Throughout our three days, we talked about faith-based organizing, creation justice and how to challenge suffering and oppression in our own communities and around the world. Each day of the gathering was grounded in a sacred time of worship that expressed our desires for justice and peace, and that both healed and inspired.

With the combat restriction for women in the US Armed Forces now lifted, discussion of draft registration is back in the news, the courts, and the halls of congress. But the problems with Selective Service System (SSS) Registration go much deeper than gender equality. There is little political interest in bringing back the draft. Yet draft registration remains a burden upon our nation’s young men – and now, potentially our young women, as well.

Ann Weems was a prolific Presbyterian poet, the recipient of the 2005 Peaceseeker Award given by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, and honorary co-chair of the PPF Endowment Campaign for the last ten years. She was a long-time supporter of PPF and was a member of the Activist Council.