A New Journey in Life: Moving to Portland, Oregon

On July 31, 2009 I will be ending my employment as Minister of Peace and Justice with Mennonite Mission Network due to $3.5 million in budget cuts. Around the same time my wife, Iris, accepted a position as Executive Conference Minister for Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference starting in September. So, we will be moving to Portland, Oregon in August. I grew up and lived in California most of my life, so at least I will be back on the West Coast.

Once I am settled in Portland I will work on re-establishing a Drumming for Peace network and channels for offering my DFP programs in that part of the country. A new network of drumming friends and partners will be great, since I have done my Drumming for Peace programs from the East Coast for 7 years now. I will also be looking for employment, so if anyone is reading this from Portland: I AM LOOKING FOR A JOB, RELATED TO DRUMMING WOULD BE NICE! I will be maintaining this blog through the move. Check back as I share some of my transition to a new place. My hope is that during my newly acquired free time i can write a book on Drumming for Peace with a DVD demonstrating the learning exercises, so others can use the program I have offered in so many places across the U.S. for the last 7 years.

Peace,

Leo Hartshorn
Co-director, Drumming for Peace