by Diane Bowden | Apr 21, 2017 | Peace and Social Concerns
From the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Working Group on Racism:
In his recent (2016) book, Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man’s Education, writer Mychal Denzel Smith includes a chapter about his personal struggles with depression. He goes deeply into how difficult it is for black men, whose persona is generally supposed to be macho, to acknowledge mental health problems and any need for – or access to — mental health treatment.
“What would happen if we reframed the way we understand black male life in a way that took mental health seriously? If we looked outside and didn’t see ruthless gangbangers but teenage boys left hopeless and giving themselves suicide missions. If instead of chastising young men for fighting over sneakers we asked why they feel worthless and unseen without them. If we didn’t label them junkies but rather recognized their need for affirmation. If we held our boys close when they cried instead of turning them away to face the frustration, pain, and sadness ‘like a man.’ If we believed black boys were worthy of second chances that didn’t involve prison cells. What if?”
by Diane Bowden | Apr 21, 2017 | Peace and Social Concerns
Registration is now open for the Richmond Youth Peace Summit, Saturday, April 29, 2017. This program, sponsored annually by the Richmond Peace Education Center, will be held at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Southside campus, 700 E. Belt Blvd. Richmond, VA 23224, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is open to young people from throughout central Virginia, ages 12-19, free of charge. Lunch is provided.
Participants learn leadership and conflict resolution skills, ways to work for social justice and have fun through music, dance, and yoga! The Summit will also feature a panel discussion with stories from immigrant youth.
Morning and afternoon workshops offer a variety of topics including:
- • Building Healthy Relationships
- • Anger Management
- • Preventing Human Trafficking
- • Indonesian and Latino cooking and culture
- • Capoeira
- • Drumming
- • Yoga
- • Cross-Cultural Understanding
- • and much, much more!
The Summit also includes a midday performance by talented local musicians, dancers and poets. And participants can earn credit for six community service hours.
Teens can register online at www.rpec.org/summit or by emailing rypp@rpec.org. Registration in advance is required. Groups are welcome!
The Youth Peace Summit is organized by the Richmond Peace Education Center. The Summit is part of the Richmond Youth Peace Project program for teenagers, a Peace Center collaboration with Drums No Guns. Through the Richmond Youth Peace Project, we empower teenagers to be leaders for nonviolence and community change. For more information: rypp@rpec.org or 804-232-1002.
by Diane Bowden | Apr 21, 2017 | Peace and Social Concerns, Topics
The Richmond Peace Education Center is looking for a skilled volunteer for a bookkeeping position that is essential to the work and functioning of all of the Peace Center’s activities.
For more information, send email to rpec@rpec.org.
To learn about RPEC, visit rpec.org.
by Diane Bowden | Apr 21, 2017 | Committees
At a time of great intensity of feeling surrounding our national political life, some Friends seek guidance about political messages in Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business and in personal announcements. Friends are reminded that Richmond Friends Meeting is a nonpartisan organization. Messages directed at particular individuals or political parties stand in the way of our fulfilling the timeless Quaker instruction to “walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone.” Foregoing personal attack does not preclude our speaking to the deep issues of our time, particularly those that have received minuted support from the Richmond Friends Meeting community or that bear on historic Quaker commitments to peace, justice, and equality.
Perhaps further guidance may be found in this statement by Barry Crossno, executive secretary of Friends General Conference: “If our only way forward is to resist, then let us resist. However, where we can create mutual respect, where we can sow love, and where we can share a vision of the Kingdom of God where all God’s children are valued, let us do so. Rather than be the rock of righteousness, let us be a river of love that sweeps us all towards liberation.”
by Diane Bowden | Apr 21, 2017 | Committees
Rising In the Current: Recharging and reconnecting with the spark and flow of creation, within and around us! Join us at The Clearing – our Meeting’s retreat center in Amelia County – for a weekend of fun, fellowship and connection. Friday night will feature a film screening of “Still Waters,” Barb Adams’ award- winning documentary. Saturday we will soar into a kite-making workshop with time for visiting the pond, board games, and opportunities to just…be.
At The Clearing, we can get away from the hustle-bustle and bask in the stillness of trees, far away from wi-fi, the news media, and computers. We still have the comfort of all the amenities in the Lodge with bathrooms, showers, a full kitchen, and large meeting rooms. Learn more about The Clearing (and find directions!) here.
Registration is now open! Scholarships/sliding scale fees are available. Bring your tent or grab a spot in one of the two sleeping cabins – just make sure you register by May 15th for the Early Bird Discount. Fabulous meals provided! Register online using this this link, use the form in the newsletter, or talk to a committee member at Meeting to learn more.