Across the Generations:
The Challenge of Reconciliation & the Fun of Fellowship
Fellowship of Reconciliation’s 49th Annual Conference at Seabeck
Friday, June 29 - Monday, July 2, 2007
Seabeck Conference Center, Seabeck, Washington
Conference Schedule | Theme | Planning Committee | Children and Youth Programs | Keynote Speakers | Workshops | Volunteers Needed | Map | Driving Directions | Contacts for Further Information | About the Conference Center | Accomodations | Pet policy - sorry no pets allowed | Music | Potluck Friday Night | Auction | First Aid | Ad hoc groups & videos | Books, Music, and Crafts Store | Scholarships | Preregistration Information
Registration Form:
Registration form pdf file (requires Acrobat) formatted for legal size paper (8 1/2 x 14 inches)
Friday, June 29
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WWFOR homepage The Challenge of Reconciliation & the Fun of FellowshipFellowship of Reconciliation’s 49th Annual Northwest Regional Conference
June 29 - July 2, 2007, Seabeck Conference Center, Seabeck, Washington
Each year FOR members and friends (old and new) gather at the historic and scenic conference center at Seabeck on Hood Canal in Kitsap County to share, learn, reconnect and recommit to the spirit of peace and justice. Some might wonder whether a 92-year old organization can be relevant and vital. What do "reconciliation" and "fellowship" mean in today’s world?
Now, as perhaps never before, we need to understand the enormous challenges we face. At this conference we will re-examine, remember and re-invigorate what is at the core of our name. Reconciliation includes bringing those with opposing positions into conversation to promote understanding and to prevent violence. Fellowship includes building people-to-people relationships so each can see the humanity of the other.
This is true for those working for peace and justice in Iraq, Iran, Colombia, Cuba, Israel and Palestine, just as it is for communities in the Pacific Northwest and in our own personal lives. How can our commitment to nonviolence be incorporated into this work? Reconciling - building common ground and community - is at the heart of FOR as exemplified by new national FOR citizen diplomacy delegations. Collaboration among different faiths, races and generations is our hope for sustaining the vision of a peaceful and just world. Recognizing and addressing the difficulties of such bridging can help us realize the goal.
FOR is about "fellowship," about making long-time friends and finding companions with whom we can build lasting, sustainable community. And these connections are often found by having fun, by doing unexpected things together. Play can open us up to new perspectives and new approaches to problem-solving.
We hope that this year's conference will provide opportunities for all ages to participate together. We especially want to encourage youth of high school and college ages to join us. Our collective wisdom, experience, and energy give us the best chance to build and sustain the work that we must do.
The Seabeck Planning Committee: Chair - Brenda Collier, Glen Anderson, Bob Beveridge,
Sue Peterson Blyth, Jean Buskin, Shulamit Decktor, Ellen Finkelstein, Jean Gant,
Katie Kauffman, Karen Kirkwood, Marcia Mullins, Paul Pruitt, Mary Savage, Tom Savage,
Zahid Shariff, Kathy Shuman, Michael Siptroth, Cherie Tessier, Jo Walter.
Children and Youth Programs for participants aged 3 to 19
The planning committee has arranged for children’s and youth program coordinators to help facilitate constructive and enjoyable time for all participants, and to allow parents and other guardians to participate fully in the Conference. The programs will include activities that reflect FOR’s values.
The children’s program for 3 to 10 year olds will be led for the 15th year by Jean Gant, once again with the cooperation of Nora Walsh. Activities will be geared to the needs and interests of the individual children attending, and will develop a sense of community through play and mutual problem-solving. We will be relying on adults and youth attending the conference to volunteer their time and talents to assist us. Beyond Seabeck, Jean works with children and families as a teacher and therapist. Nora teaches art with young people in a variety of settings.
Youth Program. Youth are invited to participate fully in all conference activities and to organize additional activities around their individual ideas and interests. Coordinators (to be named) will facilitate initial peer group meetings to discuss possible activities and to provide opportunities to get to know one another. Two groups will be available: one for youth 11 to 14 years of age, and one for 15 to 19 year olds. Activities might include attending workshops as a group and then having separate discussions on the topics, planning acts to be performed at the Sunday evening talent show, volunteering in the children’s program, having music or sports sessions (bring musical instruments, sports equipment, CDs and videos, etc, if you like). Youth are invited to come up with additional ideas and to take advantage of Seabeck’s opportunities for swimming, boating, volleyball, ping-pong, and hiking.
