Words few and savory, seasoned with Grace

2011-01-05T21:56:00.000-08:00

To those who follow this blog:

As FWCC (Friends World Committee for Consultation) staff, I originally set up this blog to publish information about Western Quaker Churches and Meetings, publishing short summaries of information I found in Newsletters, on the internet, and from other sources. As I am no longer doing this work, I will now use the blog for my own musings, both Quaker and otherwise.

For example, I have been pondering my own history. How did I get from a young girl, running free on Fox Island in the middle of South Puget Sound, Washington, to this older (hopefully wiser) 60 ++ Quaker woman sitting in her bedroom with her computer in Portland, Oregon?

An overview of my Quaker history:

It started on an Air Force base near Fairbanks, Alaska. I met a civilian who happened to be a Quaker, married him, and little-by-little became a Quaker myself.

August 1968 I moved from Alaska to State College, Pennsylvania. I attended State College Meeting just a few times, but as it was my first Quaker Meeting, it remains in my heart.

January 1969 we moved to suburban Virginia. I tried a couple of Meetings, then settled on Goose Creek Meeting in Lincoln, VA where I first became a member.

In 1972 we moved to the town of Harvard in Massachusetts and we attended Acton Meeting.

1973 we moved to Tucson, AZ where we attended Pima Meeting. ( I was very confused when I visited the Friends Church in Tucson. Not what I expected. I’ve learned so much since then. And prayers please for Northwest Friends Church, Tucson, AZ whose church recently burned due to arson.)

1974 we moved to Bellevue, WA (Later Redmond, WA), attended and joined Eastside Meeting.

Things settled down for awhile and it wasn’t until 1987 when we moved to Corvallis, OR and joined Corvallis Meeting.

I now live in Portland, OR and am a member of Bridge City Meeting.

2010-11-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

News from Friends World Committee for Consultation

The World Conference of Friends will happen April 17-25, 2010 at Kabarak University near Nakuru, Kenya with the theme Being salt and Light: Friends living the Kingdom of God in a broken world.

It has come to my attention that there is some confusion as to who goes to this conference. I found the following on the FWCC World website. http://www.fwccworld.org/

There are two ways you can apply to attend the World Conference:

1. As a delegate selected by your yearly meeting. A mailing has gone out to each yearly meeting (whether or not affiliated with FWCC) advising them of the number of delegates they are entitled to send. They have been asked to let the World Office know if they will use all these delegate spaces by the end of September 2010 and to provide the names of the delegates by December 2010. The World Office will send those delegates registration forms. Each yearly meeting determines how it will name its delegates.
2. Via an Open Place. There will be 300 spaces reserved for Open Place applicants plus any spaces not used by yearly meetings. Applications are available from the World Office or you may fill in the online form.

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Wyoming Friends Meeting gathered in Sheridan, Wyoming, Nov. 5-7.

First Friends, Whittier (CA) will host the Whittier Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 21. Friends will participate as hosts during this traditional event.

Rehearsals start soon at West Hills Friends Church (Portland, OR) for the church’s informal "Christmas Choir." The group will help lead music throughout December, with some simple but beautiful choral arrangements of seasonal carols -- some familiar, some unusual.

For the message one Sunday at West Hills Friends Church (Portland, OR) Mike Huber read Matthew 5:14-16, carved a pumpkin, and told a story about inward Light. The Light inside a jack-o-lantern can only keep burning if it has a way to “come out.”

The Victoria Society of Friends Meeting House on Fern Street, where not only does the Victoria Friends Meeting (BC) regularly meet for worship, business, and celebration, but where many Friends have been and will be married, supported, enlightened, celebrated, and mourned, will be one hundred years old in May, 2013.

Vancouver Meeting (BC) has had an on-going series of discussions in its Newsletter, Between Friends, about Christianity and Universalism.

Every few years University Friends (Seattle, WA) have gathered for a workshop on concerns about Death & Dying. Friends gathered this November, to worship and share as well as to look at topics that arise when a family member or loved one ages or has a life-threatening disease.

University Friends (Seattle, WA) Crafts Fair will be November 28^th. This simple yet fun and well loved annual event is a service to the Meeting and fee free for vendors.

Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkeley, CA) will hold an After Thanksgiving Potluck on Sunday, November 28^th. Friends are invited to bring their Thanksgiving leftovers, or anything else they wish to share.

Friends at Spring Valley Friends Community Church (CA) are urged to bring family and friends to church and a Pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Dinner. Friends are reminded that the holidays are a time when non-church-goers are more likely to attend church.

South Seattle Friends (WA) plan to hold a celebration to thank University Friends Meeting for its support of South Seattle becoming a monthly meeting.

Good Works of Santa Fe Meeting (NM) constitutes the monetary support (separate from individual and Meeting person power support) of organizations that provide services that are aligned with Quaker concerns. These organizations are local as well as regional, national and international. They are Quaker and non-Quaker.

Because October 31^st was a fifth Sunday, there was sacred dancing before meeting for worship at Santa Cruz Meeting (CA). As it was The Day of the Dead in many cultures, the dances honored ancestors and others who no longer walk this earth whom Friends wanted to remember.

Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) held a “Peace & Social Order” Exploratory Gathering A Friend shared, telling the group about some of the history of Peace and Social Order (P&SO) Committee work within the Santa Cruz Meeting, over a period of many years. The Peace and Social Order Liaison position was formed in January, 2007 and later shared by two Co-Liaisons. This is the Meeting’s present structure for P&SO work. Friends reflected their experiences, thoughts, and expectations in a deep, spirit-led way.

Santa Cruz Friends (CA) noted the need to be sure of the date, time, and purpose of

announcements after Meeting. It can be confusing to newcomers if those giving announcements are confused.

Sandpoint Meeting (ID) is considering becoming a Committee of the Whole which would take the place of Education Committee, Buildings & Grounds and Ministry. The Committee would consider emerging, half-formed ideas and would be open to everyone to discuss topics, visions and different ways of solving problems. Committee of the Whole would make decisions and take Minutes on those decisions.

San Jose Friends (CA) are invited to enjoy an afternoon of worship-sharing and Quaker-style discussion on November 21st. The theme will be 125 Years And Beyond – What is your vision for San Jose Friends Meeting? This year the Meeting House is 125 years old. How has San Jose Friends Meeting been led by Spirit and where is it going? A vegetarian lunch will be provided immediately following Meeting for Worship.

San Francisco Meeting (CA) approves sponsoring a cluster meeting of Friends in the Bay

Area, to be hosted by Peace and Social Concerns, to address environmental queries from Friends World Committee for Consultation.

Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) will have a Thanksgiving Eve Service on Wednesday, November 24, at 7:00 p.m. This is a unique service that many people look forward to as their favorite church family gathering of the year. There will be times of thanksgiving, praise and worship through music, and shared testimonies. This year, Rose Drive will also be joined by our two daughter churches: Puente de Gracia (Spanish speaking) and Jesus' Friends Community Church (Korean speaking). The elements of communion will be made available for all to partake.

Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) is offering a seven-week series on Sunday mornings called Christian Caring as a Way of Life. This class will help Friends if they have ever wanted to be used by God to touch others' lives, but didn't know what to do or say.

At Friend Weekend at Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) Friends will experience great music and a message called "Real Friends." In addition to regular refreshments, the church will offer free soft serve ice cream after each service! Friends are invited to take the step to pray and invite someone who doesn't know Christ yet or who doesn't have a home church, as it can have a huge impact.

Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR) held a Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 13^th.

Musical opportunities at Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR) include:

· The 8th annual sing along of Handel’s “Messiah” at 6:30 pm on December 5th. The Sing Along is open to anyone who would like to sing or just listen. The singing will be followed with fellowship and refreshments.

· On December 12, beginning at 6:30pm, Friends are invited to attend a Christmas play and concert presented by Reedwood children and adults including brass, bells, cello and choirs. Afterward all will move to the Friendship Center for holiday desserts. Bring neighbors, family, friends and a favorite dessert to share!

Redwood Forest Friends (Santa Rosa, CA) discuss the needs of all whose diminished hearing impedes full participation in worship.

Friends at Redwood Forest Friends (Santa Rosa, CA) have the opportunity for solo vocal roles in a Sing-Along Messiah event. The Sing-Along will occur on Sunday, December 5^th.

Pima Friends (Tucson, AZ) are being asked to season the meeting’s budget. That is, they are asked to hold the budget in the Light, to pray for guidance and to listen to how Friends are being led by the Spirit. This decision is not just about each line item or a surplus or deficit; it is about what God is calling the Meeting to do. Friends are not voting with their checkbooks, they are asked to come to unity on how they are led as a meeting, as a community.

Ministry and Oversight of Orange County Meeting (Irvine, CA) is hosting informal 'Teas” on the first Wednesday of the month. The purpose is entirely social, and hopefully will provide members and attenders in the area an opportunity for conversation, fellowship and relaxation on a regular basis.

Roughly once a month, about a dozen young people from Newberg Friends Church (OR) drive in to downtown Portland. They crowd into a church and join nearly 200 others in singing simple choruses before heading to a spot under a nearby bridge, where they serve food, wash feet, hand out sleeping bags and clean socks, and listen to people’s stories.

On Sunday, November 14, Friends from Newberg Friends Church (OR) held one combined service for worship at Bauman Auditorium on the George Fox campus. They do this each year to have the whole church together and enjoy each other!

On Sunday, November 7^th, Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) honored its Covenant of Caring with the Amigas del Señor Monastery for Women in Honduras and held them in the Light. Amigas del Señor Monastery for Women is a monastery practicing in the forms of Methodists and Quakers, located in the foothills near the Caribbean Sea in Limón, Colón, Honduras. Sister Alegría, formerly known as Beth Blodgett, is a pediatrician who founded the monastery in 2006. She has been connected with Multnomah Monthly Meeting for twelve years. Their letters home can be read online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amigasdelsenor/.

A midweek meeting for worship at Mountain View Meeting (Denver, CO) is expected to start in November, to be held the first three Wednesdays of each month from 7PM to 8PM.

Friends in Unity with Nature of Missoula Meeting (MT) talked about how to combine inner and outer worlds when they talk about unity with nature. How does a person stay peaceful within--or less despairing-- no matter what is happening around that person?

Missoula Friends (MT) approved supporting the Franklin School Fund this year and encouraged the school’s principal to bring special requests to the Meeting at any time of the year if specific students have particular, urgent needs.

The “library geeks” of La Jolla Meeting (CA) spent one afternoon cleaning and sorting in the Meeting’s library. Friends are asked to admire their handiwork and check out a book.

Humboldt Meeting (Arcata, CA) discussed the proposed Naval testing of weapons off the west coast and their concerns. A Friend wrote a first draft of a minute to present to Meeting for Business.

Martha Dugan of Guatemala Monthly Meeting spoke at Friends House in Santa Rosa, CA. She gave an update of the program including the new community service and ESL projects as well as an overview of economic/political times in Guatemala.

Eugene Meeting (OR) held its 10^th Annual Quaker Holiday Gift Sale on Saturday Nov 13^th. Friends had the opportunity to enjoy, be amazed and purchase the wonderful arts and crafts of their own Quaker Creatives. They found ceramics, woodwork, needlework, paintings, jewelry, toys, clothes and much more, reasonably priced and served with smiles and hugs!

