In this crazy time where mass shootings, threats to immigrants, and attacks on the very programs that many of our neighbors depend on (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and many others), we often forget about the more global issues that also affect us as a nation.
One of those issues is U.S. use of lethal drones. The Interfaith Network on Drone Warfare (INDW) has put together several videos designed to help your communities understand the moral and religious implications of our use of drones around the world. You can learn more about these videos by downloading this INDW flyer.
We are working with the INDW to identify congregations that are interested in learning more, and willing to host these videos within their own communities or within the wider community. Three of the videos (each approximately 30 minutes) also have study guides available for download. Once those who participate by showing a video in an adult class complete a questionnaire and a sign-in/form listing participants, the INDW will send the congregation $100 to be used in any way they wish. These links are also available on the flyer described above.
You only need to choose one of the films of the five available. However, congregations that are not familiar with drones and their use might want to consider showing Moral and Safe? War, Peace, Drone Warfare and the Religious Community, as it is designed as an introductory film. It can be shown using wifi, by downloading a video at https://www.interfaithdronenetwork.org/; alternatively, you may request a DVD from the Peace Action Education Fund at (609) 924-5022 or cfpa@peacecoalition.org.
We also ask that you register with us so we have an idea of those who are participating. You can do that at https://www.pachurches.org/advocacy/register-drone-warfare-videos/.
For those of you who may be heads of a church body, ecumenical organization, or other larger body, we encourage you to ask congregations you believe may be interested to participate—probably those that have been most actively involved working on peace and justice. You will find a letter you can use at the end of this message. If you do not wish to be the point of contact, you may refer them to s.strauss@pachurches.org.
If you represent a congregation or other body that plans to participate, we encourage you to share this information with other congregations that you believe may be interested.
As noted above, once INDW receives the questionnaire and the list of those wishing to be on the email list, INDW will send a check for $100 to the congregation to be used as the congregation wishes. It is expected that many congregations will use the funds for its peace and justice work or another mission effort. Here is the address for submitting these forms:
Peace Action Education Fund
42 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, NJ 08542
It is expected that this project will end on July 31, 2018 and that all screenings will take place by that date. Thank you so much for your consideration of this project.
Dear [use the person’s name],
I am writing to encourage you to present educational videos on drone warfare from the Interfaith Network on Drone Warfare (INDW) to your congregation. INDW has made five 30-minute videos on drone warfare. They are described on this web site.
I ask you to show one of the five films on drone warfare in an adult education class or a similar setting. If you agree to participate, please take these steps:
- Congregations choose one of the five films that they wish to show. Congregations might wish to show Moral and Safe?: War, Peace, Drone Warfare and the Religious Community since it is designed as an introductory film. You can show a video with WIFI and/or by downloading a video at https://www.interfaithdronenetwork.org/. Alternatively, you may request a DVD from the Peace Action Education Fund at (609) 924-5022 or cfpa@peacecoalition.org.
- On the website, there is a study guide for each film which congregations are urged to use. There is also a form where attendees at the screening wanting to receive occasional email from the INDW can sign.
- After the screening, the leader of the group or some other participant is urged to complete this questionnaire. The leader then sends to INDW the completed questionnaire and the list of those wishing to receive emails from INDW.
- Once INDW receives the review and the list of those wishing to be on the email list, INDW will send a check for $100 to the congregation to be used as the congregation wishes. It is expected that many congregations will use the funds for its peace and justice work or another mission effort.
Please let me know if you are willing to participate in this project. Please contact Rev. Richard Killmer (207-450-7242 or richardlkillmer@gmail.com) if you have any questions or if you wish to discuss the project. This effort will be a huge help to the INDW’s work on drone warfare.
Thank you for your consideration.
[Signed by denominational or faith group staff person]Please send forms to Peace Action Education Fund
42 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, NJ 08542
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