Who Are the Women and Men Behind Bars in Kentucky?

THIRD THURSDAY LUNCH
March 16, 2023, 12-1pm
Going Beyond the Statistics
with Gail Chandler

Drawing on her twenty-seven years of experience as counselor, supervisor and administrator in Kentucky correctional facilities as well as at a Dismas halfway house Gail Chandler will introduce us to the life stories of some of the imprisoned individuals she worked with during her career in corrections.

Click the “Third Thursdays” link below for more information and to register.

Third Thursdays

Hannah Drake recording available.

On a Kentucky Riverbank, a Path to Remembrance
with Hannah Drake

hannah drake by the river photo Josh Miller

Third Thursday Lunch, Feb. 16, 2023, 12-1pm

On a Kentucky Riverbank, a Path to Remembrance
with Hannah Drake

Third Thursday Lunch, Jan. 19, 2023, 12-1pm

presented by Fellowship of Reconciliation and Sowers of Justice Network

GUN VIOLENCE: PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
with Cathy Mekus and Kemal Wells

REGISTRATION LINK: Register in advance for this meeting:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email
containing information about joining the meeting.

Cathy Mekus is the Standard Kentucky Lead for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a national organization founded after the Sandy Hook, Conn., school massacre on December 14, 2012. She is a retired engineer, married with two children and in recent years has spent much of her time advocationg for sensible gun policies.

(https://momsdemandaction.org)

Kemal Wells is the founder of the Men Against Gun Violence team. Galvanized by the tragic school bus shooting which killed 16-year old Tyree Smith and injured several other students in September 2021 he turned to the community, especially in West Louisville for help. “It’s not just an opportunity, it’s an obligation”, he said. “I wanna see the kids succeed. I want to see them live.”

See recent news coverage here.

Within just the past week gun violence has seized the headlines again when the murdered body of Jeremiah Buckner, aged 43, a musician, community builder and mentor to young people was discovered by police in the Russell Neighborhood; followed two days later by the bizarre incident in Newport News,Virginia, where a first grader pulled a loaded handgun out of his back pack and shot his teacher! So it is a sobering coincidence that we welcome Cathy Mekus and Kemal Wells on January 19th to talk about this subject. A video of this program will be available the following day from the www.louisvillefor.org website.

Louisville Forward Radio at WFMP-LP, 106.5 FM will carry this program on its Solutions to Violence series on Monday, Jan.23rd at 5:00 pm; Tuesday, Jan. 24th at 8:00 am and Wednesday, Jan. 25th at 6:00 am. You can also listen to these program via the website www.forwardradio.org at the same dates and times: Click on “Listen Live now”.

The event will also be live streamed on the Sowers of Justice Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SOJNLou and broadcast on 106.5 FM WFMP’s FORward radio.

Third Thursday lunch is sponsored by Fellowship of Reconciliation and Sowers of Justice, two faith based advocacy groups that work for justice through education and action

Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/939691610256825

Third Thursday Lunch, Nov. 17, 2022, 12-1pm

Rescue and refuge in the desert:
Voices from the Borderlands

REGISTER NOW or see information below to watch live or listen on the radio.

OUR SPEAKERS: Bob Kee and Dora Rodriquez will be zooming to us from Tucson and will describe their life sustaining work for the migrants on both sides of the Arizona/Mexico border. Bob Kee’s photographs will illustrate their program.

Bob Kee volunteers with the Tucson Samaritans, a group dedicated to the survival of people who make the perilous trek from Mexico to the southern Arizona desert. He will update his work at the Nogales border and with those incarcerated at Eloy and other immigrant detention jails in the Tucson/Phoenix area. (www.tucsonsamaritans.org)

Dora Rodriquez is the director of the Casa de la Esperanza, a hostel in Sasabe, northern Mexico. The Casa is staffed by neighborhood volunteers (all Spanish speakers) who offer hot food, hot showers, fresh clothing, maps and information about where to go for further assistance. (www.dorarodriquez.org)

The event will also be live streamed on the Sowers of Justice Facebook page,
https://www.facebook.com/SOJNLou and broadcast on 106.5 FM WFMP’s FORward radio.

Third Thursday lunch is sponsored by Fellowship of Reconciliation and Sowers of Justice, two faith based advocacy groups that work for justice through education and action.

Share on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/5551633261595183

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlf-GorT4pE9WFJSIuVpvLsziyADJKwgE1

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

THE “WELCOME IMMIGRANTS” GROUP ADVOCATES FOR ADMITTING IMMIGRANTS INTO THE U.S. (Immgrantes Y Refugiados Bienvenidos)

October 16,^th 2022 the group known as “Welcome Immigrants,” led by Father Jim Flynn, displayed their advocacy for welcoming Immigrants into the United States. The October 16^th demonstration occurred in front of St. Edwards Church. If you are interested in joining the group, please call Jim Johnson (502-262-0148).

