Winter, 2007
Tony Campolo
Shane Claiborn
(photos by Becky Garrison)
Tony & Shane Explore Simpler Living
A new video from Alternatives features Tony Campolo & Shane Claiborne
We have good news about our initiative "Reaching Out to Young Adults." Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne have agreed to make a video for us! This is the most exciting prospect for simpler living in a long time. . . . surely the most promising in my decade leading Alternatives!
We began our initiative by making our Resource Guide, our website and our well known annual booklet “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?” more young adult-friendly.
We are serious about meeting the needs of young adults and giving them hope and inspiration in the face of monumental global problems.
A Donor DVD is available upon request. You will hear a brief overview of the project, then a five-minute introduction of the project and of Shane himself. Then you’ll see an excerpt from a recent presentation by Tony Campolo. He’s well known for his teaching, books, videos and humanitarian work. Finally, you can view a complete presentation by Shane, including questions and answers, that we recorded recently at the Beggar’s Society in Omaha, Nebraska.
In brief, Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne have agreed to create a new video for Alternatives: an intensely personal dialog about the foundations of the Christian life and voluntary simplicity. This pointed-yet-hopeful video will have current relevance for and be targeted at the yearnings of today's Christian.
We plan to issue the video both on DVD and also in brief segments on the internet where young adults are likely to see them.
Tony and Shane have given us a remarkable and generous gift. We hope that you will join us in this project – the first new major resource of our Young Adult initiative.
Tony Campolo, who has his Ph.D. from Temple University, is professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University in suburban Philadelphia, a media commentator on religious, social, and political matters, and the author of a dozen books and numerous videos, including “Curing Affluenza.” He has served on Alternatives Honorary Board of Directors since it inception in 2003 on Alternatives’ 30th anniversary.
Shane Claiborne is a founder of The Simple Way community in Philadelphia and author of “The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical” (with a Foreword by Jim Wallis). He’s featured in the DVD/CD series “Another World Is Possible!” Shane, still in his early 30’s, is a much-sought-after speaker. The Simple Way is part of the New Monasticism, which puts a contemporary face on the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
The Donor DVD is just an introduction. It is not the project itself. We plan to videotape Tony and Shane in spring, 2007.
Please join us by helping fund and promote this exciting project. We have in-kind pledges of over $25,000. We must raise at least $20,000 in cash contributions. Possibly you could provide a grant or know someone personally who could. Possibly you or your agency would place an advanced quantity order. Or both. We welcome your ideas. Request a DVD and share it with others. I’ll gladly provide you a copy of the complete proposal. Please be in touch.
Gerald Iversen, National Coordinator
New Board Member
New board member Jesse Kuroiwa represents the United Church of Christ. A resident of Cleveland, he’s a senior at Ohio State with a passsion for photography.
Jesse Kuroiwa
Ways You CAN Help!
√ Send referrals! Be proactive by sharing the names and contact information of anyone who shows interest in voluntary simplicity – church members, friends, relatives, colleagues. It’s much more likely to happen if you call toll free 800-821-6153.
√ Be an active volunteer for Alternatives in your community. Organize a workshop, ask your church to become a member, distribute our Resource Guide at an event. Visit SimpleLiving.org >> Volunteers >> Activities.
√ Set a goal of pledging a Life membership, even if you fulfill the pledge over several years.
√ Donate regularly – each month or quarter. We’re tax deductible!
√ Lower taxes through Alternatives’ Endowment.
√ Send us your ideas for the Young Adult initiative.
√ Give someone a simpler living nudge. Share Alternatives’ resources, give gift memberships.
LIFE, DUAL LIFE and PERPETUAL Members
as of 12/1/06
* = New in 2006. Those who continue to give additional gifts are noted “+.”
Please report any errors and accept our apologies. Thanks.
Anonymous
Arlene Hedrick
Barbara Pietz
*Bill & Anne Shields
*Carolyn Thiedke
+Cathy C Brechtelsbauer
David V Houston & Kate Bell
Dexter R Gillett
Dodd & Lora Mohr
Doreen Hung Mar
Ella B Hartzell
Jeanne Elmhorst
+John & Eleanor Yackel
Joyce Weir
Karen Greenwaldt & Russ Harris
Leah Terhune
Margaret Marshall
*Marge Anderson
*Marilyn Feldhaus
Martha K Layman
*Mary Gail Nagai - Jacobson
Mary Hayenga
Mary Jean McGuire
+Maryanne Van Buskirk
*+Meigan Cameron
*Mel Luechens
*Pat & Lee Chylko
*Patricia J Schutt
Patricia Michael Boyland
Paul J Canavese & Ann Naffziger
*Paula Kathy Dawson
Phyllis L Leaman
Jim & Susan Moseley
Rae E Whitney
Rebecca Wainright
Renee M Grogg
*Ruth Finkelstein
Stephen Mayberry
Steve & Wendy Putka
*Suzanne Engle Gurr
+William M & Elaine B Simpson Jr
Wouldn’t you like to become a LIFER for Alternatives’ mission of simpler living!? Some folks fulfill their pledge by paying an amount they can manage each month or quarter.
