The UPdate

March 20, 2007

The Newsletter of ulster project atlanta &nbs= p; Spring, 2007

Creating Unity Amidst Diversity

The Ulster Project is dedicated to promoting a peaceful parity of esteem between Roman Catholics and Protest= ants in Northern Irelan= d by building tolerance, trust, and ongoing positive relationships among potential leaders from these Christian traditions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Open (Accepting Nominations= )

Vice President: Father Joe Shippen &nbs= p; (770) 428-5841

Treasurer: Melinda Shannon Freels &nbs= p; (770) 509-0752

Secretary: Susan Cates (770)309-2966

Spiritual Advisor: Father John Kieran (770)483= -3660

Chairperson, Host Families:<= /span> Open

Chairperson, Public Relation= s: Open

Chairperson, Fundraising: Open &nbs= p; &= nbsp;

Mailing Address:<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal'> 2905 Hembree Rd. Marietta, GA 30062

Email: ulsterprojectatl@aol.com

Ulster Project Atlanta is registered i= n the State of GA as a 501(c) (3) organization. &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Tax ID: 58-2064188

Ou= r Ulster Project Experience

By Kyle W= . and Laura F.

The Ulster Project was definitely a month we w= ill never forget. From the first day we were integrated with our northern Iri= sh peers, we knew it would be a memorable experience. The teens that arrived were from diverse backgrounds, and had many talents. There was a wide ran= ge of musical talents, athletic capabilities, and academic knowledge. One te= en, Richard, played the cello, sang and danced. Eoin, a gifted piper also cou= ld play the whistle with his nose, which was an entertaining experience for all. As Americans, we were surprised at their amazement at our multi-lane roads and highways as well= as the heat and humidity of Atl= anta.

= ;

During the first week, we went on a retreat near Sewanee, Tennessee. We didn’t know each other at all, but by the end of the retreat we started to learn about each other. When we got back to Atlanta, we worked with refugee children and went to the Holocaust Museum<= /st1:PlaceType>.

The following week was July 4^th. The two of us went with some of t= he other kids to Marietta S= quare to watch fireworks. It was really fun. Over the next three weeks we went = to various places that explored the integrated (Protestant-Catholic) aspects= of American life and culture. The activities ranged from going to Little Five Points, attending a Braves baseball game, and going to a Mosque. Some days were not as interesting as others, but we still learned something from everything we did.

The month flew by, and in no time we were saying goodbye to our Northern Irish friends. As Americans, we kept some of their Irish influence in America<= /st1:place> after they left. We’re sure they brought a piece of American life h= ome with them too. The Ulster Project was a fun and memorable experience, and= we would recommend it to anyone that wants to have an unforgettable month!

Kyle and Laura are both honor students at Pope High School in Marietta. This was Kyle’s second summer as a host teen, and Laura’s first.

Class of 2006

For more pictures, please visit the website of Ulster Project Atlanta

at www.ulsterprojectatlanta.org. Click on Photo Journey.

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HELP WANTED:

Hardworking persons who enjoy working with teenagers.

Must be ded= icated and dependable.

Must be abl= e to attend monthly meetings in Sandy Springs.

Excellent long-term compensation package provided by God.

Interested? Contact any Board Member.

“Meet me in St. Louis - Gateway to Peace”

Ulster Project International Convention

St. Louis<= span style=3D'font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue;font-wei= ght: normal'>, M0

10/31 - 11/3/07

The UPda= te is Going Paperless!

To eliminate the high costs of printing and postage, = the UPdate is going paperless! Please let us know if you would like to receive our newsletter. Go here: = ulsterprojectatl@aol.com and type “Subscribe to UPdate” in the subject line. Your email address will be kept strictly confidential. &nbs= p; &= nbsp; YOU MUST SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE FUTURE ISSUES OF THE UPDATE!

THANK YO= U!

