For many years, Sandy has been interested in the Peace and Justice issues. She attends the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren and is currently serving her second year as the chair of the Witness and Outreach commission. Sandy has been on several faith expeditions to Mulukuku, Nicaragua and just this year she went on one in Sudan. These trips have made her increasingly aware of how helping woman can actually help whole communities. She is also on a denominational Globalization Study Group.

Sandy lives in Hershey, PA with her husband John and their son Daniel. Daniel just joined the family through adoption from Guatemala. He is an adorable and very active child.

Sandy and John belong to a "Simple Living" group in which they strive to find ways to live so that they have a better understanding of how their actions can affect the lives of others around the world. They realize they have a lot to learn.

Joining the Global Woman's Project is perfect extension of the hopes and aims of Sandy to make a difference in those suffering (particularly woman and children) in this world.

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In keeping with the GWP steering committee's decision to have our biannual meetings at local Church of the Brethren congregations across the country, the fall GWP meeting will take place THE WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 2-4, 2001 IN HUNTINGDON, PA. We will be hosted by Stone Church of the Brethren with Christy Dowdy, co-pastor, as our on site contact person.

During the weekend, we will have our planning and business meetings for the Global Women's Project, tell the GWP story and highlight our present projects to our sisters and brothers gathered in Huntingdon, enjoy good food and community at a fundraising dinner followed by a storytelling and music family concert by Jonathan Hunter and Peg Lehman, and help lead Sunday morning worship at Stone Church.

We want to continue to spread the word about GWP as we hold our steering committee meetings around the country. If you'd like us to meet with your women/congregation in the spring or fall of 2002, please contact one of our committee members or Lauryn Estes at the General Offices.

-Peg Lehman

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The Global Women's Project is always looking for new projects to support. We have project guidelines which are available upon request. If you know of a project that is administered by and directly benefits women, one that has a defined plan and budget, please feel free to send information about it to Lauryn Estes, Brethren Witness Office, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.

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The GWP Steering Committee met in McPherson, KS, April 20-22. Business meetings, as well as eating and sleeping, all took place at the home of Doris Coppock.

Major items of business included a review of continuing projects, as well as scrutiny of applications for new projects. Assignments for publications, particularly for the impending newsletter are made and agreed upon. Final preparations were made for the Sunday morning worship service at the McPherson COB.

In addition, we needed a new steering committee member, and were lucky to find Sandy Snowden. See the introduction to her elsewhere in this Newsletter.

Following meetings Friday night and most of Saturday, it was time for the fund-raising event.

As a silent auction progressed, a gourmet dinner was prepared, served, and enjoyed by approximately l00 persons. Imogene Frantz of the McPherson COB was head chef, and she was assisted by many other members with preparation and service.

Following the dinner, which was in the church social rooms, a program of music was presented on the McPherson College campus. Most participants were local performers and included brass, strings, piano, and vocal music. Our own GWP Steering Committee member, Peg Lehman, contributed folk and original numbers as well. Marvin Blickenstaff, nationally known concert pianist, clinician, and writer of piano methods materials, was in McPherson for a piano dedication, and delighted us with Schubert, Chopin, and Gershwin. All musicians donated their talents.

On Sunday morning each member of the steering committee contributed to morning worship. Joy led the worship, Valentina told the children's story, Peg graced us with special music and led the congregation in a benediction response. Doris directed the choir and the congregation (her regular assignment). A challenging sermon was delivered by Karen entitled, "Gimme That Ole Time Religion!" Now for those of you who know Karen, you know there was nothing indirect or subtle in her statements. So if that title surprises you, ask her about it the next time you see her!!

Donations exceeded $2000.

-Doris Coppock

After three very dedicated years of work, the GWP Steering Committee says good-bye to Karen Carter. Karen has been a strong advocate of women, both in the United States and internationally. Her prophetic voice and active presence have made a big impact in the work of the Global Women's Project. We will miss her dearly, from her challenging and fun "get-to-know-you" games to her consistent and steady work as our secretary. She has been a strong preacher and teacher, both to the congregations we visit and the steering committee itself. We wish her all the best in enjoying time with her grandchildren and the other important work she does!

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-Karen S. Carter

On June 21, 2001 folks in the United States (US) and across the world were encouraged to roll their own blackouts. Many people supported and participated in the same. For those who do not know what this was all about, here is the scoop. In light of the current energy crisis, and as an alternative to the current US government's energy policies, and the lack of emphasis on efficiency and conservation, people across the world were encouraged to participate in a voluntary rolling blackout on the first day of summer, June 21, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in any time zone across the world.

Although I have not yet heard what the results were and/or how many people participated in it, I am sure that those who participated in the rolling blackout probably were concerned about the energy shortage and the consumption thereof and had some fun in the dark. I am also sure that this one voluntary rolling black out did not do much in terms of conserving energy.

What I would like to offer as a challenge on behalf of the Global Women's project is for all of you reading this to practice your own blackouts. You can do so once a week, or once a month. Do whatever works best for you, but please do try it. Let me assure you that you do have the ability to opt out whenever you want when compared to the several millions of people living in other developing and underdeveloped nations, where rolling blackouts or sudden blackouts are the norm of life. Some folks have no other choice but to live with it.

So try conserving what little energy you can in whatever way you can. If nothing you will at least reduce your energy bills by a small percentage. I am sure that will save you some money. If you do end up saving a significant amount, try to help your fellow sisters around the world by sending some to Global Women's Project. We in turn will definitely pass it on to those who need it the most.

-Valentina Satvedi

To quote Martin Luther King Jr., "We can choose either to walk the high road of human brotherhood [and sisterhood] or to tread the low road of man's inhumanity to man." The Global Women's Project Steering Committee expresses our heartfelt sympathy for those who have lost friends and family during the recent tragedies in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. We pray for peace and an understanding of the global impact these events and our own country's actions have. May we strive to see all people as our brothers and sisters.

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