As befits the season, the December issue of The Peaceable Table has a
theme of mother and child, symbolic of Divine compassion for the
helpless and vulnerable.

*   The Editorial, "Wound Round with Mercy," reflects on a nursing
mother's sudden perception of the presence of God as an all-loving,
all-nurturing mother. How can this intuition of infinite maternal Love
make sense in a world where we see the suffering of abandoned children
and exploited baby animals?

*   One of the NewsNotes reports the encouraging news of the passing
of California's anti-cage Proposition 2.

*   Alex and Me, the story of the relationship of the articulate
African Grey parrot and his guardian, scientist Irene Pepperberg, is
one of the books reviewed.

•  In the Gems, Elie Wiesel urges us to "Take sides," because
neutrality and silence always favor the oppressor.

*  One of Angela Suarez' new recipes is a delicious vegan version of
the old favorite, rice pudding.

*  This issue features a special relationship: our Pioneer, Dorothy
Tucker Samuel, is the mother of our Pilgrim, Bill Samuel (who in fact
qualifies as a Pioneer himself).  Following Dorothy's courageous and
compassionate leadership, the Samuel family chose to live Christ's way
of peace and love for all their fellow beings amidst a dangerous world
of blindness, racism, and exploitation.

*  The Poetry column features mystics Thomas Merton and Gerard Manley
Hopkins, who write of Holy Sophia and the Blessed Virgin.

The Peaceable Table is intended to be interactive; we are always happy
to receive contributions from our readers.

To read this issue, go to http://www.vegetarianfriends.net/issue49.html

God Bless Us, Every One--

Gracia Fay Ellwood
Editor