News from Western Quaker Newsletters
September-October 2009

Dear Friends,

I have three items I’d like to bring to your attention today.
I do realize that John Calvi has been traveling among Friends in California and I did not highlight those events. However, in the realm of “better late than never,” here’s what I know of his time in Oregon:

1. (From the Multnomah Meeting Bulletin, September 27)
John Calvi, released Friend from Putney VT. with a ministry in trauma healing, was our Friend in Residence at NPYM this year and will be Multnomah's and Bridge City’s Friend in Residence.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7:00-9:00 pm at Multnomah Meeting John will be speaking about choosing our work, caring for ourselves, and each other.
Thursday, Oct. 1, 10am - 2pm John will return to Multnomah Meeting and we'll practice gentle hands on techniques and energy work; bring brown bag lunch.
Thursday evening at West Hills Friends Church, 7pm – 9pm, John will speak on the Quaker Initiative to End Torture, and being a Welcoming Congregation.
WILLAMETTE QUARTERLY MEETING: OCTOBER 2-4
At Multnomah Meeting & Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp
WQM will begin at the Multnomah Meetinghouse on Friday evening, October 2, then continues at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp on Saturday & Sunday. John Calvi will be with us on Friday evening, and he will be featured in the program on Saturday.

2. Did you know that the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage, a program of Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) will be in the Pacific Northwest next summer? Young friends, ages 16-18, will arrive in Seattle on July 16 and travel together for a month. Who in your church or meeting would be right for this life-changing experience? Contact me-nancym@fwccamericas.org, Bill Schoder-Ehri bschodereheri@gmail.com,
or the FWCC website, fwccamericas.org, for more information.

3. John Irving Ocol, a member of the Philippines Friends Church, has alerted us to the scale of the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana. At the height of the flash floods, he wrote: "All Friends Churches in Pasig and nearby town are under flood. All members of the Friends church are affected. We are in great need. We need food, medicine, water, blanket, etc. We do not have any resources to buy all the things we need. All our properties and appliances are totally destroyed by the water. On behalf of my yearly meeting, I am asking a help from your good heart. Members of the church are praying for the help especially to us living in Pasig because we are the most affected."
The FWCC Asia West Pacific Section is accepting donations to relieve immediate need. Those wishing to contribute can do so via the Section of the Americas. Please reference "Philippines."
(This is from the FWCC, Section of the Americas, eNewsletter. If you’d like to receive it, write to Americas@fwccamericas.org.)
Friends may also donate through Evangelical Friends Mission: EFM, PO Box 525, Arvada CO, 80001. Note your contribution to "Emergency Fund."

In Friendship,
Nancy

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

John Calvi will speak at West Hills Friends Church (Portland, OR) on the Quaker Initiative To End Torture on Thursday, October 1st. He will also discuss issues related to being a Welcoming Congregation.
Visalia Meeting (CA) is affiliating with Friends General Conference. Davis and Sacramento Meetings are also affiliated with FGC. (Pacific Yearly Meeting)
Ukiah Worship Group (CA) will host a public meeting featuring Ukiah poet and peace activist David Smith-Ferri the first week of November.
Tempe Meeting (AZ) Adult Religious Education Committee is sponsoring a five-session course, “Quakerism: The Stable Core: The Light Within.” Friends will meet on Sunday afternoons from October to April.
South Seattle Preparative Meeting (WA) will hold a “called meeting” for thoughtful consideration of monthly meeting status. A part of that meeting will be worship sharing on what it means to Friends individually to move forward to monthly meeting;
Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) held a threshing session. Friends began with the following queries: (1) In our work together as a Meeting, are we holding true to our testimonies of Simplicity & Integrity? (2) Do we, as a Meeting, keep our collective life uncluttered with things and activities, avoiding commitments beyond our collective light and strength? (3) Is the life of our Meeting so ordered that it helps us work from our spiritual center, within our light and strength?
On Sunday, September 27, Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) unveiled this year's Christmas musical. Friends interested in singing in the choir, playing in the orchestra, auditioning for a drama role, participating in the liturgical dance, helping with sound or lights, or constructing sets were to attend an organizing meeting.
Members and attenders of Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) are invited to an evening of Worship Sharing regarding the Peace Testimony of Friends, on September 29, at the Meetinghouse. Queries, drawn from Living in Virtue by Steve Smith, will be offered. A simple soup supper will be available preceding the gathering.
The Future of Meeting Committee of Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) will hold up a mirror to the meeting so Friends can have a shared and detailed understanding of who they are and what their values are, and to help Meeting discern its future. The process is expected to take approximately 18 months, after which the committee will be laid down.
Newberg Friends Church (OR) is planning monthly Adoptive Families Gathering. Friends will have a potluck with families and, following dinner, children will be excused to play, with supervised care, while parents talk together about their ideas for how best they might provide adoption support and discussion, and about how they might celebrate their children, and their children’s cultures together.
John Calvi, released Friend from Putney VT with a ministry in trauma healing, will be Friend in Residence for Multnomah and Bridge City Meetings (Portland, OR) on Wednesday, Sept. 30th. On Thursday, Oct. 1, John will return to Multnomah Meeting and Friends will practice gentle hands-on techniques and “energy work.”
Lopez Island Worship Group (WA) has asked to become a preparative meeting under the care of Bellingham Meeting. The request has been approved.
At Eastside Meeting (Bellevue, WA) concern has been raised that committees try to meet on first Sundays, but many individuals have multiple committee assignments. The clerk suggested that a person on multiple committees should contact the committee clerks and ask them to contact each other and try to find ways around the impasse of simultaneous meetings.

The Reading Group of Delta Meeting (Stockton, CA) is reading Rufus Jones’ The Luminous Trail.
Davis Meeting (CA) held a special Threshing Session about the process and plans for replacing the doors to the meeting house.
Friends at Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) learned they can be a part of helping people in need right in their own community. Box of Love (Canning Hunger) is a great way to share God’s love by feeding those in need physically and spiritually.
Ministry and Oversight Committee of Boise Valley Meeting (ID) discussed ways of engaging young people in the life of the Meeting and also discussed the difficulties for parents attending Meeting when we have no ongoing First Day program
Bridge City Meeting (Portland, OR) will continue with intergenerational worship one Sunday per month on an every other month basis beginning in October. Children’s Program Committee will plan the theme for these Meetings for Worship with accompanying crafts or activities, and a representative from Ministry and Oversight will assist with promoting and shepherding the events.
Bellingham Meeting (WA) has approved giving financial support for a Palestinian refugee family who will be arriving in Vancouver, BC. This family of three, with a child in great need of healthcare, is solely dependent upon the private sponsorship of the Unitarians and Quakers of Vancouver for an entire year.

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

The Fall gathering of College Park Quarterly Meeting will be October 16-18 at Sierra Friends Center, Nevada City, CA with the theme "Recognizing and deepening our Quaker Faith."
Colorado Regional Meeting will be held November 6th - 8th at the YMCA of the Rockies Conference Center in Estes Park bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. This year’s theme is “Deepening Our Spiritual Life in Community” and will be led by Nancy Bieber, a member of Lancaster (PA) Monthly Meeting and a psychotherapist, spiritual director and retreat leader.
to be a time for sharing, games, considering ideas, and food (pizza and ice cream).
George Fox University and Northwest Yearly Meeting are jointly sponsoring a day-long conference to work toward abolishing sex trafficking and forced prostitution in Portland. "The New Abolitionists" conference will occur October 24, 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at George Fox University. http://www.georgefox.edu/newabolitionists/index.html
Several short-term missionaries are going to Rwanda as Rwanda has decreed that all school teachers be able to teach in English. EFM has begun to address the situation in Friends Schools. The five teachers who are going to Rwanda are from Northwest Yearly Meeting.
The Northwest Yearly Meeting Youthworkers Training Conference will be November 6-8 at the Hood River Inn, Hood River OR. Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee of Tigard Friends Church will speak to the theme, “Plugged In: Engaging the Media Culture Surrounding Youth.”

Retha McCutcheon of Northwest Yearly Meeting will lead a trip to Israel/Palestine in January 2010. Along with visits to historical sites, the group will also connect with ministries related to NWYM--including the work the Neiferts are doing in Haifa. Retha's email: retha@marafiki.us
Pacific Yearly Meeting united in moving forward with hiring a Youth Program Coordinator. As part of this significant development, PYM Nominating Committee is in the process of identifying individuals to serve on a Supervisory Committee, which would implement and oversee the hiring and supervision of this employee.
Quaker Earthcare Witness will hold its Annual Meeting and Gathering in Bellingham, WA, October 8-12 with the theme, “Wisdom Stories for a Resilient Future: Bible Stories, Native Stories, Quaker Stories.” Kathy Hyzy of Multnomah Meeting and editor of Western Friend will present the keynote address. www.quakerearthcare.org
Southern California Quarterly Meeting will be November 7-8 at Temescal Canyon. Steve Smith, Claremont Meeting will speak to the theme: "Finding Joy In Committee Work: Knitting The Meeting Together In Community" Time has been dedicated to meeting together in groups according to the committee in which Friends are called to serve, or would like to serve, in their Monthly Meetings.
Western Friend celebrated the publication of the book, Enlivened by the Spirit, at University Meeting in Seattle. The book is a compilation of nearly fifty Friends’ responses to the query, “How have you experienced God or the Divine?” with art, song, poetry, fiction, and essays.

