Greater Scranton Leadership Forum

 Religion gives birth to virtue, while virtue practiced gives birth to Liberty

Featuring:

Sam Rohrer, Stephen Urban, Dr. David Madeira,

Frank Scavo and Mary Ann LaPorta

of the Children Advocacy Center

Register today, seats are limited

Cost: $20 RSVP Call 570-842-3205 

Mail payment to: PFC 1352 Lake Rd. Gouldsboro, PA 18424

Breakfast  & Networking Opportunity

Hosted by the Pennsylvania Family Coalition

PFC is a non-profit educational organization working to strengthen our families. 

Sponsorship opportunities available. Call us for details.

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  Click here to volunteer | Register your Project 

The DREAM Artist Schowcase  will take place at The Whitaker Center on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:00 pm.  For FREE tickets visit Mr. Mikes Record Store, Church World and the Harrisburg Schools.  For additional information please either email Phyllis Bennett at pib902@aol.com or call 717 319 9240. Alternatively, call our main office at 570 842 3205.

Peace Pledge - sign pledge online at www.40daysofpeace.org

 Thank you to our sponsors:

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 7TH ANNUAL GREATER HARRISBURG MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DAY OF SERVICE

Hosting Organization: Pennsylvania Family Coalition in partnership with 

The United Way of Capitol City | The Harrisburg School District | Service for Peace | Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg | Harrisburg Police Department | Target Corporation | Jump Street | The Pennsylvania Refugee Women’s Network | Imani African Christian Church| Center for Schools and Communities | Praise & Play Child Care Center | Harrisburg  Kiwanis Club | Rejoice, Inc.|Bethesda Mission | Lingo Memorial Church |Central Pennsylvania Food Bank | YWCA Women’s Shelter (partial listing)

                    Hosting Committtee Members:

  Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney, Assistant Superintendent, Harrisburg School District

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Why Serve?

During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worked tirelessly toward a dream of equality. He believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live, creating the Beloved Community. The King Day of Service is a way to transform Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community service that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, such as fixing up a school or senior center, or it may meet a need of the spirit, such as building a sense of community or mutual responsibility. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that:  Strengthen Communities Dr. King recognized the power of service to strengthen communities and achieve common goals. Through his words and example, Dr. King challenged individuals to take action and lift up their neighbors and communities through service.      Empower Individuals Dr. King believed each individual possessed the power to lift himself or herself up no matter what his or her circumstances – rich or poor, black or white, man or woman. Whether teaching literacy skills, helping an older adult surf the Web, or helping an individual build the skills they need to acquire a job, acts of service can help others improve their own lives while doing so much for those who serve, as well.      Bridge Barriers In his fight for civil rights, Dr. King inspired Americans to think beyond themselves, look past differences, and work toward equality. Serving side by side, community service bridges barriers between people and teaches us that in the end, we are more alike than we are different. These ideas of unity, purpose, and the great things that can happen when we work together toward a common goal – are just some of the many reasons we honor Dr. King through service on this special holiday.

The DREAM Performing Artist Schowcase

Volunteer for the DREAM Performing Artist Showcase by emailing Ms. Phyllis Bennett, Program Director at pib902@aol.com or via telephone at 717 561 0314. Be part of this historical program celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King. Perform in front of an audience of 1400 people on Dr. King’s birthday, Monday, January 18, 2010!  The deadline for volunteers is November 10, 2009.  Alternatively, call 570 842 3205.

DREAM performers backstage

Students performing at the Whitaker Center 

Harrisburg area students and young artists performed at the Whitaker Center for the Sciences and the Arts on January 19, 2009 in Harrisburg honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  We thank our sponsors:  Hilton Harrisburg Hotel,  Walmart, Sams Club, Hershey Corporation, Hershey Entertainment, Highmark, PIB & Associates, Citizens Bank and www.SpeakersAccess.com and all our volunteers and parents for their dedication. Million Acts of Kindness Campaign:  Katya Swarts

A record number of Americans honored Dr. King by volunteering on the January 19, 2009  King Day of Service. More than 13,000 service projects took place across the country. Americans made it “a day on, not a day off” by delivering meals, refurbishing schools, reading to children, signing up mentors, and much, much more.   

The performances of our students was absolutely awesome!  Over 700 attendees enjoyed the two-hour  show featuring our talented students performing from classic piano, break dance to rap music and much more.  An evening to remember! 

