Spirit In Action

Kelly has served one year in Colombia, South America, as part of the International Peace Observatory (IPO), and is heading back now for further volunteer service doing human rights accompaniment. She shares stories "from the ground" in Colombia, the people, the violence and the causes. You can read Kelly's Blog for more of her personal stories. Kelly grew up in the Chippewa Vally, was a founder of Just Peace following 9/11/2001, continues her witness and service in Milwakee with Casa Maria Catholic Worker House, where she heard the stories that led her to Colombia. Music Featured: Madre Dejame Luchar (Mother Let Me Fight) - Ali Primera Las Lavanderas (The Washerwomen) - Gabriel Romero Y Su Orquesta

John Williams was a Catholic priest in his 20's, till he felt another calling. He taught for decades at University of Wisconsin - Stout, in the Human Development and Family Living Department. Now in semi-retirement, he has help found a Pax Christi chapter at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Menomonie. John's path has been deep and dedicated, pursuing healing and peace in their many forms. He's taught pastoral psychology and moral theology, and trained a generation of Marriage and Family Therapist, and is currently editting a book on the JFK assassination, as well as doing research related to the Vatican Council of the Catholic Church. Music Featured: A Healing In This Night - Bob Franke Lake Isle of Innisfree - Bill Douglas Original Air Date: 04/02/2006

David Orr, chairman of the Environmental Studies program at Oberlin College and author of 5 books, spoke at UW-Eau Claire this past April. His talk was passionate, thoughtful, challenging and inspirational, as it discussed the dangers and hopes surrounding the fate of life on this planet. David barnstorms the country yearly, and his talks are not to be missed. This is an abridgement of the presentation at UW-EC on 4/19/2007 without, of course, the visuals and much more.

Jo Vallentine was the first Australian Green Party Senator. She brought principled action to Australia's federal Senate, earning her the scorn of many "business as usual" politicians, as she served as advocate and voice in Australia's Parliament for a number of progressive issues for 8 years. Jo grew up Catholic in a conservative family, deeply absorbing Catholic teachings of compassion and care for the poor. While traveling extensively as a young adult, Jo witnessed masses of poor people held down by the religious, economic and political limitations, and began a transition away from conservative doctrines. Jo has been active with the Friends(Quaker) meeting in Perth, Western Australia since 1972. Jo's first election to the senate was as part of the Nuclear Disarmament Party, but national coalition-building led to the national establishment of the Green Party. I interviewed Jo Vallentine on February 14, 2006, in the course of my 3-week visit to Australia with the Friendly FolkDancers. . Music Featured: The Ti

Ina May Gaskin has been an internationally recognized leader in advocating for Spiritual Midwifery, which is the title of her first book, initially published in 1976, now in its 4th edition. Ina May is an author, activist and advocate whose spiritual insights and empowerment have been part of the incredible exploration which is The Farm, the spiritual-based intentional community in Tennessee, founded in the early 1970's. Her newest book Guide To Childbirth, published in 2003, continues Ina May's quest to educate and raise awareness, empowering women to choose the birthing that will give them the deepest health, connection and well-being. With a midwife's care, both parent and child will experience more satisfying connections that will last far after the photo birth announcements are sent out to friends and family. Music featured on this program includes: Cat's In The Cradle - Harry Chapin Samba De Janeiro - Bellini Wonderful Baby - Don McLean Five Moms & Three Dads - Tom Hunter Original Air Date: 07/30/

Partners For Peace sponsors Israeli & Palestinian peace-working women to speak throughout America, to tell their first-hand stories and call all to peace & justice. Tal Dor, Huda Abu Arqoub and Amal Nassar spoke to students of North High School in Eau Claire this April. Tal Dor is a Jewish Israeli social worker born of South African immigrants, Huda Abu Arqoub is a Muslim Palestinian educational consultant, and Amal Nassar is a Christian Palestinian whose family land serves as a site for the Tent of Nations. Music Featured: Look Into My Eyes - Outlandish (lyrics here). The Hills of Ayalon - Fred Small

Professor Dewitt dwells comfortably, even passionately, in two worlds that many see as inconsistent. Cal is a Professor of Environmental Studies, teaching Environmental Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as part of the Gaylord Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies. I speaks - and acts - on the Evangelicals & the Environmental, and on the spiritual journey of John Muir. He was one of the lead organizers for National Association of Evangelicals & the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School. The conference produced An Urgent Call To Action in the hope of focusing our attention and efforts on care for creation. Cal is a member of Geneva Campus Church, a Christian Reformed Church. Music Featured: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow - Sunday Worship/Traditional Worship Here I Am, Lord - Sunday Worship/Contemporary Worship God Bless The Grass - Sara Thomsen Original Air Date: 04/15/2007