OCTOBER THIRD THURSDAY LUNCH

Voting rights under attack: The current situation, locally and nationally

THIRD THURSDAY LUNCH SERIES
presented by Fellowship of Reconciliation
and Sowers of Justice Network
October 20, 2022: Noon—1 PM
Zoom Video Conference: REGISTER in advance or see below to join live

OUR SPEAKER: Dee Pregliasco, First Vice-President of the Kentucky League of Women Voters

According to the League’s website (lwvky.org) “Many changes have been made in Kentucky’s voting and election process,leaving voters confused and potentially prevented from voting”.

Well known as a student of the tangled web of voting history in the United States, Dee Pregliasco’s presentation will be a timely reminder that the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 8th, is a very important date to observe —for voters in Jefferson County will be casting their ballots to determine their next mayor, 3rd district congressman, U.S. senator, state legislators, two possible amendments to the Kentucky Constitution and local school board races (see louisvillefor.org for details).

The event will also be live streamed on the Sowers of Justice Facebook page,

https://www.facebook.com/SOJNLou and broadcast on 106.5 FM WFMP’s FORward radio. Third Thursday lunch is sponsored by Fellowship of Reconciliation and Sowers of Justice, two faith based advocacy groups that work for justice through education and action.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlcOigqDMjE9CEyjiFbNszUY5c-k6sl3Q1

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

New executive director of FOR-USA

“After an extensive national search, the Fellowship of Reconciliation-USA (FOR-USA) is proud to welcome our next executive director, Ariel Gold.

Ms. Gold, a veteran peace and justice advocate, is taking the helm as the organization’s first Jewish executive director. Prior to this groundbreaking appointment, for the past seven years Ms. Gold worked at CODEPINK Women for Peace, where she was the national co-director and a Middle East policy analyst.”

Watch this video for her welcome message and introduction:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/625022842253497

SEPTEMBER THIRD THURSDAY LUNCH

September 15, 2022, noon to 1pm – Tom “Fitz” Fitzgerald: Kentucky Resources Council, The Good Trouble Proposal (click here to REGISTER in advance or see below to join live)

Tom FitzGerald, better known as “Fitz,” was Director of the Kentucky Resources Council for 37 years. Since 1984, KRC has worked to protect those who live downhill, downwind, and downstream, and who have suffered the burdens of environmental pollution and injustice. With the support of friends and members, KRC achieved numerous successes in protecting Kentucky’s built and natural environment.

FitzGerald, who says he’s never charged a client for legal services in his career, also has one final project — a program to “engage communities and individuals more proactively in getting involved in environmental decision making at a local and state level.”

The Good Trouble Proposal — a program to “engage communities and individuals more proactively in getting involved in environmental decision making at a local and state level.” Tentatively named their “good trouble” proposal — an homage to the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis — FitzGerald added: “I’m always looking for good trouble to get into.”

You may join the discussion VIRTUALLY via Zoom, but the event will also be live-streamed (see below).
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpdOmqrD0vE93Hytw_q-D3dEZ4IWWMQwTW

The event will also be live streamed on the Sowers of Justice Facebook page, and broadcast on 106.5 FM WFMP’s FORward radio. Third Thursday lunch is sponsored by Fellowship of Reconciliation and Sowers of Justice, two faith based advocacy groups that work for justice through education and action.
Share the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3305379813119350

APRIL Third Thursday Lunch

THIRD THURSDAY LUNCH SERIES
presented by Fellowship of Reconciliation
and Sowers of Justice Network
April 21, 2022: Noon—1 PM

SPEAKER CHANGE: Anatol Levin was unable to participate

Dr. Andrew J. Bacevich

Answering questions about Ukraine and Russia

You are invited to join the discussion VIRTUALLY via Zoom, but the event will also be live-streamed (see below).

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqf-yrrD4rGt1urWfXn0X12S8FmuxccQNH

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Andrew J. Bacevich is Professor Emeritus of International Relations and History at Boston University. He is also the founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statesmanship, the author of Washington Rules: America’s Path to Permanent War, The End of American Exceptionalism, The New American Militarism: How Americans are Seduced by War, and American Empire: The Realities and Consequences of U.S. Diplomacy.

Fellowship of Reconciliation | Louisville Chapter

Working For Peace Justice And Non-Violence