POSTER CONTEST

In partnership with the Harrisburg School District, the the PA Family Coalition sponsored a POSTER CONTEST. Awards were presented at the Dream Artist Showcase on Jan. 19, 2009 at the Whittaker Center in Harrisburg, PA.  Students are presented with scholarships and and winners are recognized on stage, during the DREAM Artist Showcase at the Whitaker Center for the Sciences and the Arts.     

 The Spiritual Code 

Inspiring Lives Lecture Series (based on the book by Dr. Frederick Swarts)

These twelve “time-tested” principles are drawn from the sacred texts and teachings of the world’s great religions and philosophies, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Shinto. Supporting text is likewise culled from smaller traditional and tribal religions and various newer religions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to emphasize the universality of these cardinal principles.

The 12 spiritual laws explored within are profound and have practical application to our lives. While they are established truths, widely-held among the diverse religious traditions, they often come to us in bits and pieces or are obscured in the details. We tend to forget such absolute laws of life when they are most needed. “The Spiritual Code” presents these truths in a manner that is organized and easy to understand, facilitating their comprehension and application. This is a program/book that you will want to read and reread, as your strive for a more enjoyable, meaningful, rewarding, and successful life.

The Law of Cause & Effect

Individuals have free will to pursue their course of action.  The spiritual Law of Cause & Effect recognizes that a person’s right or wrong actions rebound to the doer in like kind.  Good actions return rewards and accrue merit. Wrong actions return corresponding consequences and incur penalties.  This is also known as the Law of Cosmic Justice.

The Law of Giving & Receiving

Giving, when done with proper attitude, multiplies and returns, with the giver being blessed with greater than that what given.  The giving should be unconditional and offered gladly from the position of love and for good.  When the charity is such, the return to the giver is directly proportional to the amount given: The more one gives, the more one receives.  Receiving is an action like giving requires a similar heart.

The Law of Restitution

Improper actions rebound to the doer and incur a corresponding debt which must be repaid or indemnified.  This repayment may involve considerable hardship and trails; nonetheless, all debts in the universe must be compensated for.  One’s attitude during debt repayment can positively or negatively influence the resolution.

The Law of Persecution

Blessings will flow from the persecutor to the persecuted – if a proper attitude by the latter.

The Law of Individual Purpose & Responsibility  

Each person has his or her own responsibility to grow and perfect his or her own character.  In fully developing this internal nature and becoming a unique reflection of the divine essence, an individual can  most fully participate in the love and joy which is at the center of the purpose of the universe.

The Law of Higher Purpose & No-Self

When human action serves a higher purpose, rather than being centered on the self, it exists in harmony with the nature of the universe, and thus will attract unity, prosperity and joy.  The highest ideal of this, and the most liberating, is the state of no-self, when one separates from selfish desire.  The contrary state of living centered on selfish desire places one  in the most dysfunctional state of disharmony with the universe.

The Law of Positive Intention

Thoughts by themselves carry the power to set in motion corresponding experiences on the physical plane.  Thoughts directed toward a specific internal or external goal, combined with a positive belief or conviction in the certainty of its realization, release a powerful mobilizing force in the universe toward accomplishment of that objective.  If a person’s attitude is basically positive – confident in achieving success, happiness, prosperity, love, and so forth – then such thoughts attract those experiences, people and events which lead to the fulfillment of those ideals.

The Law of Synergy

Goals are accomplished within the context of two conjoint forces: individual effort and the working of the Universal Intelligence. When one fulfills his or her portion of responsibility, by total investment towards the goal and trusting in the synergistic power of the Universal Intelligence in accomplishing that objective, the optimum conditions are laid for that power to be  most fully manifest.  No effort of goodness, done with a sincere heart, is ever wasted.

The Law of Testing and Blessing

The Universal Intelligence may supply trying circumstances in the form of “tests.”  The hardships inherent in tests are linked with corresponding grace or blessing. Tests proceed or follow such grace and thus contribute to the cyclical nature of human experience.  All tests have intrinsic value, if handled properly.

The Law of Harmonious Response

The circumstances that one encounters – tests, trails, good fortune – are not random events of a capricious universe, but involve the working out of spiritual la and the will of the Universal Intelligence.  A response of acceptance of one’s immediate circumstance and con-comitant forward-directed action is in harmony with this reality and is the path to spiritual reward.  Contrary actions – such as complaining, blaming, or dwelling on the past when encountering ill fortune – are disharmonious responses and at time/energy misuse, leading to increased karmic debt.

