In the midst of world tensions, we hold steadfast to our message and purpose.  In the spirit of creating and fostering healing and productive dialogues, and training and motivating our grassroots network, we have successfully completed our seventh conference in five months - the Midwest Regional Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Close to 150 were in attendance throughout the weekend and the conference was opened by our National Campaign Coordinator, Lynn McMullen and closed by the Peace Alliance President of the Board, Marianne Williamson.
 
Each conference has its unexpected gifts that contribute to our outreach and education.  The surprise gift of this conference was the varied and extensive media coverage we received.  We awoke on Sunday morning to find a front page article in the city and state section of the Kalamazoo Gazette and had two news stations taping at the conference on Sunday.  Both stations ai red coverage on the 5:30 and 11:00 news that evening! There were two radio interviews that week as a result of the press coverage and another article followed.

Nine states were represented at this conference! State Coordinators from Illinois and Michigan (and surprise appearance by our Minnesota State Coordinator), Congressional District Team Leads and other volunteers, gave their time, passion and energy to make it possible for everyone to attend and equip themselves with peacebuilding skills and tools to educate others on the Department of Peace Legislation.  

Our final conference this year is in Decatur, Georga and the hotel has a reservation deadline of August 16 to receive reduced conference rates on hotel rooms.  If you want to gain more confidence in speaking about the bill, focus on increasing that which we seek to create in the world, learn beginning skills for talking to those who share a different point of view, gain insight in talking to your member of Congress, connect with others in your state, and access your passion and enthusiasm to create the world of your dreams, join us in Georgia!

 I'd like to share with you the last paragraphs from the Kalamazoo Gazette article: " ...a Department of Peace would give authenticity to what the country says it values," said Rev. Cecelia Lucas.  "We talk about wanting to make peace all the time, when all our funds and our energy and our attention are going into weapons and war.  How can we actually be making peace?  For me it is a spiritual concept, too.  You reap what you sow. If you're sowing seeds of apples, you're not going to get oranges.  If you're sowing seeds of war, how are you going to get peace?"   

Thank you for joining us in sowing seeds of peace, first and foremost by being the peace we want to see in the world.

 
In gratitude,
Kathy Kidd