Words of Wisdom

Be compassionate and never forget how = to love.
Think inclusively.
Reclaim noble values such as truth, honesty, honour, courage.
Respect one's elders and look to what they have to teach you.
Be empathetic.
Look after the less fortunate in society.
Promote and protect diversity.
Respect the gifts of the natural world.
Set your goals high and take pride in what you do.
Cherish and look after your body, and, as the ancient Greeks believed, yo= ur mind will serve you better.
Put back into the community as there have been those before you have done= the same and you are reaping what they sowed.
Participate in and protect democracy.       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; It does not thrive as a spectator sport.
Undertake due diligence in everything.
Seek balance and space, and solitude.
Don't be afraid to feel passionate about something.
Learn to be an advocate and an ambassador for good.
Be mindful of your limitations.
Indulge and nurture your curiosity as it will       &nbs= p;         keep you vital.
Take charge of your life and don't fall into the       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; pit of entitlement.
Assume nothing and take nothing for granted.
Things are not necessarily what they seem.

-Loreena McKennitt

Peace...= Siochain....Siochaint!!!

Fifteen Atlanta Celtic musical artists and bands have collaborated on an unprecedented CD to support the Ulster Project. Brainc= hild of LongDrop fiddler and former Tennessee Ulster Project family mem= ber, Katherine Irwin Thomas, the CD consists of one song from each of the contributing artists. Produced professionally by Border Collies’= Michael Robbins, the CD represents the very best of Celtic Atlanta and cle= arly demonstrates the depth of Celtic roots and culture in our city. The cover design is by summer ‘04 NI teen, Elaine Gallagher from Omagh with graphic design by Beth Pitchford. AND best of all= , as should be, the music is sensational!

Order online at www.ulsterprojectatlanta.or= g

Words About Peace

As many of you may be aware, the conflict in Northern Ireland is a very old one, dating back to the early 1600’s and involves two proud Celtic peoples, the Scots and the Irish. The conflict is so deep and entrenched that even the name of a city, Derry or = Londonderry, can evoke heated, sectarian discussion. The Ulster Project works to find “Unity Amidst Diversity” and strives to identify aspects which both cultures have in common. Sometimes this is difficult as expressions = of each culture, such as step-dancing (too Irish) and piping (too Orange), a= lso take on political overtones. One thing that both sides have in common is = the rich heritage of their language, Gaelic. It is in this spirit of a common heritage that we chose to gaelicize the word for peace as our CD title. Y= ou may see it written the Scots Gaelic way or you may see it written the Iri= sh Gaelic way. We choose to use both. To our Scottish friends we wish you Siochaint. To our Irish friends we wish you Siochain.

To all we wish you Peace.

Board of Directors: Recruit, Rebuild, Rethink in 2007

On February 20, 2007, Ulster= Project Atlanta’s Board of Directors voted unanimously not to host a summer program in 2007. This is the second time in its history that Ulster Proje= ct Atlanta has decided to concentrate its efforts on fundraising, while rebuilding its Board and volunteer base.

According to Treasurer Melinda Shann= on Freels, “The truth is that although many people embrace the Ulster Project in theory, financial = contributions and the number of volunteers willing to donate time and energy to the Pro= ject is at an all-time low. For example, the Atlanta Celtic Community, long considered a mainstay of the Project, contributed only 4% of donated funds over the past two years. Additionally, with the exception of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Chu= rch and the Greater Presbytery of Atlanta, we received no financial support f= rom Atlanta area chu= rches, whose outreach programs are financially committed to other charitable cau= ses. 2006 was a particularly difficult year due to Hurricane Katrina.” <= o:p>

Although forecasted sales of = “Siochain,” the Ulster Project CD, were initially high, sales remain soft des= pite the presence of UPA at numerous events and festivals over the past year.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> For example, over two days at Ce= ltic Christmas at Emory, just 4 CD’s were purchased.

Finding volunteers is another huge challenge. People who typically participate in community service endeavors stay busy. Others assume that someone else will step up. For the past several years, a ve= ry small core group of dedicated individuals has been running the Project. In fact, all of the recently retired board members doggedly stayed on for “just one more year” over the course of several years!

Likewise, the number of host families has dwindled. Teenagers are booked solid during the shortened summer brea= k. Camps and vacations are considered priorities. It’s difficult to fi= nd families who are willing or able to donate the entire month of July.