News from Western Quaker Newsletters
September 2009

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Agate Passage Meeting (Poulsbo, WA) is planning a new first hour program: “Quaker Sojourns”, an opportunity to learn more about one another and to encourage conversation about how travel can nourish values and beliefs. Each second Sunday Friends will hear a different travel story and discuss the ideas that spin off from it.
Albuquerque Meeting (NM) will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Saturday, October 17 with an afternoon of worship-sharing, reminiscences, creativity, a photo display, stories, fun and music, followed by a light supper and evening of Friendship.
The Community Group Hosts of Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) think it so important that Friends join a community group this fall that they decided to call everyone in the church and give them a personal invitation to be part of a group. The entire church through the weekend messages and the Community Groups will be studying an exciting new series called "One Month to Live", Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life.
The theme for the Women’s Conference, October 9-10 at Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) will be "Who's that Woman in the Mirror? - Finding a Healthy Self-Image." Women are told: “What you think about yourself makes a difference in how you live your life. Learn the way to experience all God intended you to be and to accept and love the truth that's there when you look in the mirror. Explore your self-image and enjoy a fun and life-changing time.”
Chico Meeting (CA) will hold an open house on October 4th. CFM is celebrating the second year in their meetinghouse, now one hundred years old!
The Quaker Studies session for Lower Columbia Worship Group (Seaview, WA) will focus on Sandra Cronk’s description of spiritual nurture in the Society of Friends.
Adult Religious Education Committee of Corvallis Meeting (OR) has considered the possibility of a meeting-wide retreat and decided that there is not enough clarity on a need for it or what it should focus on, so will not undertake to plan one for this fall.
Fresno Meeting (CA) supports the concept of universal healthcare for all to end the disgrace of having almost 50 million uninsured in this country.
The Library Committee of Grass Valley Meeting (Nevada City, CA) has a plan to inventory what materials are in the GVFM Library and to organize materials in a manner of both Mr. Dewey’s decimal classifications and Friends.
Midtown Friends (Sacramento, CA) held a peace fair at a midtown park in July. Their hope was to raise awareness and have good conversations about peace – not necessarily national peace but on the deeper nature of peace.
The Community and Fellowship Committee of Mountain View Meeting (Denver, CO) was newly established this year to help the meeting become a more welcoming and inclusive meeting and to provide opportunities for people to get together, forming community. The Committee is making plans for greeters and hopes no one again goes away without making contact with at least one person in the meeting;
Friends at Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) are making plans to train interested Friends in methods of Helping Others in Times of Economic Stress. Topics to be covered include housing, mental health, referrals to agencies, and helping the helpers.
The mission trip to Mexico of Netarts Friends Church (OR) is an intergenerational highlight every year. It started as a trip primarily for the youth of the church, but over the years it has become a “come one, come all” event. In 2009 a record number of 29 people went on the trip, and many had only attended NFC a few times before going. Now most are regular attenders!
Unprogrammed worship is starting at Newberg Friends Church (OR). Friends are excited that God is birthing something new in their midst. Each Sunday morning a group will meet for a time of waiting and listening to Christ together as a chance to see what God has in store as they worship with silence and no program or plan. Friends will simply start with a scripture and then wait expectantly for the Spirit to move among them.
Newberg Friends Church (OR) is having a Josh Reid Appreciation Gathering to celebrate Josh Reid’s seven years of service as youth pastor.
North Seattle Friends Church (WA) went kayaking. Those interested met at a rowing club for a guided tour around Lake Union. Experience was not required.
Patty Federighi, North Seattle Friends Church (WA) went to Burundi and the Congo to work with Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services of Burundi (www.THARS.org) on a project that teaches quilt making as a tool of trauma healing.
Delonna Halliday, Olympic View Friends Church (Tacoma, WA) is a Love and Logic Facilitator who facilitates parenting training at Friends Churches. Love and Logic provides simple and practical techniques to help teachers and parent experience less stress and more fun while raising responsible children.
Orange County Friends Meeting (Santa Ana, CA) has decided to give up its conventional phone line, which is expensive and used very little, and replace it with a Skype phone account. This number can be reached from any phone; Friends do not need to use Skype or a computer.
Rose Drive Friends (Yorba Linda, CA) scheduled a baptism class in the Fireside Room. The class is a prerequisite to water baptism at the church.
Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) noted that with a church its size it is important to be intentional about getting to know people and Small Groups are the main way they connect people. These groups are normally 8-14 people who meet once a week for about 90 minutes. At a Small Group Friends can meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere, ask questions about the Bible, and share concerns they would like people to pray about.
Worship and Ministry (W&M) Committee of Sacramento Meeting (CA) wants Friends to know W&M is constantly trying to improve the quality of worship and ministry. When issues or concerns arise, W&M tries to resolve them as quickly as possible. W&M reminds Friends that if they have any concerns or possible ways to make the quality of worship and ministry better to please let someone on the committee know.
Salt Lake Meeting (UT) is hosting “Faith and the Land: a Call for Wilderness Stewardship,” on Sunday, September 27th.
San Jose Meeting (CA) considered whether Friends would ask the city for a refund for Open Preserve taxes paid. The Meeting is in unity to not ask for a refund from the Santa Clara County Open Preserve as the Meeting supports the preservation of open spaces.
Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) endorsed a traveling minute for Friend Diego Navarro who has a deeply-held concern for young adults in poverty, a concern that led him to create the Digital Bridge Academy.
Santa Cruz Meeting (CA), noting that the Quaker decision-making process has sometimes stopped the Meeting from taking a formal part in certain community activities, asks how to allow for Meeting approval in less than the usual time frame? Friends will hold a Threshing Session.
Santa Fe Friends (NM) have formed a local group called Friends in the Arts which meets monthly and is affiliated with the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts, an international group.
South Seattle Preparative Meeting (WA) held an orientation for potential First Day School teachers noting that “Everyone is encouraged to teach, even if you are only available twice in the next few months. The job's a breeze: curriculum is provided, and teachers always work in pairs. The job's rewarding: the kids are a lot of fun, they're thrilled to see new faces, and conversations during class are always interesting and often charming.”
South Seattle Preparative Meeting (WA) is co-sponsoring a Peace Walk on September 20th. "Peace in the Neighborhood, Peace in the World." to celebrate the U.N. International Day of Peace, to join in community with other neighborhood groups to make a statement for peace, and to help their fellow Seattle residents by bringing food for the St. Mary's food bank.
Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkeley, CA) is experiencing a baby boom; four babies are/were due in a two-month period.
Stephen Matchett will visit Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkeley, CA) to speak on "Going to the Well". He will share some of his favorite passages from William Penn's Primitive Christianity Revived. The thrust of the message will be personal and experiential, not scholarly, and he will offer his own life story as a way of communicating why these writings are meaningful to him.
Tacoma Meeting (WA) is hosting a Quaker Quest workshop on Saturday, September 19th.
Outreach Committee of Tempe Meeting (AZ) suggests that its official purpose would be:
“It is the purpose of the Outreach Committee to make the larger community aware of the existence of our Quaker Meeting and for our Meeting community to know of our activities.”
Tempe Meeting (AZ) is considering the possibility of hosting a homeless program in the Meeting House twice a month. Tempe Meeting has been reluctant to house homeless guests because of disapproval by neighbors in 2005 and because of earlier assurances of limitations of use of the Meeting House at the time it was built.
Vancouver Monthly Meeting (BC) is looking forward to Fun’ Raising. The Fun nights: Games Night, Movie Night, and Quaker Sing A Long – Hootenany will be brought to Friends by the Ad Hoc Refugee Committee who will ask Friends for donations to contribute to the sponsorship of a young refugee family, now caught in the no-man’s land between Iraq and Syria.
The Pastoral Search Committee of First Friends, Whittier (CA) has announced that a pastoral candidate will visit the church in September.