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"Iraq and the Further Invention of Nonviolence." Kathy Kelly is co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, a campaign of resistance to end the Iraq War and "the Global War on Terror," http://www.vcnv.org . She co-founded Voices in the Wilderness, working to end the UN/US sanctions against Iraq, and led dozens of delegations bringing medicine and toys to Iraq in open violation of the sanctions, for which she was threatened with 12 years in prison. In October 2002, she joined the Iraq Peace Team which maintained a presence throughout the bombardment and invasion, and she has returned to Iraq three times since. Kathy was in Beirut, Lebanon, during the final days of the Israel-Hezbollah war in the summer of 2006. In 1988 she was sentenced to one year in prison for planting corn on nuclear missile silo sites. In 2004, she served three months at Pekin federal prison for crossing the line at the School of Americas. Kathy has taught in Chicago area community colleges and high schools since 1974. She is active with the Catholic Worker movement and, as a pacifist and war tax refuser, has refused payment of all Federal income tax for 26 years. Kathy has helped organize and participated in nonviolent direct action teams in Haiti, Bosnia, Iraq, and Palestine. She is the author of Other Lands Have Dreams: from Baghdad to Pekin Prison (Counterpunch Press, 2005), and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
"The Dignity of Difference: Mutual Mentorship Across the Generations." Mark C. Johnson became national FOR’s executive director in March 2007, http://www.forusa.org . He was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. Mark has a long history in peace and social justice issues, and extensive experience in the Middle East. He was a co-founder of the Alliance for Middle East Peace, a coalition of US, Israeli and Palestinian NGOs engaged in conflict transformation work. He worked for many years for the YMCA on local and national levels. He is an ordained elder of the Presbyterian Church and a current member of the United Methodist Church. Co-keynoter alejandra cecilia Tobar alatriz is an antiracist Cultural Creative, organizer, and nonviolence trainer with FOR’s Peacemaker Training Institute http://www.forusa.org/programs/pti/ . She is a lead facilitator in FOR’s Nonviolent Youth Collective. Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, under a dictatorship, her memories are peppered with details of military rule. Since arriving in the US, alejandra has engaged in grassroots work around race, class, the impacts of globalization, effects of militarized foreign policy and radical relationship-building. She is a board member of Common Fire, a Pilates trainer, an artist and an affordable housing activist supporting low-income families in South Minneapolis.
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1 - Iraqis Seeking Refuge. 2 million Iraqis are internally displaced after fleeing violence; and nearly as many again have fled to Jordan or Syria. We will consider consequences of the US war against Iraq, focusing on refugees and learning from on-the-ground reports and experiences. The "Circles of Truth" exercise, intended to develop increasing empathy for people directly affected by the war, will also be available. Kathy Kelly, see bio above.
2 - Mutual Mentorship. When, where, how, why is our movement segregated by age? How can we stop tokenizing young activists and dismissing older activists? This interactive workshop on intergenerational reconciliation through Mutual Mentorship prepares us to put "BIG" anti-oppression principles into tangible practice through intentional, intergenerational and multicultural relationship building, a foundational step in creating a vibrant, cohesive anti-corporate movement.
Mark C. Johnson and alejandra cecilia Tobar alatriz, see bios previous page.
3 - The Power of Poetry. The Only Protest is Beauty. Writing frees something within us. We offer a safe place to let your protest/ joy/ enthusiasm/ despair find words. We’ll help you shape those words to share with the wider community. We’ll try poetry marathon, freewriting, and collaborative poetry. No experience required - come even if you have never written poetry. It’s fun! Newt Stremple is 17 and is a student at Centralia College. She’s been involved in FOR for about 3 years now, was a 2006 Peace Activist Trainee with WWFOR, and runs the Gay Straight Alliance at her college. She’s an artist and writer and plans big. (With Karen Kirkwood)
4 - Fool Me Twice? Myths and Realities of Iran. Much of the American public was hoodwinked into supporting the war in Iraq based on media and US government propaganda. The same tactics are being applied now towards gaining public support for a war with Iran. Come learn about some of the political and cultural landscape of Iran, and grassroots strategies for US peace activists to gain more access to mainstream media. Char Simons is a journalist and adjunct faculty member in Middle East Studies at The Evergreen State College. She was a member of the national FOR peace delegation to Iran in 2006.
