Thanksgiving Coffee Company

Dear Friends,

A few weeks back, our dear friend and supporter Ellen Friedland (one half of the creative force behind the upcoming delicious peace film documentary) clued me in on a remarkable new film called War Dance. The film is the story of a group of young men and women from war-torn northern Uganda as they travel to Kampala to compete in a national dance competition. More so, though, the film is about the incredible strength of the Ugandan people, who have lived with a brutal war in the northern part of the country for over two decades now, and the power of music, dance, and culture.

Though the film’s story takes place some 500 kilometers away from the Peace Kawomera Cooperative, these two stories share a common thread of hope, beauty, and peace. Right now, with the terrible news from Kenya, Sudan, and the Congo (that’s 3/5 neighboring countries), these stories are especially powerful, and I think, especially important.

Please take a few minutes to visit the film’s website, and watch their trailer.

War Dance

Congratulations to filmakers Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine, and Executive Producer Susan Maclaury on making this important film, and their recent nomination for an Academy Award!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a new interfaith youth group in San Francisco, composed of members of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, and working to cultivate the next generation’s interfaith leaders and peace-makers. Please read on for more information, and see the contact info below if you’re interested in attending now or in the future.

What: The first meeting of a new interfaith youth group, bringing young people from San Francisco’s many faith communities together in a common effort to gain understanding of each other by working side-by-side. Specifically, the youth will explore issues of social justice as they relate to the story of Mirembe Kawomera “Delicious Peace” Coffee, from their perspective, and other’s, and work towards the planning of an interfaith youth delegation/service trip to Uganda in the summer of 2009.

Where: The Sunroom at Café Gratitude, Café Gratitude, 1336 9th Ave (@ Irving)

When: 3pm, February 3rd

Who: Members of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, including Grace Cathedral, Congregation Emanu-El, The Islamic Society of San Francisco, Sherith Israel, and St. Jame’s Episcopal church; community leaders, and youth from their communities; Thanksgiving Coffee Co.; The San Francisco Interfaith Counci; and the Interfaith Youth Core.

Please contact Ben Corey-Moran (that’s me) at 800-462-1999×30 for more information or to RSVP.