Putney Friends Meeting

Leahy Introduces BIPARTISAN Bill to Tackle Illegal Guns

Friends,
I have exciting news! Today Senator Leahy introduced a new bill, the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2016, and it already has strong bipartisan support! Please take a moment to read the press release below and then call Senator Leahy’s office at (202) 224-4242 to thank him for his leadership! (You can also contact Senator Leahy through his website at: https://www.leahy.senate.gov/contact.)

Thank Senator Leahy for working to address the problem of illegal firearms. As he says below, “In Vermont and across the country, we have seen firearms serve as currency for illegal drugs. Addicts are at times directed to straw purchase firearms by dealers who could not pass a background check themselves,” Senator Leahy said. “It is time to take action – and only Congress can fill the gaps in our laws. Congress must not become so numb to tragedy after tragedy that we fail to fulfill our responsibility to legislate.”

Let Senator Leahy know that you agree!

Thank you!
Ann

Leahy & Collins Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Illegal Straw Purchasing and Firearms Trafficking

WASHINGTON (THURSDAY, Feb. 11, 2016) – Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced legislation on Thursday to combat the practice of straw purchasing and illegal trafficking in firearms.

The Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2016 responds to calls from law enforcement officials for more effective tools to investigate and deter straw purchasers and gun traffickers.

Currently, there is no law that explicitly makes straw purchasing a crime, and it is only unlawful to traffic a firearm if the transferor had actual knowledge that the firearm would be used in connection with a crime. The recent terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California highlighted this gap; the rifles in that shooting were allegedly acquired through a straw purchaser. Firearms trafficking is also an increasingly significant problem in New England, where the surge in opioid abuse has exposed a “guns for drugs” trade.

The bipartisan bill introduced by Leahy and Collins today would make clear that the straw purchasing and trafficking of firearms are federal crimes.

“In Vermont and across the country, we have seen firearms serve as currency for illegal drugs. Addicts are at times directed to straw purchase firearms by dealers who could not pass a background check themselves,” Senator Leahy said. “It is time to take action – and only Congress can fill the gaps in our laws. Congress must not become so numb to tragedy after tragedy that we fail to fulfill our responsibility to legislate.”

“Our bill would provide law enforcement with an effective tool to fight the violence that too often goes hand in hand with drug trafficking,” said Senator Collins. “Straw purchasing and the trafficking of firearms put guns directly in the hands of drug dealers and violent criminals who smuggle heroin into Maine.”

The bill does not affect lawful purchases from federal firearms licensees, nor does it prohibit the innocent transfer of a firearm as a gift, or in relation to a legitimate raffle, auction or contest. The measure is supported by numerous law enforcement organizations, including the National Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National Tactical Officers Association, the National District Attorneys Association, and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

A similar version of the Leahy-Collins legislation drew the support of a bipartisan majority of the Senate in 2013.

Text of the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2016 is available online. A one-page summary of the bill is also available online. Leahy’s full remarks can be found here.

02/12/2016

Social Justice

GunSense Vermont, Senator Patrick Leahy
Interfaith Criminal Justice Coalition Call

Dear Friends,

Time is running out for sentencing reform. As election season heats up, there are only a few months left to help the people, families, and communities affected by excessive and costly prison sentences. This month, thousands of people across the country are making a big push for sentencing reform legislation, before Congress heads home to campaign.

This issue is so important — and so urgent — that the White House will be joining the Interfaith Criminal Justice Coalition’s national conference call on mass incarceration. I’ll be co-hosting the call with the coalition.

Please join us on Tuesday, February 9 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Register now to participate.

On the call, you’ll hear why the faith voice is so important right now and on this issue. We’ll take your questions and give you ways to get involved.

For the moment, there’s a bipartisan consensus that mandatory minimum sentences must change — but it won’t last for long. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S. 2123) needs to move forward soon. I hope you’ll join me for this timely call.

Sincerely,

Amelia Kegan
Legislative Director
Domestic Policy

02/06/2016

FCNL, Social Justice

Interfaith Criminal Justice Coalition
Winter Edition, The New England Friend

DEAR FRIENDS,

I am pleased to share this online Winter Edition of the New England Friend.

The focus of this issue is on how Friends across New England are engaged in the hard work of faithfulness—the acceptance that God is at work in the world and our participation in that work.

There are reports from Friends engaged in work towards racial justice, a report from Marian Baker on her work in Tanzania and Uganda, and news from local meetings. Our Yearly Meeting office shares exciting news about new
resources and programs which are coming up.
Click here to read the Winter Edition
Sometimes in January in New England it is easy to be absorbed in the beauty of the winter and of our region. I hope you are well, warm and healthy.

