"Blessed are the peacemakers for they will inherit the earth." New Testament

Come walk with us in the Holiday Parade this Saturday!!

Kalamazoo's annual holiday parade is November 13th and the DoP will be a presence. We need YOU to make our peaceful message visible to the crowds lining the downtown streets. Meet us at 10:15 a.m. at the MPI parking lot at the corner of Lovell and Jasper. We will be at C-10. Wear snappy holiday attire (such as a Santa hat and/or red and green) and a huge smile.

Iraqi Health Now Friendship Dinner

This annual event is taking place on Friday evening, November 19, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, 321 West South Street, Kalamazoo. Doors open at 6:00 and dinner is at 6:30. Adults $15. Students $5. Children under 12 are free. A relevant topic "What the Muslim Faith Teaches About Peace and Charity" will be addressed by Shadia Kanaan and Gulnar Hussain. Call 657-5266 or email kmiraqihealthnow@... to RSVP. They will be sending another container of supplies to Iraq and your contributions are most welcome. They need school supplies, warm clothing, shoes and socks for adults and children, blankets, medical equipment such as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs as well as supplies for diabetes, asthma and blood pressure, sewing machines plus fabric and sewing supplies and many other items. Please contact Kathy Murphy at the above phone number or email for further details. Hope to see you there!

Help Launch a U.S. Boat to Gaza

Colonel Ann Wright, speaking during WMU's Peace Week, informed us of the following:

On May 31 of this year, Israeli commandos attacked the Free Gaza Flotilla, killing nine humanitarian aid workers. Colonel Wright was on one of the boats. Soon a U.S boat, The Audacity of Hope, will join an international Freedom Flotilla from Europe and the Middle East to directly and nonviolently break the blockade. You can support The Audacity of Hope with your energy, enthusiasm and a contribution. Your donation will help purchase a boat and secure a captain and crew to carry human rights activists to the shores of Gaza. You can donate online at ustogaza.org.

Remember the Youth Promise Act!

You can go online to thepeacealliance.org and sign the petition to support this important piece of legislation. In previous newsletters we have outlined how the YPA will reduce youth violence in our country. This non-partison bill continues to offer hope to building a culture of peace. Let your voice be heard!!

Our next DoP meeting is tomorrow, November 11, 2010, 6:30 p.m. at Skyridge Church of the Brethren on Drake Road.

Peacefully submitted, Co-chairs: Janice Lakers and Luana VanDam