Great Decisions is a think tank on foreign policy sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association. It is America’s largest discussion group concerning fo…reign policy. Groups all over the country study and discuss issues involving our relationships to many of the hot spots around the world. The results of these discussions are shared with those in the foreign service who are in a position to act on the information generated. “The Great Decisions program highlights eight of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans each year. Great Decisions provides background information, current data and policy options for each issue and serves as the focal text for discussion groups.”
Future of the Euro -by Erik Jones Egypt -by Bruce Rutherford NATO -by Mark Webber Myanmar and Southeast Asia -by Barbara Crossette Humanitarian intervention -by Thomas Weiss Iran -by John Limbert China in Africa -by David Shinn Threat assessment -by Gregory Treverton
We would be the first such group in Casper. The time yet to be determined based on who is interested.
* * *
Spirituality Group – Tuesdays, 6 – 7 pm
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Jesus’ Childhood Pal
Tuesdays from 6-7 PM, the Spirituality Group will be reading this humorous, yet poignant story of the early years of Jesus’ life, as seen through the eyes of Author Christopher Moore.
In an effort to understand what it is that is so special about him and what he is supposed to do about it, Joshua (AKA Jesus) Jesus and his buddy Biff ( a rather promiscuous party boy) set out on an adventure to find the three wise men.
“Lamb really picks up when Biff and Joshua leave Nazareth to seek out Balthasar, Gaspar, and Melchior, the three Magi who foretold the coming of the Messiah and were present at his birth. Along the way, the two boys have more than their fair share of adventures involving bandits, Yeti, and hundreds of blood-thirsty followers of Kali, the Hindu Goddess of destruction. Amidst all of this Joshua and Biff travel along the Silk Road to China and later to India and along the way learn the tenets of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism; Joshua also studies yoga, and Biff, the Kama Sutra.
Even if you aren’t acquainted with Christopher Moore’s hilariously irreverent brand of fiction, Lamb‘s subtitle is a good tip-off that the book is not one for historical scholars or devout Christians, at least not those who would find displeasure in treating the son of God with an iconoclastic bit of humor.”
Mark Flanagan –About.com review
The book runs around $9 or less depending on where you order it: Kindles, Amazon and other online sellers have plenty of copies.
* * *
SAFE HAVEN IN THE HEARTLAND
As you may know, our little church is having financial struggle. We are a vital social justice, progressive voice in a fundamentalist, conservative community. One of our many issues is LGBT rights and our little church has become a sanctuary for LGBT youth in this community, a truly life-saving haven. To help raise money for the church we are spreading the word about our importance as a “Safe Haven in the Heartland”. If we can raise the money to help the UCC-Casper become more stable, our vision is to one day be able to financially help other churches in rural communities who may lose membership and funding after becoming open and affirming remain stable themselves. If you can help, please donate via the Safe Haven site www.safehavenintheheartland.com – if you can’t help with a donation, please pass the site to your friends and family and encourage their support.
We very much appreciate your help!
The Interfaith Dialogue Series Will Resume in the Fall! Thank you to all of the wonderful speakers who came and shared their faith traditions with us.