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

Arizona Half-Yearly Meeting will take place from Friday, September 25, to Sunday, September 27 at Emmanuel Pines Christian Camp and Retreat Center in Prescott, AZ with the theme, Strengthening Our Ties in Nature. Suggested readings include Earthcare for Friends by Louis Cox and Be Ye Perfect: The Quaker Call to Wholeness by Lisa Lofland-Gould.
Ben Lomond Quaker Center in California is considering offering a program for smaller meetings and worship groups in Pacific Yearly Meeting. Smaller meetings and worship groups are being asked whether Ben Lomond should offer the program and how it might be planned to meet their needs.

The quarterly meeting of the Christian Friends Conference will take place on Saturday, September 19th at Berkeley with brown bag lunch and beverages and bagels provided in the morning.
The Fall gathering of College Park Quarterly Meeting will be October 16-18 at Sierra Friends Center, Nevada City, CA.
Colorado Regional Meeting will be held November 6th - 8th at the YMCA of the Rockies Conference Center in Estes Park bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. This year’s theme is “Deepening Our Spiritual Life in Community” and will be led by Nancy Bieber, a member of Lancaster (PA) Monthly Meeting and a psychotherapist, spiritual director and retreat leader.
The Steering Committee of the Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy (FCWPP) will meet during Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting in the Dining Hall at Lazy F Camp & Retreat Center near Ellensburg at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25th.
Northern California Teens (8th-12th grades) in and near the Silicon Valley were invite to gather at the Palo Alto Meetinghouse for an exploratory meeting to consider who the group is and what it might do in the coming year. There was to be a time for sharing, games, considering ideas, and food (pizza and ice cream).
Several short-term missionaries are going to Rwanda as Rwanda has decreed that all school teachers be able to teach in English. EFM has begun to address the situation in Friends Schools. The five teachers who are going to Rwanda are from Northwest Yearly Meeting.
The Peace Education Sub-committee (a sub-committee of the NWYM Christian Education and Discipleship Committee of Northwest Yearly Meeting is focusing on two items for the immediate future - needs assessment and a NWYM Peace Month. This year the Peace Month will be January with the theme "What is Peace?" The sub-committee hopes to facilitate a discussion in the local meetings and provide teaching tools on Quaker history and why Friends have a peace testimony.
Northwest Yearly Meeting has ministry openings among its churches. Sherwood Friends is looking for a half-time youth pastor; Newberg Friends is looking for a full-time youth pastor; 2nd Street Community Church, a ministry of Friends in Newberg, is looking for a Middle School Intern and Director of Equipping and Serving; Olympic View Friends are looking for a pastor; Twin Rocks Friends Camp needs an Assistant Food Director; and Barclay Press has a 30-hour office position.
The Friends Women Retreat, a combined retreat of Friends both east and west of the Cascades, of Northwest Yearly Meeting, will be held at Twin Rocks Friends Camp, October 1-4.
Retha McCutcheon of Northwest Yearly Meeting will lead a trip to Israel/Palestine in January 2010. Along with visits to historical sites, the group will also connect with ministries related to NWYM--including the work the Neiferts are doing in Haifa. Retha's email: retha@marafiki.us
Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting will meet September 25-27, 2009, at Lazy F Ranch near Ellensburg. Port Townsend Monthly Meeting will lead the program with the theme, “Wild Earth, Wild Mind, Wild Heart.” Friends are invited to “Engage their minds and creativity; express their grief over our planet in peril; find hope for our future as an interdependent earth community; and gain courage to live out the Quaker testimony of care for the natural world.
The Continuing Committee of Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting has begun a discussion of financial options that may be needed in order for PNQM to continue its current policy of "pay what you can" for those who attend QM sessions. There was a very substantial deficit from our Spring 2009 in spite of a large attendance. Even with financial reserves, such deficits are not sustainable and must be prevented or greatly reduced beginning not later than spring 2010.
The Religious Education Committee of Pacific Yearly Meeting circulates an e-Newsletter. The latest issue focuses on outreach to families with the concern that most smaller meetings feel a need for more families and children.
Pacific Yearly Meeting united in moving forward with hiring a Youth Program Coordinator. As part of this significant development, PYM Nominating Committee is in the process of identifying individuals to serve on a Supervisory Committee, which would implement and oversee the hiring and supervision of this employee.
Quaker Earthcare Witness will hold its Annual Meeting and Gathering in Bellingham, WA, October 8-12 with the theme, “Wisdom Stories for a Resilient Future: Bible Stories, Native Stories, Quaker Stories.” Kathy Hyzy of Multnomah Meeting and editor of Western Friend will present the keynote address. www.quakerearthcare.org
Southern California Quarterly Meeting will be November 7-8 at Temescal Canyon.
Western Friend celebrated the publication of the book, Enlivened by the Spirit, at University Meeting in Seattle. The book is a compilation of nearly fifty Friends’ responses to the query, “How have you experienced God or the Divine?” with art, song, poetry, fiction, and essays.
Willamette Quarterly Meeting will gather October 3-4, 2009 at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp near Rhododendron, OR.

News from Western Quaker Newsletters

Mid-August 2009

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Agate Passage Meeting (Poulsbo, WA) is considering Peace and Social Concerns options for the coming year. Friends might work with immigrants detained at the Tacoma Detention Center. Friends are considering more direct and personal contacts with detainees by working with an interfaith effort based in Tacoma. Peace and Social Concerns Committee is also considering sponsoring an Alternatives to Violence workshop.
Appleseed Meeting (Sebastopol, CA) is considering a proposed minute on Meeting attendance which suggests that Friends arriving on time sit along the side (away from the doors), leaving seating available for latecomers at the back of the room. Friends were encouraged to come to Meeting for Worship prepared and on time.
The treasurer of Berkeley Meeting (CA) noted that while the Peace and Social Order Committee has the authority to host events without seeking approval from the Meeting, if an event requires insurance, such as the recent Helen Caldicott event, then it should be sponsored by the Meeting and not just by the Committee.
Bridge City Meeting (Portland, OR) is considering whether or not to continue its experiment with Intergenerational Worship. The Meeting held Intergenerational Worship once a month for three months. Friends were given a query for responses. The children gathered in the center of the circle of adults and did art projects.
Opportunities to get together with Friends at Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) include: Women's Tuesday Morning Bible Study on chapter 11 of Hebrews "Hall of Faith;" "Women's Serve Day where women will assemble "no sew" blankets for abused and abandoned children; and KidQuest Wednesday Night Bible Study -- Crocodile Dock.
Citrus Heights Friends Church (CA) is beginning a new Sunday night worship service called "Ignite," with the hope that Ignite will become the happening gathering place for people of all ages in their area.
Claremont Friends (CA) are invited by Discussion Committee to a fun and thought-provoking video regarding gay, lesbian, and queer issues. The Committee predicts a lively discussion will follow.
Friends from Davis Meeting (CA) are participating in a Prayer Meeting for World Peace. Queries used will include: What am I doing to contribute to world peace? What am I doing to be at peace within myself?
Children's Meeting of Eastside Meeting (Bellevue, WA) discussed the suggestion that children need to know it is OK for them to stay in Meeting for Worship -- and that it is OK for them to leave when they need to do so. This is especially important for older children and teens who may want to try being in Meeting for a while longer than the first 15 minutes that younger children attend.
Eugene Friends (OR) have the opportunity to participate in a Labor Day Apple Squeeze. Friends are to bring clean jars and boxes of apples or pears.
Honolulu Friends Meeting (HI) is hosting its annual streetwide gathering, "For the Love of Gardens," September 11-13 on the Meeting House grounds. Members and attenders from Honolulu and neighbor islands will be there.
Midtown Friends (Sacramento, CA) held a peace fair at a midtown park in July. Their hope was to raise awareness and have good conversations about peace -- not necessarily national peace but on the deeper nature of peace.
Friends of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) are making plans to train interested Friends in methods of Helping Others in Times of Economic Stress. Topics to be covered include housing, mental health, referrals to agencies, and helping the helpers.
Newberg Friends Women (OR) are invited to the Margaret Fell Friends Women's Fall Kick-off Potluck Picnic at Jaquith Park. Ron and Carolyn Stansell will share on "Where in the World is God Working?"
A six-week Vecina, Vecino small group is being offered in the Fall at Newberg Friends Church (OR) to those interested in reaching out to the immigrant community.
North Seattle Friends Church (WA) went kayaking. Those interested met at a rowing club for a guided tour around Lake Union. Experience was not required.
Orange Grove Meeting (Pasadena, CA) is committed to cooking a dinner meal for the homeless every fifth Sunday of the month. In August they cooked at the Union Station homeless shelter. Friends have a good time cooking and chatting.
At Palo Alto Meeting (CA) every Wednesday following Meeting for Worship, worship sharing or worship discussion is held on topics announced each month in the Newsletter. This is an open opportunity for individuals to discuss or explore spiritual matters, theological ideas, social witness related to Quaker Meeting, and other Quaker and Meeting-related topics. Anyone in the Meeting may propose a topic and lead the session.
Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) plans a Fun Night to welcome home the Meeting Resident with a potluck and a movie. Friends will watch Monty Python & the Holy Grail, a silly romp through the legend of King Arthur. Friends are to come as their favorite moose.
The Fall sessions of the Center for Christian Studies, Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR) will be led by four historians who will teach on different topics on the history of Christianity. Each lesson will provide insight and application for the church today.
The 7 and Up First Day School of Reno Meeting (NV) invites adults in the Meeting to share with them their experiences and knowledge of other religions besides Quakerism. Friends are invited to get to know younger Quakers and to delve into their own and others understanding of many religions from all over the globe.
Rose Drive Friends (Yorba Linda, CA) took part in a summer funn food event the weekend of August 15-16. They ate pancakes (buttermilk, blueberry, and chocolate chip) and connected with old and new friends for dinner on Saturday or brunch on Sunday.
Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) scheduled a baptism class in the Fireside Room. The class is a prerequisite to water baptism at the church.
Salt Lake Meeting (UT) adopted the following minute: The recording clerk is charged to inform Friends in their service capacity with SLMM of any action or decision of the Business Meeting that affects the Friend's activities or assignments if that Friend is not in attendance at thre Meeting in which the action or decision was adopted.
San Francisco Friends (CA) are invited to participate in a new approach to Quakerism - Quaker Jeopardy. They are invited to bring friends, family, and thinking caps to a new way to learn about Quaker faith and practice. Round one is on Quakerism: Beginnings to 1800. Are Friends ready with their "final answer?"
Santa Fe Friends (NM) formed a local group called Friends in the Arts which meets monthly and is affiliated with the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts, an international group.
The members of the Board of Directors of the Western Friend joined South Seattle Preparative Meeting (WA) for worship and a potluck lunch.
Sky Valley Worship Group (Sultan, WA) hosted Eastside Meeting (Bellevue, WA) on August 30th.
University Meeting (Seattle, WA) sent a letter to the president of the University of Washington regretting the University's decision to not host Tent City (housing for homeless people).
In September, Adult Religious Education sessions of University Meeting (Seattle, WA) will focus on the role of women in the Religious Society of Friends, beginning an occasional series of investigations into how we live the Testimony of Equality. Topics will include Women in the Society of Friends Today, women's meetings, mothers of Quakerism, and Quaker Women and Social Change 1800-1950.

