Peace Colloquy Keynotes Emphasize "Justice for Women, Dignity for All"

The 2009 Peace Colloquy will provide an opportunity for women and men to explore continuing women’s justice issues. True community includes compassion for and solidarity with the poor, marginalized, and oppressed. Women and children face higher levels of poverty all over the world. In modern wars they suffer much greater violence than other civilians.

Come October 23–25 to the Temple in Independence, Missouri, to explore how women and men can work in partnership for the sake of children and future generations. Register online by September 25 and save at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/ or call Customer and Member Services at 1-800-825-2806, ext. 1442.

Peace Award Keynote

Dr. Halima Bashir, Community of Christ International Peace Award recipient, will be honored at the opening of the colloquy, Friday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m. The award ceremony and her address, “Tears of the Desert,” will be free to the public. The event will be webcast live at www.CofChrist.org.

Halima will share some of her story of service and survival during the conflict that started in 2003 in Darfur. She gave medical care to soldiers and civilians on both sides. She treated girls who were gang-raped by Janjaweed militia while government soldiers stood guard outside the children’s school. Although she knew it was dangerous, Halima spoke out. In retaliation, she was abducted and gang-raped.

Since fleeing to the United Kingdom, Halima has sought avenues to create international awareness about Darfur’s ongoing conflict. In December 2008 she went to the White House and talked with President George W. Bush. She also was a nominee for Beliefnet’s (www.beliefnet.com) 2008 Most Inspiring Person.

Halima told Apostle Andrew Bolton, “I’m still speaking out and campaigning…it is the only way I can help my people in Darfur to campaign for justice.” Halima will sign her book, also titled Tears of the Desert, after the ceremony.

Deborah L. Hughes	Becky L. Savage
Rupa Kumar	Felipa Xico

Other Keynoters
Deborah L. Hughes will speak on “The Susan B. Anthony Story—Lessons for Today.” Deborah is executive director of the Susan B. Anthony House, where the great reformer lived for the forty most politically active years of her life. Anthony’s story is important historically and relevant today for women all over the world.

Becky Savage, Rupa Kumar, and Felipa Xico will address “Justice for Women, Dignity for All.” Becky is a member of Community of Christ’s First Presidency. Rupa serves with CORDI (Community Organization and Resource Development India) Trust. Felipa serves with Mujeres en Accion (Women in Action) in Guatemala.

CORDI and Mujeres en Accion are World Accord projects. CORDI Women’s Centre and Shelter in Chennai works to give women the skills and confidence to create alternatives for themselves and their children. Mujeres en Accion trains indigenous Mayan women in better marketing techniques and use of micro credit to promote better crop storage and utilization. Your contributions to Community of Christ Oblation and World Hunger Funds have helped support these projects.

Colloquy Opportunities
Prepare for the Peace Colloquy with the Prayer Retreat at Camp Doniphan in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, beginning Friday, October 23. Explore some of 20 workshops. Junior- and senior-high students will enjoy their own retreat program, “Dignity!” On Saturday, children in grades one through six will participate in the program, “Jesus Loves All the Children.”

Get more details on the Peace Colloquy schedule at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/.

—Kendra Friend reporting