources. And anything you build can be destroyed in a flash with Caterpillar bulldozers.
For 170 years, your church has chosen the model of mission in partnership rather than missionary work, recognizing the importance of listening to the voices and choices of those you are trying to help. Why do mission in partnership in Africa and South America, but not in the land where Jesus walked?
Right now, the Palestinians are not asking for you to invest in their economy. They are asking you to stop investing in and profiting from their suffering. They are asking you to engage in divestment, a time-tested, nonviolent, faithful act of love.
Giving charity can also be loving. But dismissing Palestinian voices is not loving… It’s patronizing.
If you truly want to help the Palestinian people, I urge you to listen to what they are asking for.
Thank you.
Timeline of the Presbyterian divestment process, 2004-2012
Mondoweiss June 28, 2012
http://mondoweiss.net/2012/06/timeline-of-the-presbyterian-divestment-process-2004-2012.html
by Adam Horowitz
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is preparing to vote on whether to divest from three companies -- Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions -- that profit
from the Israeli occupation during its General Assembly in Pittsburgh next week. The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has
compiled a timeline of the divestment process within the church to this point. Divestment from companies benefiting from the occupation was first raised within
the church in 2004. (Read more: Download the file below or open the link above.)
http://mondoweiss.net/2012/06/timeline-of-the-presbyterian-divestment-process-2004-2012.html
by Adam Horowitz
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is preparing to vote on whether to divest from three companies -- Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions -- that profit
from the Israeli occupation during its General Assembly in Pittsburgh next week. The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has
compiled a timeline of the divestment process within the church to this point. Divestment from companies benefiting from the occupation was first raised within
the church in 2004. (Read more: Download the file below or open the link above.)
| timeline_of_the_presbyterian_divestment_process.docx |