Beyond the Monthly Meetings/Churches

Arizona Half-Yearly Meeting will take place September 25-27 at Emmanuel Pines Christian Camp and Retreat Center in Prescott, AZ with the theme, "Strengthening Our Ties in Nature." Suggested readings include Earthcare for Friends by Louis Cox and Be Ye Perfect: The Quaker Call to Wholeness by Lisa Lofland-Gould.
Ben Lomond Quaker Center in California is considering offering a program for smaller meetings and worship groups in Pacific Yearly Meeting. Smaller meetings and worship groups are being asked whether Ben Lomand should offer the program and how it might be planned to meet their needs.
The Quarterly Meeting of the Christian Friends Conference will take place on Saturday, September 19th at Berkeley Friends Church with brown bag lunch and beverages and bagels provided in the morning.
Colorado Regional Meeting will be held November 6th-8th at the YMCA of the Rockies Conference Center in Estes Park bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. This year's theme is "Deepening Our Spiritual Life in Community" and will be led by Nancy Bieber, a member of Lancaster (PA) Monthly Meeting and a psychotherapist, spiritual director and retreat leader.
Evangelical Friends Church Southwest is forming a Medical Short Term missions trip to Cambodia in January.
Evangelical Friends Church Southwest is reducing its staff, thus Larry Kinser's position as Director of Church Growth and Health has been cut.
Northern California Teens (Pacific Yearly Meeting) -- 8th-12th grades -- in and near the Silicon Valley were invited to gather at the Palo Alto Meetinghouse for an exploratory meeting to consider who the group is and what it might do in the coming year. There was to be a time for sharing, games, considering ideas, and food (pizza and ice cream).
Colin Saxton's keynote address to Northwest Yearly Meeting, delivered on July 27th, is now available at the NWYM website. http://www.newfriends.org/ His challenge, as superintendent of NWYM, was for Friends to go "deeper" as a people of God, corporately and individually.
The Peace Education Subcommittee of Northwest Yearly Meeting is focusing on two items for the immediate future - needs assessment and a NWYM Peace Month. This year the Peace Month will be January with the theme "What is Peace?" The subcommittee hopes to facilitate a discussion in the local meetings and provide teaching tools on Quaker history and why Friends have a peace testimony.
Northwest Yearly Meeting has ministry openings among its churches. Sherwood Friends is looking for a half-time youth pastor; Newberg Friends is looking for a full-time youth pastor; 2nd Street Community Church, a ministry of Friends in Newberg, is looking for a Middle School Intern and Director of Equipping and Serving; Olympic View Friends are looking for a pastor; Twin Rocks Friends Camp needs an Assistant Food Director; and Barclay Press has a 30-hour office position open.
The Friends Women Retreat, a combined retreat of Friends both east and west of the Cascades, of Northwest Yearly Meeting, will be held at Twin Rocks Friends Camp, October 1-4.
The Religious Education Committee of Pacific Yearly Meeting circulates an e-Newsletter. The latest issue focuses on outreach to families with the concern that most smaller meetings feel a need for more families and children.
Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting will meet September 25-27 at Lazy F Ranch near Ellensburg, WA. Port Townsend Meeting will lead the program with the theme, "Wild Earth, Wild Mind, Wild Heart." Friends are invited to "Engage minds and creativity; express grief over our planet in peril; find hope for our future as an interdependent earth community; and gain courage to live out the Quaker testimony of care for the natural world.

News from Western Quaker Newsletters
June 27- July 20, 2009


News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Several Friends from Agate Passage Meeting (Poulsbo, WA) will volunteer as a group at the Native American annual Canoe Journey days. They hope to become more familiar with tribal ways as well as to make themselves useful in ways that fit their energy.
After consideration of the various options presented by the ad hoc committee on building options, Albuquerque Meeting (NM) is led to remain in the building Friends now occupy, to give priority to addressing accessibility issues, to improve the space for children and to address environmental concerns.
From the Apple Seed Meeting (Sebastopol, CA) Newsletter: Our meeting could be deeper and more meaningful for all if we would devote a full hour to Meeting. Please consider how you might organize your time so you can arrive at 10 or earlier. Let’s strive together for a “gathered meeting” by gathering on time.
Canyon Hills Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) held its Celebration Weekend July 11-12 with water baptisms after every service, a courtyard dedication, and the church’s annual picnic in the park. They celebrated the 19th Birthday of the church and dedicated their new Gathering Area to the Lord. The celebration included hearing how the church family is "being the church" and "bringing real change" into people's lives.
Claremont Meeting (CA) approved that the Meeting not post Meeting for Business minutes on its website.
Corvallis Meeting (OR) Nominating Committee noted that “This meeting appears to have moved away from committees that take responsibility to (individuals taking on) short-term tasks that are done once or infrequently.”
Friends from Delta Meeting (Stockton, CA) organized newsletters and periodicals that had been collecting in the Meeting Room. There is now a file cabinet with labeled folders so items can easily be found.
Adam Bradbury will be full-time associate pastor at Greenleaf Friends Church (ID). He has been a member at Rose Valley Friends.
Ministry and Oversight Committee of Humboldt Meeting (Arcata, CA), in planning for the Meeting Retreat, noted that as Friends were not responsive generally to request to register ahead, the best practice for next year will be for them to call regular attenders.
Chris Tiner is the new high school youth coordinator at Meridian Friends Church (ID).
Mountain View Meeting (Denver, CO) has approved moving forward with bringing Quaker Quest to the Meeting.
William Alsup of Mountain View Meeting (Denver, CO) will be traveling (by bicycle) with a leading to visit distant meetings for the purpose of listening and to get better acquainted with Friends outside of Intermountain Yearly Meeting.
Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) has deliberated how to help persons not from within the Meeting Community who come to the Meeting for help. Oversight Committee recommends that a few Friends be trained to direct these people to other resources that might be available.

