INTERNATIONAL PASTORAL
CARE  NETWORK  FOR
SOCIAL  RESPONSIBILITY

MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

     This is a page set aside for contributions from members of the IPCNSR and others who are interested in its work.   It will focus on the Network's three focus areas:

Education and consciousness-raising on issues of justice, peace and environment.

Traumatized people.

Economic Justice.

     You are encouraged to send articles, thoughts, drawings, poetry, questions, ideas, proposals, or any other form of expression pertaining to the Network's overall objective of "justice, peace, and the integrity of creation."

     Please send material to Mike Cordner (you can click on his name to generate an e-mail letter).  He will compile the material and share it on this page.

LETTER FROM PENNY L. ANDREWS September 12, 2003 Greetings....      l'll describe myself via a project that l am immersed in right now because it speaks deeply of my spiritual work in the world.      l am currently coordinating the first Earth Charter Community Summit to be held in Madison, Wi.  We are linking faith activists, scientists, academics and community activists together to celebrate a document that links values and points a direction for a future to be possible.      If you are not familiar with the Earth Charter Initiative, I hope you will take the time to visit the international website at http://www.earthcharter.org or the USA website at http://www.earthcharterusa.org and the Summit website with information about the Madison conference at http://www.earthchartersummits.org/locations/madisonwi/.  The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society.  It interconnects the issues of peace, nonviolence & democracy; social justice; human rights; and environmental protection.  It seeks to catalyze cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue on global ethics and the direction of globalization.      l received my D.Min from Matthew Fox's University of Creation Spirituality in 2001, was ordained an Interfaith Minister of the Arts through the Chaplaincy Institute and am currently working part time as a chaplain with a Dialysis Unit here in Madison.      After completing 4 units of CPE, a  couple of years ago l started offering monthly services - these services attract those folks who are deeply spiritual but not attracted to traditional worship.  The spark for working on the Earth Charter project came out of these Sunday gatherings.      My other area of interest is aging and spirituality.  l have taught classes, given talks and done my doctoral project on this topic.  l am deeply influenced by the work of Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and the book, From Age-ing to Sage-ing.      l try to bring the arts into all areas l am working in.  And on a monthly basis, l have an ongoing group with family caregivers to spend time with their creativity to infuse their life ... and recharge their spirits.      l was so pleased to read of the existence of this organization.  l hope to learn and grow from our connection. Blessings, Penny L . Andrews

 

LETTER FROM IMAM (MUSLIM CLERGY MEMBER) ADAM M. ADAMU June 27, 2003 Imam Adam M. Adamu 2445 Rex Road. # C4 Ellenwood GA. 30294 Mr. G. Michael Cordner, Th.D. IPCNSR Newsletter Editor P.O. Box 1542 Williston, VT 05495 Dear Mr. G. Cordner:      I am writing in response to your request for me to write a piece about my thoughts and myself.      I was born in Accra Ghana, West Africa.  I have five siblings, both my parents live in Ghana.   My father is an Imam (Muslim clergy) and my mother is a trader.  I grew up attending both Islamic and Christian schools in Africa.  I played professional soccer in Ghana and Nigeria.  I migrated to the US in 1982 when the military took over power from the democratically elected government on December 31, 1981.  I am a husband and a father of three daughters all of whom were born in the US.  My wife is a Ghanaian and we've been married for 20 years.      I founded the Islamic center of Yonkers, NY, in 1995.  I did three and a half units of CPE in New York and Connecticut.  I'm currently, a resident student with Emory in Atlanta, GA.  The residency ends in August, 2003 and I'm at the moment, networking for employment as a staff chaplain.      I find the hospital ministry more interesting because I am able to connect with multi-cultural group of people.  I see the need for me to continue to interact with other faith groups, because we live in a very complicated world today.  As a Muslim, I'm hoping for an opportunity to build the bridge and to hold firmly, the relationship between all people regardless of culture religion or geographical background.  I grew up in a country that today, has a democratically elected president who is a Christian and a Muslim vice president.  That to me represents hope.      Islam teaches peace and patience at all time and I think we as a society, need to differentiate the difference between violence and religion.  I think Christianity is innocent in Oklahoma and Columbine etc.  Likewise, Islam is innocent, on 911.  Those are my thoughts.  Prophet Mohamed, had a worm relationship with the then Christians and Jews as well as the pagan worshipers and that, is a fact.      In future, I would like to write about Islam and "interpersonal violence" In Shaa Allah (God willing).  I speak several African languages, about six to be precise, including Koran Arabic.  I'm not even sure if English is my second language so, I'm giving you my permission to edit my writings for your newsletter, if you find it interesting.      If you wish you may email me at adam_adamu@emorvhealthcare.org or (404) 968-2767 (office); (770) 968-2676 (home).      Thank you for having me as a member of your organization. Enclosed is a $10 check for my membership fee.  As Salamu Alaikum.  (Peace be with you). Sincerely, Adam M. Adamu Chaplain/Imam, Emory

 

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