5 – The Hopeful Continent: What is Happening in South America? A fresh wind has blown across South America. An indigenous president has been elected (in Bolivia), a female president has taken office (in Chile), and Argentina has defied the IMF and takes care of its populace first. Venezuela is using its oil profits to fund social projects for the poor.
We will focus on the past, present and possible futures. Please bring your experiences, information and questions. Recent events even point to hope in Colombia. Nina Murano is a retired middle school teacher who has traveled extensively in Central and South America with Witness for Peace and Global Exchange. She works against the free trade agreements and particularly Plan Colombia. In her free time, she sings, plays ‘early’ music and frolics with the Raging Grannies.
6 - Puppet Build and Street Theatre. Tired of demonstrations where a few people talk from the stage and everyone else listens (or doesn’t listen)? Learn to create giant puppets, street theater props and events where there is no audience because everyone participates! The initial all-ages workshop will share ideas and skills and make a plan for a closing spectacle. Throughout the weekend, the space will be open to continue building and creating. Laurel Dykstra is an artist, activist, urban theologian and long time Catholic Worker. She has made giant puppets in Washington, Georgia, and British Columbia. Over the past 15 years she has taken puppets all over North America for all kinds of activism.
7 - From Disability to Independence. A panel of people with disabilities will talk about achieving maximum independence and the challenges of living with disabilities, what has worked well for them, helpful resources, and acceptance by the community and by themselves. Moderator Kaaren Mills returned to school for a Master’s in Social Work following her spinal cord injury and obtained a more rewarding life than before her accident. She currently works in customer service for the Mariners and is an active member of Seattle FOR.
8 - Nukes in Our Backyard. A workshop to learn about the Trident "weapons system" and to think about how to communicate with the folks who believe with all their hearts and souls that deadly force is the only answer. "I don’t know how to do it and Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor is set up to block communication, so come prepared to do some mind-wrestling - maybe some role-playing?" We will also consider doing a post-Seabeck vigil outside the gate, including signs and maybe puppets. All ages welcome, young people particularly encouraged. Joy Goldstein is a great-grandmother, retired occupational therapist, Quaker who has been directly involved with Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action since Jan 2000, arrested many times, but not put on trial. She has a particular interest in interacting with law enforcement people.
9 - Pilgrimage: Journey to the Heart of Israel and Palestine. In 2006 Linda Allen was invited to the Middle East to share and teach peace songs to children and youth. Through song, story and photos, Linda shares the journey and asks: How do we respond? How do we move from compassion to passionate action? Linda Allen is a singer, songwriter, minister, and educator.
10 - Reconciliation? South Korea, North Korea, and the US. The workshop will look at the ongoing attempts to reconcile three of the main players in the as yet un-ended Korean War. Larry Kerschner is a member of Veterans for Peace and took part in a VFP delegation to Korea in September 2006. VFP has an ongoing Korea Peace Group hoping to facilitate the reunification of Korea.
11 - Diverse Understandings of 9/11 and their Consequences, including Islamic Views. Explaining 9/11 in a way that incorporates the perceptions of many Muslims concerning American foreign policy. No, this is not about a variety of conspiracy theories about that tragedy. The purpose of the workshop will be to explore, in an interactive environment, different perspectives on understanding that event: what forces motivated it and what are its consequences? Zahid Shariff has been a faculty member at universities in New York and Chicago, and for the last 17 years has been at The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA. His teaching and publishing had been in the areas of domestic public policy, but since 9/11 they have included American foreign policy.
12 - Supporting Military Resisters. The War and Occupation of Iraq is creating a new generation of military nonviolent resisters. Some have served in Iraq; others have never been deployed. How can we, in the peace movement, best support these resisters? Workshop Facilitator to be named.
13 - Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba. Several Caravanistas will visit briefly to talk about their mission. We think that the tide is turning in the US against the blockade against Cuba, but this issue cannot be left to the politicians. We must take the lead and challenge them by implementing a People to People Foreign Policy that calls for total abolition of the blockade. Members of the Caravan including Gloria La Riva (coordinator of the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five, and president of the Typographical Sector/ No. Cal Media Workers Union Local 39521, CWA), and Rick Fellows of Olympia, WA (co-founder of Media Island International resource and networking center). Both have participated in several caravans and witnessed the creative ways that Cubans have survived the economic blockade.