In peace,
Fritz Weiss
Hanover (NH) Friends Meeting
Presiding Clerk
New England Yearly Meeting of Friends

02/05/2016

NEYM, Uncategorized

Winter Edition the New England Friend
Open Letter in Support of Black Lives Matter

Open Letter In Support of Black Lives Matter

“Those of us who have grown up with a white identity in America have a particular challenge in that we have been conditioned not to notice the system of racism and white privilege. Our well intentioned attempts at color-blindness can have the unfortunate result of blinding us to the system of racism in which we unwittingly participate.”

Excerpted from the Minute on Racism ~ Approved at New England Yearly Meeting Sessions 2003

Putney Friends Meeting, in solidarity with the “BLACK LIVES MATTER” movement, has erected a sign in front of the Putney Friends Meeting house on Route 5 in Putney, Vermont. What’s important for us is that it’s not just a sign, not just a statement, it’s a commitment to join with others in doing the work we need to do.

“BLACK LIVES MATTER” is a local movement as well as a national movement. Even in Vermont people of color are disproportionately singled out, treated with suspicion and treated as outsiders. When Putney Friends Meeting agreed to put up the sign, we intended it for the whole community. Yes, we do hope that people of color will know our intentions to be in solidarity, to honor their leadership and support their efforts. And Putney Friends Meeting also wants to remind ourselves and others that this means being actively involved in whatever ways we can to make our Quaker Meeting and our community as a whole a part of the change that needs to happen.

Because Vermont is one of the least racially diverse States, we have different challenges than States with more residents of color. This means exploring the opportunities to support and learn from those who are most affected by racism and bias. All Vermonters are affected in a variety of ways. There are programs and activities that help people learn about how racism and white privilege exist everywhere and how everyone is involved. The goal is to become a community that is truly welcoming, open and affirming, where anyone can come and know they are valued and safe.

Putney Friends Meeting looks forward to working with other religious communities, groups and individuals to communicate and share what they are doing, engage in further actions, and challenge each other to do effective organizing.

Contact information:

Carol Forsythe, Clerk~ Putney Friends Meeting

P.O. Box 381, Putney, Vermont 05346

Carol@putneyfriendsmeeting.org

01/17/2016

Social Justice

Black Lives Matter, Open Letter In Support of Black Lives Matter, Putney Friends Meeting, Quaker, Social Justice
Pearls of wisdom, a response to Trump’s Visit to Vermont

Friends,

Below are two items from Joseph Gainza of Vermont Action for Peace concerning possible responses to Trump visiting Vermont this week. For those that don’t know, Joseph was the VT American Friends Service Committee Program Director for many years. One suggestion relates to a monetary protest that will support those here in Vermont being attacked by Trump. I’ve seen one post pledging 10 cents a minute. I’m sure we cannot all be so generous, and many of us maybe able to send something.

The other is about what sort of direct action to take. A totally silent vigil is being suggested. Food for thought for those who feel a need to do something to push back against hate.

In the Light of Love,

Connie Kincaid-Brown

Communications Coordinator

Northwest Quarterly Meeting

Item #1

Friends,

Paul Erlbaum, president of Vermont Action for Peace, has a suggestion I think has merit. What If we each pledge some money for every minute Trump is in Vermont and sent it to Migrant Justice, a great group of migrant farm workers in Vermont organizing for social and economic justice for migrants and immigrants. Trump would love that.
You can send your contribution to Migrant Justice, 294 N. Winooski Ave. Burlington, VT 05401, or donate online at:www.migrantjustice.org.

Item #2

I agree, a peaceful vigil is the best response. It is far more preferable than a “direct action” intended to shut down Trump as I understand some have spoken about. In addition to the First Amendment issues, any disruption of Trump speaking may well play into his hands. Several people have asked why would he come to Vermont. One response has been that Trump wants to tweak Bernie’s nose on his home turf. That may be a factor, but I think it is more likely that he is in Vermont to get the most disruptive response we are capable of giving him. The national press would eat that up and Trump could then point to Vermont as the place where people disregard the First Amendment and break the law to stop “democratic” discourse. He could then say: “See Bernie is from Vermont, Bernie points to Vermont as a model for the rest of the nation, and look how Vermonters behave. Do we want a president who thinks this kind of behavior is OK?” Whether or not you support Bernie’s candidacy, do you want to hand Trump this prize? As the old organizer saying goes: “If you do not have a strategy, you are part of someone else’s strategy.” Let’s not be part of Trumps strategy of using anything to get publicity and, in this case, to score points against Bernie..
A silent vigil makes Trump part of our strategy.

Peace, Joseph

Joseph Gainza
Vermont Action for Peace
Producer & Host – Gathering Peace
WGDR 91.1 FM WGDH 91.7 FM
www.wgdr.org

Friends,

Thank you for this message. You might be interested to know that there are currently over 700 people signed on to some version of silent presence outside the Flynn Theater, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the park. Many of us will wear black or dark clothing with a white paper rose pinned over our hearts.

