THE LEPOCO ANNUAL DINNER!

In character as Reverend Billy, Talen acts as the spiritual leader of the Church of Life After Shopping, a radical performance community using theater, humor, and grassroots organizing to advance individuals and communities towards a more equitable future. They are dedicated to participatory democracy, ecological sustainability, the preservation of vibrant communities and local economies, and the return of free expression to public space. They pursue these goals through creative resistance to consumerism, militarism and the corporations who profit from these systems. In short, they work for peace and justice. After several years of writing and producing experimental theater in California, Bill Talen moved to New York City in 1994, where he became an artist in residence at St. Clement's Church. Taking inspiration from Andy Kaufman, Lenny Bruce, and Professor Elaine Pagels, Talen developed his street preacher persona in collaboration with Reverend Sidney Lanier. Soon, the Reverend Billy came to life on the sidewalks of Times Square. Opposing the corporate takeover and Disneyfication of the neighborhood, he set up his portable pulpit at the door of the Mouse, the Disney Store. Moral soap operas, also called "Retail Interventions" were staged inside the chain stores, principally Disney, the GAP, Nike, and Starbucks. The satirical preacher was soon accompanied by a choir, and began staging whole “Worships”, where unsuspecting shoppers were jolted with passionate sermons and songs decrying the sweatshop exploitative tactics of these corporate entities. Bill Talen is the author of two books "What Should I Do if Reverend Billy is in My Store?" and "What Would Jesus Buy?: Fabulous Prayers in the Face of the Shopocalypse", and is featured in the film "What Would Jesus Buy?" He has won the OBIE Award, The Dramalogue Award, The Historic Districts Council's “Preservation” Award (for leading demonstrations to save the Edgar Allan Poe House at 85 W 3rd Street, NYC), has been jailed over 50 times, and ran for mayor of New York City as the Green Party candidate in 2009.

The program will also feature the drawing for an Art Raffle, the election of LEPOCO's Steering Committee members and music by the LEPOCO Peace Singers. The Art Raffle includes prizes donated by Sommerville Pottery, Lee & Ellen Buck, Gene Mater, and Anna Reczek, all artists and craftspeople working in the Lehigh Valley area. Gift certificates were also donated by Sign of the Bear Natural Foods Store and the Civic Theatre of Allentown's 19th Street Theatre. Doors open at 5pm, for music and appetizers, with a festive vegetarian dinner being served at 5:30pm. The program should begin at 6:15pm. Program-only tickets $10 (limited income $5) can be purchased in advance or at the door. Tickets for the dinner and program are $25 regular and $10 for limited income and children. Reservations for the dinner must be made by Friday, February 26th, at the LEPOCO Peace Center, call 610-691-8730, e-mail lepoco@fast.net, or visit 313 West Fourth Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015.

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Who We Are

LEPOCO is a non-profit citizens group of more than 500 members, primarily in the Lehigh Valley area of eastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1965 to oppose the war in Vietnam, LEPOCO's concerns have broadened to include a range of problems that threaten peace and our planet.

LEPOCO members share a vision that we can build a sane and more just world. Gathering strength from our diversity, we work together and as individuals for nonviolent change, starting in our own community.

What We Do

LEPOCO works to build a just society and a peaceful world through nonviolent action. Activities and programs occur as need dictates and the interest of our members allows. Current offerings, open to interested members of the public, include:

Newsletters and E-mails: LEPOCO's monthly newsletter and regular e-mail updates keep our members informed of upcoming activities and report on our work and issues of concern.

Peace Camp: Young people (ages 6-12), teens, and adults are invited to participate in this week of stories, games, music and crafts each July.

Information Programs: LEPOCO presents expert speakers, films, study groups, nonviolence training, youth peacemaker training and informal "Potluck and Politics" sessions for our members and the community.

Outreach: LEPOCO members welcome the opportunity to make presentations for schools, churches and community gatherings. Recent topics included Colombian Peace Communities, young people and militarism, and the growing economic divide. We staff information tables at local festivals and counter recruitment tables in high schools.

Singers: The LEPOCO Peace Singers welcome new members as they prepare to perform for group functions and community programs.

Working Groups: LEPOCO has several active working groups. Currently they include the Youth and Militarism Committee, the Americas Solidarity Group, the Nuclear Abolition Sisters, the Lehigh Valley Bill of Rights Defense Committee, and the Lehigh Valley Committee Against State Killing. We take an active role in the Lehigh Valley Peace Coalition working to end the war in Iraq.

Public Actions: LEPOCO members engage in leafleting, vigils, demonstrations and civil disobedience to focus attention on crucial issues. We often organize buses and car pools to national demonstrations.

Resource Center: The Peace Center has literature on issues important to LEPOCO, including information for young people with questions about draft registration and military recruitment. There is a specialized collection of books and videos available for loan. The Center also has a large collection of buttons, bumper stickers, cards and booklets for sale. During the winter holiday season we sell international fair trade crafts.

Networking: While LEPOCO is a locally autonomous organization, we do cooperate with regional and national groups including the Fellowship of Reconciliation, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, United for Peace and Justice, and the War Resisters League, and local organizations such as the Alliance for Sustainable Communities - Lehigh Valley, Association of Students Advocating Peace, Brandywine Peace Community, Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center, Lehigh Valley Progressive Student Alliance, Lehigh Valley Veterans for Peace, and the Pocono Progressives.

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