Marty Webb has spent the last 6 months in Sri Lanka with his wife, Rita, where she's been serving the Nonviolent Peaceforce since 2003. Marty, raised Catholic, was refused CO status during the Vietnam War, and ended up convicted for refusing induction.
Marty's experience in confronting the draft, and the alternate service he ended up performing, became a turning point in his life. He eventually ended up in Eau Claire, got first an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, then an MA in Religion and Theology, though Marty dislikes labels and the tendency to categorize people and their beliefs. Marty has attended the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire since about 1990 and has taught ethics courses at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
Will Williams was born in central Mississippi on 9/11/1943 and joined the military as a way past the limitations of his race and environment. He did 2 tours in Vietnam, suffered major PTSD, fully emerging from it after 9/11/2001 as he found his voice to speak out against war with the Veterans for Peace.
Jennifer Eddy is an Eau Claire physician with a love of things French, including the language and the country. She and her husband were married there and own a small residence in the south of France. Jennifer was raised to be a rationalist but lived out the maxim that kids tend to react in opposition to their parents. She was a philosophy major and sought a spiritual home in many places, including the Taizé community of France, with Quakers, and with the Episcopal church.
Bethany Jacobson's older son joined the marines when he turned 18 and was deployed to Iraq in 2004, at which point Bethany, with the encouragement of her son, began to speak out against the war in Iraq "for the boys", as part of Military Families Speak Out.
A visit with three members of the Restored Israel Of Yahwah, a religious group from southern New Jersey whose members practice religious pacifism, including their refusal to pay Federal taxes because they go primarily for war.
The organization was founded by Leo J. Volpe, known by members of the group as the prophet Jeremiah. Group efforts are concentrated around Bible study and insights, and faithful adherence to the Biblical truths, including preparation for the end times prophesied in the Book of Revelation.
Julie Harnisch has been a teacher, administrator and advocate for Children's House Montessori School of Eau Claire, Wisconsin since 1980.
Children's House Montessori School of Eau Claire is Montessori education in line with the vision and principles originally developed by Maria Monessori for schools in the slums of Rome, Italy. Children's House students are primarily (70%) from at-risk/low income families in Eau Claire, mixing races, cultures and socioeconomic levels in a fertile place to grown and learn.
Julie Harnisch grew up American Baptist but finds her inspiration and support primarily in the experience and inspiration of Montessori education.
Kaia Simon Power is a lifelong Roman Catholic very attuned to religion as a continuous spiritual journey and mystery.
Sarah Pederson is owner of Gaia Massage and has recently completed training as a yoga teacher. She combines the fruits of her Roman Catholic upbringing with her deep interest in Eastern spirituality as part of her spiritual journey.
Through Gaia Massage, located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Sarah provides Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology, Usui Reiki and Jin Shin Acupressure.
Gaylord Oppegard served in the military from 1962-1965. But it was not until 2004 and after 30 years as a Methodist, that he took part in his first action opposing war and standing for peace.
Michelle Lyons has a BA in Religious Studies with a minor in Legal Studies, and is currently pursuing a BFA in Interior Design.
Having been raised by Buddhist parents and having attended Catholic high school, Michelle profited from her BA in Religious Studies to sort out her own views and opinions.