MORE

In 1994 the Presbyterian Church voted to call for an end to U.S. military training of Latin American military personnel. Cliff Frasier, Minister of Outreach for Presbyterian Welcome in New York City has responded to that call in a witness for peace at the place where these personnel are trained: Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation [WHINSEC], formerly known as School of the Americas [SOA]. He joined thousands of people from many faith traditions in a peaceful demonstration against the Fort Benning, GA Institute. The Institute says it promotes human rights, but trains foreign personnel in the use of lethal force and then sends them home to use these tactics for oppression on their own people. He was arrested for entering the base and sentenced to 6 months in Federal prison and a $500 fine. Cliff will begin serving his sentence on May 27th, continuing his witness for peace.

The Dissenting Churches of Hudson River Presbytery, Presbyterian Welcome and Presbyterian Promise will join together in this witness for peace by commissioning Cliff Frasier as he goes to serve his prison term, offering up prayers of solidarity in his witness. Cliff Frasier, as preacher, will bring us a message of courage in the face of violence. Lisa Larges, Regional Partnership Coordinator from That All May Freely Serve will conduct the commissioning service for Cliff. Wayne Osborne, from the Stamford Church, will offer a witness in music. Many others from the three sister Presbyteries will participate.

In a time of fear and war we all need to make our own witness as we pray for justice and peace in the Middle East and our world. All are welcome to attend the service and the reception at the First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford St., Stamford, CT. Flyers and directions to the church will be on the Presbyterian Promise web cite at Presbypromise.home.att.net.

DIRECTIONS to First Presbyterian, Stamford

Phone: (203) 324-9522

From Interstate I-95:  From the east use Exit 7 (Atlantic Street). Go straight to Atlantic Street and turn right. From the west (New York) use Exit 8 (Atlantic Street). Turn left. Follow Atlantic Street which becomes Bedford Street. Look for church on right hand side – 1101 Bedford Street, just north of Hoyt.

From Merritt Parkway: From Exit 34 or 35 go south toward Stamford to where Long Ridge and High Ridge Roads intersect. Take one-way Summer Street south past Ridgeway Shopping Center on the left. Note cross streets 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, Oak. Then turn left onto Hoyt and left again onto Bedford. Pass bank (slowly) and turn right into church drive. Right again to parking behind church.

Train Service to and from Stamford is available.