Bonnie Tinker, a member of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) and Love Makes a Family, was killed in an accident while attending Friends General Conference. Bonnie will be missed.
Peace and Social Concerns and Property Committees of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) invited Friends to discuss what signage they feel led to have on their building. Under consideration are guidelines for what banners or signs should be on display and what should be permanent and what may have a particular time frame.
Newberg Friends (OR) are reminded to bike/walk/carpool to church on July 26 as that date will be Newberg’s Old Fashioned Festival as well as Northwest Yearly Meeting.
Newberg Friends (OR) are planning an All Comers Choir to lead worship on July 26 to kick off Yearly Meeting week.
The Computer Committee of Orange County Meeting (Santa Ana, CA) was asked to evaluate the needs of the Meeting for computerized/on-line tools, and has developed a set of principles for the Meeting to consider, including that materials that should be available to all of the community must be readable on all of the main computer operating systems and/or browsers.
Orange Grove Friends (Pasadena, CA) are invited to the meeting house on a Wednesday evening for Poetry evening. All are asked to bring a poem or a song to share--either one of their own or a favorite by another author or songwriter.
Finance Committee of Orange Grove Friends (Pasadena, CA) recommends that Meeting discontinue acting as fiscal sponsor for any foreign-based organization that is unable to comply with a set of guidelines that it developed based on IRS fiscal sponsorship requirements. The sense of the Meeting is that the Meeting has a moral responsibility to understand how money that it collects is spent, that it is desirable that the Meeting be intimately involved in the workings of the foreign-based organizations to which it offers fiscal sponsorship, and that the suggested guidelines are simple and transparent.
Palo Alto Meeting (CA) approved that, in order to best support Friends lobbying groups nationally and locally, this year the proceeds from the Harvest Festival to be held on September 26, 2009 will be evenly divided between Friends Committee on Legislation of California and Friends Committee on National Legislation. Traditionally the proceeds have gone to FCL.
Robert Broz, Field Director for the El Salvador Projects (oversight by Palo Alto Meeting), will speak at Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) on Sunday, July 26th. The mission of the El Salvador Projects is to raise the level of education for the young people of the poorest communities in El Salvador.
Rose Drive Friends Church (Yorba Linda, CA) will offer a special summer schedule that features a sermon series in the book of Hebrews titled, “Better than Anything.” Friends will be inspired as they see why Jesus is better than anything and that nothing can compare to following him.
San Jose Meeting (CA) and the San Jose Buddhist Meditation Group are sponsoring a Women's Interfaith Dialogue. The theme for this dialogue is "What place does silence, meditation, and contemplation hold in our spiritual practices."
Santa Fe Meeting (NM) is attempting to spread the word regarding the existence of the Meeting’s Guest Apartment. Friends have updated the Meeting web page and placed advertisements in Western Friend and Friends Journal.

Nominating Committee of Santa Monica Meeting (CA) notes: “As we have no nominee for treasurer nominating committee has requested a call to all members and prospective members to consider taking up the office of treasurer.”
Jim Pike began service at South Salem Friends Church (OR) on July 1.
Bob Adams, long-time pastor of Sprague River Friends (OR), has retired. Bob continues to serve a Methodist congregation in Southern Oregon. Tim Henry, who has been co-pastor at Sprague River, now assumes the role of solo pastor.
Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkley, CA) will hold a series of Listening Meetings to consider the development of a written Quaker testimony on Friends' concerns for Earth.
Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkley, CA) notes regarding Meeting for Business that attendance is expected for members and encouraged for attenders
At the request of Young Friends (YFs), and after seasoning within both the Children’s Religious Education Committee and the Worship and Ministry Committee, Tempe Meeting (AZ) spent eight weeks experimenting with the practice of asking Young Friends to join Meeting for Worship at the beginning of Worship rather than at the end. Young Friends reported that they would like to resume their prior practice of YFs joining Meeting for Worship at the end of Worship. They found they had a lack of clarity on what they were looking for from the change in practice, and noticed that they felt more centered when joining Worship at the end rather than at the beginning.
University Meeting (Seattle, WA) held a Meeting for grieving and healing that included all kinds of losses, not just losses of loved persons. Friends gathered around a central table that held candles to be lit, paper cranes, sheets to write on, and a bowl to put the writing in.
University Meeting (Seattle, WA) is planning to hold its first ever outdoor movie in the UFM parking lot. Friends are to bring chairs, blankets and snacks.

If the vigor of a Meeting lives in its young people and the wisdom of the Meeting lives in its elders, then the strength of the Meeting lies in interaction between the two.
Todd Swanson, 2005, from IMYM Faith and Practice, as found in the Mountain View Friends Meeting 2009 Newsletter.

More than one:
Many Friends Churches and Meetings are including some sort of “classified advertisements” in their newsletters to help Friends find work or sell unneeded items.

Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches
The 2009 Annual Session of Alaska Friends Conference will be held Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26 at Dickerson Friends Center in Wasilla, Alaska with the theme, “Vitality and Diversity in our Meetings.”
This summer, Alaska Friends Conference is hosting a youth exchange/Spirit Camp with Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting. The group of 14 teenagers from AFC and OVYM will gather at the Dickerson Friends Center in Wasilla, AK, go to Eklutna Lake for a week of camping in the wilderness, join younger friends at Nancy Lake, and return to Wasilla for AFC Annual Sessions.
Barclay Press in Newberg, Oregon is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Ray Carter, Jack Willcutts, Harlow Ankeny, Dick Eichenberger, and Dan McCracken have provided primary editorial and managerial leadership over the years. The current Barclay Press publisher, Dan McCracken, was first hired to do Linotype typesetting.
North Pacific Yearly Meeting gathered July 15-19 in Missoula, MT with John Calvi as Friend in Residence. John Calvi, a Quaker healer and teacher specializing in trauma and caregiver burnout, spoke on the theme: "Experiencing Light in Hard Times - How Do We Stay Faithful in Times of Trouble?"
Kim Felton (from North Valley Friends Church, Newberg, OR) is being added to the Northwest Yearly Meeting Office staff in the newly redesigned half-time Administrative Assistant position. Bruce Bishop’s position as Communications Director becomes full-time. This reorganization is partly related to the retirement of Terri Bowen who is irreplaceable. Rachelle Staley moves from an "interim" role to full-time Associate Superintendent of Youth and Young Adults.
Northwest Yearly Meeting will hold Yearly Meeting Sessions at George Fox University, Newberg, OR, Sunday July 26-Thursday July 30 with the theme, “We are Witnesses.” The Outreach Rally will take place Sunday evening, following the Men’s and Women’s Missionary Banquets. Colin Saxton will give the keynote address Monday evening and Bob Adhikary, missionary to Nepal, will speak Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
The next gathering of the Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting will be September 25-27, 2009, at the Lazy F Ranch near Ellensburg. Port Townsend Monthly Meeting will lead the program with the theme, “Wild Earth, Wild Mind, Wild Heart.”
Pacific Yearly Meeting will meet July 27-August 1, 2009 at Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma, CA.
Joe Franko, clerk of Pacific Yearly Meeting, reminds Friends “that we gather in faith and hope that the Spirit will guide us to make Spirit-led decisions. The process is as it has always been. . . The Youth Proposal has been especially seasoned by Meetings and by Representative Committee . . .Remember that in our Plenaries we come together to Worship on the Occasion of Business. In worship, we assume that it is not the Friend who speaks, but the Spirit who speaks through that Friend.”
Members of the Unity with Nature Committee of Pacific Yearly Meeting are concerned about ways of greening their yearly gathering and urge Friends to try being at least part-time vegetarians. They’ve worked with both the Arrangements Committee and the Walker Ranch cooks to make tasty vegetarian food more available to everyone, not confined to the kitchen. Also they plan one "simple meal," e.g. rice and beans, to be in greater solidarity with poor people everywhere.

News from Western Quaker Newsletters June 2009

This will be my last Newsletter Summary as FWCC staff. However, I will continue to produce this Newsletter Summary and a few other tasks for FWCC on a contract basis.
Please keep those newsletters coming.
What I send to you is a reflection of some of the activities that I am aware of in our Friends churches and meetings throughout the western United States. But you might ask, what’s exciting about FWCC? What’s exciting right now?
Here are a few things that I can think of:

· We held the Annual Meeting of the Section of the Americas in Oregon last March;
· Central Executive Committee members from all over the world attended our Annual Meeting;
· The 2010 Quaker Youth Pilgrimage will be in Oregon and Washington State;
· The Historic Peace Church consultation will take place in the Dominican Republic in 2010 with representation from Brethren, Mennonites, and Quakers from Latin America;
· There will be a global change consultation in 2010-11 at the world level;
· The next World Conference of Friends will be in 2012 in Kenya;
· Wider Quaker Fellowship is changing into an international web-based portal to Friends;
· North American Hispanic Friends are becoming more involved with FWCC.

This work happens with a lot of volunteer time and some staff assistance. I can think of (and visualize) Nancy Irving, General Secretary in the FWCC World Office, leading us in the refrain “God is Good – All the Time. All the time –God is good.”
With God helping us in this work, it is good.

