Family Wedding

Last Saturday, May 21, we all attended a family wedding in Petersburg, Illinois. "We" is Nancy, Rebecca and I, along with Nancy's parents - John and Kathie. The wedding was for Nancy's cousin, the granddaughter of Kathie's sister; Rebecca, and her now new husband, Doug. It was a great privilege to see that whole side of the family, and good to be there for event.

The wedding itself took place at the theater at New Salem Historical Site, just south of Petersburg. (This is where young Abraham Lincoln spent some time.) It had been predicted that Saturday would be rainy, but it was sunny, warm and nice for the outdoor nuptials.

After the wedding we drove to Athens for a nice dinner. My daughter Rebecca came with me as I drove home that night so I could be at church on Sunday morning. Nancy and her parents stayed at a local Bed and Breakfast, and were able to stay later and visit more with family.

It is important to be there for family events when you can.

End of the Year Program for Family Literacy Class

Yesterday, May 19, was the end of the school year for the Family Literacy Program here at the Church of Peace, with is part of Lights ON for Learning. This program is a collaboration with Rock Island School District #41, the Regional Office of Education, the Rock Island Public Library, Blackhawk College and the Church of Peace. It focuses on English language learning for parents of students in the Rock Island district, and also has a childcare program to look after the younger children of the adult learners while they are in class. It is a very positive and upbeat program.

Well, yesterday the adult learners received their certificates of completion for the year, and they were very excited to get these. Here is one of the students receiving her certificate, presented by the teachers, Carolyn and Marilyn. The whole presentation is being photographed by another student. The students are proud of their accomplishments, and pleased with the recognition. There must have been 40 adult students receiving recognition.

On hand to observe the presentations were representatives of all of the above organizations, along with community members. There was a luncheon that followed.

Part of what seems to make this program so exciting is the great diversity among the students. In many of these ELL programs all of the students are from the same country of origin. Here at the church there are students from Burma, Burundi, Congo, Iran, Mexico, Tanzania, and students from the US working on their GED. It is an exciting and diverse population!

QCI Transportation Equity Community Task Force

This morning there was a meeting of the Transportation Equity Community Task Force of Quad Cities Interfaith here at the Church of Peace. Our organizer, Leslie Kilgannon, is the one in the pink top standing up. With the passenger rail service coming at least to Moline, and probably on to Iowa City, we here in the Quad Cities are in a good position to see that this major infrastructure development program also means workforce development and jobs for local people, minorities and others who are typically left out.

In this effort we are in touch with a national effort called the Transportation Equity Network, and information can be found at http://www.transportationequity.org/

Last week when I was in Springfield, Illinois, with Leslie and others from the Illinois Gamaliel Association we talked with State Senator Mike Jacobs about a Transportation Equity Agreement. He was most supportive, and it was encouraging to see that our legislators are coming "on board." Others from our Task Force met with Representative Pat Vershore and also received a positive response.

I am sure there is more to come; or rather more "down the tracks."

Youth Leaders

Last Saturday morning Nancy and I had breakfast with Ted and Lois Davies, who were the youth fellowship leaders for our group when I was in High School in Los Angeles. They were driving across the country and staying with family in Cedar Rapids. We met in Mount Vernon and had a wonderful visit.