This is an edited version of the email I sent out to everyone with the March 2020 issue. I’ll be back as soon as I can with lots of great stories and an emphasis on Africa.
On Sunday, February 23, 2020, Groundswell News <groundswellnews@pa.net> wrote:
Dear Friends Around the World,
Lots of big news and gratitude:
1. Thank you to Allen Hengst, who has been our Wire Editor carefully working with me for more than 10 years.
2. Thanks to all the readers who have contributed wonderful material to make this publication great.
3. Much gratitude to four generous donors to the Grassroots Coalition after John died – Fr. Ted Cassidy in Ohio USA, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Graymoor’s The Union-That-Nothing-Be-Lost, Inc. Mass Department in New York USA, a very old friend and supporter of John’s work (and mine now), who may wish to remain anonymous, and a new friend who also prefers to remain anonymous.
4. My heart is extremely grateful to Mr Kennedy Kwuelum of Nexus Exchange in the UK and Lagos, Nigeria for working with me to create a prototype for my dream of franchising Groundswell News. Our Lagos Special Edition starts with three pages of their story from Lagos. Please email me at groundswellnews@pa.net if you’d like to see this.
5. My newest angel, Mariam Nabukeera of Uganda, brought about a miracle in John’s memory by sharing the September issue and then sent me this message: “When I read about who your dear husband was, I forward the Newspaper to our sponsoring Charity here called WACENA (Women And Children’s Empowerment Network in Africa www.wacena.org). One of the Directors called Maggie Ndagire called me and said, “Persons like John are living icons and are such persons that we want our Children in our School to learn from. If your friend doesn’t mind, we [will] name one of our School block under construction – ‘John Bruce Conner.’” I was so excited to hear that from her. The School is called Future Victory School.”
6. I’ll be taking a break/vacation until October (I’ll be back much sooner than that) to recover from the difficult times of the past few years and to allow my hip to heal after a fall down the bleachers on December 14th after watching my adorable granddaughter’s basketball game. (I’m healed now, thank goodness.)
7. I’m creating a new website: www.groundswellnews.org but I’m still learning how to use it.
8. Here are some of my favorite climate news sources, whose email lists you might like to get on:
a. Common Dreams
b. Climate News Network
c. The Daily Climate
d. A Network for Grateful Living
e. Thomson Reuters Foundation
f. Allen Hengst keeps up to date environmentally and politically, but it’s not always positive news. Email him at ahengst@verizon.net. Allen is a brilliant activist.
During my break, I’ll be strengthening the non-profit to improve our chances of getting enough funding so that I won’t need another part-time job, creating a new website, taking a few trips (including one to Massachusetts to do a workshop at the Blessed Unrest conference in April — ttps://bio4climate.org/blessed-unrest), and finally doing my best to learn how to slow down and RELAX! You’ll find me swimming happily in the ocean at the Jersey Shore. (None of these things are happening because of the coronavirus but the Blessed Unrest conference was online and wonderful!)
I will be checking emails and Facebook sporadically so as not to lose touch with my friends during my vacation.
Stay well, carry on, be creative, be strong, be happy, have fun, and don’t forget to relax now and then.
For the Earth Always,
Iona Conner
Publisher/Editor of Groundswell News Journal
www.groundswellnews.org (under construction)
Facebook Group: Groundswell News Journal
Brick, New Jersey 08724
The mission of Groundswell News Journal is to be a beautiful, inspiring, uplifting magazine, which educates and enlightens people about the climate crisis through scientific articles and stories by and about activists who are working to protect life on Earth and preserve natural resources.
Our Motto: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!
Our Slogan: The way forward: Cycle back to basics.
