Loops of Love, the charitable knitting/crocheting group sponsored by Richmond Church of the Brethren & Unwind Yarn Shop, now meets twice a month! Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are invited to join others in crafty philanthropy on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 5-7pm at Unwind Yarn Shop (921 East Main Street).

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Here is a recent post from Jim Wallis' God's Politics blog. This is just the opening. Click "Keep reading" at the end to continue the article.

Mother's Peace Day
by Amanda Hendler-Voss

Arise, all women who have hearts! Whether your baptism be of water or of tears! Say firmly: ‘We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies, our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause…

In 1872 Julia Ward Howe—mother, abolitionist, poet, and suffragist—envisioned that for one day each year the women of the world would call for peace. She named it Mother’s Peace Day. This year, I want to honor the mothers of Afghanistan by calling for a renewed commitment to a democratic and peaceful Afghanistan built by women and men on equal footing. Keep reading.

April 22nd is observed annually as Earth Day, though celebrations are often held on the nearest weekend. This year our church sponsored an Earth Day prayer gathering as part of the 2009 Community United Prayer Services. Since many people were unable to attend due to the mid-day timing of the service, here are some of the resources for you to read, meditate upon, and pray through at your convenience.

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As the current financial crisis continues to affect the world beyond Wall Street, this message appeared this morning on the Facebook Causes page for Brethren Witness/Washington Office:

a message from Phil Jones [director of Brethren Witness]

Friends, thank you so much for your support of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office these past six years. It has been an honor to serve this ministry on your behalf. It is a solemn reminder - that as the Church of the Brethren decides to close the office, on the 6th anniversary of the Iraqi occupation and war against its people, of the hard, yet vital, unfinished work before us. Our world and our church have many challenges to confront. It is my prayer that we will all continue to find ways to do justice, for ALL persons, to do kindness, to EVERYONE, and to walk humbly with God TOGETHER.

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Comfortably biking to work in the rain doesn't have to suiting up in Goretex like an alpineer. In streetwise Amsterdam, cyclists reach for wool and leather when the weather turns wet. My rain commuting pants of choice are now wool/polyester dress pants from Elder Beerman. They aren't waterproof, but they dry quickly are comfortable when they do get wet.

Fenders and a chainguard also help to enable all weather riding in everyday clothes. As a backup plan, a spare change of clothes can stored at work just in case they are needed. For more inspiration of people cycling in everyday clothes, see Copenhagen Cycle Chic.

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