News from Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

A bill to abolish the death penalty in Pennyslvania has been introduced. Pennsylvanians, go to the website for Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty to urge your legislators to vote Yes on SB 423, which would repeal Pennsylvania's death penalty. On that site, you can also urge your legislators to vote NO on HB 317, which would expand Pennsylvania's death penalty.

Fair Trade

As we travel through Lent, perhaps we can think of ways to support Fair Trade. Go to the Equal Exchange website to find coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, gifts, and other Fair Trade items.

Remember Free Rice?

Have you been remembering to donate rice through the World Food Programme? Just go to freerice.com and earn 10 free grains of rice for every correct answer! If you haven't visited the site in a while, other categories have been added. Try your luck at Art, Chemistry, Geography, and Math in addition to English vocabulary.

Death Penalty Opponent and Mother of Victim to Speak in Williamsport

From northcentralpa.com:

A moratorium on the death penalty program, presented by Vicki Schieber, is scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 7 p.m. at Lycoming College, Honors Hall / Performance Hall (southeast corner of E 4th and Basin Streets) in Williamsport. The event is free.

Vicki’s daughter, Shannon, was raped and murdered on May 7, 1998 while finishing her first year of graduate school on a full scholarship at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Since this tragic incident, Vicki and her husband, Sylvester, have dedicated their career and lives to a moratorium on the death penalty.

In addition to teaching many high schools and university classes on abolition, Vicki runs workshops for state conferences, is a published author, and served on the 2008 Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment. She is the recipient of the Fannie Mae Foundation Good Neighbor Award, the Courage in Community Award of the McAuley Institute Board of Trustees and the Exceptional Community Spirit Award from Rebuilding Together of Washington, D.C.

Despite her tragic loss she continues to be an advocate for the abolishment of the death penalty. The public is invited to hear her compelling story of reconciliation and forgiveness. For more information about the program, or if you would like a flyer emailed to you, contact Jim Foran at margyjimforan601@cs.com.

Remembering Romero

March 24 marks the 31st anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Click here to go to the Creighton University website that provides more information on the life and death of Oscar Romero

Litany for Peace

From the Pax Christi USA website:

Litany for Peace by Linda Friern and Tony Bartlett, in The Fire of Peace

Let us pray to Jesus Christ that we may be set free from the chains of violence and war.
Jesus the Christ, by your cross and resurrection
… deliver us.
by your nonviolence and love
by your witness to truth
by your passion and death
by your victory over the grave
from the desire for power
from the conspiracy of silence
from the negation of life
from the worship of weapons
from the celebration of killing
from the slaughter of the innocent
from the extermination of the weak
from the nightmare of hunger
from the politics of terror
from a false peace
from relying on weapons
from the spiral of armaments
from plundering the earth’s resources
from the despair of this age
from global suicide.
By the light of the Gospel
… give us your peace.
by the good news for the poor
by your healing and wounds
by faith in your word
by a hunger and thirst for justice
by the coming of your reign
by the outpouring of the Spirit
by reconciliation of enemies
by gentleness and nonviolence
by the truth that sets us free
by prophecy and witness
by persecution because of your name
by the power of your love.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
… have mercy on us.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
… have mercy on us.
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
… grant us peace.

Lenten Carbon Fast 2011

Washington (State) Interfaith Power and Light has issued an invitation to join the Carbon Fast for Lent 2011. The Carbon Fast Calendar is available here. For this week, it invites us to the following: Wednesday - Remove one light bulb from a light in your home (without creating an unsafe situation). Do not replace the light bulb . . . for now! Thursday - Refresh your memory regarding which items your city/county allows for curbside recycling. Start adding items to your bin that you normally haven't recycled. Friday - Ensure that your cell phone charger is unplugged when not in use. (Many electronics and appliances continue to draw power even when they are off. Saturday - Set a timer for 5 minutes before your shower, and see how your normal shower length compares. Try to finish your next shower before the timer goes off.