Most of the Ulster Projects in the <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">United States are facing similar problems. Because the situation in Northern Ireland has stabil= ized, a common perception is that our work is no longer necessary. However, any= one who is familiar with the current political situation will tell you that t= his is absolutely not true. The good will that the Ulster Project facilitates= is critical to the ongoing peace process and further, it serves as a global model for other peace and reconciliation projects, particularly those that involve youth. Here in Atlanta, our Boa= rd is solidly behind our organization, but we cannot continue our work without = the help and support of the community. We will be sending delegates from Atlanta at the Ulster Project International Conven= tion in St. Louis, where we will discuss ideas on how to revive interest in the work we do. =

The bottom line is this: without volunteers, increased donations, and host families, Ulster Pro= ject Atlanta may be f= orced to shut down its operation.

Come on Atlanta! We desperately need your help!

CHALLENGE TO ATLANTA IRISH PUBS: WHICH OF YOU CAN RAISE THE MOST = MONEY FOR OUR WORTHY CAUSE? PLEASE CONSIDER HOSTING AN <= st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">ULSTER PROJECT NIGHT.<= /o:p>

CHALLENGE TO ALL ATLANTA CELTIC BANDS: WHICH OF YOU ARE WILLING TO ORGANIZE A BENEFIT CONCERT JUST FOR US? CAN YOU HELP US BY SEL= LING OUR CD?

CHALLENGE TO ALL CHURCHES IN ATLANTA: IS THERE A PARISH W= HO IS WILLING TO OFFER US A CHURCH HOME AND HOST ULSTER PROJECT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES?

CHALLENGE TO ALL PARENTS OF TEENAGERS: IS YOUR CHILD IN NEED OF A GREAT EXPERIENCE INVOLVI= NG GLOBAL PEACEMAKING AND COM= MUNITY SERVICE WORK?

2006 DONOR HONOR ROLL

CASH GIFTS & I= N-KIND DONATIONS

(Fiscal Year: 10/1/05 –= ; 9/30/06)

SUSTAINING BENEFACTORS BENEFACTORS <= /span>

($2000 and up) &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; ($1000 and up)

1. Phil Hickey, Longhorn Steaks 1. Chris and Carol Moser

2. The Harland Foundation = 2. Bob and Lori Penter

3. Clay White = ; &n= bsp; = ; 3. Immaculate Heart of Mary

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p;

SPONSORS

(= $500 and up)

1. Presbytery of Greater Atlant= a

2= . John Stephens, Theatre Gael

PATRONS ($100 and up)

David Shaffner
Jim Gaffey
Chris and Karen Miller<= o:p>
Del and Rich Halstead-Nussloch
Greg and Melinda Shannon Freels
George Ude
Beth Corry
Richard and Cece Miles =
Larry and Christine Hol= t
Prudential Financial
North= Decatur Presbyterian Church
Ronald and Sara Reams
Doug Murray =
Don and Anne Tedlie
Jay McLendon and Dorothy Mears

CONTRIBUTORS (Up= to $99)

Jim and Marion Freels
Noroma Shannon
Jim and Michelle Mallar= d
Paul and Ruth Nandico
Dana K. Wachsmann<= /o:p>
Cynthia Palmer
Michael and Carol Ann C= lair
Margaret Rightmyer=
Matthew and Therese Hen= eghan
Katherine Chester<= /o:p>
Jesus Art
Cynthia Palmer
Susan Perz
Stephen O’Hagan
James Flannery
William and Jennifer Ta= ylor Long
Steve and Susan Gross

<= o:p>

If you made a donation, but your name is not listed or you did not receive a tax letter, please contact Melinda at (770) 509-0752= .

HATS OFF TO OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS!

W= e salute retiring Board Members: Beth Corrie, Karen Miller, Del Halstead-Nussloch, and George Ude. You guys are the b= est!

<= o:p>

M= any thanks to Katherine Irwin Thomas= and Michael Robbins for prod= ucing

o= ur CD, “Siochain,” and to a= ll the local Atlanta musicians who contributed songs. Thank you to Elaine Gallagher in Northern Ireland for the co= ver artwork.

<= o:p>

T= hank you to Jim Donaldson for serving= as our brilliant webmaster and hosting our website.

<= o:p>

T= hanks to all the 2006 Host Families and to the parents of the Omagh kids.

