Friday, Nov. 20th, 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21st, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22nd, noon – 3 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 900 High St., Santa Cruz

Give gifts this holiday season that support vendors who help create a sustainable economy both locally and globally.

Purchase fair trade, locally made and/or ecologically mindful products from organizations such as: Heifer International, A Greater Gift, Rising International, BeadforLife, Esperanza en Accion, Resource Center for Nonviolence, Homeless Garden Project, Ecuadorean Weavings and many more.

Thursday evenings, Sept. 10, 17 and 24
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., upstairs at the
Resource Center for Nonviolence

David Grishaw-Jones, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz gives an excellent perspective on the counter-culture, radical contribution of Jesus to social change for justice, peace and human rights.Jesus was an inspiration to Cesar Chavez, Dorothy Day, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and many other key figures in nonviolent movements for social change. But the life and teachings of Jesus are seldom examined outside of a church context, perhaps because of the theological overlay or the hypocrisy of the church that so often contradicts what we understand to be the values, goals and practice of nonviolence.

This study group is intended for the “unChurched,” for non-Christians and secular people as well as Christians who haven’t studied, or would benefit from a refresher course, on the tremendous impact that the life and teachings of Jesus have had on the understanding and practice of active nonviolence. David Grishaw-Jones, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz, will lead this three-week study group. Readings of biblical texts and the perspective of scholars and activists through video presentations will augment discussion. A sliding-scale donation of $15 – $25 is suggested for the series (no one turned away for lack of funds) and includes written materials and supports RCNV’s study series. Preregistration recommended. Contact RCNV at 831-423-1626 or Scott at 831-457-8003.

Wed. Oct. 7, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Vets Hall, 846 Front St., S.C.
Speakers: Stephen Zunes, worldwide authority on the Middle East
and Shamsia Razaqi, just returned from Kabul
Music by the Raging Grannies and Reggae for Peace by Tomas Gomez and Friends
Sliding scale $10 to $25, no one turned away for lack of funds

Oct. 7th marks the 8th anniversary of the day that the U.S. and British launched a military offensive in Afghanistan. President Obama has expanded the U.S. military presence in Aghanistan by 21,000. His military advisors want to send even more troops and there is no exit strategy in sight. What is really needed in Afghanistan? Has the U.S. presence there helped to halt the resurgence of the Taliban or to fuel it? Stephen Zunes will put the conflict in Afghanistan in historical perspective and speak to the issues involved. Shamsia, who works with orphans in Kabul, will talk of the conditions and needs of the civilians. There will be a question and answer period after Stephen’s talk.

Local artist Elijah Pfotenhauer will paint a picture of the event as it occurs, to be sold by auction right after the speeches.

Sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the Resource Center for Nonviolence.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 7:00 p.m.
Resource Center for Nonviolence
515 Broadway, Santa Cruz
Contact: Barbara 831-423-1626

See the video “Nuclear Disarmament, Peace Through Reason” narrated by former nuclear weapons builder Dr. Ted Taylor. Hear Ellen Thomas talk about Prop One, where it is currently and what is needed to put it on the ballot. It’s a promise to the world that the U.S. will get rid of nuclear weapons if everyone else does and war machines will be converted to provide for human needs, especially alternative energy industries. No one loses – people currently employed in “defense” industries can keep working at the cutting edge of the Clean Energy Age. Those trained to work with radioactive materials can help with the cleanup. Scientists can research the neutralization of radiation. It’s a winner!

Sat., Aug. 22 at 10:00 a.m.
Resource Center for Nonviolence
free and open to the public
Contact: 831-475-7609 for more info

Teacher, Activist Allan Fisher will share his  observations from his recent eight-day visit to Honduras. As a member of a Global Exchange delegation, Allan met with U.S. Deputy Mission Chief Simon Henshaw and Ambassador Hugo Lorens at the U.S. Embassy in Teguicigalpa and asked some very pointed questions about the U.S. response to last month’s coup. Come to hear the answers!