14 - Bridging the Chasms. Many in this country are fed up with how divisive political discussion and thought have become. How do we bridge these deepened chasms? How do we get past fear, anger, resentment, and judgment that keep us from enjoying our neighbors who vote differently? Such attitudes corrode peace of mind more than the actual differences. We’ll explore approaches to conversations that are good-natured, revealing, and educational, as well as healing of the rifts in our society. Laurie Childers, an artist and performing songwriter, has worked on 5 continents. As a Quaker pacifist, she now focuses on bridging the chasms, and she has been in an intensive but delightful email exchange with pro-military rightwingers for 2 years.
15 - Non-Competitive Games. Fun and Not Too Physical Games for everyone. All people at the conference including children are welcome at this workshop. Rosy Betz-Zall is a Seattle Raging Granny and peace and music educator. She has trained hundreds of activists in nonviolence and she is an apprentice mediator.
16 - Why Do You Do That? You Did What? An Intergenerational Dialog. Older adults: Have you ever wanted to ask young people how piercing their tongues is a social statement? Younger adults: Have you ever wanted to find out if older activists think your optimism seems foolish? Come to this workshop for some honest communication between generations. What have you always wanted to know? Let’s talk. Karen Kirkwood has worked with young adults for many years as a teacher and foster parent. She enjoys encouraging understanding between any sort of us-and-them. Some may consider her an older. (With Newt Stremple)
17 - Peacemaking through Puppetry and Play. For grownups! Learn to use puppets, non-competitive games, and group activities to build a peaceful community, with enhanced connection, appreciation and unity. Discover powerful, delightful ways to use puppets to transform negative self-talk and anger into compassion. Patty Zeitlin, puppeteer, songwriter, recording artist, and author, has led workshops for 20 years. Her most recent publications: a story about peacemaking in "Chicken Soup For The Soul: Stories for a Better World" and "Angels And Vegetables" - a CD of her original songs. She also teaches Compassionate (Nonviolent) Communication.
18 - Songs of Peace, Labor & Social Justice. This is a participatory workshop, so come prepared to sing! Words for all of the songs will be provided, and Lou will give a brief commentary on the origin and significance of each song. Lou Truskoff has been a labor and social justice activist in the Seattle area for the past 33 years, with special interest in the songs of those movements. He was one of the founders of the Seattle Labor Chorus and is still active with that group.
Seabeck staff provide our meals from Saturday breakfast through Monday lunch, and we have paid lifeguards and children and youth program coordinators. However, the children’s programs require volunteer assistance from many of the adults present, parents and non-parents. In addition, there are other volunteer jobs needing to be filled by people of all ages.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Please indicate on the registration form what jobs you are willing to do. Thanks! There will also be lots more opportunities to volunteer on-site.
REGISTRATION FORM IS DUE BY MAY 25 !!!
Registration form pdf file (requires Acrobat) formatted for legal size paper (8 1/2 x 14 inches)
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From Canada and Points North via Edmonds/Kingston Ferry:
Go South on I-5, take Exit 181 West on Route 524 to the Edmonds Ferry. After departing the ferry in Kingston, follow Highway 104 to the point where it turns right to Port Gamble. Instead, continue straight on Bond Road (follow signs to Bremerton/ Poulsbo). At the Bond Road stoplight for Highway 305 turn right onto Highway 305 and follow the signs onto Highway 3 southbound. Exit Highway 3 at the Newberry Hill Road exit and then follow the signs to Seabeck.From Seattle Area via Seattle-Bremerton Ferry: After departing the ferry turn right on Washington Avenue, left onto 11th Avenue, and right onto Kitsap Way. From Kitsap Way turn right onto Highway 3 northbound. Exit Highway 3 at the Newberry Hill Road exit and follow the signs to Seabeck.
From Tacoma and Points South: From I-5 take Highway 16 westbound to Highway 3 northbound. Exit Highway 3 at the Newberry Hill Road exit and follow the signs to Seabeck.
From North Olympic Peninsula: Cross Hood Canal going east, and turn right to go south on Highway 3 to Newberry Hill Road exit. Exit and turn right on Newberry. Then follow signs to Seabeck.
From Fauntleroy-Southworth Ferry: Turn left onto Highway 160 through Port Orchard and onto Highway 16 westbound, then follow Highway 3 northbound. Exit at the Newberry Hill Road exit and follow the signs to Seabeck.