<= o:p>

O= ur gratitude to our 2006 Counselors: Clay, Barry, Heather and Meg.=

<= o:p>

M= uch appreciation goes to our these Atlanta churches who donated space for our activities:

<= o:p>

Druid Hills United Methodist Church
The Episcopal Church of St.= Peter and St. Paul=
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
Oakhurst Presbyterian C= hurch
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Presbytery of Greater <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Atlanta
St. Ann’s Catholic Church=
St. James Episcopal Chu= rch

<= o:p>

TREASURER’= ;S REPORT, 2006

Carryover from 2= 005: $977.30

Private donation= s: $4209.00 See Donor list above=

Net Grants: $270= 8.81 Harland, Prudential<= /b>

Net Fundraising: $3289.08 High Tea, CD Sales, Raffles, Pea= ce Shares

Operations: <$1577.83> State Registration, Liability Insurance, Communications
Net Cost of Summ= er Activities, not including airfare*: <5558.65>       Gasoline, Retreat, Tickets, Workshops, Counselor’s Salaries, Petty Cash, Opening/Closing Ceremonies=

END OF YEAR BALANCE: $4047.71

* Important Note: $5756 in airfare= was covered by Ulster<= /st1:country-region> Project   International= . This was a one time stipend that will not repeat.

Meet our 2007 Board of Directors

The Rev. Joseph Shippen is the Assistant Rector at St. James̵= 7; Episcopal Church since June of 2006. He graduated from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church on May 17th, 2006 with a Master of Divi= nity degree. Before going to seminary, Father Shippen attended Mercer University<= /st1:PlaceType> in Macon, Georgia and Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he studied physics and electrical engineering in a dual degree program. He t= hen joined his sweetheart, Suzanne Hobby-Shippen, in <= st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Mexico to direct an after-s= chool program for children ages six to sixteen. After a year in Mexico, he and Suzanne were married on <= st1:date Month=3D"7" Day=3D"20" Year=3D"2003" w:st=3D"on">July 20th, 2003 and then moved to Manhattan for Joseph’s three years of seminary at General. Joseph’s interests include hiking, playing guitar, and theater.<= /p>
Originally from East Tennessee, Melinda Shannon Freels is a = former H.R. executive with BellSouth and is a professional writer and career consultant for Execume Corporation. Melinda has worked on several differe= nt historical and conservation projects, including John Anderson's musical "On Eagle's Wing." She is presently the Associate Producer= of “America’= ;s Other Irish,” a new PBS documentary about the Scotch-Irish in America<= /st1:place>. Freels is an expert genealogist and has traveled extensively through Ireland and Scotland. She graduated fro= m Maryville College with a Bachelor's Degree= in History and is the Vice President of the Ulster-Scots Society of America.  She is also a member of the Scotch-Irish Soci= ety of the United States, the East Tennessee Historical Society= , the Morgan County Tennessee Genealogical and Historical Society, the East Cobb Civic Association= and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeep= er.

Government worker by day and Celtic rocker by night, Susan Cates has been involved i= n the local Celtic music community for several years. Deciding that 2007 = was the year to give back to the community, Susan threw her lot in with Ulster Project Atlanta to revive the organization’s spirits and effectiveness. Putting her talent to find the perfect adjective for= any situation to good use, she has been invested as the Recording Secretary f= or the Board of Directors in 2007. Her interests are listening and performing most kinds of music, reading, ministering to sick and aging animals, and generally finding fun in all that she does.

= Father John Ki= eran is a native of= Ireland<= /st1:place> where he attended school. He comes from a family of six brothers and two sisters. He graduated for All Hallows Seminary in = Dublin and was ordained as a Catholic= priest in 1967. He served at several parishes in North Georgia and in the Atlanta area bef= ore becoming the pastor of Saint Pius Catholic Church in Conyers. He was also= the founding pastor of Christ Our Hope Catholic Church in Lithonia. Father Ki= eran is an active member of the Rockdale Hospital Chaplaincy and serves and the Boards of Refuge Pregnancy Center, and Keep Conyers Beautiful. He is the Co-Chaplain of the Rockdale County Jail. His hobbies include woodworking = and gardening.

CONSIDER A DONATION TODAY!

ULSTER PROJECT ATLANTA

2905 HEMBREE RD. NE MARIE= TTA, GA 30062<= /st1:PostalCode>

www.ulsterprojectatlanta.or= g

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