In This Issue
Webinar on June 21
Steering Committee transitions
Anti-BDS Legislation
Let’s Talk Apartheid
Study Guide
Support Our Work
Updates from Other Denominations
Join Us for a Webinar June 21, 12 pm Eastern / 9 am Pacific
MennoPIN is co-sponsoring another webinar. Jonathan Brenneman, who is beginning a special 1-year assignment with Mennonite Church USA on Israel-Palestine, will share his plans for the year and how you can connect with him. There will also be brief updates from others working on Israel-Palestine.
The webinar provides a way for those who have participated in a learning tour to connect with one another and continue their work, but is open to all who have interest. To participate, send an email indicating your interest to mennopin@gmail.com and you will receive instructions on how to join.
Steering Committee Transitions
Over the last months, we have seen some transitions on the MennoPIN steering committee. With the start of his role with MCUSA, Jonathan Brenneman is finishing up his time on the steering committee. At the same time we welcome Erica Littlewolf. Erica is from the Northern Cheyenne Nation of southeastern Montana and currently lives in Kansas, working for Mennonite Central Committee Central States with the Indigenous Visioning Circle. Learn about Erica and other members of the steering committee at https://mennopin.org/about/steering-committee/. And stay tuned for more conversation on Steering Committee service and transitions later this year.
Tell Congress: Oppose “Combating BDS Act of 2016”
The U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation, of which MennoPIN is a member, has issued an action alert urging members to contact Congress opposing legislation restricting the use of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS). Take action now.
Many states have also introduced anti-BDS legislation. The RightToBoycott website is a great resource to see whether anti-BDS legislation has been introduced in your state and to get the legal and organizing resources you need to mobilize to challenge it.
The Mennonite Church and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Let’s Talk about Apartheid
This great piece by Cody O’Rourke asks, “How is it that a peace church failed to pass a boycott, divestment, and sanctions resolution at the last convention? It is important that the church take an active role shaping the contours of conversation that properly represent the plight of the Palestinian people.” Read the whole article.
Reminder: Kairos Palestine Study Guide Now Available!
If you haven’t yet received the new study guide on Kairos Palestine, get your copy today. The four-part study provides a great way to help your congregation learn more about Israel-Palestine. It is available as a free download from our website or in print from MennoMedia for $5.
Support MennoPIN’s Work
Thanks to those of you who contributed to the cost of producing and distributing the study guide. If you would still like to donate, please write a check to Pleasant View Mennonite Church, with MennoPIN in the memo line. Mail to: Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Attn: MennoPIN, 1101 N Lucas Street, Mount Pleasant IA 52641.
BDS in Other Denominations
This summer many other denominations have taken or will soon take up the issue of Israel-Palestine at their denominational assemblies. Read about these efforts: United Methodist Kairos Response | Israel-Palestine Mission Network of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East
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Mennonite Palestine-Israel Network
mennopin@gmail.com | mennopin.org | facebook.com/mennopin | twitter.com/mennopin
Steering Committee:
Tom Harder (Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, Wichita, KS)
Joy Lapp (Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Mt Pleasant, IA)
Erica Littlewolf (White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church, Busby, MT)
George Muedeking (Albuquerque Mennonite Church, Albuquerque, NM)
Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach (Peace Fellowship Church, Washington, DC)
Timothy Seidel (Community Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA)
MennoPIN 