Davis Meeting (CA) will hold an Anti-Semitism Program on Sunday, November 21^st. The announcement said “Since most Quakers are relatively free of anti-Semitic feelings, we may be especially well suited to engage in productive conversations with Jews and Zionists, even about the hard issues in Israel-Palestine. But we need to be aware of any guilts and fears we still carry.”

A successful fall cleanup of the grounds at Corvallis Meeting (OR) has resulted in a spacious and well organized shed, new mulch on all the beds and 3 new blueberry plants.

On December 5 at Corvallis Meeting (OR) Esther Schiedel will lead a discussion during the A.R.E. (Adult Religious Education) program exploring Quaker testimonies and practices and how these relate to—and may help guide—Friends as parents or as adults interacting with children. The discussion will be based on the book Paths to Quaker Parenting.

Friends at Agate Passage Meeting (Poulsbo, WA) were given queries to think about before the Meeting’s threshing session: “(1) What do I like and dislike about Meeting and in what ways would I like to see Meeting grow and change? Why do I feel this way? (2) How can we organize ourselves more simply?”

December 4^th Albuquerque Meeting (NM) will hold a meeting, dedicated to right sharing of meeting funds. Friends are welcome to attend to make decisions about giving out funds for this year. If new organizations are being suggested, Friends are to bring background information, name and address of contact people.

2nd Street Community Church (Newberg, OR) is searching for a new, ¾ time Worship Arts Director, with a beginning date of January 1, 2011. 2nd Street Community Church is a casual church with a serious Mission … Becoming More Like Jesus Christ By Loving God, Loving People, And Serving Our World. 2^nd Street’s worship style is a mixture of contemporary and classic, mixing ancient and modern songs and styles.

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

The American Friends Service Committee, Los Angeles, invited local Friends for a Friends Peace Dialogue on urban gardens and the opening of AFSC’s "Cultivating Spirited Lands" Art Exhibit.

The next meeting of the Christian Friends Conference will be December 11, 2010 at Palo Alto Friends Meeting.

College Park Quarterly Meeting will gather January 15, 2011 at San Francisco Meeting.

Friends joined the Religious Studies Department at George Fox University for Quaker Focus Week, November 8-10. Speakers included Howard Macy and Jamie Johnson; several students shared about their recent trip to Haverford College; and Colin Saxton spoke about diversity within the Quaker movement.

Montana Gathering of Friends is in the process of transitioning from solely a Quarterly Meeting to serve as both the Quarterly Meeting for all Montana Friends and the Monthly Meeting for all the Worship Groups formerly under the care of the Heartland Monthly Meeting. This transition is intended to simplify procedures and conserve the energies of Montana’s dispersed Worship Groups, particularly since MGOF has served as the central organizing forum for the Heartland Worship Groups for many years. Once the transition is complete there will be three Monthly Meetings in Montana: Missoula, Billings, and MGOF.

The Portland Area Gathering of Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church was Saturday, November 13^th. Friends worshipped with music; Nate Macy spoke on “Group Spiritual Discernment; there was a Discernment Exercise; and a Business Meeting.

Each year, the people of Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church partner together in ministry through the generous support of the Thanksgiving Offering. This year, the Thanksgiving Offering is staying close to home as Friends assist in the training and support of pastors serving local congregations. Training for future and current pastors will be enhanced as half of this year’s offering will go toward completing a Friends Center scholarship for graduate students at George Fox Evangelical Seminary. The other half of the Thanksgiving Offering will be dedicated to the Pastoral Assistance Fund under the care of the NWYM Board of Elders.

The next Pacific Northwest Quaker Women’s Theology Conference plans to meet in June 2012. The location is yet to be determined. For information and/or to be involved in planning contact Becky Ankeny rjt.ankeny@gmail.com and Nancy McLauchlan nancymaemc@gmail.com.

There is a proposal to change the name of Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting to Cascade Regional Meeting.

Pacific Yearly Meeting Representative Committee will meet at the San Francisco Meeting on the weekend of March 4-6, 2011.

Twin Rocks Friends Conference Center has responded to coastal tsunami concerns by detailing camp tsunami emergency procedures and shoring up supplies.

Berkeley Friends Church will host the annual meeting of the Western Association of the Religious Society of Friends (WARSF) on February 11-12, 2011. The Board of Oversight will meet on Friday evening, and then the general meeting of members the following afternoon.

Willamette Quarterly Meeting will meet for its annual business meeting on Saturday, February 5^th at Corvallis Friends Meeting.

2010-10-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Agate Passage Meeting (Poulsbo, WA) held a Threshing Session on “What do we want our meeting to be?”

Beginning in January, 2011, a book study will be scheduled at Albuquerque Meeting (NM) for interested adults. The book is To Be Broken and Tender: A Quaker Theology for Today by Margery Post Abbott.

Ministry and Counsel of Bellingham Meeting (WA) proposed an emergency plan for closing down Meeting: Key people will make the decision on whether or not to have Meeting due to weather. A Key person will call Friends on Ministry and Counsel and an e-mail message would be sent out. Friends would check their email first, if questions, call Ministry and Counsel.

For the Children’s Program at Bellingham Meeting (WA), a bound composition book will be used for sign-in and kept as a record. A Child Registry form will be created for the purpose of identifying 1) allergies and 2) permission to pick up. Children's allergy information from Child Registry will be posted in kitchen near the food and snacks.

Kathy Bergen, Program Coordinator for Friends International Center in Ramallah, Occupied Palestine, will be at the Berkeley Friends Church (CA) on Wednesday November 10^th. She will share her experiences as the Center works to support the Ramallah Friends Meeting and how the current political context affects their work. Of special concern are access and movement, together with land confiscation and house demolition.

Friends have a long history of disdaining holidays as mere frivolities. Yet the Thanksgiving Day potluck dinner on Thanksgiving Day at Berkeley Friends Meeting (CA) is the best-attended event on the Meeting calendar.

Boise Valley Meeting (ID) will hold a Workshop on Quaker Process and Conflict Resolution on October 30^th, led by Ann Stever and Dorsey Greene.

Canyon Hills Friends (Yorba Linda, CA) were invited to a presentation of the 2011 budget and leadership at the church’s Annual Congregational Meeting. Dessert was served at the beginning of the meeting.

Chena Ridge Meeting (Fairbanks, AK) is offering a Couple Enrichment Workshop in Fairbanks the weekend of November 5-7.

Thursday November 11th at 7 PM, Kathy Bergen, Ramallah Center Program Coordinator, will speak at Chico Meeting (CA) on supporting peace-building efforts between Israelis and

Palestinians. Everyone is welcome beforehand to join in a vegetarian potluck supper at 5:30 PM. Current conditions for Palestinians will emerge in Bergen’s talk, including restrictions on access and movement, and the continuing process of land confiscation and house demolitions. Quakers have been active in Ramallah since starting a school there in 1869; the Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse was established in 1910.

Chico Meeting (CA) will hold a Winnowing Session on time and money and how they represent our faith both as individuals and as members of a corporate body.

Starting November 10 and every 2nd Wednesday for the months following, after the 6-6:30 pm worship, there will be a worship sharing session at Davis Meeting (CA) about the Advices and Queries for that month. Every 4th Wednesday, at 6:30 pm after worship, and each 3rd Sunday at 8:30 am, Friends are gathering for "grab bag queries" focused on sharing of faith and practice.

Davis Meeting (CA) contacted the manager of the next door apartment building about using their van-accessible parking space. The manager is willing to allow use of their disabled parking space on Sunday mornings.

Eastside Meeting (Bellevue, WA) will celebrate Mildred Joyce’s 100^th birthday on Sunday, November 21^st. Happy Birthday, Mildred!

The International Day of Peace Celebration at Eastside Meeting (Bellevue, WA) brought together about sixty people – ages from 9 months to 99 years. The theme of the evening was “Let Peace Begin with Me”. After dessert, the Raging Grannies sang and children from the Meeting brought everyone into the Meeting room singing “All God’s Children Got a Place in the Choir”.

A touching moment was when Jawad Khaki, of the IMAN Center in Kirkland remembered how after September 2001, Eastside Muslims were looking for a place to worship. They approached several congregations – “Eastside Friends Meeting” he said, “was the first group to say Yes! You can worship here.” Even though they found another space for worship, he has not forgotten Eastside’s kindness and welcoming hospitality.

Doug Larzelier has accepted the call from Homedale Friends Community Church (ID) to serve as interim pastor. Doug has been a longtime member and elder in the church. He recently returned from Albania, where he oversaw a building program for a mission agency.

The Worship and Ministry Committee of Honolulu Meeting (HI) sponsors Third Sunday discussions of Quaker Testimonies. The schedule includes Simplicity, October; Equality, November; Peace, December; and Community, January.

Honolulu Meeting (HI) agreed to hold a discussion meeting on the Meeting’s peace and social justice witness and on the Meeting’s possible relationship to the future entity that will follow on from American Friends Service Committee whose office is leaving Honolulu.

Klamath Falls Friends Church (OR) has at times partnered with the local elementary school to provide lunches for poor children during vacations when school is not in session.

A “Garden Camp,” sponsored by the extension office of OSU with its eight two-hour-long sessions, had used the garden which replaced part of the lawn at Klamath Falls Friends Church (OR) to help teach 30 children from the area about the essentials of growing vegetables.

Mountain View Meeting (Denver, CO), through the Quaker Quest Program, will examine as a Meeting what the Meeting believes and practices. They anticipate the program will take more than a year, possibly two or three. Friends will gather and explore the spiritual hunger many feel, the questions they don’t now know how to answer, the concerns where they lack agreement, the issues that cause tension, and – most importantly – what brings them together.

Kathy Bergen, program coordinator at the Friends International Center in Ramallah, will visit Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) on Saturday, November 6^th, at 7PM. She will provide a slide show and lead discussion about peace work of Friends in the conflicted land of Israel-Palestine.

Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) will hold an all-day Quaker Quest workshop on 29 January 2011, to help Friends learn more about Quaker Quest. This would be the beginning of a six-month “in-reach” process of discerning whether Friends want to undertake the full Quaker Quest program including outreach to the wider community.

For several years, Newberg Friends Church (OR) has participated in Operation Christmas Child (OCC). Packing a shoe box full of gifts for a child in need around the world has been a fun way to make a difference in one child’s life. The goal at Newberg Friends Church, between the boxes packed and the cash or supply donations, is for 300 boxes.

North Valley Friends Church (Newberg, OR) is looking for someone to serve as a half-time Administrative Assistant. The person will coordinate and carry out the office and administrative needs of the church. Information: (office@northvalleyfriends.org)

Brandon Baker is the new Interim Youth Pastor at Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR). He is originally from Arizona and a student at George Fox Evangelical Seminary studying spiritual direction.

If Friends at Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR) are interested in playing Handbells they should give Marilyn Pruitt a call.

At Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA), the Friends Serving Friends Men's Ministry is a ministry that embraces the widowed, the single parents, and others in the church and community with long-term needs. This ministry is not project oriented but relationship focused, allowing Friends to make a practical and long lasting difference in the lives of those in need. Men of all ages who can commit to one Saturday a month for three hours of doing odd jobs and small projects are encouraged to participate.

Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) held a Called Congregational Meeting on October 17th in the Sanctuary. Childcare was available.

The Finance Committee of Sacramento Meeting (CA) conducted a survey to gather Friends’ insights about managing the Meeting’s budget for donations, projects, and financial assistance. By far the clearest message conveyed by survey responses is that Friends’ awareness of, commitment to, and involvement with activities is the most important guideline in managing Meeting contributions.

The new restrooms at the meetinghouse of Salt Lake Meeting (UT) are almost complete, and will certainly be by October 30. Buildings & Grounds asks Friends to gather at the Meeting House on that day to spiff the place up after the construction, which has dusted most surfaces upstairs and down, and to give the inside of the building a general thorough cleaning that it hasn't had for a while.

San Diego Meeting (CA) has a new Meeting House with an organic garden with over 100 trees growing fruit for the homeless in the city.

Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) has approved co-sponsoring with the Resource Center for NonViolence an afternoon presentation by "La Vida Nueva"/ Zapotec Women's Weaving Collective (Oaxaca, Mexico) at the Meeting House, November 14. Local Oaxacan students will be performing their native dances in addition to there being many rugs for sale and on display. It
should be an afternoon filled with colorful weavings and costumes!

South Seattle Meeting (WA) is in the process of hiring a teacher for the older children. The Education Committee made an offer to a Friend. If that Friend does not accept the position, the committee will consider her reservations as they shape the job description and the continuing search. When a teacher is hired, there will be one volunteer each meeting instead of two.

South Seattle Meeting (WA) will hold its third annual Meeting for Remembering on Saturday, November 6^th (Saturday). At this Meeting Friends honor those dear to them who died recently or long ago and remain in their hearts.

Spring Valley Friends Church (CA) gathered for its 18^th annual Love Fest. Twenty-three people joined in a time of worship, communion, singing and praise. During Raise His Praise some shared what God had impressed on them while others sat in thoughtful silence.

Tigard Community Friends Church (OR) strives to make an impact on its community. Most adults who live in this area go to work during the week. Though Friends share the same neighborhood, they did not know most of the neighbors. First they invited the neighbors to a barbeque and to participate in a community garden. Friends are also hosting a financial management class and have invited the neighborhood to join in this class.

Kathy Bergen, program coordinator at the Friends International Center in Ramallah, will visit West Hills Friends (Portland, OR) on Sunday, November 7th at 11AM. She will provide a slide show and lead discussion about peace work of Friends in the conflicted land of Israel-Palestine.

West Hills Friends (Portland, OR) participated in a labyrinth made from the food YOU have donated!

Mark Pratt-Russum is now youth pastor at West Hills Friends (Portland, OR). Both Mark and his wife Beth are graduates of Eastern University in Pennsylvania. They lived in Denver prior to accepting this call.

Quaker Quest will be presented by members of First Friends, Whittier (CA) on the subjects of Quakers and the Religious Experience, Quakers and Equality, and Quakers and Social Action. There will be six sessions in March and April, 2011.

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

The Alternatives to Violence Project will present a Basic Community Workshop on November 5-7 at Salem Meeting.

The Ben Lomond Quaker Center announces an internship opportunity beginning in early 2011 for an individual who is led to service with the Religious Society of Friends and who hopes to

learn about nonprofit management and social justice work.

The next meeting of the Christian Friends Conference will be December 11, 2010 at Palo Alto Friends Meeting.

The Friends Committee on Legislation Annual Bay Area Dinner will be at the Hillside

Club in, Berkeley, CA on Saturday, November 6.

The Intermountain Yearly Meeting Clerk is forming a task group to advise the Yearly Meeting about the direction it should take in assisting meetings with Quaker service. Each monthly meeting is asked to appoint a representative to the task group.

This is a year of evaluation of the new North Pacific Yearly Meeting structure, replacing the old Steering Committee with a Coordinating Committee. The major effect of the change is that more business is now handled at Annual Session.

North Pacific Yearly Meeting Coordinating Committee will meet on October 30^th at the Multnomah Meetinghouse.

Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church will observe Peace Month in January 2011! Friends are asked you to participate by sending in submissions for the Daily Reader, a booklet with an entry for each day of the month of January. Information: peaceeducation@nwfriends.org

There are two openings for pastoral positions in Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church. Crossroads Community Church in Astoria, Oregon, is looking for a bi-vocational lead pastor. Information:csaxton@nwfriends.org

Friends in the Portland-area of Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church are invited to gather at Lynwood Friends on November 13. There will be a potluck at 5:00pm, followed by an opportunity to hear Nate Macy speak on discernment.

There is a proposal to change the name of Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting to Cascade Regional Meeting.

Pacific Yearly Meeting Representative Committee will meet at the San Francisco Meeting on the weekend of March 4-6, 2011.

The Fall gathering of Southern California Quarterly Meeting will be at Temescal Canyon Conference Grounds, Pacific Palisades, CA. Nov 6-7. The theme for this Fall Gathering, “Speaking Truth with Love: Transforming Conflict in Our Quaker Communities,” has two points of origin. One is the prevalence of unresolved conflicts of various sorts within the monthly meetings as reflected in the 2010 State of the Meeting reports. In some cases, these conflicts have resulted in lingering resentments and polarization within Meetings. The other point of origin for this theme is the idea, explored by George Lakey at Pacific Yearly Meeting, that Friends suffer from a pervading disposition toward conflict avoidance.

2010-10-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Pumpkin carving will be the activity in the Fellowship Hall of First Friends, Whittier (CA) on Saturday, October 30^th. Friends will view a jack-o-lantern display on Sunday after Meeting for Worship.

Tempe Friends (AZ) are joyously invited to a Dia de los Muertos celebration on October 31st. The Counsel & Oversight Committee invites Friends to prepare, and share, information helpful to the community at the time of death. (Documents are available on the Tempe Meeting website.) The Hospitality Committee invites Friends to participate in the creation of a Dia de los Muertos ofrenda and potluck. The First Day School will be learning about Dia de los Muertos and making traditional handcrafts to contribute to the ofrenda decoration, and will be accepting ofrenda items that Friends choose to contribute in honor of individual and communal ancestors.

The Ministry and Oversight Committee of Tacoma Meeting (WA) recognized the need for additional members for the Nominating Committee. Ministry and Oversight also proposed that the Meeting consider laying down all formal committees except the Ministry and Oversight and Building and Grounds Committees, since membership has been dwindling and people are not available to serve on other committees. Friends will continue the discussion.

The Facilities Committee of Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkeley, CA) rented a smaller storage space which reduced the cost considerably. The Facilities Committee intends to clarify what should and should not be stored and prepare guidelines for future storage.

Many Friends at the August 31st outdoor worship of Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkeley, CA) at Live Oak Park expressed how joyous it was to sit in silence surrounded by nature. Worship & Ministry Committee is considering whether and how more such outdoor/nature worship experiences might be offered. One suggestion was to occasionally set up chairs outdoors at the Berkeley Technology Academy.

North Pacific Quarterly Meeting approved South Seattle Friends Meeting (WA) for full monthly meeting status. Those at South Seattle who are members of University Friends Meeting and would like to transfer their membership to South Seattle will be part of a one-time mass transfer of membership.

The Clerks of Santa Monica Meeting (CA) are planning to organize a welcoming potluck for the new clerks of committees to discuss Quaker process.

For many years, Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) had a Peace and Social Order Committee.

Then, in 2007, the Meeting created a Peace and Social Order Liaison position instead of a committee. At first one person served, then two people served as Co-Liaisons, holding this space open in the Meeting’s life. Now those two people are ready to lay down their Liaison work as of the end of December, 2010, thus allowing others to pick up the work, perhaps in a new or different way.

The co-clerks of Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) have been considering changing the December Business Meeting to be a sharing on who Friends are as a meeting and what the Meeting is called to do in the coming year. In order to make the change to the normal agenda, committees will bring matters to either the November or January business meetings.

Santa Fe Friends (NM) approved the proposal to offer Kathleen Burke, the current resident at the Meeting House, an optional fourth year, which would begin in September 2011. The normal term for resident is three years.

After more discussion in the Ministry & Caring Committees, Friends at San Jose Meeting (CA) are dropping the idea of trying an extended meeting. Instead, Friends ask that the greeter, who breaks the meeting, try to pay less attention the clock and respond more to the sense of when meeting is over.

The Children’s Religious Education Committee of San Francisco Meeting (CA) is asking the Meeting to hire a First-Day School teacher for children 5-11 years old. The person would be with the children on a regular basis each week and would lead the First Day School group on days in which no parent is able to attend.

Salem Meeting (OR) will host an Alternatives to Violence Project, Basic Community Workshop, on November 5-7.

An Ault Elective class at Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA), called “It’s Your Serve!”is a seminar that will help Rose Drive Friends discover that God has given them spiritual gifts and a heart for serving Him.

The Singles Group at Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) meets the First Friday of every month for “Global Grazing.” Singles dine at various ethnic restaurants with other singles. Kathy Perry, missionary serving in Ireland, joined the group on October 1^st.

Friends from Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) and the Worship Groups under the care of the Meeting (Friends House WG, Lake County WG, and Ukiah WG) are invited to worship together at the Meeting House on the Fifth Sunday, October 31. Worship will be followed by a light meal. All are invited to participate in a discussion, in the spirit of loving dialogue, on the relationship between Redwood Forest Meeting and the Worship Groups under its care. What does it mean for a Worship Group to be under the care of the Meeting?

Nominating Committee of Palo Alto Meeting (CA) has been working to draw a distinction between Representative and Liaison positions. Representatives would be entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses, while Liaisons would not. The committee proposes that Representative positions be those serving on governing bodies of the organizations to which they are sent.

Orange County Meeting (Irvine, CA) is considering whether to change the Meeting’s annual retreat to a time other than Easter weekend. The original idea was to get away from the consumerism and hyper-activity of the Easter holiday and to use the time in a way that would be quieter and more spiritually enriching and would strengthen the community. However, this excludes those who are involved with family celebrations at that time.

Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) Peace and Social Concerns is offering to support a young Friend to attend the Friends Committee on National Legislation Annual Meeting Nov. 11-14.

Friends at Missoula Meeting (MT) were asked to bring a special object about which they had a personal story to tell, during a session on “Getting to know one another more deeply.”

Ministry and Oversight of Santa Fe Friends (NM) made arrangements for Santa Fe Friends to visit Las Vegas Worship Group (NM).

La Jolla Meeting (CA) has plans for November. They hope to have a discussion on “Gracious Aging” and a Talking meeting on inclusivity and place of LGBT people in Meeting

Humboldt Meeting (CA) asks if they change the title of Peace and Social Concerns to Peace, Earth Care, and Social Concerns, how can they make it more than a name change?”

In response to the loss or extended leaves-of-absence of books from the Grass Valley Meeting Library (Nevada City, CA), the Library Committee drafted proposed language for signage that is expressed in the spirit of stewardship - the careful, responsible management of something entrusted to one.

Fifth Sunday is a special time of Worship at Grass Valley Meeting (Nevada City, CA). Sunday, October 31, will be an hourly combination of 20 minutes of singing, 20 minutes of magical storytelling (appropriate for both young and old), and 20 minutes of Silent Worship

Fresno Meeting (CA) expressed its satisfaction with its new Meeting place.

