Prayer, Peace Songs and Puppets

Where will you be on March 18th? We sure hope you'll be with us, singing, praying, and hanging out with puppets!

Join us at 11:00am on Saturday the 18th at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 555 Waverley (corner of Hamilton and Waverley) in Palo Alto for this intergenerational and interfaith gathering. We will mark the anniversary of the Iraq war with prayers for peace, songs, stories, puppets and an offering of 1,000 origami peace cranes!
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Darfur Days of Conscience

On April 30, 2006, in order to bring attention to the ongoing genocide in Darfur and demand immediate protection for the Darfurian victims and refugees, concerned citizens will hold a Day of Conscience for Darfur in San Francisco, with a Vigil on the Golden Gate Bridge and a Rally in Crissy Field.
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A Daughter Remembers

While working to help the victims of the South Asian earthquake, Samina Faheem who is on the board of Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice and is the head of American Muslim Voice, is also grieving the loss of her beloved mother.

Nasim Akhper Malik died in her home in Pakistan after a long struggle with cancer on November 14th.

Samina will fly to Pakistan after the November 22nd vigil.

Samina has agreed to allow MVPJ to share the following reflections about her parents, which she sent to friends and co-workers for peace a few days ago.
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Global Week of Giving-November 21-27

Please join the Global Week of Giving, November 21 to 27 to help the victims of the October Earthquake in Asia. Through Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice, American Muslim Voice asks the community to join them in making personal, sacrificial gifts for relief of the earthquake victims in Pakistan, Kashmir, and India. You are invited to make some small (or big!) changes in your Thanksgiving celebrations and donate the money saved to the cause of earthquake relief.

The week will begin with an overnight vigil at Palo Alto City Hall Plaza beginning at 9pm Tuesday, November 22 and concluding with a press conference at 11am Wednesday, November 23rd. You are invited to join in the vigil for whatever time you are able. Please bring warm clothes and if you plan to spend the night, sleeping bags and tents would help keep you even more comfy through the night.

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Bay Area Faith Leaders Gather with Grieving Pakistani Family To Proclaim "Humanitarian Relief Needed for Earthquake"

The Santa Clara County Council of Churches, Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice (MVPJ), American Muslim Voice (AMV), and the Mayor of Palo Alto in collaboration with Amnesty International USA, Global Exchange, Codepink and others will hold a press conference November 3rd to address the need for global efforts to provide emergency aid for victims of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that devastated South Asia in October. Among the speakers will be members of a Pakistani family who lost 21 loved ones in the earthquake.
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For What Noble Cause

On the eve before Veterans Day, we will be hosting a worship service / teach-in entitled "For What Noble Cause." Our speakers will include Nadia McCaffrey and Karen Meredith, two members of Goldstar Families for Peace who lost their sons in the Iraq War.

Please join us at the First Baptist Church of Palo Alto (305 N. California Avenue) at 7:00pm on November 10th. We'll pray, sing, and hear letters and stories from the front, from as far back as the War of Independence through today's war in Iraq. Throughout the evening, the prayers, songs, and stories will beg the question "For What Noble Cause?"

Christian Rap and Chanting the Koran - Diversity Uniting in Song

Where can you hear Christian rap, chanting of texts from the Qur'an, original Jewish peace songs, and gospel music all in one place? "Traditions of Peace: Uniting in Song" offers this unique opportunity on Sunday, October 2nd, 4:00 -5:30pm at the First Congregational Church, 1985 Louis Road (corner of Embarcadero) in Palo Alto.
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Petition to Investigate Torture

Few human actions are more morally abhorrent than torturing those over whom you hold power. Yet, as violence continues to rage in Iraq and elsewhere, there are those who would justify behavior that defiles God’s image. The steering committee of Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice is asking you to read the information from the Fellowship of Reconciliation about investigating torture allegations and sign their petition. Members of our committee and other volunteers will personally delivery signed petitions to Respresentatives Lantos and Eshoo.
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In Memory of Marla Ruzicka

MVPJ Steering Committee Member Craig Wiesner, and MVPJ webmaster Derrick Kikuchi, and David Mineau (spouse of Diana Gibson) were part of an interfaith delegation in Afghanistan in 2002 where we met and worked with Marla Ruzicka. We share in the grief of her family, friends, and the world over her death. We also celebrate her life and her life's work. The following is a story written by Craig Wiesner about the memorial service that took place on May 3rd in San Francisco. On that same evening, a total of 20 memorial services were held in her honor across the country.
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