By IPN Coordinator
This year, the Annual IPN Christmas Open House was held on
Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Des Moines Mennonite Church where one of two
offices for IPN is located. It was
well-attended despite the snow that came in!
We did end an hour early for people to get home safely on the snowy
roads. The Open House began at 1:30 in
the afternoon, and wound up about 3:30pm, originally planned to go to 4:30 pm.
Homemade and bought cookies were served as well as meat and
cheese and crackers and coffee and tea.
Those in attendance milled around the Open House in fellowship with the
IPN peace community, and shopped at several vendors available at the
Alternative Gift Fair. About twenty-five came through and were there for the
program as well, as noted later.
The items for sale included Catholic Peace Ministry olive
oil; Friends of Tent of Nations North America children’s books about the camp
for kids at Tent of Nations near Bethlehem, Palestine; Heart of the Sky Fair Trade Guatemalan
handcrafts; Equal Exchange coffee, tea, and chocolate; and last but certainly
not least, Iowa Peace Network had dove and other decorated pottery from
Leckbands (New Harmony Pottery), as well as some other peace items.
Information was available about three different organizations one could
donate to, and pick up cards to give to loved ones and honor them in one’s gift. The organizations were Heifer International,
Church World Service, and On Earth Peace.
At 2:30 in the afternoon, as has been our tradition, we had
a program. This year it was by David Drake and Claire Cumbie-Drake, about their trip to
Japan this fall, highlighting trips to Nagasaki and Hiroshima while attending
the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). This
was a repeat trip for David as he was last there 52 years ago. David and Claire led an informal talk and
discussion with pictures on the screen from the trip. Some of the memorable photos included three
dimensional facial portraits of survivors.
There was good time for questions and comments, as well. It was very informative, interesting, and I
think it was very well received.
Thanks to all who made this possible, and for making it a success, despite the snow. It is an enjoyable Christmas tradition.
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