Tom Rawson was at Eugene Meeting (OR) for the seventh annual “Close the School of the Americas” concert. Friends raised money and had a great time for a good cause. �

The Children’s Religious Education Committee of Eugene Meeting (OR) has been concerned about Junior Friends with only one or two visiting occasionally. The Committee hopes to connect with Yearly and Quarterly Meeting Junior Friends and to form a new Junior Friend’s planning committee consisting of three adults and several junior friends. �

Corvallis Meeting (OR) agreed to rent a table and print a banner for the Oregon State University Student Involvement Fair.

Corvallis Meeting (OR) will hold an Adult Education session on “Being Single Within the Community”: What is the role and responsibility of the Meeting toward single adults? . . . of single adults in the Meeting? What are the unmet needs and struggles for single people? What does the single attender gain from the Meeting?

October 30 to 31, Friends Southwest Center in McNeal, AZ is hosting a 35th anniversary gathering. In addition to feasting and visiting, Friends hope to collect stories and history for the last 35 yrs of this ongoing experiment in intentional community. FSC and members of Cochise Worship Group (McNeal, AZ) will offer hospitality for as many as possible.

Worship and Ministry Committee of Chico Meeting (CA) is working on discernment about the worship life of the Meeting, in particular the post-worship announcement period, listening carefully and considering the requests and concerns regarding this period. It is also working on structuring Winnowing Sessions once a month as non-decision-making time to labor with some of the deeper questions the Meeting must consider as a whole.

Chena Ridge Meeting (Fairbanks, AK) is offering a Couple Enrichment Workshop in Fairbanks the weekend of November 5-7.

Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) asked for prayer for its team that went to Juarez, Mexico . They drove to curb costs and to take materials.

Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) will hold its 5^th Annual Canyon Carnival on Sunday evening, October 31^st.

At Friday night at the movies on October 22^nd at Berkeley Friends Church (CA), Friends will view Lemon Tree, a movie about a Palestinian widow who fights to keep her lemon grove from being uprooted by Israeli security forces.

Friends at Berkeley Meeting (CA) have the opportunity to discuss Parker Palmer’s book, A Hidden Wholeness; the Journey toward an Undivided Life. Friends are asked to bring journals and will try to understand Palmer’s path through writing, poetry and sharing.

Barbara Reynolds will give an illustrated talk at Berkeley Friends Meeting (CA). She volunteered with Friends Peace Teams under its African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI), and helped to build a meeting place for use by workshops to heal trauma.

Oversight and Counsel of Albuquerque Meeting (NM) has brought together a group of Friends in a Care Circle, people who have offered to help other friends when a short-term need arises. Several volunteers are willing to take on limited yet important tasks such as driving friends to appointments, helping with shopping, doing laundry, reading, doing errands, writing notes and letters, overseeing bills, making phone calls, watering plants, house- or person-sitting, etc.

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

The Alternatives to Violence Project will present a Basic Community Workshop on November 5-7 at Salem Meeting.

The American Friends Service cordially invites Friends Meetings to attend a one-day Peace-building workshop at the AFSC Community Office in downtown Los Angeles on October 23rd. This one-day workshop is designed to help build a renewed sense of community, a deeper connection to one another, and a shared vision and action plan for nonviolent peacemaking for tomorrow.

Amigas del Señor Monastery for Women is a monastery practicing in the forms of Methodists and Quakers, located in the foothills near the Caribbean Sea in Limón, Colón, Honduras. They seek other women to join them in a life of prayer and service. Sister Alegría, formerly known as Beth Blodgett , is a pediatrician who founded the monastery in 2006. She has been connected with Multnomah Meeting for twelve years. Read letters from Amigas del Señor online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amigasdelsenor/. They are also on Facebook.

The Ben Lomond Quaker Center announces an internship opportunity beginning in early 2011 for an individual who is led to service with the Religious Society of Friends and who hopes to learn about nonprofit management and social justice work.

The Casa de Los Amigos in Mexico City now hosting daily Spanish classes for recently arrived refugees in Mexico City. The classes began in response to the June 2nd arrival of 198 additional Haitian earthquake refugees. Learning basic Spanish quickly is absolutely critical for refugee families to begin to rebuild their lives in Mexico City. The free classes currently serve mostly Haitians but also Iranians, Nepalis, and people from several African nations (most of whom are current or former Casa guests).

The quarterly meeting of the Christian Friends Conference was held on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Berkeley Friends Church, with about 18 present, fairly evenly divided between Friends Meetings and Friends Churches. Following a brief period of worship, a reading was offered from Francis Howgil's 1665 The True Rule and Guide of the true Church discovered. Friends settled into waiting worship, to hear Bible readings. Following a period of fellowship over lunch, Friends gathered again for a round table discussion of the question, how does Truth prosper among you? The next session will be December 11, 2010 at Palo Alto Friends Meeting. A planned meeting of a Christian Friends Conference in Southern California was announced, organized by Kim Palmer.

Colorado Regional Meeting will gather October 22-24 in Estes Park. This year’s featured speaker is Mary Lord. Mary Lord worked professionally in the field of peace and security for thirty years, including as Assistant General Secretary for Peace and Conflict Resolution for AFSC and with the program on peaceful prevention of armed conflict for FCNL. She is the Henry J. Cadbury scholar at Pendle Hill for 2009-2010.

The Friends Committee on Legislation Annual Bay Area Dinner will be at the Hillside Club in, Berkeley, CA on Saturday, November 6.

October 30 to 31 Friends Southwest Center in McNeal, AZ will host a 35th anniversary gathering. In addition to feasting and visiting, Friends hope to collect stories and history for the last 35 yrs of this ongoing experiment in intentional community. FSC and members of Cochise Worship Group will offer hospitality for as many as possible.

Intermountain Yearly Meeting approved two minutes that concerns about conditions in our world and nation. The first was on Immigration, spurred by the passage of Arizona SB 1070. The second was on the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both minutes have been distributed to the Congressional delegations and governors from Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico and to the President of the United States, Barack Obama.

The Fall women's healing weekend of the Montana Gathering of Friends (MGOF), which will be on the weekend of October.22-24, Friday evening through Sunday noon, and held at Flathead Lake at the Methodist Church camp.

With 204 quizzers, coaches, and officials (so far) from Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church, this weekend's Bible Quiz Meet at Newberg Friends looks to be the largest in more than a decade.

Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church is currently receiving applications from candidates to serve as Communication and Resource Coordinator. Information:csaxton@nwfriends.org

There is a proposal to change the name of Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting to Cascade Regional Meeting.

Pacific Yearly Meeting Representative Committee will meet at the San Francisco Meeting on the weekend of March 4-6, 2011.

For the first time, the eight Woolman Community Interns at Sierra Friends Center arrived during the summer to help with the bountiful garden, and in turn, with feeding Sierra Friends Campers with vegetables straight from the garden. If Friends would like to get their hands in the garden, they are invited to the Harvest Day Work and Celebration on Saturday, October 23^rd.

Twin Rocks Friends Camp and Conference Center finds itself in immediate need of volunteer help to replace the old roads with sidewalks, shrubs, and grassy lawns before big winter rains arrive. Therefore, the camp is seeking people who can help rake dirt and conduct a number of other important tasks between now and the end of October.

Lisa Graham McMinn, author of Walking Gently on the Earth, will lead the Seminar by the Sea at Twin Rocks Friends Camp on October 29-31.

Western Half Yearly Meeting of Canadian Yearly Meeting will meet this October at Camp Valaqua which is located an hour outside of Calgary, Alberta. At WHYM Friends will be reflecting on Global Change and have distributed queries as part of preparation for FWCC Kenya 2012.

2010-10-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

News from Friends World Committee for Consultation

Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas has begun its search for a new Executive Secretary. Margaret Fraser, Executive Secretary of FWCC Section of the Americas, has announced that after more than 8 years, she will be moving on to other work next spring. We will miss her enthusiasm, energy and Spirit-led creativity. Are YOU called to this amazing opportunity for service? Check out the position announcement at www.fwccamericas.org. Do you think of others who should be considered? Talk to them! Have them check out the website and contact us! The Search Committee needs your prayers and your help. Lon Fendall of NWYM is on the committee and Ann Stever of NPYM is clerking it. Please be in touch with the committee at fwccsearch@aol.com. Application deadline December 1, 2010; position to start in Philadelphia, May 1, 2011.

FWCC Cluster Gathering on Global Change Sunday October 24

Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) is asking Friends around the world to share how their lives have been touched by global change—environmental, climate, economic, and social. In order to hear and record our voices, FWCC has organized cluster gatherings for Friends to discuss ―how we have been affected by change, how our faith sustains us, and how our lives may be contributing to the causes of positive and adverse changes in the world today.‖ Following snacks on the fourth Sunday in October, the 24th, Robin Mohr from San Francisco Meeting and Ann Boone (Redwood Forest Meeting) (both PYM reps to FWCC) will conduct a cluster gathering at the Redwood Forest Meetinghouse, Santa Rosa, CA. Friends are invited to join together as we seek spiritual guidance in discerning our response to global change.

The Friends World Committee for Consultation welcomes the news that the people of Kenya have approved their new Constitution. We pray that it will help Kenya to move forward in peace and harmony. One of the provisions of the new Constitution is that national elections could now be held as early as August 2012 rather than in December.

It had originally been envisaged that the Sixth World Conference of Friends would be held in Kenya in August 2012. Since Kenyan Friends, who are hosting the World Conference, will naturally want to focus on the campaign if it is being conducted at that time, it has been decided that it would not be appropriate to plan to hold the World Conference in August.

However, we are pleased to announce that our proposed venue, Kabarak University, near Nakuru, is able to accommodate the World Conference in April 2012. Therefore, we are announcing new dates for the World Conference. It will be held from 17 to 25 April 2012.

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

The responsibilities of the soup wranglers at Missoula Meeting (MT) include (1) making sure that two people have signed up for soup each week and (2) checking the status of kitchen staples.

Friends at Mountain View Meeting (Denver, CO) are gathering on Saturdays to consider “Racism and White Privilege: Turning to One Another.” Topics include: What's power got to do with it? White Privilege; Experiencing the Other; and Spiritual Discernment, Becoming Allies.

Marge Abbott will lead a workshop on October 23rd at Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) on “Supporting & Grounding One Another in Our Ministries - Committees for Clearness and Support, Peer Groups, and Spiritual Friendship.” Friends today have several different ways of accompanying one another in our spiritual journeys and in the particular ministries that grow out of leadings of the Spirit.

Worship and Ministry Committee of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) encourages visits to the worship groups under its care. In 2010-2011, the Meeting hopes to arrange a formal visit to each worship group at least once a quarter.

10-10-10 Is The Date - The Global Coolers of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) are joining the worldwide effort led by 350.org (www.350oregon.org to increase concern and stimulate action against global warming.

Newberg Friends Church (OR) invites Friends to explore their views of God and life using the book The Good and Beautiful Life by James Bryan Smith, an excellent tool for intentional spiritual growth.

The Finance Committee of Pima Meeting (Tucson, AZ) included an important message in the Meeting’s newsletter. Roses are red/Violets are blue/Pima Meeeting's income/Is depending on you.