A few days ago, I started organizing this event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1551016875218954/

In collaboration with two other events with similar missions, it seems we have arrived at a consensus that a silent, compassionate presence rooted in love is our preferred method. I cannot, of course, control the outcome, but it currently seems that there will be at least 700 people gathered silently in the park, to be joined by another 100 walking out from within the theater. We are also to be joined by members of the Vermont Interfaith Action group.

The other two Facebook events are listed here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1523033654658004/
https://www.facebook.com/events/794496294012317/

I cannot tell you how inspired I am that this may in fact come to pass. Thank you, Joseph, for your wise words. You are not alone: their sentiment has taken root, and is shared by many.

In the Light,
Finn Yarbrough
(South Starksboro Meeting)

01/06/2016

Social Justice

Joseph Gainza, Trump in Vermont

Now the Work of Christmas Begins

Dover (NH) Friends join with their neighbors to witness for racial justice. photo: David Holt

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins.

To find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.

– Howard Thurman

Dear Friends,

As we approach the New Year, my thoughts turn to you as living threads in the web of Love that is my wider New England Quaker faith community.

In the poem above, civil rights activist and theologian Howard Thurman reminds me that this holiday season isn’t an end unto itself; it’s a time for remembering what matters most as we prepare to live more fully in the Light in the year to come.

As Friends, we’re invited to a universal ministry – each gift we bring to the table helps support and strengthen the web of Quaker communities as we embrace the world with Love.

To me, this ministry of Love is what Thurman describes as “the work of Christmas” – and I believe this work is needed every day.

In 2016, Friends throughout our region will seek through the Spirit’s help to:

Lift up clear voices and strengthen the public witness of New England Friends, especially in responding to racial injustice and climate disruption
Awaken children and adults to the Light within them through youth programs, support for local religious education for all ages, and dynamic workshops & retreats
Strengthen Quaker practice in our local meetings through opportunities to gather, learn and share with seasoned Friends and newcomers
Help our meetings more deeply engage with elders, young adults and young families as we grow towards a wider welcome
Connect New England Friends with people and communities living their Quaker faith around the world

The programs, resources, staffing and connections we offer together through New England Yearly Meeting of Friends will make possible this deeply needed work.

As the year turns, will you join me to support our shared ministry with an end-of-year gift?

In Love and Light,

Sara Smith
Concord (NH) Friends Meeting
Clerk, Development Committee
New England Yearly Meeting of Friends

P.S. – For all the ways you share your gifts in the world, including any prior financial contributions this year, we offer our deep thanks.

P.P.S. – Don’t forget to regularly visit the NEYM online calendar and follow New England Quakers on social media for news, events and resources for living as Friends! Share your calendar submissions at neym@neym.org.

12/30/2015

NEYM

Christmas, Howard Thurman, New England Yearly Meeting, Now the work of Christmas Begins

Global Healing Labyrinth Walk

Global Healing Labyrinth Walk:

Healing Hearts at Wounded Knee

December 29th  Putney Friends Meetinghouse, 7PM,

In the wake of the events in Paris, California, Africa, Georgia (the list can go on and on), please consider joining the Native Elders as they create a Global ceremony to end massacre, and all that massacre means, and to heal our hearts.

“ALL OF HUMANITY suffers multi-lineal, multi-generational trauma and carries a grief so deep, so profound, so massive as to bring us to our knees in awe, overwhelm, shock, and pain buried in denial. We have WOUNDED KNEES!  WE HAVE WOUNDED HEARTS! All peoples have suffered for so very long, indeed our Earth is suffering with us!  The choice in clearly dawning — either grow and heal together or perish if we continue alone.   Please join us by gathering at your local sites of massacre, holocaust, places of human grief and suffering, places of worship, or in your own home to perform ceremony with us.”

The Labyrinth Walk in Putney for Healing Hearts will be held at 7PM.

(If you wish to participate at noon like others around the globe, consider downloading and printing this finger labyrinth: http://globalhealingresponse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2015WoundedKneeFingerLabyrinth.pdf )

This event is being hosted by Sadelle Wiltshire, who is also a Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator.

For more information, contact Sadelle at fyddler@gmail.com

12/23/2015

Member Activities, Social Justice

Global Healing Labyrinth Walk, Healing Hearts at Wounded Knee, Labyrinth Walk
Stand with Victims of Gun Violence

Stand with Victims of Gun Violence

Saturday, Dec. 19, from 11:00 a.m. to noon

Meet on the sidewalk in front of the Putney Tavern, across from the Putney Diner, Rt.5, Putney, Vermont

This will be a silent vigil, using the Gun Sense banner and poster signs (“Standing with Victims of Gun Violence”). So please, plan on joining us if you can, and help us by spreading the word.