In Friendship,
Nancy

News of Friends Meetings and Churches
The Bellingham Meeting (WA) Metamorphosis says: Friends don’t let Friends over consume. Friends in need of items they may not use often are encouraged to consider borrowing the item instead of buying. Friends are encouraged to make announcements regarding their requests at the rise of Meeting.
The Accessibility and Inclusiveness subcommittee of Berkeley Friends Meeting (CA) feels that it has fulfilled its charge and asks to be laid down. The group has been very affective in raising the Meeting’s awareness of physical accessibility and hearing needs, and created a sense of inclusiveness by planning Meeting retreats. It also began the Meeting’s use of wearing nametags, arranged for a listener for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender concerns, and encouraged Friends to list food ingredients for pot luck meals.
Citrus Heights Friends Church (CA) surveyed Friends to help evaluate Sunday worship Experiences. Friends liked the environment of the church, the friendliness of the people, and the preaching/teaching. 47% of those at Friends Church, 0-10 years, accepted Christ at the Church. The median age at the church is 40-49 years old.
For the past several summers Corvallis Meeting (OR) has gathered for Sunday potluck suppers hosted by volunteers in the homes and yards of Friends or local parks. The meager response last summer leads Friends to ask the meeting how it wishes to proceed on this for the coming summer.
Davis Meeting (CA) is considering a meetinghouse expansion. The ad-hoc Meeting House Committee will hold an open meeting to discuss the repair items under consideration and the finance committee has determined a process for identifying funding sources.
Fresno Meeting (CA) is considering a barn as a possible Meeting site.
Glendora Friends Church (CA) has a garden outreach ministry. Most of this season’s garden has been planted in pumpkins, but about 1/5th of the garden has been divided into six plots, each to be gardened by teams of two. Friends are gardening to advance the good news of Jesus Christ in their community.
Grass Valley Meeting (Nevada City, CA) approved accepting earmarked donations for the purchase of one or more landmine detectors.
Honolulu Friends (HI) were asked to be conscious of other Friends who might need help because of illness or other matters and to report needs quickly to Oversight and Counsel when appropriate so that no one falls through the cracks.
A Friend from Kaua’i Worship Group (HI), inspired by attendance at an FCNL Meeting in Washington, DC, organized a “Peacemakers Reunion” in honor of those she believed help demonstrate peace work on the island.
Live Oak Preparative Meeting (Salinas, CA) has requested full Monthly Meeting status. Ministry and Oversight Committee of College Park Quarterly Meeting will send visitors to the Preparative Meeting.
Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) surveyed Friends; the results showed that volunteering at a local meal site for homeless people as a close 4th among 10 social concerns. Friends are now asked to become active with the project.
Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) sponsored the Meeting’s First Annual Peaceful Games night, including “The Immigration Visa Limbo Loop,” "The Open-Minded Critical Thinking Toothpick Puzzle," "The Peanut Perception Game," non-competitive “New Games,” and AVP Peace Games.
On Monday mornings, women from Newberg Friends Church (OR) gather at the church to read prayer requests and pray for those in the congregation who have shared their concerns. The prayer requests are then passed on to church staff and other groups who pray for them confidentially.
Newberg Friends Church (OR) will hold a Service on Consolation on July 12 for Friends who have lost jobs, received life-changing health news, separated from a spouse, or simply had a desert experience. Friends are invited to attend and also to invite friends who have experienced loss.
Orange Grove Friends (Pasadena, CA) will participate in a “fishbowl” with their children. There will be an inner circle of children facing an outer circle of adults. The children will share their concerns about their journey and will hear from the adults.
Finance Committee of Orange Grove Meeting (Pasadena, CA) prepared an analysis of financial giving for 2008, including the average contributions of both members and attenders, the percentage of giving from attenders, and the number of Friends who gave nothing. It was noted that contributions had increased since 2007 and that a small number of Friends are giving a large part of the Meeting’s support.
Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) will brainstorm about clerking with Eric Moon on July 16. This session is for those new to clerking, retired clerks, aspiring clerks, and those who would like to better understand the process.
The Library Committee of Sacramento Meeting (CA) has removed books from the library that are duplicates, outdated, or may not be relevant to the Meeting. These books have been placed in a bookshelf in the Meeting foyer. Friends may take them home (with the option of contributing towards new books for the library) or request that a specific book be put back in the library.
Sacramento Meeting (CA) held a Taste of Quaker Quest program with 40 attending from Sacramento and 12 from other Meetings and Churches. Friends learned that Quaker Quest is a way of inward searching about Quaker spirituality and also a way of sharing experiences with the outer community. The Meeting has formed a Quaker Quest interest group under the care of Worship and Ministry to explore what it would mean for the Meeting to go forward with public sessions.
Salem Meeting (OR) has consulted with an architect regarding ADA access for the meeting house who recommends that the Meeting install an elevator or get out of the building.
Salt Lake Meeting (UT) is considering setting aside one First Day each month for a teenage discussion group to be held at the same time as Meeting for Worship. A Friend has volunteered for this responsibility and will send out emails to teens associated with the Meeting inviting them to participate.
Salt Lake Meeting (UT) has asked the Nominating Committee to reinstate the Finance Committee which will be charged with starting a campaign to raise specific funds for building improvements working together with Buildings and Grounds Committee.
Ministry and Oversight Meeting of San Francisco Meeting (CA) came to no unity about a clerk for the committee and members will rotate responsibilities.
On second Sundays at San Jose Meeting (CA) worship will flow directly into business meeting. On those days Friends are to write 2 copies of their announcements, no more than 3 sentences, and the greeter will read them at the end of business meeting.
Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) wrote a letter to President Obama and Vice-President Biden, suggesting alternatives to the administration’s present course of action in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Spokane Friends Church (WA) held a vegetable gardening 101 workshop presented by a master gardener. Friends learned about watering, herbicides and fertilizers and left with plants to start their own gardens.
The first Quaker Quest workshop for Tacoma Meeting (WA) has been scheduled officially by Friends General Conference (FGC) for September 19, 2009. It will be an all-day workshop led by two facilitators from FGC.
The Finance Committee of Tempe Meeting (AZ) realizes the Meeting will not know until year end how much the national economy has affected its members. Therefore, the committee decided to send two letters requesting donations this year. The first letter will be sent during the summer, with the follow-up letter in the fall.
Because of Tempe Meeting’s (AZ) association with CORA (Council of Religious Advisors), the Meeting has been given the opportunity to conduct an Arizona State University dorm event interaction. A member of the Meeting’s Outreach Committee is organizing the four speakers, and will coordinate with Peace and Social Concerns

Thoughts for all:
Many Friends report that they are having difficulty hearing messages in Meeting. If at all possible, STAND UP and remember to speak up as well. In the “olden days” anyone with a message always stood (or knelt if it was a prayer). It would be so kind of you to help everyone.
(from La Jolla Meeting (CA) Just Among Friends)


Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches
The 2009 Annual Session of Alaska Friends Conference will be held Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26 at Dickerson Friends Center in Wasilla, Alaska with the theme, “Vitality and Diversity in our Meetings.”
This summer, Alaska Friends Conference is hosting a youth exchange/Spirit Camp with Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting. The group of 14 teenagers from AFC and OVYM will gather at the Dickerson Friends Center in Wasilla, AK, go to Eklutna Lake for a week of camping in the wilderness, join younger friends at Nancy Lake, and return to Wasilla for AFC Annual Sessions.
Christian Friends Conference of Northern California will meet Saturday, June 27th at Berkeley Friends Church. Along with silent waiting worship in the manner of Conservative Friends and silent waiting worship upon the Lord, Paul Smith will lead a discussion on the Ten Commandments.
College Park Quarterly Meeting approved the following minute: “We have labored on the question of our youth and programs… We confess our own shortcomings on this issue as a Quarterly Meeting. We yearn for a vibrant, intergenerational Society of Friends. We ask Monthly Meetings to labor on this issue in advance of Pacific Yearly Meeting annual sessions. We pray for divine guidance in this matter.”
North Pacific Yearly Meeting will gather July 15-19 in Missoula, MT with John Calvi as Friend in Residence. John Calvi, a Quaker healer and teacher specializing in trauma and caregiver burnout, will speak on the theme: "Experiencing Light in Hard Times - How Do We Stay Faithful in Times of Trouble?"
Helen Dart, Presiding Clerk of North Pacific Yearly Meeting, wrote to Friends who might have financial difficulty in attending NPYM: “I want to suggest to Friends that accepting needed scholarship help is a service to the Yearly Meeting. Our strength and power at Annual Session flows from our members coming together, and every one of us is important. By accepting the gift of scholarship funds, we give the gift of our presence to the Annual Session.”
Northwest Yearly Meeting will hold Yearly Meeting Sessions at George Fox University, Newberg, OR, Sunday July 26-Thursday July 30 with the theme, “We are Witnesses.” The Outreach Rally will take place Sunday evening, following the Men’s and Women’s Missionary Banquets. Colin Saxton will give the keynote address Monday evening and Bob Adhikary, missionary to Nepal, will speak Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Kim Felton (from North Valley Friends Church, Newberg, OR) is being added to the Northwest Yearly Meeting Office staff in the newly redesigned half-time Administrative Assistant position. Bruce Butler’s position as Communications Director becomes full-time. This reorganization is partly related to the retirement of Terri Bowen who is irreplaceable. Rachelle Staley moves from an "interim" role to full-time Associate Superintendent of Youth and Young Adults.
The next gathering of the Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting will be September 25-27, 2009, at the Lazy F Ranch near Ellensburg. Port Townsend Monthly Meeting will lead the program with the theme, “Wild Earth, Wild Mind, Wild Heart.”
Pacific Yearly Meeting will meet July 27-August 1, 2009 at Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma, CA.
Joe Franko, clerk of Pacific Yearly Meeting, reminds Friends “that we gather in faith and hope that the Spirit will guide us to make Spirit-led decisions. The process is as it has always been. . . The Youth Proposal has been especially seasoned by Meetings and by Representative Committee . . .Remember that in our Plenaries we come together to Worship on the Occasion of Business. In worship, we assume that it is not the Friend who speaks, but the Spirit who speaks through that Friend.”
Members of the Unity with Nature Committee of Pacific Yearly Meeting are concerned about ways of greening their yearly gathering and urge Friends to try being at least a part-time vegetarian. They’ve worked with both the Arrangements Committee and the Walker Ranch cooks to make tasty vegetarian food more available to everyone, not confined to the kitchen. Also they plan one "simple meal," e.g. rice and beans, to be in greater solidarity with poor people everywhere.

PS. Personal note:

Dear FWCC Friends:
Sometime in the mid-1980’s I was asked by my yearly meeting if I would like to be a representative to FWCC. I honestly didn’t know what was involved, but thought I would give it a try. Next thing I knew, I was in Greensboro, North Carolina worshipping with Friends quite different from me.
I also went to Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada; Indianapolis, IN; and Des Moines, IO. I served on Executive Committee so I also had the opportunity to visit with Friends in other locations
With that wonderful experience behind me, I felt called to respond in 2001 when I became aware that the Western Field Staff position was available. I started with FWCC in September 2001 and have been blessed by every moment of this work.
When I first joined Friends, I was told that I was joining the Religious Society of Friends. I understood this intellectually but it took my time with FWCC for me to really “get” it. FWCC is the glue that holds the Religious Society of Friends together.
At the beginning I was told that part of my work was to talk about the diversity of Friends. I have done that. And I have had wonderful times with many types of Friends. Somewhere along the way, though, I lost the diversity. Now, I don’t mean to make light our differences because they are real, but as I moved among Friends, I found them – you – to be just that, Friends.
I recently participated in a worshipful time with other Friends where we shared what our ministry is today. It is clear to me that in this time of transition, my ministry is to be a faithful Friend at my monthly meeting, Bridge City Meeting. But I know that as an individual I will always be part of the wider world of Friends. I am glad that this is so.
I will continue to do some work for FWCC on a very limited contract basis. I will continue to publish my Newsletter Summary on-line and for the next year, I will help with the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage. And, of course, like many Friends in the Northwest, I will volunteer to help with the planning of our FWCC Regional Gatherings.

In Friendship,
Nancy

News from Western Quaker Newsletters

Late May, Early June, 2009
Dear Friends,

Most people in the world think of summer in terms of vacation, the beach, etc. But, not us Quakers! We know that summer means Yearly Meeting. (Apologies to those Friends who hold yearly meetings at other times of the year; I’m sure you look forward to your own yearly meeting season as well.)
For most of the past 20 years, I have, by wearing one Quaker hat or another, attended multiple yearly meetings or the equivalent in the western part of the United States. It has been my pleasure to be with all of these wonderful Friends who have become my friends. I have learned so much and I have grown spiritually in this time.
In this summer of my new beginnings, I will attend my own yearly meeting, North Pacific Yearly Meeting and perhaps visit Northwest Yearly Meeting. This feels so right for now.

I find most of the information for this Newsletter Summary in church and meeting newsletters. Many are sent to me by postal mail; others by e-mail. Until fairly recently I had a PMB – Personal Mail Box – in Vancouver, WA. I have now closed that PMB box. Mail may or may not be forwarded from that address.
If you are the person who sends your church or meeting Newsletter to me by postal mail, would you consider sending it to me as an e-mail attachment? If that is not possible, send me an e-mail so I can send you my new address.

In Friendship,
Nancy

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Meridian Friends Church (ID) is holding its Vacation Bible School with the theme, “Operation Space – A close encounter with God’s word.”
Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) Friends are being asked, “Are we still a dangerous people? What might your answer say about the work of the Spirit in your heart?” Friends will meet Saturday, June 13 with facilitators Marge Abbott and Peggy Parsons to explore the spiritual qualities which once caused Quakers to be thrown in prison and legislated against as a danger to the realm.
The report of the Children’s Program Committee of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) stated that 25 children and 25 adults participated in the program in the past year. All children who participated in the program were presented with an age-appropriate book at the end of the year.
Newberg Friends (OR) will have the opportunity to participate in “Listen to Christ” retreats.” On May 30 Friends will be “Experiencing God in Creation.” This will be a chance to learn, practice, and experiment with tools of listening, such as silence, journaling, confession, and meditation.
Newberg Friends Church (OR) is considering implementing a “voluntary gas tax” to provide funds for weatherization projects in the church building and in the homes of neighbors.
A Quaker Literature Group of Orange County Meeting (Santa Ana, CA) is reading Founding Faith by Stephen Waldman which is about the faith of people who founded the United States.
Friends at Palo Alto Meeting (CA) will participate in worship sharing on “outsiders and insiders.” Being inclusive means more than bringing many diverse people together; it is about how we experience and engage each other. Identity is a complex construction and outsiders and insiders are not always easily distinguished.
Redwood Forest Meeting (Santa Rosa, CA) has had Junior Membership for about 25 years, partly as a way to keep in touch with teens and college age children. The practice appears to be in name only as Pacific Yearly Meeting does not honor Junior Membership. Oversight has recommended discontinuing this practice. Friends are seasoning this request.
Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR) will hold Science Camp for children June 22-24 which will include three days of exploration as well as crafts, bible lessons and demonstrations.
Santa Fe Friends (NM) considered whether or not the Meeting's Care Committee should be laid down. Friends decided instead to appoint a liaison on Ministry and Oversight for care issues
The editor of the Newsletter for Santa Monica Meeting (CA) informs Friends of the Queries for the next month. Friends are encouraged to submit poems, quotations, or personal ministries related to the up-coming query.
Nominating Committee of Santa Monica Meeting (CA) is planning to act in accordance with the Pacific Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice suggestion to be bold in its thinking. Friends will be given an opportunity to try out committees that they have not served on before. Some Friends expressed some alarm at the idea of committees being “shaken up”, and discussed the idea. Friends expressed hope that Nominating Committee will be considerate of maintaining a balance between continuity and fluidity and growth.
South Mountain Friends (Ashland, OR) participated in a winnowing session on clerking with the queries: “What actions, skills, or qualities do you want in a clerk?” “What would you be willing to settle for?” “How can the Meeting support the growth of future clerks?” This session was then to be followed up with a workshop on clerking, a “home-grown” workshop led by two former clerks of South Mountain Meeting.
Jim Pike will begin ministry at South Salem Friends (OR) on July 1.
The Faith in Action working group of South Seattle Preparative Meeting (WA) is gathering ideas for working locally and will bring them to business meeting. The group will attempt to make a vision statement.
Friends Community Church, Spring Valley (CA) hosted young men from the Teen Challenge men’s facility, including the Teen Challenge Choir. In this residence young men are taught job skills, basic cooking skills and anger management during days of devotion, dedication and discovery.
The first Quaker Quest workshop for Tacoma Meeting (WA) has been scheduled officially by Friends General Conference (FGC) for September 19, 2009. It will be an all-day workshop led by two facilitators from FGC.
University Meeting (Seattle, WA) is seeking a coordinator for its QUEST program. UFM seeks experienced administrator, program developer, trainer for established program providing six interns with year-long positions at local social change and service organizations. This is a half-time, salaried position. Application deadline: June 15 for August start. Contact Personnel Committee: http://webmail.multnomahfriends.org/src/compose.php?send_to=UFMeeting%40gmail.com or call 360-668-9370.
University Meeting (Seattle, WA) recently held a potluck with the Shelter Group that uses its building. Friends were invited to “enjoy a meal and fellowship with the men and women who sleep in our worship room each night.”
Intergenerational summer Sunday School at First Friends, Whittier (CA) will focus on the works of Dr. Seuss.
When the pastor, Bill Peterson, of First Friends, Whittier, (CA) was stuck in a Denver airport and couldn’t get back to give the message for Sunday worship, his wife, Gail Benson, filled in for him, speaking on “All Will be Well.”
The schedule at Boulder Meeting (CO) for the time after Meeting for Worship for Business and fellowship is: First Sunday – spiritual journey; Second Sunday – Meeting for Worship with Concern for Business; Third Sunday – topical programs suggested by individuals and committees; Fourth Sunday –adult education curriculum; and Fifth Sunday – singing.
To help Friends get to know one another, Boise Friends Church (ID) will establish a picture board with pictures and names of people from each church household.
Friends from Berkeley Meeting (CA) are meeting with members of the Berkeley Ward of the Later Day Saints Church to organize a neighborhood emergency preparedness event which will take place August 15th.
Adam Bradbury begins July 1 at Greenleaf Friends (ID) as their full-time associate pastor.