The Adult Spiritual Development (ASD) Committee of Pima Meeting (Tucson, AZ) will replace the Adult Education Committee and bring about greater consistency in programs. This new focus on spirituality will emphasize connecting with other members and attenders in new relationships through sharing of spiritual experiences in safe contexts for sharing.

Everyone in Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) and the Worship Groups under the care of the Meeting (Friends House WG, Lake County WG, and Ukiah WG) is invited to worship together at 1647 Guerneville Road at 10 AM on the Fifth Sunday, October 31. Worship will be followed by a substantial snack or light meal together Friends from both the Meeting and the Worship Groups are invited to participate in a discussion, in the spirit of loving dialogue, on the relationship between Redwood Forest Meeting and the Worship Groups under its care. What does it mean for a Worship Group to be under the care of the Meeting?

The last Omelet Breakfast of the year at Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) will be on Sunday October 10, to benefit the Internado, a student residence in Bolivia that gives rural indigenous students access to high school and support in preparing for college. Friends recognize that life flows on and so will give a 6-month furlough to the breakfasts while examining whether the breakfasts should continue, or whether it may be time to lay them aside and move on.

The new Sermons Series for the Fall at Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) is titled “REAL: Real Christianity, Real Problems, Real Comfort, Real Hope” with Jim Le Shana speaking

UPWARD BASKETBALL at Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) is a developmental league for boys and girls in grades 1-6 where biblical principles are taught alongside basketball fundamentals.

Oversight Committee of Sacramento Meeting (CA) has discussed the legalities and practicalities of scattering cremated remains on the grounds of the Meetinghouse. Oversight has decided to only consider the scattering of ashes, and not the burial of ashes.

Salem Meeting (OR) will host an Alternatives to Violence Project, Basic Community Workshop. on November 5-7.

To show what a difference a small, dedicated local Quaker meeting can make on an
international scale, Shannon Frediani and Betty Devalcourt spoke to Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) about their visit to Jos, Nigeria.

North Pacific Quarterly Meeting approved South Seattle Friends Meeting (WA) for full monthly meeting status. Members of University Friends Meeting who would like to transfer their membership to South Seattle will be part of a one-time mass transfer of membership.

David Zarembka, Friends Peace Teams, will present “Healing And Rebuilding Community After Genocide And Violence: Lessons from Rwanda , Burundi , Kenya , Congo and Uganda with Friends Peace Teams and trauma healing in East Africa” at University Meeting (Seattle, WA) on October 15^th.

Junior Friends of University Meeting (Seattle, WA) are collecting books to send to Jamaica this winter. The youth were part of the North Pacific Yearly Meeting Junior Friends team who went to Petersfield, Jamaica last summer.

Visalia Meeting (CA) will host Fresno Meeting for the next 5^th Sunday on November 28^th.

At West Hills Friends Church (Portland, OR), a Friend reflected on an exercise that helped her overcome feelings of resentment with feelings of gratitude. Queries included:

Think of someone you judge and/or harbor resentment towards. Now write down at least 10 things that you genuinely like, appreciate or value about this person. Think about this person again. What differences do you notice?
Think of a situation or an area in which you judge yourself and/or dislike yourself. Now write down at least 10 things that you genuinely like, appreciate or value about yourself. Think about yourself again. What changes do you notice?

West Hills Friends (Portland, OR) are invited to enjoy one another’s company as they work on craft projects on Saturday, Oct. 9

Agate Passage Meeting (Poulsbo, WA) considered how the Meeting should be using email communication on its attender list. Friends were of one mind that emails addressing substantive topics (such as assistance to immigrants, future directions for the Meeting, or visits from other Quakers, etc.) are not a respectful way to listen to each other and be gathered in the spirit of Quaker dialogue. Business meeting and other venues such as threshing sessions offer the spiritual space where Friends can speak their minds, listen to others doing the same and work toward resolution.

The fall program for the Albuquerque Meeting (NM) Children’s Program Committee has begun with younger children working on a puppet show “Elmer the Elephant,” and older young friends working on “What is Meeting for Worship?” Friends may receive requests to be interviewed.

John Calvi will lead a workshop at Albuquerque Meeting (NM) on Saturday October 9^th. John says “This workshop will be a relaxing exploration of our lives to see where a sense of our goodness is increased or obstructed. Not much will be asked of you and sharing any life stories will be only by choice. Mostly there will be some laughing and some deep quiet.”

For quite a number of years Albuquerque Meeting (NM) has hoped to have a Quaker presence at the University of Northern Mexico. It appears that Friends now have a group ready to make that a reality.

At Appleseed Meeting (Sebastapol, CA) a Friend will coordinate the collection of photos demonstrating what individual Friends are doing for the environment.

Bellingham Friends (WA) are asked to bring clean, good quality winter coats, hats, gloves and mittens to the worship services this month. Children’s coats are especially needed.

The Children’s Program committee of Bellingham Meeting (WA) will ask parents to commit by Thursday if they plan to stay for second hour the following Sunday.

Ann Stever and Dorsey Green will lead a workshop concerning Quaker process with attention to conflict resolution at Boise Valley Meeting (ID).

Camas Friends Church (WA) is hosting a Spiritual Storytelling Workshop led by Kathy Hyzy on Saturday, October 9^th. Multnomah and West Hills Friends are also invited. This is a wonderful opportunity to practice deep listening, to learn how to share pieces of your spiritual life, and to make new friends!

The Reach team of Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) heads to Long Beach Friends Church the 2nd Sunday of every other month to feed homeless and under resourced people.

October 30 to 31 Friends Southwest Center in McNeal, AZ is hosting a 35th anniversary gathering. In addition to feasting and visiting, Friends hope to collect stories and history for the last 35 yrs of this ongoing experiment in intentional community. FSC and members of Cochise Worship Group (McNeal, AZ) will offer hospitality for as many as possible.

Religious Education Committee of Davis Meeting (CA) has planned monthly themes for children for the school year based on the testimonies. Friends are asked to thinks about their lives and what they might have to contribute based on the testimonies..

The Right Sharing group of Chico Meeting (CA), offering support to those trying to alter lifestyles to reduce their ecological footprints, is working through the book Radical Simplicity.

The discussion group, Quakers Reflect on Aging and Dying, of Chico Meeting (CA) will be meeting in the fall.

Delta Meeting (Stockton, CA) continued the discussion of the Minute from Claremont Meeting on the signing of marriage licenses. Friends agreed to continue to hold this issue in the Light and continue examination in the future.

After deliberating for several months, Durango Meeting (CO) has approved the following Minute. (Durango Meeting is indebted to Wilmington Friends Meeting of Wilmington, North Carolina, for much of the language of this minute.)

Recognizing that of God in every person, we condemn the use of torture for every purpose. War and terrorism inspire fear, but retaliation and torture do not prevent war or fear, accomplish a positive end or yield accurate information. Torture, by any means, whether direct or by proxy, is immoral. Torture demeans the humanity of the tortured, the torturer and those who have knowledge of it. It offends the sanctity of life.

Ministry and Worship Committee of Eastside Meeting (Bellevue, WA) is helping to form Worship-Sharing and Worship-Discussion Groups. F/friends are asked to write a proposal, appoint a leader, and post a signup sheet on the EFM website and at the Meetinghouse

Grass Valley Meeting (Nevada City, CA) notes that in regard to the ending FY 2009-10 budget, it seems likely for at least the second year in a row, income will not meet the goals set by the Meeting last year. It will again require dipping into past reserves to fully fund the current year’s commitments. The Finance Committee feels this cannot be done indefinitely, and ultimately the Meeting will have to reduce the size of the budget (probably in the area of “Outbound Donations”).

Honolulu Meeting (HI) will send out a press release to announce the sessions on the three testimonies that have been scheduled so far: Simplicity, Equality and Peace. The purpose of the release is to invite members of the public who may be interested in knowing about Friends. The Meeting has done this before for Quakerism 101 sessions.

Deaths noted in Newsletters:

Will Tranquilli , Fresno Meeting
Karen Peacock, Honolulu Meeting
Leona Lee, Mountainview Meeting
Roscoe Knight, Newberg Friends Church
Rusty North, Port Townsend Meeting
Dick Votaw, West Chehalem Friends Church

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

The Alternatives to Violence Project will present a Basic Community Workshop on November 5-7 at Salem Meeting.

The American Friends Service Committee will close its Hawaii office after 42 years of program work. The AFSC Pacific Southwest Region will continue to staff offices in Arizona, Los Angeles, New Mexico, and San Diego

The Ben Lomond Quaker Center announces an internship opportunity beginning in early 2011 for an individual who is led to service with the Religious Society of Friends and who hopes tolearn about nonprofit management and social justice work.

College Park Quarterly Meeting will gather for its Fall Session, October 15-17, at Sierra Friends Center, Nevada City, CA. The theme will be: The Inner Light—Finding It, Following It. What do Friends mean when they talk about the Inner Light, Guide or Seed? How can we find it? Once we’ve found it, how do we follow it?

This weekend's Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting at Lazy F near Ellensburg was an opportunity for Friends interested in Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy's Local Response to Global Challenges working group to meet face-to-face to discuss potential legislative issues for the 2011 session, as well as initiatives among Friends in the region and in local communities. At an Interest Group, Friends also had the opportunity to focus on the question: "What can Friends in the Pacific Northwest do to prepare our states and local communities for the challenges of peak oil, climate change, overpopulation, and environmental sustainability?”

The summer gathering of the Montana Gathering of Friends (MGOF) was designed to be theme-less and simple because of the energy devoted to hosting North Pacific Yearly Meeting in Missoula. The MGOF gathering took place in Luccock Park, near Livingston, MT.

There are two openings for pastoral positions in Northwest Yearly Meeting. Crossroads Community Church in Astoria, Oregon, is looking for a bi-vocational lead pastor. Homedale Friends Church in Homedale, Idaho, is looking for a full-time lead pastor. Information:csaxton@nwfriends.org

There is a proposal to change the name of our Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting to Cascade Regional.

The Fall gathering of Southern California Quarterly Meeting will be at Temescal Canyon Conference Grounds, Pacific Palisades, CA. Nov 6-7. The theme for this Fall Gathering, “Speaking Truth with Love: Transforming Conflict in Our Quaker Communities,” has two points of origin. One is the prevalence of unresolved conflicts of various sorts within our monthly meetings as reflected in the 2010 State of the Meeting reports. In some cases, these conflicts have resulted in lingering resentments and polarization within Meetings. The other point of origin for our theme is the idea, explored by George Lakey at Pacific Yearly Meeting, that Friends suffer from a pervading disposition toward conflict avoidance. Lakey sees the unwillingness to bring disagreements out into the open as a recipe for ongoing disunity, and he believes that Friends need to be open to the constructive potential of conflict.

Twin Rocks Friends Camp is offering a Couples Conference, October 15-17. Any couple married in 2009 or 2010 should register via email to access a half-price discount!e married i

Lisa Graham McMinn, author of Walking Gently on the Earth, will lead the Seminar by the sea at Twin Rocks Friends Camp on October 29-31.

2010-08-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

Quaker Youth Pilgrimage in the NW

A funny thing happened on the way to the latest Newsletter Summary. I got very involved with the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage, and not very involved in much else in my life. Thus, much of what you will find listed below is very dated and I missed reporting on many events such as yearly meetings which happened this summer.