12/18/2015

Social Justice

Gun Sense Vermont, vigil
We gather. We remember. We honor with action.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 12

Time: 11:00 am to noon

Place: Pliny Park, at the corner of Main and High Streets, Brattleboro

12/05/2015

Social Justice

Gun Sense Vermont, Sandy Hook Elementary
“Choosing Love in a Season of Fear”: New England Quakers Respond to the Paris Attacks
Quaker youth leaders worship in song / Image by Noah Baker Merrill

Nov 16, 2015
The recent violence in Paris again shakes us awake to the horror and chaos that is the routine reality for people across the Middle East, and in so many corners of our world. Growing millions seek safe haven from escalating suffering caused by war, injustice and climate change. We know God loves each of us, even when we are terrified, even when we hate. We know God loves us always, even when we struggle to love each other.

Our hearts are breaking for the peoples of Syria & Iraq; the peoples of Lebanon, Turkey, and France. We mourn the loss of life and livelihood, the shattered hopes of peoples and nations, the brokenness of relationships. We yearn for a world where all people are recognized as beloved children of God.

The Quaker faith communities in the six New England states share in this season of fear, confusion, anger and grief for our world. In our own country, the unrelenting litany of killings of African Americans and our nation’s entanglement with the sins of racism present a convicting challenge to our consciences. Our hearts are also with those struggling for justice and recognition in our own country; our prayers are with all who suffer and are in fear. We grieve that even in our own faith communities we often struggle to speak and work with integrity toward racial justice and healing.

We have no easy answers. New England Quakers recognize that we share in the privilege, separation and inaction that are the potent seeds and sustenance of racism, violence and hatred in our world. Too often we are afraid to do the necessary healing work to confront the prejudice and privilege that corrupts our country. We must renew our commitment to love and to share the Light of God’s Love. We find meaning in the season of Advent, a time when Christians await the birth of new Life in a suffering world. As darkness in our region deepens and the nights grow long and cold, Advent calls us to trust and participate anew in the coming of the Light.

Facing the horrors of war, racism and hatred, the One who is Love calls us to love. A naive hope falls lifeless in the shallow soil of fear, anger and chaos; but we can help each other unearth a different kind of hope – a deep and living hope beyond despair. We can choose to live in the recognition that the wholeness and peace God dreams for our world is already present with us, and is still on its way. Moment by moment, concrete acts done with patience set us free to live in courageous love. As we choose this path, we help release each other from the captivity of hopelessness and fear. This is how the Light is born anew among us; this is how Love triumphs.

In this way, we can be God’s hands in our world.

In this season:

We encourage each other and all of our neighbors – especially our fellow Christians and people of faith – to act with simple courage to welcome and accompany immigrants, refugees and the most vulnerable in whatever ways are available to us.

We commit ourselves and call on others – especially religious leaders – to counter racist, anti-immigrant and Islamophobic speech, policies and acts with words and deeds that strengthen relationship, understanding and partnership in our communities. When we encounter fear and anxiety in our workplaces, our homes and our schools – with every person we meet – each of us can choose to respond with that love that casts out fear.

We commit ourselves and encourage others to sustained and increasing advocacy to oppose further violence and military action by our own country in the name of security, and to pursue effective peaceful means to bring an end to suffering and to address injustice. The current chaos and deepening tragedy across the Middle East arises from the undeniable failure of war and violence to bring lasting peace. We encourage Quakers and others to support the work of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (fcnl.org(link is external)) and the American Friends Service Committee (afsc.org(link is external)) toward creating shared security.

We urge our federal, state and local governments as well as humanitarian aid organizations to significantly increase efforts to aid and accompany refugees and immigrants in our communities, and to offer sanctuary to those fleeing war and chaos. We have a responsibility to support those with such desperate needs at this time, even as many public voices call for increasing isolation and distrust in the name of security, building walls and acting out of fear.

We call on public officials and candidates for public office – especially all candidates for the office of President of the United States – to search their hearts and consciences for ways their voices can bring people of diverse faiths and backgrounds together, rather than dividing and isolating communities from one another. When we sow the wind with fear, we reap the whirlwind of insecurity, suffering and chaos. Our world needs a harvest of hope.

In this season, may we remember that the choices we make between love and fear truly matter.

Fritz Weiss, Presiding Clerk
Noah Baker Merrill, Yearly Meeting Secretary

New England Yearly Meeting of Friends (Quakers)
11/18/2015

NEYM, Noah Baker Merrill, Uncategorized

New England Yearly Meeting, NEYM, Paris attacks, Social Justice

DEAR FRIENDS,

Open Letter In Support of Black Lives Matter

– Howard Thurman

Dear Friends,

Stand with Victims of Gun Violence

Saturday, Dec. 19, from 11:00 a.m. to noon