Coming Soon on SimpleLiving.org
Something new everyday on our dynamic home page!
Window #1 - New Resources and Updates on our new Tony & Shane Video
Window #2 - Celebrating
Window #3 - Blog: Faces of Simpler Living in Michigan, Ohio, St. Louis area,
Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, then the Northeast
Window #4 - Your Daily Simple Living Calendar
Window #5 - Your Comments
Window #6 - Simple Living 101, Volunteer Activities and Featured Writers
Window #7 - Lent & Easter Resources
Get a free update weekly (or monthly if you prefer) by giving us your email address. Our “Simply :60” eNewsletter is meant to be read in under a minute.
Simpler Living Community Network Update
Alternatives’ SIMPLER LIVING COMMUNITY NETWORK – SLCN – incorporates the services of our SLOW Down Network of volunteer speakers, workshops leaders and others. “Simple Living 101,” our volunteer “bible,” is online at SimpleLiving.org >> Volunteers >> Activities. We’re asking our 850 members of the SLOW Down Network to CONFIRM that they want to continue in this new, proactive network. SCLN asks you to support simpler living in your own community. Please consider the activities on our web site – SimpleLiving.org >> Volunteers. What activities might we add? Will you be a resource person for one or more activities? There’s still no cost or obligation. You will continue to receive the Inside Info newsletter unless you choose otherwise. Confirm your interest and support on the reply form in this newsletter, by phone or email. Your ideas are needed and welcome. Contact Dick Webster, SLCN coordinator and board member, Worthington, OH, at 614-433-7144, email. Thanks!
Submission Time! Send an item for “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?” our online Advent/Christmas magazine and most widely read resource.
Why Order from Alternatives? 1. You're supporting a unique ministry. 2. We offer impeccable, personal service. 3. We also offer hundreds of FREE resources at SimpleLiving.org >> Services >> Archives. Share your reasons. We’d love to hear them!
FREEBIES for You to Read & Share
Visit SimplyLivingWorks.org >> Archives.The following information is obsolete.
Member/Volunteer Reply [12/06]
Donations ___ I want to support the Young Adults Initiative! $5000 / $2500 / $1000 / $500 /$250 / $100 / $75 $50 / $35 / $25 – tax deductible ___ I want to pledge per __ month / __ quarter. ___ I want to be a dues-paying member, or renew. ___ I want to be a charter member of Alternatives’ endowment. I’m pledging at least $500. ___ I want to help sponsor Alternatives’ resources for 2007. I’m pledging at least $500. ___ Send me information about including Alternatives in my will and about planned giving.
Volunteers ___ Yes, I want to become/continue as a member of the Simpler Living Community Network (incorporating SLOW Down Network). ___ No thanks, I’m no longer interested in volunteering. ___ I’m sending an item for “Whose Birthday?” 2007. ___ Contact me about hosting a speaker in my area. ___ I will distribute Alternatives’ free Resource Guide. Send me __ copies of the full 48 page master catalog. Send me __ copies of the current mini-catalog.
Thank You’s ___ I’m giving $100 or more by check or credit card (include numbers and expiration date). Send me one of the following free resource for each $100 . . . ___ Audio CD “Alternative Christmas Trilogy” ___ Audio CD “Living Simply & Loving It!” ___ CD-rom “Simply the Best: Over 30 Years of Alternatives.” ___ “Unplug the Christmas Machine” Workshop-on-a-CD (audio). ___ “Living More-with-Less Study/Action Guide” ___ “Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art” CD-rom ___ “More-with-Less Christmas” audio CD ___ “Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art” book
For more choices visit SimpleLiving.org >> eStore >> Misc. >> Premiums. For donations under $100, claim some FREEBIES at Misc. >> Freebies.
Member/Volunteer Reply Please correct any incorrect information on your mailing label.
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ALTERNATIVES for Simple Living PO Box 340, 109 Gaul Dr., Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054 Alternatives@SimpleLiving.org 712-943-6153 • 800-821-6153 • fax: 712-943-1402 Visit SimpleLiving.org
Honorary Board of Directors
- David Beckman President Bread for the World
- Walter Brueggemann Professor, Columbia Theological Seminary
- Tony Campolo author, speaker, educator Eastern University
- Millard Fuller Founder Habitat For Humanity Founder & President The Fuller Center for Housing
- Alisa Gravitz Executive Director Co-op America (publisher of The National Green Pages)
- John McConnell, founder of Earthday
- Vicki Robin author of Your Money or Your Life; Convenor of The Simplicity Forum
- Ronald J Sider President Evangelicals For Social Action
- Betsy Taylor President Center for a New American Dream
- Jim Wallis Executive Director, Sojourners Magazine Convener, Call to Renewal
Page updated 20 February 2013
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