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You can now quickly jump to each story in the newsletter!
Just click the "View this email in your browser" link.
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THANK YOU To Our Contributors!
Without our contributors, we would just be another great idea. To our all of our Angels, Partners, Patrons, Friends, Supporters, and Volunteers – thank you very much for your support!
We have already received many contributions for the 2019 year. See all the names in bold by pressing the link above.
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Happy Holiday to All.
Coming this Spring
Has the circus-like checklist of tragedies, disasters and scandals left you emotionally weary? Tumultuous weather patterns. Senseless shootings. And ongoing political drama. Many complain that their emotions feel “numbified."  As we turn the corner on a new year, plan to join us* for a special series of programs that promises to revitalize hope, caring and faith in friends, family, community and ... most importantly ourselves. Drawing on the talents of artists, poets, musicians and speakers we’ll help you again find your true north in a positive and caring community of friends.
Dr. Robert H. Goddard, American Rocketry Pioneer, addresses our need for interdependence well with these words.
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Sometime in life you will have been all of these." - Dr. Robert H. Goddard.
List of Partners so far:
CommUnity Zone, Susquehanna University, Susquehanna Valley Ethical Society, Central Susquehanna Mediation Center, Transitions, and Mary Lapos (artist of the painting above are partnering together, and would love others to partner with us. Please contact Cynthia Peltier at the CommUnity Zone if you are interested in joining us at peltiercynthia4@gmail.com.
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TAKE ACTION: CommUnity Zone Needs Office Supplies!
We are in need of office supplies and equipment to help keep us running smoothly.
Our wish list includes:
Microphone desk holder
Have something to give? Just bring it in during our open hours: Tuesday - Friday 1-4pm.
Donations are much appreciated!
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from the Central Susquehanna Valley SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice)
TAKE ACTION: Post a Sign to Welcome Your Neighbors
"No matter where you are from, we're glad you're our neighbor."
This is the message on the yard signs you've probably seen around town and are now available for purchase in the CommUnity Zone for $10 each. The message appears in Spanish, English, and Arabic. We're astounded at how many signs have already gone up and we want to get more out there! People across the political spectrum are putting up the signs, and this gives us hope for a community united around common values of decency and being good neighbors. The sign was created by members of a Mennonite Church in VA in response to "a national dialogue that was strikingly negative about immigrants." They encourage everyone to "join us in welcoming the stranger, getting to know your neighbors, hosting and being hosted, reaching out across divides, providing shelter, seeking justice, and sharing love with friend and stranger."
Proceeds from the signs will be donated to Make the Road, PA, an organization of low-income and working class Latino immigrants in Lehigh and Berks Counties fighting for change in their communities. Sign sales are being coordinated by Central Susquehanna Valley Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). Please connect with us by emailing csvsurj@gmail.com to find out more about us and what else we do!
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TAKE ACTION: Lewisburg’s Human Relations Ordinance
From the Central Susquehanna Valley Mediation Center Inc.
Borough officials have asked CSVMC to play a role in Lewisburg’s proposed Human
Relations Ordinance. It is written to include mediation as an early step in the
process if there is a discrimination complaint in the Borough. “Confidential,
voluntary mediation has the potential to be transformative in alleged discrimination
cases. Mediators are able to create space for these difficult conversations to occur
and to support all parties in achieving greater communication, clarity and
perspective-taking,” said CSVMC mediator Amy Ershler. Amy is a former volunteer
mediator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with experience mediating cases
for Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Commission.
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from the (DHCC)
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from (Moms Demand Action)
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from the Susquehanna Valley Ethical Society
 
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EVENT: Building Our Community: Piece by Piece Fundraiser to support Autism services
January 11 - February 28, 2019 @ 116 Main St. Suite 2, Montandon
www.adersinc.org
Be a piece of the puzzle that connects adults and children with Autism to valuable community support services. In January 2019, ADERS, Inc. (Autism Diagnostic Evaluations Services Resources) will be kicking off a fundraising campaign to reach more members of our community with ASD. Sponsor each piece of our puzzle for just $2. Together, we can complete our 1,000 piece puzzle to support the mission of ADERS. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/autismservices to watch our puzzle come together! Donations can be made via Paypal at https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1353560
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EVENT: Red/Blue Workshops
Saturday, February 23, 11-12pm @ 713 Bridge St., Suite 3, Selinsgrove
Better Angels Save the Date! February 23, 2018 brought requests to CSVMC from people across the political spectrum wanting help addressing the level and nature of political conflict in our community. People want to know, “How can we deal with the divisiveness?” In response, we are partnering with the Better Angels organization to sponsor a series of free Red/Blue Workshops. The date for the first one will be on Saturday, February 23 rd from 11-2 in Selinsgrove. The workshop offers participants the possibility to better understand the experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide, to identify commonality and differences and learn something that might be helpful to others in our community. The focus is on listening and reflecting, rather than debating and persuading. CSVMC Mediator, Karen Cotter, a member of Better Angels, said about the program, “At this juncture in our history I feel certain that it's up to us as citizens of the United States to help heal the divide in our nation. I believe that Better Angels is a good resource to help us do just that.” If you are interested in participating, contact our office at 570-374-1718.
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From ACLU of Pennsylvania
EVENT: Annual Dinner 2019
Sunday, March 31, 2019 from 4-7pm @ the Front Street Station in Northumberland
We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker is Vitold Walzack, ACLU-PA's legal director. Based in Pittsburgh, he has litigated nationally significant cases including Lozano v. City of Hazelton and Kitzmiller v. Dover and is an engaging, knowledgeable speaker. Read his profile here: https://www.aclupa.org/abouttheaclu/staff/legal-director-vic-walczak-a-profile
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CommUnity Zone
417 Market St, Lewisburg, PA 17837
570-238-1818
Advisory Committee:
Mary Beth Clark, Mary Hague, Scotta Magnelli, Elise Nicol, Helen Nunn, Elayne Sobel, Patti Urosevich, Farida Zaid
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