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Summer camp sows seeds of peace

Replied Aug. 31, 2008

Summer camp sows seeds of peace

Replied Aug. 29, 2008

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Catherine's Groups

Solidarity with Nil'in...

16 members
Peace Cafe 2 קפה שלום ...

20 members

The Peace Call

19 members
Just Vision

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OneVoice

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Be Strong - Speak True - Spread the Peace

Profile Information

Hometown:: Grand Rapids, Michigan USA

Relationship Status:: Married

My personal story:: Not a lot to tell. I live with my husband, two dogs and a cat in a small, rural town near Grand Rapids Michigan. Since the Camp David Accords, I have felt a deep concern for the Middle East, especially Israel & Palestine. I traveled to Palestine in the fall of 2007(and again in 2008) and was profoundly affected.

So why Israel / Palestine? I beleive that God writes "our concern" on our hearts and gives us the gifts to pursue that concern if we choose to (it took 10+ years for me to decide to listen). Israel / Palestine is the concern God wrote on my heart. Why not the "dirt in my own back yard"? I beleive that God's plan is for us to all be connected - all of our concerns together form a web of caring that can heal the world.

Why I want peace:: All souls yearn for the light and we carry that light within us. By coming together in peace and love we can illuminate the world.

Interests and activities:: kayaking, camping, geocaching, the outdoors, connecting with people, photography

Something you didn't know about me:: I am a Quaker

How I found mepeace.org:: Google search

What I want to achieve here:: I want to connect with others that value peace and human dignity. I hope to contribute to the conversation and share my experiences.

Do you promise to respect others and our guidelines and not spam?: Yes

Catherine's Photos

Friends Photos

Added March 4, 2008 at 12:37am
Palestine Trip 2007

Added March 4, 2008 at 12:35am
Scenes from my life

Added March 4, 2008 at 12:32am

Favorite Quotes and Sayings

Telling the truth is easy...the hard part is knowing what the truth is...

If the world is ever going to come to peace, humanity can not be recognized on a case by case basis.

The opposite of Life is not Death - It is indifference.

The humble, meek, merciful, just, pious, and devout souls are everywhere of one religion; and when death has taken off the mask, they will know one another, though the divers liveries they wear here make them strangers. - William Penn (Quaker)

Incite Hope

Compassion is Revolution

Be an outlaw – love wastefully!

You can't shake the hand of the devil, and say you were just kidding.

HumanKind: Be Both

Sometimes the safest thing is to take a risk.

Catherine's Videos

Someday

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Catherine's Blog

Mother's Day

Today Americans celebrate Mother's Day. Today is also the day when Mothers here, from all walks of life, take a moment to stand for peace. We remember the words of Julia Ward Howe. Although this was written in 1870, in response to the Civil War, unfortunately this statement rings true today. I think Julia would be disappointed with us...

Mother's Day Proclamation - 1870
by Julia Ward Howe

Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of t… Continue

Posted on May 12, 2008 at 3:51am —

Drop by drop, we can change the world.

I heard this read the other day and it brought me to tears. Hope is a hard thing to come by and I struggle everyday with the feelings that I need to do more - be more. This reminded me that drop by drop, small efforts DO matter.

A Tiny Drop of Water
Author: Bob Perks

A tiny drop of water washed away the land and buildings fell, floating away with other people's dreams.

Roadways planned and formed by huge machines and men who sweat and hammer the world into shape, were pushed away with little… Continue

Posted on April 25, 2008 at 6:12am — 1 Comment

Why I am here ---- Why am I here?

When I found this community, I had been looking for some time to find a place where real ideas for peace would be discussed, with compassion and open hearts. I had looked at communities on My Space, Facebook and others. What I saw were people that were only there to argue that their “side” was good and the “other” evil - Not a path for creative reconciliation. I can find this all around me, in the ‘real world’, so I was seeking a space where I could ‘breath’, where I could ‘recharge’ my spirit,… Continue

Posted on March 15, 2008 at 8:20pm — 5 Comments

What's so funny about Peace, Justice and security?

I have been wrestling with the concept of peace with justice. Rationally, I understand that a peace without justice is not a real peace. It would be a detente, but not really peace. On the other hand, when the word justice is used like a flag, it feels like a threat to "the other". They wonder "what do you mean by justice?", "Do I need to give up my home, my way of life, my security?" I agree that justice has to be the endgame, but to demand it up front is very similar to demanding "security" be… Continue

Posted on March 10, 2008 at 3:00am — 7 Comments

Comment Wall (35 comments)

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At 6:01pm on May 16, 2009, Tamar Freed تمارا فريد said…: hello catherine,
i liked what you wrote about caring beyond "the dirt in your back yard" and about how we're all connected.
it's ironic that i, living as i do, in israel, often get a response of "why do you care so much about the palestinians? don't you care about your own people?". my answer is always that because i care so deeply about my own people, i care about palestinians so much. our fates are intertwined.
it's a wonderful thing that you - living so far away from here - feel the same about what is happening here.

At 2:36am on November 6, 2008, irshad alam said…: You may visit www.sufipeace.org and contact me via the feedback button. WE can talk. you mat also telephone me at 510 666 0986 berkeley ca

At 7:58pm on September 2, 2008, Lisa Schindler said…: oh wow, it is a small world. yes, I am a student. I just got back to East Lansing last night, I spent the summer in Israel. :)

At 11:23am on September 1, 2008, Michael Shurman said…: Hi,
i picked in Kalkilia area, it is not far from my house. Few years ago also near Ariel (don't remember the name of the village).
Enjoyed it very much

Best

At 3:24am on August 29, 2008, Max S said…: Hi there Catherine. Are you involved with the Olive picking? Can you tell me more if you are. I am interested in arranging a mepeace involvement. It would be good if we did it as a group. Thanks for telling me about the Palestinian cafe again. Cheers. Max.

At 2:21pm on August 25, 2008, amiera said…: HI Catherine,

Thank you! It's nice to know that other people feel the same way as me :)

Well... if my project gets a good enough mark, then it has a chance of being published! Being an Msc student, it's very difficult! However, I can email it to you if you'd like to read it?

Best wishes,

Amiera
:)

At 7:21am on July 31, 2008, Hayyim Feldman said…: Shalom-salaam Catherine, and thanks for the welcome. I love the "Why I want peace" comment in your profile. Glad to talk with you more about NSP, too. Is there a way we can begin an email exchange from here?

At 12:44am on July 23, 2008, Nadjaschka said…: Thank you Catherine !!!

At 12:54pm on July 18, 2008, Pete said…: Thanks for your comment about the Peace Call....I'm not sure what the Mepeace chat thing is, is it like IM where you type and chat??

2) Your comment prompted me to check the Skype system requirements and it states - broadband is best (well it would) but doesn't state that a dial-up precludes you from participating....so there's hope yet!!!

Anyway, I think there are many very interesting people across this site with good intentions and I hope I can help in some way with your aims....

All the best,

Pete

At 2:26pm on July 10, 2008, Max S said…: Hi there Catherine. Thanks for sending me that link about the Palestinian cafe here in London. I went and checked it out last night and it is fantastic. I am going to the event tonight and I shall write a blog about the cafe. Cheers. Hope you are well. max.

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