The Quaker Youth Pilgrimage, a program of Friends World Committee for Consultation, is in the Northwest this summer. From July 15 to August 12^th, 28 Quaker youth from Great Britain, Europe, Canada and the United States, age 16-18, and 4 leaders are traveling in Oregon and Washington State.

They arrived in Seattle and gathered at Eastside Meeting; after homestays they went to Quaker Cove near Anacortes,WA. They stayed at North Seattle Friends Church before taking AMTRAK to Portland where they stayed at Multnomah Meeting. They are now at Camp Magruder on the Oregon Coast. From there they go to Camas Friends and Anderson Lodge, Ariel, WA, before flying out of Sea-Tac on August 12th.

Many Friends have helped with the Pilgrimage. Special thanks go to cooks Patty Federighi (North Seattle Friends Church), Sea Gabriel (South Seattle Preparative Meeting), Pablo Stanfield (University Meeting), and Kathy Hyzy (Multnomah Meeting).

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Jon Maroni, George Fox University Graduate and George Fox Evangelical Seminary student, has joined the staff at 2^nd Street Community Church (Newberg, OR) as youth pastor.

Friends of Agate Passage Meeting (Poulsbo, WA) were welcomed to a Friends’ home on aWednesday evening for a quiet hour of worship. There was a lot of light in June: sky and water were illuminated by the evening sun.

Albuquerque Friends (NM) hosted a Benefit on behalf of the New Mexico Coalition for Immigrant Justice. The Benefit featured Patricia Morrison, a singer/songwriter from Tucson and Rachel Lazar from El Centro de Derechos y Igualdades speaking on vital current immigration issues.

Bellingham Friends (WA) and their families gathered for a Soup Supper and to hear recent travel tales from Friends Mimi Freshley, Bob Butterfield, and Annelise Pysanky.

Several Friends from Bellingham Meeting (WA) came to Quaker Cove to worship with the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage.

Berkeley Meeting (CA) will hold a Melon Tasting Party as a fundraiser for the Meeting Renovation on Saturday, August 14. Late summer is the height of melon season, with up to two dozen varieties available in the markets. But which one to choose? They are big and each one is a commitment. What if you do not like it? Friends are invited to a melon tasting party to taste about 15 varieties.

Bridge City Meeting (Portland, OR) brought supper to the Quake Youth Pilgrimage one night when the Pilgrims were at Multnomah Meeting.

The Quaker Youth Pilgrimage will spend a weekend at Camas Friends Church (WA).

Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) is offering a sport themed tutoring program called All Star Achievers. It is designed to give elementary school (1st-6th grade) students a safe and fun place to go during the summer where they can fellowship with other students and keep up their academic skills. Each session begins with a short devotional and includes time for academic lessons focused on reading comprehension and mathematics

Dinner Clubs at Citrus Heights Friends Church (CA) are composed of 4-8 adults in each group with each group representing three households. Friends will share a meal at a different home in the group over a three-week period and do some special get-to-know-one-another activities during each meal.

Ignite is an alternative worship experience at Citrus Heights Friends Church (CA) designed to reach people who do not have a traditional church background, in other words, a church for people who don’t like church. It meets at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening and is designed for families with kids, and for 20’s-30-somethings, singles, and young adults.

As part of the City of Claremont annual July 4th parade, there was an interfaith group marching in support of marriage equality. Claremont Meeting (CA) led a Quaker contingent in that group (Quaker banner and all!) , and they invited Orange Grove Meeting to join them.

Friends from Corvallis Meeting (OR) are invited to a book group to read Marge Abbott's new book To Be Broken and Tender: A Quaker Theology for Today.

Worship and Ministry of Davis Meeting (CA) invites Friends to continue spirituality queries during the summer, on the third Sundays, 8:30-9:30 a.m., before worship and on the fourth Wednesdays after worship and potluck.

Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Davis Meeting (CA) held a Meeting for Suffering for victims and survivors (e.g., fisherman,turtles) of the Gulf oil. Peace and Social Concerns arranged this and invite the public.

Delta Meeting (Stockton, CA) plans to visit with the Unitarian Fellowship in Sonora on the fourth First Day in either October or November.

Duncan Worship Group (BC) felt a need to provide a forum for deeper understanding of what they’re all about. They decided on four evening gatherings to share ideas on various topics, naming the process "Quaker Paths," deliberately plural to reflect the diversity of experiences and leadings. The format and content are designed to allow for meaningful reflection for seasoned and new Friends alike.

Eastside Meeting (Bellevue, WA) was the first stop for the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage on Thursday, July 15. Friends welcomed youth age 16-18 from all over the world with lunch, supper, and hospitality.

Eugene Meeting (OR) held a concert for Guatemala in early July with Patricia Morrison, Quaker singer/songwriter and Lilian Vega Ortiz, from Friends Peace Teams and Alternatives to Violence Project in Guatemala.

To strengthen outreach and fellowship among Friends, there will be “pizza and more” on the third Friday evening of each month at the Honolulu (HI) Meetinghouse.

- Humboldt Meeting (Arcata, CA) held a successful rummage sale on May 15 with many participating. The sale generated funds to support activities of the Meeting.

Members of Ministry and Oversight have been in recent communication with a Friend concerning this Friend’s membership in Humboldt Meeting (Arcata, CA). The Friend indicates no intention of actively participating in the life of the meeting, but wants to retain connection to the wider community of Friends. After seasoning and consideration of this unique situation, Ministry and Oversight recommends that the membership status of this Friend be termed “inactive.”

Don Lamm retired from active ministry with Marion Friends Church (OR) after 55 years in ministry, which included pasturing a church in California, serving as district superintendent of two Areas of Northwest Yearly Meeting, and pasturing seven Northwest Yearly Meeting churches.

Bill and Faye Pruitt, are taking over pastoral duties at Marion Friends Church (OR), upon the retirement of Don Lamm.

At a threshing session at Multomah Meeting (Portland, OR) Friends recommended strengthening the Meeting’s commitment to families and to building community, by returning to some of the Meeting’s traditions such as baby welcomings and family gatherings and intergenerational events.

The Quaker Youth Pilgrimage stayed at Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) for six days. Ann Dudley, Eddy Crouch, and Lew Scholls were the planning committee which produced breakfasts, lunches, and the Sunday evening supper.

Newberg Friends Church (OR) hosted the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage for an evening supper.

Friends from North Seattle Friends Church, Salmon Bay Meeting, South Seattle Preparative Meeting, and University Meeting drove to Quaker Cove near Anacortes, WA to worship with the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage, eat lunch with them and drive them back to Seattle.

The Quaker Youth Pilgrimage stayed at North Seattle Friends Church (WA) for six days.

North Valley Friends Church (Newberg, Oregon) currently has a ¾ mile walking trail around the Church’s property. In an effort to build a culture of peace in the church and surrounding community Friends will be adding a variety of peace elements and stations to the trail. These additions would be a way of sharing who they are as a Quaker church and the value they place in our testimony of peace. This is to be a gift to our community by offering a sense of welcome and a space for reflection.

Orange County Meeting (Pasadena, CA) discovered it had extra money at the end of the fiscal year and the Finance Committee recommended putting the excess into the Building Fund. It was suggested that putting the money into the building fund would be fine, and that the Meeting trusts the Finance Committee to decide which fund should hold money not being spent.

Worship and Ministry Committee of Palo Alto Meeting (CA) is planning a summer study series on Eldering. The three sessions will consider: (1)The role of elder to traveling ministers; (2) Role-playing eldering in day-to-day situations; and (3) Self-eldering.

Oversight Committee of Palo Alto Meeting (CA) reported that the in the future the “new comers lunch” will be folded into the regular fourth Sunday luncheon by having a separate table designation.

Wednesday Night Escapes is a weekly gathering of Young Adult Friends of Pima Meeting (Tucson, AZ) for worship, fellowship and dinner.

The treasurer of Pima Meeting (Tucson, AZ) sends all committee clerks a monthly summary of their budget, and committee clerks are responsible for their committee’s spending.

Quincy Friends Church (WA) invited all who have or have had ties to Quincy to join the church for a final Worship Service on August 1, 2010. The decision to lay down the meeting has not been easy; however, the changing demographics of the community and the aging of the congregation have necessitated this decision.

The Property Committee of Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) evaluated four bids and recommends installing a grid-tied photovoltaic solar generation system which would generate about 20% more than the Meeting’s annual need for electric power.

Futures Committee of Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) asked Friends:

Can you describe a specific experience in the life of the Meeting that made you come alive? Tell about a time when you felt really connected to the Meeting. What made that possible? What gifts do you bring to the Meeting?

It’s barbeque time at Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR). Friends will join together on Wednesday evenings during the summer for food, play, and companionship.

The Quaker Youth Pilgrimage joined with Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR) for an evening barbeque. A group of the Pilgrims worshipped with Reedwood Friends and had lunch with them.

Friends responded to the Oversight Committee survey of Reno Meeting (NV) about how to heal and build the Meeting. The option chosen most was “clearness committees”. Tied for second place were “ask for help from CPQM”, “study Faith and Practice” and ”study Pendle Hill pamphlet re Matthew 18”. Third place was a tie between “take Myers Briggs Personality Inventory” and “plan community events”.

Starting the first weekend in July and running through Labor Day weekend, Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA), invites Friends to choose their "Summer Blend." On Saturday evenings Casual Blend suggests Friends should come as they are and hear uplifting music. Sunday’s 9:00 a.m. service offers all the things Friends love in blended worship (including the choir, hymns, and worship songs). Sunday’s 10:45 a.m. service offers a unique experience combining energy and heart through vibrant worship in community.

Middle School students of Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) enjoy Poolside time—backyard Bible study and swimming events that take place Wednesday evenings during the summer.

Sacramento Meeting (CA) approved holding Meetings for Business on the third Sunday of each month during the time of the current Clerk’s clerkship. The Meeting will reserve the second Sunday for whole meeting programs.

Sacramento Meeting (CA) stands by its current policy. “Sacramento Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) affirms that it will conduct marriages of same-gender Quaker couples. Because of the laws of the State, these marriages do not have legal standing, but we will continue to advocate that same-gender couples be given the rights of civil marriage, and all other privileges and responsibilities that opposite-gender couples now enjoy.”

A Friend spoke to Sacramento Meeting (CA) about a leading to help undocumented students attend college. This leading emerges from both personal experience and an ongoing commitment to education. A number of Friends have been moved to join this Friend in exploring and seasoning this leading.

Children’s Religious Education Committee of San Francisco Meeting (CA) reported:

A parents’ email list will be developed to help communication as well as a bulletin board. A list of books, snacks, art supplies, and other items are being developed to better capture the budget needs of the Committee. A curriculum structure is being developed with welcoming, salutation, snack, story, silent activity, discussion/questions, and closing circle.

From the Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) Newsletter: “To the angels who lovingly take the dirty dish towels, tablecloths, floor towels and mop-heads from the meeting house, wash them and return them clean and fresh, THANK YOU. You provide a tremendous service most us probably do not think about. We usually do not know who you are as it is a behind the scenes job. Consequently you probably never receive thanks for volunteering in this way. And, dear angels who have the dish towels... we need them back! We have about two towels left hanging out to dry in the kitchen!!!”

