8/22/02
Dear Friends: Our action at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops is less than two months away. The next two months will be interesting and challenging times. We have two direct actions within two weeks of each other.
Richard Murphy and I are co-chairing again this year and have invited one of our newer folks to join us. He’s Philippe Beaudette, from the Oklahoma City local group. We’re looking forward to working together. Philippe has been handling the assignment of Bishops and doing some of the important research work.
Since Lynchburg and D.C. are only two weeks apart we anticipate a smaller, more intimate group in D.C. similar to last year. Current registration is a relentlessly committed and spirited three dozen souls. Needless to say, that could easily multiply as we get closer to November 10. Like last year, we’ve reserved 25 rooms at the Holiday Inn conveniently located across from the Hyatt, where the Bishops meet. We’re also working on creative ways for people who can’t join us to still be "non-present participating partners" with us in D.C. More on that in the next Alert.
Here’s the information from the website concerning the housing situation at this point:
Holiday Inn Washington DC – On The Hill
415 New Jersey Avenue, NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20001
Tel: +1 202 638 1616, Fax: +1 202 638 0707
(be sure to let them know you are with SOULFORCE to get the reduced rate)
We encourage you to share rooms whenever possible. (Many of us have had four to a room at past Soulforce events and it’s lots of fun.) If you would like help finding a roommate, e-mail Kara, Soulforce Administrative Coordinator, at kara@soulforce.org.
If you’d prefer less expensive housing, we’ve found these two other possibilities:
William Penn House
515 East Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 543-5560
dirpennhouse@pennsnet.org
$35/night
Reservations requirements are here:
www.quaker.org/penn-house/lodging.htm
Hostelling International – Washington, DC
1009 11th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 737-2333
reserve@hiwashingtondc.org
$29/night (non AYH members) $26/night (AYH member)
Reservations requirements are listed here:
www.hiwashingtondc.org/reservations.htm
Although we currently do not have a local community housing coordinator in D.C., if you require this accommodation assistance please contact us and we will do our best to arrange something.
Important: If you haven’t already done so, please write your bishop ASAP and send us copies of your letter along with permission to post on the website (or keep confidential).
Lastly, but most especially, remember that we NEVER do this work of justice alone. It is only with spiritual preparation that we can do this. The leadership team is currently reading a book by John Dear, S.J. called "The Sacrament of Civil Disobedience." We recommend it highly. It can be ordered thru the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Nyack, New York: www.forusa.org/About/default.html
Looking forward to seeing, being and "doing justice" with you in D.C.
Kara Speltz
Richard Murphy
Philippe Beaudette
CATHOLIC CO-CHAIRS, 2002