WW2 was a "popular war" and it so it took greater conviction to be a conscientious objector to that war. We have the privilege of talking to 2 of the surviving CO's of that war, George Watson, 91 years old, and Jack Phillips, now 86. Their experience in confronting the draft and in serving in the Civilian Public Service had a profound effect on the remainding 60+ years of their lives.
Julie Schmitt loves music and instruments from all over the map. From Sanscrit chanting from India to rhythm and blues, from parodies of love songs to Native American flute and drums, Julie finds riches to inspire her spiritual growth. Julie was raised Catholic and currently attends the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire.
Patti See is an ordinary person who took an extraordinary "leap of faith" by becoming a Good Samaritan kidney donor last year. Growing up Catholic, but attending church infrequently at present, she has nonetheless nurtured a deep spiritual life.
Patti, as a writer and an inwardly-reflective person, has looked for better and better ways to share her rich life with the world - serving meals at the Community Table, acting as advisor for the UW-Eau Claire Feminists group, and now, through the University of Minnesota Fairview Medical Center, she gave a most intimate gift, one of her kidneys, to a complete stranger.
For those interested in helping out folks needing transplants, check the National Kidney Foundation or MatchingDonors.
David Huber has been serving as the pasteur at the Plymouth Congregational UCC in Eau Claire since August of 2004. His taste in music is wide and innovative, and serves to open and balance the purely intellectual part of his character, and it's a pleasure to welcome him to Song of the Soul.
Todd Dennis served in the US Navy on an nuclear submarine from 1997-2003, experiencing a major shift in his world view during that time. Though he was in the military, he found himself wanting to join anti-war protesters when the US attacked Iraq in 2003, and he joined Veterans for Peace once back in the Chippewa Valley.
Todd was nominally raised part Catholic and confirmed Methodist, but feels little connection there currently. He's now pursuing the education that led him to join the military in the first place, standing with Veterans for Peace whenever possible.
Daniel Winings was raised without any real religious faith, but discovered it himself in college, in his pursuit of truth and consistency. He was eventually baptised into a "mega-church", but the deepening and refining of his faith did not end there. A sojourn in Indonesia and other experiences broke open his concepts of materialism and "American exceptionalism", leading him into simplicity and community with the Mennonite Church. His family and and another family are looking to bring together folks to work toward starting a local Mennonite Church. Email Daniel if you are interested.
A visit with the 3 primary organizers for the 2006 Earth Day Celebration in Owen Park. Sara Schmidt is the Community Science Center Director at Beaver Creek Reserve; Crispin Pierce, assistant professor of Environmental Public Health at UW-Eau Claire; and Jim Phillips, associate professor of Chemistry at UW-Eau Claire.
They share their perspectives on "real" environmentalism and their own spiritual roots and support.
Tom Chisholm served in the military on and off over 45 years, as a medic and a doctor. For most of that time he found himself opposed to all of the wars and military invasions the USA was part of. He's been a long-time member of Veterans for Peace and is a member of the Catholic peace group, Pax Christi, as well.
Tom has also valued his service on a reservation in South Dakota, and his volunteer time as a doctor in Nicaragua.
Music featured in this program:
Johnny I Hardly Knew Yeh - Joan Baez
I Ain't Marching Anymore - Phil Ochs
Brave Man From Ohio - Andy Murray