Women from Santa Fe Meeting (NM) were invited to “Gather in the Garden” in early July for an evening pot luck.

Spokane Friends Church (WA) approved a bid to replace the entire gabled roof of the Meeting House because of damage to the tiles in recent windstorms.

The Quaker Men of Spring Valley Friends Community Church (CA) sponsored the Annual Quaker Men Picnic. Friends descended upon Flinn Springs County Park to fellowship, eat good food, play fun outdoor games, and sing songs.

Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkeley, CA) will hold an Outdoor Meeting for Worship at Live Oak Park on August 29. Meeting for worship will be held simultaneously at the usual meeting place.

A table is now in the center of the room for Meeting for Worship at Tempe Meeting (AZ) for the convenience of those using special microphones. It has also become a repository for Faith and Practice, a Bible and a hymn book.

Care Committees started at University Friends Meeting (Seattle, WA) over thirty years ago as Circles of Care. Care Committees have formed around such issues as acute health problems, chronic health problems, important losses, impending difficulties, etc. Members or regular attenders who wish Care Committees should contact the clerk of the Sub-committee on Care,

Vancouver Island Monthly Meeting (BC) is partnering with the United Church, the Anglican Church and Aboriginal Neighbors as they seek reconciliation and redress.

Victoria Friends (BC) noted that it is important to hold an event in the garden each summer in order to fully appreciate the garden. Friends were anticipating a garden strawberry social during the summer.

Sarah Hoggatt, one of ten editors who helped produce an anthology of essays (Spirit Rising) by young Friends, was a guest speaker at West Hills Friends Church (Portland, OR). Sarah read the story of Samuel (who heard the voice of God as a young person), and reflected on the importance of bringing the voice of youth into our conversations as a church.

West Hills Friends Church (Portland, OR) approved the following minute: “The community endorses a recommendation from the Search Committee and WHF Elders to call Mark Pratt-Russum as our next youth pastor.

Mike Huber, pastor of West Hills Friends Church (Portland, OR) told the story of three angels who came to earth with gifts from above. The third angel carried the gift of Failure. Failure can be a gift if it opens one to something new. Friends were asked if accepting failure could open a new way forward in their lives?

West Hills Friends Church (Portland, OR) prepared supper for the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage while the Pilgrims were in Portland. A group of the Pilgrims worshipped with West Hills Friends and had lunch with them.

At Promotion Sunday at First Friends, Whittier (CA) teachers were honored for their work and students were recognized for their achievements.

“Peace Is in Our Hands” was the theme of the 15^th annual Peace Camp at First Friends, Whittier (CA). The aim of Peace Camp is to promote an understanding of peace and justice; respect for self and others; cooperation in group settings; management of conflict; and appreciation of our environment.

At the Wyoming Friends Retreat, Friends had the opportunity for relaxation, spiritual enrichment and of others and nature, with a few planned, creative activities, emphasizing enjoyment depth, and sharing with others which Friends were able to join in or not as they chose.

Deaths noted in Newsletters:

Jim Read, Boise Valley Meeting

Susanna Blake Gabay, Eugene Meeting

Deb Miller, Eugene Meeting

Terry Fieldhouse, Grass Valley Meeting

Carl Bennett, Friends Community Church, Homedale

Jane Kyle, Mission Valley Worship Group

Gerhard Fritzsche, Pima Meeting

Helene Fritzsche, Pima Meeting

Monte Gregg Steadman, Redwood Forest Meeting

Walter Kersey, Sacramento Meeting

Janet Hawksley, Vancouver Island Meeting

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

After long, prayerful and careful seasoning, the Search Committee for the American Friends Service Committee made a recommendation to the Board for the next General Secretary which was accepted. She is Shan Cretin, at present Regional Director of ASFC Pacific South West, based in Los Angeles. A member of Santa Monica Meeting, Shan has been very active with Pacific Yearly Meeting. She has served on many committees, been Treasurer, and for 2 years, served as Clerk of Yearly Meeting. Shan will be sorely missed locally, but AFSC has gained a truly competent and deeply spiritual leader.

The Third National Quaker Conference on Torture & Accountability is scheduled for September 24-26, 2010 at Quaker Center, Ben Lomond CA. http://www.quakercenter.org/
Two internationally known anti-torture activists will headline the Conference on Torture. Human rights attorney and investigator Scott Horton will be the keynote speaker. Father Roy Bourgeois, founder of SOA Watch, will also bring his unique perspective on the work.

Canadian Yearly Meeting meets in Winnipeg, Manitoba Aug. 13-20 at the Canadian

Mennonite University.

The Christian Friends Conference of Northern California agreed to hold its next meeting at Berkeley Friends Church on Saturday, September 25^th.

The Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy is the Quaker group whose mission is to bring Friends' testimonies to public policy in the State of Washington. FCWPP seeks to fill the position of Legislative Advocate, i.e., lobbyist. This position is part-time; a Quaker is preferred. For a complete job description, see www.fcwpp.org, or contact FCWPP Clerk Tom Ewell c/o fcwpp@quaker.org.

The Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy is requesting suggestions for the redesign of the FCWPP logo. The current FCWPP logo now consists of a hint of the outline of the state, a small bird, an evergreen tree and a mountain. The Committee would like its logo to better represent Quaker identity, work in Olympia, and the mission of working for criminal reform, peace, and economic and environmental issues.

Samuel Mahaffy of Spokane Friends Church (WA) is serving as the Coordinator for the FWCC Global Change Consultation. Information: www.fwccglobalchange.org or Samuel@fwccglobalchange.org.

Lillian Vega Ortiz has worked with the Guatemalan Alternatives to Violence Project as a facilitator and Friend’s Peace Team’s “Peace Building en Las Americas” initiative in Central America. She recently toured the Northwest and talked about how the civil war and the resulting culture of violence have affected the culture and people of Guatemala. She spoke to many Friends, including Bellingham Meeting (WA), Corvallis Meeting (OR) Eugene Meeting (OR), and Multnomah Meeting (OR).

The Los Altos History Museum will present an exhibit about Frank and Josephine Duvenick, between January and June of 2011. The Duvenicks were active in the Quaker Community and also with The American Friends Service Committee.

North Pacific Yearly Meeting Junior Friends went on a Service Trip to Petersfield Jamaica, July 25 to August 1, 2010. More information about the trip: http://www.databasezone.com/npymjf/

Several Northwest Yearly Meeting churches are involved with community gardens this summer, providing opportunity to build relationships with their neighbors while meeting very real needs for nutritious food.

The Peace Education subcommittee of Northwest Yearly Meeting is accepting submissions for January’s daily devotional focused on how NWYM members are walking in peace. The foundational query is: “In what ways have you felt called to live out the Friends peace testimony?”

Over Memorial Day weekend, 30 youth, representing 15 different churches of Northwest Yearly Meeting, came together at Camp Yamhill in Oregon. Samuel School II, a leadership camp for high school juniors and seniors, offered classes and activities designed to challenge the youth spiritually and stretch them outside their comfort zones.

2010-06-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Albuquerque Friends (NM) will host a Benefit on behalf of the New Mexico Coalition for Immigrant Justice on June 19. The Benefit will feature Patricia Morrison, a singer/songwriter from Tucson and Rachel Lazar from El Centro de Derechos y Igualdades speaking on vital current immigration issues.

Given that the majority of Friends living locally have not taken on current responsibilities on committees within Albuquerque Meeting (NM), Meeting requests that Worship and Ministry committee consider the matter.

Oversight and Counsel of Albuquerque Friends (NM) proposes that the Meeting create a “Care List,” i.e. a list of the names of Friends who would sign up to help out on short notice, or as long as the case might be, in some particular way. The Committee does not intend long-term commitment, but thinks it might be a good idea, when a Friend is in particular need, to be able to contact someone who could manage that brief need.

At Friday Night at the Movies, Friends at Berkeley Friends Church (CA) watched “Rabbit-Proof Fence.” (2002) In 1930's Australia, three aboriginal girls escape after being plucked from their homes to be trained as domestic staff and set off on a trek across the Outback.

Camas Friends Church (WA) has 16 people signed up for its "Very Short Introduction to the Quakers" book group on Wednesdays at the meeting house! There’s still more room available; Friends need to RSVP.

Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) will continue its series, "Answering Life's Toughest Questions." by talking about "How Do I Face the Future?" In such an uncertain time in our nation's economy, this is a message Friends don't want to miss.

Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) celebrates its 20^th anniversary on Sunday, June 13^th. Friends are combining three weekend services into one for this special celebration—a great morning connecting with the church family outdoors. Friends were invited to dress casual, arrive early, fellowship over coffee and get ready for an inspiring morning of music and message. Then they might enjoy visiting over lunch, provided on-site by a Carl's Jr. Truck and a Mexican Taco Truck, while the kids play on the bounce houses and play-ground.

This summer Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) is offering a sport themed tutoring program called All Star Achievers. It is designed to give elementary school (1st-6th grade) students a safe and fun place to go during the summer where they can fellowship with other students and keep up their academic skills. Each session begins with a short devotional and includes time for academic lessons focused on reading comprehension and mathematics.

The Cherry Grove Friends Church (Battleground, WA) annual Prairie High School Senior Tea was born in the spring of 1980. For over 30 years, various women in Cherry Grove’s congregation have given their hearts, hands, cream and sugar sets, and pounds of cheese to create a special event for the young high school women and their mothers. Members of Cherry Grove’s congregation provide the music, benediction, and kitchen help. Junior girls from the high school volunteer to be servers and get a sneak peek at the event. One senior girl is chosen as a speaker in addition to a speaker selected by Cherry Grove.

Oversight and Fellowship Committee of Chico Meeting (CA) shared the calendar policy developed by the committee with the understanding that it is the Meeting’s practice to avoid scheduling activities in conflict with Meetings for Worship (First Day and mid-week), Meetings for Business, and singing (First Day).

Chico Meeting (CA) minuted its acceptance of oversight of a grant that Chris Moore-Backman has received from the Clarence and Lilly Pickett Endowment for Quaker Leadership for his Operation Nonviolent Life project. The committee will appoint a support committee for Chris and oversee disbursement of funds according to grant guidelines.

There is no named clerk for Ministry and Counsel of Claremont Meeting (CA) at this time. Clerking will rotate among members with one member serving as contact person to funnel information to the appropriate person.

Corvallis Friends (OR) will gather at Ona Beach for the Meeting’s annual worship on the beach on Sunday, June 20^th. As the date nears, Jim and Eileen Flory will advise Friends about the weather (their nearby house is the rain location) and directions for getting to the beach, which is about seven miles south of Newport.

On Thursday, July 8: Lilian Vega Ortiz, Guatemalan Alternatives to Violence

Project (AVP) facilitator, will speak to Corvallis Meeting (OR) on “Creating Hope: The Story of

a Peacemaker in Guatemala”. She has worked with Friends Peace Teams “Peacebuilding en Las Américas” initiative in Central America. In her talk, Lilian will tell how the civil war and the resulting culture of violence have affected the culture and people of Guatemala.

There will be a Concert for Guatemala: Friday July 9 at 7 pm at Eugene Meeting (OR) with Patricia Morrison, Quaker singer/songwriter and Lilian Vega Ortiz, from Friends Peace Teams and Alternatives to Violence Project in Guatemala.