If you are lost or need to reach a Conference participant, the phone number for the Seabeck Conference Center is 360-830-5010.
Western Washington FOR,
225 North 70th Street, Seattle WA 98103,
206-789-5565, wwfor@connectexpress.com,
Oregon FOR c/o John Roy Wilson,
1780 Church Street NE, Salem OR 97301,
503-585-5436, jtb42@comcast.net
To contact the Conference Registrar directly: Jean Buskin 206-784-9988 or bb369@scn.org
Seabeck Christian Conference Center
Seabeck is on beautiful Hood Canal, fifteen miles west of Bremerton, Washington. Bedding and towels are provided to guests at the Conference Center. Sleeping in RVs is not permitted. Family style meals will be served from Saturday breakfast through Monday lunch. Vegetarian meals will be served, with meat available at some meals. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate this on the registration form. Recreation opportunities include swimming, rowboating on the lagoon, tennis, horseshoes, ping-pong, volleyball, basketball, hiking, music, and crafts. Bring swimwear
and comfortable shoes. Be prepared for wet, dry, warm,
or cool weather.
Seabeck Christian Conference Center’s website http://www.seabeck.org/ provides descriptions of each housing building and floor plans. Except for 10 single rooms in the Inn Annex, all rooms have 2 or more beds, and people should be prepared to have roommates. This is a great way to make new friends. The registrar will attempt to give couples rooms without other roommates (please indicate whether you are part of a couple on the registration form) and will house families together unless other configurations are requested.
** Pets not allowed ** We love our dogs, but pets are not allowed at the Seabeck Conference Center, so please leave them elsewhere.
accessibility: Buildings are connected by paved sidewalks in hilly terrain. We will try to have the workshops of interest to wheelchair users in accessible locations, and will provide a motorized cart to be shared by our less mobile participants.
MUSIC: We are privileged to have Tom Rawson as song leader. Tom is a folk singer, storyteller, schoolteacher, and long-time activist with FOR. He has delighted Conference participants at Seabeck for many years. And you are encouraged to bring musical instruments and music for informal gatherings as well as for the Sunday evening talent show. See also http://www.tomrawson.com
FRIDAY POTLUCK: Our first shared meal, Friday dinner, will be a potluck. Please bring a dish to share.
Auction: This fun event occurs annually to raise money for the Scholarship Fund, which enables low income people to attend the Conference. Conference participants are asked to bring items of value and your offers of skills or services, plus your checkbook.
first aid: First aid services by professionals will be available throughout the conference, coordinated by Mary Margaret Pruitt, R.N.
ad hoc groups & videos: Participants are welcome to organize discussion groups and to bring CDs and videotapes on themes of peace and justice. Equipment for viewing videos will be available. A system will be provided for scheduling rooms and equipment.
BOOKS, MUSIC, AND CRAFTS STORE. A variety of books, CDs, cassettes, and crafts will be available for browsing and purchase.
Glen Gersmehl has again agreed to coordinate the bookstore, bringing books on a wide variety of topics from the celebrated Peace & Justice Resource Center which he coordinates. Limited space will be available for petitions and activist literature, but any items to be sold must be cleared with the Conference Planning Committee.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Full or partial scholarships are available to those who would not otherwise be able to attend. We strive to have diversity of age, race, ethnic background, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, and family situation. To obtain applications, British Columbia and Washington residents should phone 206-789-5565 or write to FOR, 225 N 70th, Seattle WA 98103; Oregon residents should write to FOR in care of
John Roy Wilson, 1780 Church Street NE, Salem OR 97301 or phone John Roy at 503-585-5436. Please submit registration forms for the conference with whatever partial payment you can make, and indicate "scholarship pending."
Scholarship form for Washington and British Columbia residents, MS Word document
Scholarship form for Washington and British Columbia residents, plain text document
Pre-registration is required! Lodging assignments will be made in the order received (with consideration of special needs when possible), so please do not delay! Send the registration form and payment by May 25. After May 25, telephone Jean Buskin 206-784-9988 or Ellen Finkelstein 206-789-5565 to inquire about space.
Registration form pdf file (requires Acrobat) formatted for legal size paper (8 1/2 x 14 inches)
Please help us! We must inform Seabeck Center of our attendance
numbers by May 28, or face penalties.
Your registration by May 25 will help
us to plan. Thank you.
web posted April 17, 2007, by Jean bb369@scn.org
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