Sami Rasouli is an Iraqi-born American citizen who returned to Iraq in the aftermath of the US war there, in order to try to help rebuild Iraq. Inspired by the example of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), he has helped organize the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT). Sami left Iraq in 1976, eventually settling in the Twin Cities and opening Sinbads, a Middle Eastern restaurant. When visiting Iraq following his mother's death, he was struck by his duty to help rebuild the devestated nation. Inspired by Tom Fox and the other CPT members, Sami organized the Muslim Peacemaker Teams. One of their first actions was to organize a group of Shi'a Muslims to help clean up Faluja, a Sunni stronghold. I interviewed Sami on March 7, 2006, during his visit to Eau Claire. Music Featured: Man In Black - Johnny Cash Children of Abraham - John McCutcheon Not In My Name - John McCutcheon It Could Have Been Me - Holly Near Original Air Date: 03/19/2006

Martha Nieman and Brenda Gagnon are nurse midwives in Eau Claire with a few decades of experience between them. They share of the spiritual nature of their work and how it flows from and is rooted in their spiritual lives. Martha and Brenda both draw on deep spiritual lives. Martha was raised as a daughter of a preacher, eventually becoming an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church, though she has now become a Quaker and transferred her membership to Eau Claire Friends Meeting.. Brenda grew up in the United Church of Christ, conververted to Catholicism as a young adult, attended United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities, and is currently a part of Unity Christ Center in Eau Claire. Music Featured: Welcome Little One - Carol Johnson Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant Original Air Date: 03/12/2006

Mike Boehm was angry after the Vietnam War, a war for which he volunteered, as he learned of the deceipt and injustice that were part of that war. After a retreat from society, he found a new and powerful calling as he became the leading force toward establishment of 2 peace parks and many micro-credit loan funds to heal some of the wounds of the war, both for Americans and Vietnamese. Mike speaks elequently and powerfully of his encounters with "the enemy" as part of his and other veterans and non-veterans attempt to come to terms with their life-changing experience of the Vietnam War. He shares stories of his encounters with survivors of the My Lai Massacre - and other massacres - but especially of the grace and transformation of his work in Vietnam. Mike, raised Catholic, is strongly non-religious, but performs his work as a primary force with a non-profit agency called Madison Quakers, Inc. You can get involved in Mike's work by checking out their web site, MyLaiPeacePark.org, by emailing Mike at tinhkhe@

Pete Wagener spoke at the 2006 Veterans Day event sponsored by the Veterans for Peace. His stories about what he learned in his 4 years with the Marines, in facing his alcoholism, and in the course of the 5 years he spent in Russia, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, are personal and powerful. Pete was affected foremost by his own, personal experiences in the military, but he also credits the writings of a highly decorated Marine Major General Smedley Butler with influencing his drift into criticism of war. Pete was raised, and is still active, as a Catholic. He met his wife in Russia, in the course of pursuing business possibilities there. Pete is interested in people and connections, careful but powerful in the judgements he draws from his experience, and loves to share the stories of his experiences. Music featured: Gentlemen of Distinction - Claudia Schmidt & Sally Rogers Find The Cost Of Freedom - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young We Know War - John McCutcheon Deeper Well - Emmylou Harris Original A

A visit with 5 men of the men's group, The Clearwater Men's Council. The group has been meeting in Eau Claire since 1990, changing the lives of hundreds of men over that time. In this interview I, Mark Helpsmeet, am joined by Mark Ruddy, Art Lyons, Damian O'Brien and John Powers. The Clearwater Men's Council meets every Thursday at 7 PM at 1016 Dodge Street in Eau Claire, the home of Mark Ruddy. You may call him at 715-839-7949 or Mark Helpsmeet at715-874-6646 for more information about the group. For a very good example of men's group work, look at The Mankind Project. Some members of Clearwater Men's Council have been part of the "New Warrior Adventure Training" sponsored by the Mankind Project, so there is significant overlap in outlook and approach. Music Featured: Every Man - Fred Small Buddies - Peter Alsop Eden Once Again - Rabbi Marsha Prager I Will Stand Fast - Fred Small Original Air Date: 01/15/2006

A visit with the founder of The Hope Fund, a project to help connect promising, but poor, young people from the Palestinian refugee camps with special college scholarships here in the USA. Fahim Qubain, himself raised in the Middle East, found his way up via the education he received at the Ramallah Friends School in, at that time, Palestine, graduating in 1942. He labors on, diligently and remarkably, at the age of 82. Fahim, a Ph.D. in International Relations, has spent decades as a consultant on the Middle East and is the author of several books, including "Inside The Arab Mind" and "Crisis In Lebanon", as well as numerous other articles, studies and monographs on the Middle East. His wife, Nancy Qubain, has a masters in Middle East Studies and has worked as a Foreign Affairs Analyst. Hope Fund students included in this interview: Khaled El-Nemr - graduate of Roanoke College 2005 Shireen Abu-Khiran - freshman at Bridgewater College Mohammed Haroun - junior at Bridgewater College Music featured: The Hills o