The ad hoc Fair Committee will be managing the Fair Booth at the 2010 Nevada County Fair as representing Grass Valley Friends Meeting (CA).

Honolulu Meeting (HI) recently published a special issue of its newsletter, Ka Makamaka, with basic information about Quakers, a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, short essays on “How I became a Quaker,” an explanation of the Meeting’s regular events, a map, and a sample calendar of events.

Oversight and Counsel Committee Honolulu Meeting (HI) is considering a buddy system for people who seem to be at risk. There are various forms this could take. All are reminded this is a serious commitment to be considered only if one is able to assist. The committee will determine who is in need or at risk and welcomes requests for assistance as well.

For the Klamath Falls Friends Church (OR) Seed Money Project, Friends have been given an amount of money to use as seed money for a giving project. Each adult was given $50.00 and each child $10.00. The idea is to "grow" the money for the Kaimosi University Scholarship project and/or for the community fund to help those who have special needs. The inspiration for this is the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25: 14-30. Friends will come together with a barbecue in September to celebrate the "giving back" and with stories of how they used the money.

Mid Island Allowed Meeting (BC), a component of Vancouver Island Monthly Meeting, rotates the location of the Meeting for Business, thus, more of the group has been able to participate, especially when they are hosting. This has increased both comfort with and skill levels in Quaker ways of doing business.

Discussion about the position of “Soup Wrangler” at Missoula Meeting (MT) ensued, particularly the role of ensuring the Meeting House and Fellowship Hall are clean and organized every week after soup. Friends agreed that those who bring soup should continue to be responsible for dish, kitchen, and eating area clean up before leaving. Friends requested that the “Soup Wrangler” make this role clear to Friends as they sign up for soup because the “common knowledge” is not very common. A Friend has compiled a check-list of weekly post-soup duties.

June 6 was the last day of class for Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) and all children received a gift book to commemorate their year in the program. During the summer, all kids will go to Laurelhurst Park for unstructured play during Meeting each Sunday, with adult volunteers.

Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) has a Covenant of Caring with the Senor del Amigas Monstery in Honduras. Letters from Sister Alegria (Beth Blodgett, an attender of the Meeting) and from Sister Confianza are posted on the MMM Bulletin Board in the Social Hall.

On July 7, Lilian Vega Ortiz will speak on Creating Hope, the story of a Peacemaker in Guatemala, at Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR). Lilian will talk about how the civil war and the resulting culture of violence have affected the culture and people of Guatemala.

A Friendly Visitor of Newberg Friends Church (OR) is one who schedules visits (one to four a month) with NFCers who can’t attend Sunday worship services. A Friendly Visitor is a friendly person who can visit with someone for ½-1 hour 1-4 times a month and feels compassion for those who desire a regular and personal connection to their church community. Friendly Visitors can be youth, family, single, or couple.

Orange Grove Meeting (Pasadena, CA) cooks dinner at the Union Station homeless shelter every fifth Sunday of the month. It's a good time, cooking and chatting, and eating.

Orange Grove Meeting (Pasadena, CA) has office space available to rent to a non-profit organization serving a good cause. Interested parties should contact residentfriend@ogmm.org

First-Day School Committee of Pima Meeting (Tucson, AZ) sought input concerning how to discipline children who are interfering with the learning of other children. It was suggested that the older kids have a Meeting for Business to discuss it. This would include what positive things the kids want to work towards.

The Mexico 2k10 High School Missions Team of Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR) will soon be leaving for Tijuana, Mexico to build a house for a family in need. The group decided to leave cell phones at home and is dealing with the concept of holding possessions lightly.

Reno Meeting (NV) is considering that that during the seasons when the weather is good perhaps they could also hold potluck birthdays outside. The meetinghouse borders on a nice park with picnic tables and if the First Day kids have their classes “al fresco” adults could walk from the meetinghouse during the last part of meeting to worship with the children outside. Adults would go to the kids instead of them coming inside to the adults.

At Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA), a recent Sunday featured a collection of some of the best musical offerings from the church’s Choir & Orchestra in the Annual Favorites Sunday. Featured songs include-Praise You with drum corps, I Will Follow Christ with the RDFC three young tenors from Easter Sunday—nine choir & orchestra songs in all!

The Father Daughter Dinner at Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) will be back again this year! Friends are asked to save the date of Friday, July 2 and enjoy a great catered meal and make lasting memories! They can take home a photo of the evening! This year Jay, Allison, and Sasha Bond will share on the theme In My Father's Eyes.

Sacramento Friends Community Church (CA) has "waiting worship" on every fifth Sunday. Many in this small congregation bring the word of the Lord in these sessions. On a recent Sunday, several were moved to sing praises. One of the Kenyan members started by singing a familiar hymn in Swahili. Other Kenyans joined in and then many joined in English. The church also has an hour of unprogrammed worship every Sunday evening.

A Fund for Leadings will be set up at San Francisco Friends Meeting (CA). The purpose of this fund is to encourage Friends who feel "a sense of being called by God to undertake a specific course of action" to pursue their leadings. The fund would only exist until the original monies were

disbursed and then be laid down. Friends will hold a second hour meeting on discernment of leadings.

The deed to the San Jose Meeting House (CA), recorded in the 1950’s, is in the form of a Directors Deed harking back to a time when tax-exempt religious organizations couldn’t own property outright. The title for the Meeting House is held by five trustees on behalf of the College Park Association of Friends. Since all the trustees on the deed are deceased, the Meeting will need to petition the Superior Court to replace the trustees. There will be a legal filing fee of $355 and miscellaneous additional expenses. These are included in the budget for the coming year.

Santa Fe Friends (NM) considered and approved the creation of an Adult Education Committee to identify the role of the committee and make recommendations about adult education and return to business meeting with these recommendations. Others are encouraged to participate and volunteer.

Santa Fe Friends (NM) agreed that the purpose of the Fellowship Committee would be changed to providing greeters before and after the 11 am meeting and to establish a separate Housekeeping Committee with responsibility for opening and closing the meetinghouse on First Days.

Santa Monica Meeting (CA) Sandwich Making for the Homeless meets on fourth Sundays during Fellowship.

South Seattle Friends (WA) will have an intimate conversation about the origins and destinations of their money. This Adult Religious Education session will be an inquiry into why people in general, and Friends in particular, have such a hard time talking about money. Friends will explore how a more honest relationship with how we came to our money and what to do with it could help us as Friends seeking to live according to our testimonies.

Spokane Friends (WA) bring donations for the local food bank on the same Sunday as monthly meeting.

Motors rumbled and chrome gleamed in the parking lot of Spring Valley Friends Community Church (CA) when Friends held their car show. Fifteen classic cars, three modern cars and a BMW Motorcycle sidecar showed up to tell their stories.

A revised policy on the Use of Time After the Rise of Meeting at Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkeley, CA) is being seasoned. The document sets out guiding principles for scheduling events after Meeting for Worship. It also lists the kinds of events which

may be scheduled for each first day of the month. The Care of the Meeting Committee hopes the guidelines will encourage Friends to think creatively about time and be more flexible in using it.

Each summer a Quaker fleet takes to the highways to and from the site of the North Pacific Yearly Meeting annual session. This year, in the interest of lowering NPYM's carbon footprint and implementing our 2008 NPYM Minute on Climate Change, if you have an available seat in your portion of the Friendly Fleet, please post your route and travel times as a comment on the RideSharing page at www.wallawallafriendsmeeting.org. In addition, if you need a seat so you can leave your own vehicle in the garage and save nearly 100% of your emissions, please also post that on the Walla Walla Preparative Meeting (WA) website.

Joe Sacco is a critically acclaimed graphic novelist, with a background in journalism. His books have portrayed what life is like for ordinary people in war-torn places like Bosnia and Palestine. As he lives in Portland, he agreed to visit West Hills Friends Church(Portland, OR) where he reflected on his understanding of violence and his expertise as a story teller.

First Friends, Whittier (CA) for the first time will not be represented at the up-coming United Society of Friends Women International Triennial. The Triennial will be held in July in Mombasa, Kenya.

The writing class of First Friends, Whittier (CA), now in its 18^th year, is taking a summer break. It was noted that new members are always welcome and one doesn’t have to be old to join!

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

Alaska Friends Conference is partnering with Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting to host a Youth Service Camp in Ohio immediately before FGC Gathering this year. It's an exciting opportunity for Alaskan youth. Alaska Friends need to raise $3600 by June 23^rd.

Canadian Yearly Meeting meets in Winnipeg, Manitoba Aug. 13-20 at the Canadian Mennonite University.

The Christian Friends Conference of Northern California met on June 12th at Berkeley Friends Church. Keith Barton made a presentation on the Second Commandment.

Samuel Mahaffy of Spokane Friends Church (WA) is serving as the Coordinator for the FWCC Global Change Consultation. Information: www.fwccglobalchange.org or Samuel@fwccglobalchange.org.

Montana Gathering of Friends (MGOF) is in a six month process of laying down one of its Monthly Meetings, Heartland, and assuming the membership of those Friends. MGOF will now be both the Monthly Meeting for those Friends and the Quarterly Meeting for friends from the Missoula Meeting and elsewhere in the State.

Registration is open at http://www.npym.org/as for North Pacific Yearly Meeting’s Annual Session, July 14-18 in Missoula, MT. The theme of this year’s gathering is “Practicing Hope: Living and Witnessing Our Testimonies”, with Friend-in-Residence Bridget Moix of FCNL. On Line Registration is available this year! Friends can also register as in previous years (download and mail in forms).

Each summer a Quaker fleet takes to the highways to and from the site of the North Pacific Yearly Meeting annual session. This year, in the interest of lowering NPYM's carbon footprint and implementing our 2008 NPYM Minute on Climate Change, if you have an available seat in your portion of the Friendly Fleet, please post your route and travel times as a comment on the RideSharing page at www.wallawallafriendsmeeting.org. In addition, if you need a seat so you can leave your own vehicle in the garage and save nearly 100% of your emissions, please also post that on the Walla Walla Preparative Meeting (WA) website.

Please support the North Pacific Yearly Meeting Junior Friends Service Trip to Petersfield Jamaica July 25 to August 1, 2010. More information about the trip: http://www.databasezone.com/npymjf/

Northwest Yearly Meeting will gather at George Fox University for worship, business, and visioning on July 25-29. The keynote address by Superintendent Colin Saxton will be on Sunday and the Outreach Rally will occur on Monday. Scott Daniels, Senior Pastor at Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene, will speak Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights on the important questions the Church must always ask: What is God doing in the world? And what does the Church look like that understands what God is doing in the world? How can the Church hear these conversations so that it doesn’t miss out on what God is doing as he brings about the redemption of his creation? Go to http://nwfriends.org/yearly-meeting-sessions/ for information and to register on-line.

Pacific Yearly Meeting’s 64th gathering will be held at Claremont McKenna College, near Los Angeles, from July 26 to 31. The theme, Engaging One Another in the Spirit, invites Friends to deepen their awareness of God and each other. George Lakey of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting will be the keynote speaker, and there will be a return visit by Vanessa Julye of Friends General Conference’s Committee for Ministry on Racism. Unity with Nature Committee is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and has special events planned. http://www.pacificyearlymeeting.org/