The Law of Unity

When human entities unite (from individuals to nations) centering on goodness, they harmonize with the natural accord of the universe, and optimal conditions are created for attracting increased energy, prosperity, peace and joy.

The SuperLaw of True Love

The fundamental essence of the universe is heart or true love.  It is the basis for all spiritual law, the essential nature of the Ultimate Reality, and the foundation for human life.  Therefore, when one centers his or her actions and being on true love, he or she is in full harmony with the universe, and following the quintessential path to happiness, success, unity, well-being, and the fulfillment of desire.

About the Presentor:

Frederick A. Swarts, Ph.D. is a recognized authority in both science and religion. He currently serves as senior research scientist with an international research institute, as well as Secretary General of the World Conference on Preservation and Sustainable Development in the Pantanal. His scholarly publications have contributed to the fields of ecology, environmental science, education and history. Dr. Swarts holds a Ph.D. in biology and education. In addition to his accomplishments in the sciences, he has a distinguished background in the areas of religion, global ethics, and comparative religions.

To schedule a lecture, organize a seminar in your community or to order the book please email pafamilycoalition@comcast.net or call our office at 570 842 3205.

Parents Agree: Abstinence education is the best health message for teens.

A nationwide Zogby poll conducted in 2007 showed that parents prefer abstinence education 2 to 1 over comprehensive sex education. Among other findings from the poll:

 - 9 out of 10 parents agree that being sexually abstinent is best for their child’s health and future.

 - 8 in 10 parents support public schools promoting abstinence vs. encouraging contraceptive use.

-  2 out of 3 parents think the importance of the “wait to have sex” message ends up being lost when programs demonstrate and encourage the use of contraception.

 Abstinence education works!

•  Delaying the onset of sexual behavior
• Reversing risky behavior in teens who were previously sexually active
• Reducing teen pregnancy rates
• Decreasing the number of partners in sexually active teens

Current federal funding for abstinence education is nearly $170 million, but the results are a cost-savings to taxpayers! When teen birth rates are reduced, taxpayers save $6 for every $1 spent.

 Defining Abstinence Education

Abstinence education empowers teens to avoid risk by making good health decisions, regardless of their sexual history. Abstinence means to voluntarily refrain from sexual activity including, but not limited to, sexual intercourse. Abstinence education, as funded by Congress, is decidedly more inclusive than “just say no”. The term, “abstinence only” is often used by opponents to create the false perception that abstinence education is a narrow and unrealistic approach. Abstinence education is in fact broader and more holistic than other approaches and focuses on the real-life struggles that teens face as they navigate through the difficult adolescent years.

 Abstinence education realizes that “having sex” can potentially affect a lot more than the sex organs of teens, but as research shows, can also have emotional, psychological, social, economic and educational consequences. That’s why topics frequently discussed in an abstinence education class include:

• Identifying healthy relationships
• Avoiding or getting out of dangerous, unhealthy, or abusive relationships
• Developing skills to make good decisions
• Setting goals for the future and taking realistic steps to reach them
• Understanding and avoiding STDs
• Information about contraceptives and their effectiveness against pregnancy and STDs
• Practical ways to avoid inappropriate sexual advances
• Why abstinence until marriage is optimal

 So, within an abstinence education program, teens receive all the information they need in order to make healthy choices. That’s a lot of information and skills packed into an abstinence curriculum! And all of these topics are taught within the context of why abstinence is the best choice. There’s nothing “only” about the abstinence approach!

What is Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE)?

There are vast differences between abstinence education and CSE. The major distinction is how each approach regards teens. Abstinence education believes teens can and increasingly do, avoid sex, so the discussion empowers them to make the healthiest sexual decision – which is to abstain. By contrast, CSE assumes that teens don’t have the ability to avoid sexual experimentation, so most of their time is spent talking about sex and the use of condoms and other forms of contraception. Comprehensive Sex Education assumes that teens will engage in high risk sexual behavior and are content to merely reduce the risk of that behavior.

A review of CSE curricula show that, on average, only about 5% of their time is devoted to the abstinence message, with the definition of abstinence usually subjectively defined by the student. One popular “abstinence plus” text promoted by comprehensive sex ed providers, asks students to brainstorm “what sexual behaviors a person could engage in and still be ‘abstinent’” and suggested activities such as “cuddling with no clothes on”, “masturbating with a partner”, “rubbing bodies together.”

