November 20, 205: Exploring how people of faith are addressing all the recent natural disasters

Guest: Perri Graham, Executive Director of the MinnKota region of Church World Service (CWS)

A conversation with Perri Graham, regional director of Church World Service (CWS) -a worldwide relief organization sponsored by the National Council of Churches. CWS has been heaviliy involved in all of the recent disasters, from the tsumani last December, though recent hurricanes in America and the earthquake in India and Pakistan, as well as continuing to get relief to refugees and persons displaced by war, famine and violence.

About Perri Graham
Perri has served as Regional Director of Church World Service, Minn-Kota Region, since June of 1997. She joined the staff of Church World Service in January of 1985, beginning as Program Assistant in the Indiana regional office, Indianapolis. In October of 1990, Perri moved to the Minn-Kota regional office as Assistant Director.

As Regional Director of the Minn-Kota office, Perri promotes the programs of Church World Service--including CROPWALKs, Tools of Hope, and Blanket Sundays--in a three state area (Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota). Perri often speaks in congregations and to clergy and school groups about the root causes of hunger and injustice in the developing world. In January, 2001, Perri traveled to Southeast Asia, visiting Church World Service projects in Lao, Cambodia and Vietnam. Perri has also traveled extensively in Honduras, Peru and India. She plans to travel to Africa in the near future.

Perri is a graduate of Manchester College (Indiana), with a degree in Peace Studies. She worked as Director of the Indianapolis Peace Center and in various capacities for the Indiana Council of Churches and the Indiana Interreligious Council on Human Equality, before joining Church World Service. She lives in Roseville and is a member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, St. Paul.

November 20, 2005: Issues Facing Muslims in Minnesota

Guest: Dr. Hamdy El-Sawaf, Secretary General from the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of Minnesota

In our first half hour we spoke with Dr. Hamdy El-Sawaf, Secretary General of the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of Minnesota, an organization of scholars, imams and activists serving as religious authority and a source of guidance for the diverse Muslim population in Minnesota.  Dr. El-Sawaf addressed the moral, cultural and faith issues faced by the Muslim community.

November 13 2005: Feed the Hungry...Facts about Hunger in Minnesota

Guest Host Rev. Chris Morton will be interviewing Sue Kainz, director of Minnesota FoodShare about hunger's impact on the quality of life in Minnesota.

Minnesota FoodShare Director Sue Kainz will be discussing the costs of hunger on our fellow citizens in Minnesota.

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November 6, 2005: Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar on Faithful America and Government Priorities

Join us for a conversation with Rev. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA. The National Council of Churches is composed of 35 Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, historic African American and peace communions representing 45 million Christians in 100,000 local congregations in the United States. The Council and its members respond to what they regard as Jesus’ call to confront poverty, stand for peace and protect God’s creation. With these goals in mind, the Council has launched Faithful America, a growing Internet network of persons who believe that one’s faith - however broadly or uniquely expressed - has a word to say about our nation’s government and its priorities.

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