Chuck Fager has been the director of Quaker House in Fayetteville, NC, for 4 years now, advocating for peace and providing information and advocacy to those attempting to avoid or get out of the military, in one of the most concentrated military environments of the USA. Chuck is the author of more than 14 books and many more stories, articles and publications. He was a member of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's staff and a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. Born into a Catholic family, raised on military bases through much of his childhood, attending a military academy in high school and enrolled in ROTC, it hardly seemed likely that Chuck would end up an activist, peace advocate and Quaker - but that is the direction God led him. From his involvement in civil rights, including participation in the Selma Voting Rights Crusade, to his eventual declaration as a CO during Vietnam, and to his current role as director of Quaker House, Chuck is dedicated to deep thought and resolute action. His books and wr

We visit with 3 congregationally-based organizers about JONAH (Joining Our Neighbors Advancing Hope), MICAH (Milwaukee Interfaith Congregations Allied for Hope) and WISDOM. Jonah is a new Chippewa Valley effort to link congregations working together progressively for the good of all. Our guests are Joe Ellwanger, a retired Lutheran minister, David Liners, a former Catholic priest and with Paul Oppedahl, a local Lutheran minister, about progressive organizing through churches and other congregations in the Chippewa Valley. You can contact Paul at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at 715-834-2959, and WISDOM via e-mail or by calling 414-831-2070. Music Featured: Heaven's Here On Earth - Tracy Chapman Lift Every Voice & Sing - Women of the Calabash

Marty Webb has spent the last 6 months in Sri Lanka with his wife, Rita, where she's been serving the Nonviolent Peaceforce since 2003. Marty, raised Catholic, was refused CO status during the Vietnam War, and ended up convicted for refusing induction. Marty's experience in confronting the draft, and the alternate service he ended up performing, became a turning point in his life. He eventually ended up in Eau Claire, got first an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, then an MA in Religion and Theology, though Marty dislikes labels and the tendency to categorize people and their beliefs. Marty has attended the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire since about 1990 and has taught ethics courses at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. Contributions to the work Marty and Rita are doing in Sri Lanka can be deposited at any Royal Credit Union branch to the LINK Foundation. Music Featured: Stand Up - Charlie King & Karen Brandow Foolish Notion - Holly Near Original Air Date: 12/25/2005

Rabbi Mel Glazer is author of a new book And God Created Hope, Finding Your Way Through Grief with Lessons from Early Biblical Stories which helps people do the work that heals grief and leads to a resolution. Mel has been a rabbi for 33 years, doing his work in many forms, including four years, some time ago, when he was "The Christmas Rabbi" in Nashville, Tennessee. He speaks of grief and healing experiencially as well as out of his training with the Grief Recovery Institute, and from the religious well from which he draws his spiritual water. Amazing Grace - Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Paul Simon Tiny Grief Song - Sinead O'Connor Hang In There - Cindy Kallet

There is a lot of energy for the newly formed chapter of the Network of Spiritual Progressives in Eau Claire, and I visited with the members of the just-formed steering committee about what called them to this work, and what their plans are for the local chapter. The NSP chapter board members interviewed are Lois Helland, Eileen Immerman, Jerry Foote, Betty Hurst, and Mary Weil. You can learn more about them via their web site, or by calling Betty Hurst at 834-4899. Music Featured in this program: Where Do the Children Play - Cat Stevens/Yusef Islam The Hammer Has To Fall - Charlie King Little Bit of Light - Carol Johnson One Person At A Time - Andy Murray

Will Williams was born in central Mississippi on 9/11/1943 and joined the military as a way past the limitations of his race and environment. He did 2 tours in Vietnam, suffered major PTSD, fully emerging from it after 9/11/2001 as he found his voice to speak out against war with the Veterans for Peace. Will's grandmother, a Shosone, was an early voice for non-violence in Will's life, but his anger led him through years of violence and pain before he could understand and incorporate her words into his life. Since 2001 he has been active with Veterans for Peace and the Madison Area Peace Coalition. Raised Methodist and having traveled with Charasmatic, Baptist and Non-denominational Christians, Will now finds it better to visit churches than to become enmeshed in them. He, his wife and 2 friends perform as the Madison Gospelaires, doing acappella old-time religious music. You can contact Will via email or call (608)-846-1030. Music Featured: No More Genocide - Holly Near I Ain't Marching Anymore - Phil Ochs Nu

Paul Kaldjian is the living product of a rainbow of cultural & religious heritages, Finnish and Armenian, diverse religious groups, all combining to create a person who has a passion for creating personal-international connection. He's a Mennonite, a geography professor at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, and a board member of the Refuser Solidarity Network, a group that seeks to support Israeli "refusniks" and inform the world about this element of the Israeli peace movement. Music featured on this program includes: Kyrie (from the Saint Cecilia Mass) - Charles Gounod - background music Hoosiana (Finnish Christmas Song) - Tapiola Yhteiskoulu Choir Do Something Different - Brave Combo (a Psych-Polka Band from Texas!) Ella Ella (sung in Hemsin dialect) - Kazim Koyuncu In My Heart - Jewish Folk Singer David Broza & Palestinian Wissam Murad