CPTnet
June 16, 2003
CHICAGO/TORONTO: Peacemaker Congress VII--UNITING THE RACES for Homeland
Security and World Peace. Youngstown, OH, September 25-28, 2003

At a time when racism and abuses committed in the name of "national
security" are being challenged from every corner of the globe, Peacemaker
Congress VII offers an opportunity for Christians to gather strength and
inspiration for the nonviolent work ahead.

Our fear-driven national polices against a global "terrorism" are built on
deeply held racist notions that segments of our domestic and world society
are expendable. Join other voices for justice and enduring peace as we seek
to bridge racial divisions, protect human and civil rights, and link
domestic and foreign policy concerns.

The Congress invites you to "get in the way" with Jesus to bring healing,
transformation, and long-term competent strategy to our peacemaking.
Registration materials are available on CPT's web site at
http://www.cpt.org/congress/cpt_congress.php . You may also contact the
Chicago office (markefrey#cpt.org; 773-277-0253. Substitute @ for #) to
request a registration brochure.

Speakers
   Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. -- Civil Rights activist and co-worker of
Martin Luther King, minister, educator, and authority on the strategy of
nonviolent social change -- will speak on "Organizing Nonviolent Struggle
in an Era of Neocolonialism and Terrorism."

   CPTer Lisa Martens spent months in Baghdad before, during and after the
war. She will reflect on her CPT experience and "What Iraq Teaches
Peacemakers."

Ruby Sales -- preacher, educator and veteran in the areas of Civil, Gender
and other Human Rights -- will speak on "Moving From Fragmentation to
Community."

Workshops
A wide variety of over twenty workshops will deal with CPT project work,
racial profiling, urban violence reduction, a Congress Peacemakers Choir,
war tax resistance, the erosion of civil liberties, and many other topics.

Public Witness
All Peacemaker Congress participants are invited to join in a public action
Friday afternoon bearing witness to our faith in the God of peace and our
commitment to the transformative power of nonviolence.

Caucuses and Regional Meetings
Besides worship, plenaries, and workshops, there will opportunities for
caucuses to meet. Caucuses are informal gatherings of people who have some
commonality (pastors, gay/lesbian/bisexual/trans., rural peacemakers, men,
women, people of color, evangelical and so on) to share and talk about
what's on their minds. In addition, a time slot will be set aside for
regional groups to meet.

Celebration
There will be time for party and music making. Bring along your musical
instruments! An open Gospel Peace Choir workshop will practice peacemaking
through music.

Children
Indicate on the registration form if you need child care for preschool
and/or elementary school children during plenary sessions and workshops.
Parents and others are encouraged to volunteer as assistants.

Youth
Youth are encouraged to be active participants in the Congress.

Food and Lodging
Home-stay lodging and most food will be provided by the
local hosting committee. Registration cost is on an approximate sliding
scale of between $75-100 for adults and $30 for students/low income.