 October 2001
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Telephone number: Fax number:
pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
Report from the First Week in New York --A Sea of Sorrow Excerpts from her "Report of the First Week" which Elizabeth Enloe, regional diarector of the AFSC New York Metropolitan Regional Office sent out September 18: Dear Friends, ...As the immediate circles of loved ones widen, we find our lives interlaced with more tragic stories. And, as we conduct our lives in the heart of New York City and with individuals and communities in the integral surrounding towns, cities, and villages which make up this metropolitan region, we are in a sea of sorrow. ...In work we our guided by three principles: Be Present, Be Tender with All, Find in Action and Stillness the best Response. We encourage each other to be in the community at vigils and meetings, listening deeply to the many, many conversations. These experiences inform us of concrete needs and public sentiment: they keeps us grounded in reality, and shape our responses. In the past week as individuals we have been with those who mourn as we mourn. We attended a funeral in a parlor with eight simultaneous services, overwhelming persons not knowing where to go. We have kept watch with friends and family holding alive the hope of the return of missing loved ones. And we have been with those who know that death has come. We have stayed close to those who survived. We have connected with our families. We have brought out the flag. We have stood in silent, candlelit vigils outside our homes, in our neighborhoods, in houses of worship, and throughout our cities. We have prayed. Some of us have fasted. We have spoken with our children and we have watched our children play. We went to see the ocean. We have shaken the hands of the rescuers--of firefighters and police officers--and thanked them. We have visited the stores of persons whose homeland is a Middle Eastern country. We have watched the news or refused to. We have volunteered at the many relief staging points, and loaded boxes of supplies. We have passed out a quote of Dr. King's, talked about a non-violent response, and known and seen anger. ...At the end of this summer, words appeared on a flip chart in the Manhattan office used for a training in conflict resolution. They bear weight and guidance for us now. They are: "Truth, Justice, Mercy, Peace, and Reconciliation." With our gratitude for so much, and for this AFSC community. We are with you as you are with us.
Love, Elizabeth |
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