Students are sent nondirective and confusing definitions for abstinence that are filled with risk and predictably, the discussion quickly moves to “the endless possibilities of outercourse” and “making the transition from sexual abstinence.” Alarmingly, CSE curricula present abstinence and condom use as equally “safe” options, promoting dangerous and medically inaccurate information to teens. A 2007 report by the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that many highly recommended “comprehensive” curricula devote little time to teaching the merits of abstaining from sex but spend an overwhelming amount of teaching time topics such as condom demonstration and sexual game play as methods of “safe” sex. The study revealed startling components of the “comprehensive” curricula that taught teens as young as 13 lessons that include:

• Advocating showering together as a no-risk activity
• Promoting methods for sexual stimulation
• Conducting role-plays on how to help a partner maintain an erection
• Describing how to eroticize condom use with a partner
• Suggesting teens wear “shades” or disguises when shopping for condoms so parents and adults won’t recognize them

Abstinence Under Attack

Organized efforts are underway in every state to replace abstinence education with comprehensive sex education. Parents are being misled by about the true content of comprehensive sex education programs being taught in their children’s classrooms. Expose the truth, your child’s health and future is at stake.

Read more: www.parentsfortruth.org   

Studies have shown that a character education program is most effective when it is a comprehensive, intentional effort that involves the home, school and community. These three components, working together create a support system that reinforces the lessons learned and helps foster a positive working partnership between the three.

The curriculum is unique in that is uses stories to teach key virtues, includes both student and teacher texts for all grades from one to twelve and focuses on three basic live goals:

• To grow and become a person of mature character
• To build healthy relationships and a loving family
• To make a positive contribution to society.

The concept of life goals provides a larger perspective for conceptualizing character education. It provides a theoretical framework that encompasses the diverse aims and methods of character education. Appealing to youth’s imagination with attractive images of growth, relationships, and creativity, a life goals framework allows teachers and other leaders to fully articulate the “why” of good behavior. Moral ideas and goals point youth toward activities inherently worthy and rewarding. They provide long-range, meaningful motivation for character educators and students alike.

Call us today to discuss ways we can partner on this initiative or to schedule a Character Education training at 570 842 3205 email: info@pafamilies.org

Sincerely yours,

Lourdes Swarts

http://www.pafamilies.org/Marriage_Summit.pdf

Susceptibility to Infidelity in the First Year of Marriage David M. Buss & Todd K. Shackelford. Which individuals are most susceptible to infidelity based on personality factors, context of the relationship and “relative mate value”.

Should we Live Together before we say “I do?” – National Healthy Marriage Resource Center (PDF - 34 KB) This resource walks individuals and couples through things to consider before making a decision to live together before marriage.

“Consider Expectations Before Marriage” This article explains the importance of understanding your partner’s goals, values, family history, and expectations in a relationship before making the decision to get married to the level of marital success.

“Finding Strengths and Weaknesses Before Marriage” This article describes the Relationship Evaluation (RELATE) Survey/Questionnaire available to couples considering marriage. This survey helps couples answer important questions regarding their family history, personal characteristics, common values, communication ability, and conflict management skills.

“Should We Live Together?” Social science research suggests that despite the popularity of cohabitation among young couples, living together before marriage is detrimental to a relationship in several ways.

Premarital Education, Marital Quality, and Marital Stability : Findings From a Large, Random Household Survey. Journal of family psychology. Using a large random survey of 4 middle American states, the authors found that participation in premarital education was associated with higher levels of satisfaction and commitment in marriage and lower levels of conflict-and also reduced odds of divorce.

Altering the Course of Marriage : the Effect of PREP Communication Skills Acquisition on Couples’ Risk of Becoming Maritally Distressed. Journal of family psychology. This longitudinal study predicted marital outcome from communication skills gained from participation in the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP; H. J. Markman, S. L. Blumberg & S. M. Stanley, 1989; Stanley et al., 2001) by 39 women and 38 men.

Why marriage matters : twenty-one conclusions from the social sciences. Center of the American Experiment. This article summarizes key social sciences research findings on marriage in the areas of family, economics, physical health and longevity, mental health and emotional well-being, and crime and domestic violence.

Are we Compatible? - Part of the Marriage Matters Series, this fact sheet explores the issue of exploring compatibility during courtship. (Ohio State University Extension, 2003)

“Before You Say I Do” - A fact sheet by the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension

Excerpt from Susan Pivers’ Book “Questions: 100 Questions to Ask Before Marriage”

“Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying” - New York Times

10 Marriage Mistakes

by Mark Goulston, M.D.
Click here for more

Why Marriage Matters

Twenty-Six Conclusions from the Social Sciences
full conclusions