GfP Newsletter - January 2005

Dear GFP members and Friends (hopefully members-to-be)

2004 was a year. 2005 is a year. But I don't want to let go of 2004 without a review of GFP issues and activities. They were numerous and it would be great to hear from you with your evaluation of this report.

There were many extreme contrasts: hopes and disappointments, activism and apathy, beautiful sunshine and terrible natural disasters, luxurious real estate developments and savage clear cuttings; new malls at the expense of small businesses; profits from merging and out-sourcing for the rich, and loss of employment for the others; millions of dollars spent on homeland security but heightened insecurity and nation -wide loss of civil liberties; billions of dollars spent and thousands of deaths because of the immoral, ruthless war that dominates our every waking day . . . . .

I'm happy to be able to report that our organization, Grandparents for Peace, St. Augustine survived the difficult year.

We didn't give up. We continue in our efforts to make a better world for future generations. This could not have been possible without you . . your dues payments and contributions – and especially your friendship and your moral support.

ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

As your representative, most of my activity was in St. Augustine together with other GFP members. In January, February and March, 2004, we co-sponsored with PPJ (People for Peace & Justice) three large anti-war rallies in the downtown plaza, and held weekly Friday afternoon vigils at the Bridge of Lions. Throughout the year, we attended City and County Commission meetings, League of Women Voters meetings, Green Party and Sierra Club meetings, and were very active in the Democratic Party campaign. In just a few days, in solidarity with counter-inauguration ceremonies around the world, GFP will co-host a street theatre “Coronation of King George” at noon, and a silent vigil at the Bridge of Lions at 2pm.

Outside of St. Augustine, the greatest concentration of effort went into our work with the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice. I wish each of you could visit the FCPJ Peace Center and Teaching Farm, located in a lovely pecan grove near Gainesville. The air-conditioned building hosted FCPJ Steering Committee meetings throughout the year, the Annual Retreat in January, two one-week long sessions of Peace Camp in July and August for 10-20 year olds, and a Pick-In concert of folk music in October. In addition, several non-profit groups enjoyed the facility (grounds, camp sites, building and organic farm) for their own seminars and social gatherings. I will keep you posted about the FCPJ long-term strategic planning process that has just been approved to make the educational work of the FCPJ more effective and far-reaching.

Sometimes alone, and sometimes with fellow members of Grandparents for Peace, I/we attended Pax Christi retreats, participated in demonstrations in Starke against the Death Penalty, at Cape Kennedy in solidarity with Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, vigils at St. Mary's, Georgia to protest the Trident nuclear submarines at the Kings Bay Naval Base, the protest of the G8 summit at Sea Island, Georgia, rallies and demonstrations in Tampa, at Elgin Air Base, at Oak Ridge, at Bath, Maine, in Miami protesting the Fair Trade conference, in Seattle against the International Monetary Fund, at Ft. Benning, Georgia for the SOA Watch, in NYC for the Republican National Convention, and more.

I'm proud that the members of our little chapter are so far-flung and such good travelers. I'm proud that we are a vital part of the big organization, Grandmothers for Peace, International, founded in California in 1982 by the late Barbara Wiedner, of California, and carrying on so boldly under the leadership of Lorraine Krofcheck.

FINANCE REPORT

Donations, dues and registration fees of from $l5 to $50 were made by GfP to more than 30 non-profit organizations, among them, (reading down the list of checks) Amnesty International, the FCPJ, the St. Johns County Democratic Party, Global Network, Pax Christi, Picture the Homeless and other homeless coalitions, Habitat for Humanity, St. Francis House and other shelters, the Betty Griffin House, the SOA, America's Second Harvest, Braille Books for the Blind, Bread for the World, Bridges Across Borders, St. Augustine Friendship Association, Recording for the Blind, Nipponzan Myohoji Atlanta Dojo, Witness for Peace, Caribbean Children's Assoc., Catholic Worker House in Gainesville, Jacksonville City Rescue Mission, Hospitalized Vets, United Negro College etc. I am amazed at the diversity and hope you approve of the choices. Our administrative expenses are minimal: photocopying, postage, occasional travel. As of December 3l, 2004, our bank balance is $182.39. I cannot write any more checks until 2005 dues are paid. Your promptness would be appreciated.

On the horizon, as your representative, in addition to weekly meetings of PPJ and CIA (Citizens in Action) in St. Augustine, I am booked for the FCPJ Planning Retreat in Orlando on Feb. 5th, a Benefit Concert for the FCPJ on Feb. 12th in Jacksonville, the FCPJ Common Ground Conference at Rollins College weekend of March 4th, a speaking engagement to a Humanist group in Deland March 11th, and Peace Camps in July and August at the FCPJ Peace Center,

SHOULD THIS LAST PARAGRAPH BE UP WITH ACTIVITIES INSTEAD OF HERE?


Please, when you send your dues, tell me your plans so that I can incorporate them in the next newsletter. Keeping in touch with each other, sharing thoughts and dreams, is part of the strength and beauty of our organization.

2004 had a sad beginning and an even sadder ending. 2005 has just begun. We have a rough road ahead. Our combined efforts (whether jobs, volunteerism, generosity) must be greater than ever. We dream of a world that is peaceful because we know the human and ecological cost of war and violent conflict. We yearn for a world where the basic right of every person to a life of health and dignity is honored and where the sustainability of the planet is safeguarded. We must continue to strive for these goals.

Together we CAN make a difference! Together we WILL make a difference!

In peace,


Peg