From many Meetings:
The following is a report from one monthly meeting but the general sense of it comes from many meetings as they work on their nominating processes.
Nominating committee: A lot of difficulty was reported in getting people to serve: some wish to take a break from being on a committee; others did not respond at all; others agree to serve and then don't attend meetings. The Nominating Committee itself needs more members.


Beyond the Monthly Meeting/Churches

Continuing Committee of Arizona Half-Yearly Meeting has recommended that the Meeting change its format to a Fall retreat weekend at Emmanuel Pines Camp in Prescott and a spring gathering in Phoenix or Tucson for a one-day meeting for worship for business and focus meetings for particular committees.
Christian Friends Conference of Northern California will meet Saturday, June 27th at Berkeley Friends Church. Along with silent waiting worship in the manner of Conservative Friends and silent waiting worship upon the Lord, Paul Smith will lead a discussion on the Ten Commandments.
Intermountain Yearly Meeting will gather June 8-14 at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico with the theme, “Telling our Stories: Where is God in All This.” Lucy Duncan, FGC staff and storyteller, will be the guest.
North Pacific Yearly Meeting will gather July 15-19 in Missoula, MT with John Calvi as Friend in Residence. John Calvi, a Quaker healer and teacher specializing in trauma and caregiver burnout, will speak on the theme: "Experiencing Light in Hard Times - How Do We Stay Faithful in Times of Trouble?"
Helen Dart, Presiding Clerk of North Pacific Yearly Meeting, wrote to Friends who might have financial difficulty in attending NPYM: “I want to suggest to Friends that accepting needed scholarship help is a service to the Yearly Meeting. Our strength and power at Annual Session flows from our members coming together, and every one of us is important. By accepting the gift of scholarship funds, we give the gift of our presence to the Annual Session.”
Northwest Yearly Meeting will hold Yearly Meeting Sessions at George Fox University, Newberg, OR, Sunday July 26-Thursday July 30 with the theme, “We are Witnesses.” The Outreach Rally will take place Sunday evening, following the Men’s and Women’s Missionary Banquets. Colin Saxton will give the keynote address Monday evening and Bob Adhikary, missionary to Nepal, will speak Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Kim Felton (from North Valley Friends Church, Newberg, OR) is being added to the Northwest Yearly Meeting Office staff in the newly redesigned half-time Administrative Assistant position. Bruce Butler’s position as Communications Director becomes full-time. This reorganization is partly related to the retirement of Terri Bowen who is irreplaceable. Rachelle Staley moves from an "interim" role to full-time Associate Superintendent of Youth and Young Adults.
Pacific Yearly Meeting will meet July 27-August 1, 2009 at Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma, CA.
Pacific Yearly Meeting Representative Committee considered, but did not come to unity on, a proposal to hire a Youth Coordinator as a regular employee. The issue will go back to committees and to the Annual Session of PYM. Other issues: The 2008 Annual Session incurred a significant loss. An increase in fees or change in pricing structure is being considered. PYM is having difficulty finding a site in Southern California for the 2010 and 2011 sessions.
Meetings in Pacific Yearly Meeting may apply for a grant from the “San Fernando Valley Meetinghouse Proceeds Trust,” for “religious or charitable purposes, such as to assist Quaker meetings in the acquisition of meeting houses." Applications and inquiries should be sent to the Pacific Yearly Meeting Holding Corporation clerk, Lanny Jay.
Attendance at Southern California Quarterly Meeting was higher than anticipated, which was heartening as Friends have been struggling to keep the Quarterly Meeting’s committees filled.
Friends at Willamette Quarterly Meeting expressed concerns about the viability of this Quarterly Meeting, given the low attendance of recent years and the lack of people willing to plan the sessions. Friends agreed to query all the Meetings and Worship Groups to get a sense of their take on the future of Willamette Quarterly Meeting.

PS. Personal note:

I’m moving again. While it’s not my favorite thing to do, I’m almost getting good at it. And, of course, I’ve had a tremendous amount of help from Friends and relatives, including daughter Becky and Nephew Rick.
I’ll miss the trees and the sense of being in the country at my old apartment, but I won’t miss the freeway noise that comes with it. My new apartment is closer in to the city and on a good bus route. The most important thing is that it is about 12 blocks from my granddaughter’s house!

In Friendship,
Nancy

News of Friends Meetings and Churches

Two students from ESR (Earlham School of Religion) brought the message to First Friends, Whittier (CA) on March 29. The message was from 1 Corinthians: 12-26 with the theme that the Body of Christ is like the human body.
Friends at West Community Friends Church (Corona, CA) are being asked if they would like to be involved in Worship Arts Ministry. This ministry includes Vocal, Instrumental, Sound, Power Point design, Power Point presentation, Lighting, etc.
Vancouver Meeting (BC) held a Quaker Quest introductory workshop in April to enable Vancouver Friends Meeting to discern whether it is called to undertake Quaker Quest at this time. Friends from Argenta, Vancover Island and Bellingham Meetings joined them.
University Meeting (Seattle, WA) is seeking a coordinator for its QUEST program. UFM seeks experienced administrator, program developer, trainer for established program providing six interns with year-long positions at local social change and service organizations. This is a half-time, salaried position. Application deadline: June 15 for August start. Contact Personnel Committee: UFMeeting@gmail.com or call 360-668-9370.
In its third all-meeting retreat, University Meeting (Seattle, WA) will build on what Friends learned about individual discernment to focus on tools for corporate discernment.
The Clerk of Tempe Meeting (AZ) is the person with custodial authority to contact the Tempe police to address the standing “no trespass” order that the Meeting has established in support of the Meeting’s immediate neighborhood neighbor concerns of homeless individuals using Meeting property to sleep and/or store belongings.
Tempe Meeting (AZ) has tried the experiment of having a table in the middle of the room to assist a Friend’s hearing.
Tacoma Meeting (WA) will hold a Meeting for Learning on Tacoma’s Federal Detention Center and other immigrant issues. Friends will also view two short documentaries: one about the detention center and one concerning traffic stops connected to immigration surveillance on the Olympic Peninsula.
The first Quaker Quest workshop for Tacoma Meeting (WA) has been scheduled officially by Friends General Conference (FGC) for September 19, 2009. It will be an all-day workshop led by two facilitators from FGC.
The Mother’s Day Breakfast at Friends Community Church, Spring Valley (CA) was hosted by the Quaker men.
Spokane Friends Church (WA) is discussing the arrangement of the pews in the sanctuary in order to meet the needs of both the unprogrammed and programmed meetings.
South Seattle Preparative Meeting (WA) decided to begin the process of becoming a Monthly Meeting. Friends will participate in a worship sharing session on the topic to help meet a concern that they need consideration at a spiritual level. Clerks will be encouraged to have committee members discuss the change.
South Seattle Preparative Meeting (WA) is once again organizing a family camping trip for the weekend of the Sea Fair airshow, when Friends traditionally cancel their regular meeting forworship. This year, a Meeting family has generously offered the use of the land surrounding their cabin near Index, WA.
Santa Monica Meeting (Ca) recently approved three minutes. They are on Expanding the War in Afghanistan, Universal Health Care in the United States, and Health Care in the world. These minutes will be sent to Southern California Quarterly Meeting.
Santa Cruz Meeting (CA) approved allowing a couple to live in their van in the Meeting’s parking lot for three months
Peace and Social Order Committee of San Jose Meeting (CA) reports that the “Peace Now” banner is now held over a local freeway on the third Sunday of each month.
Sacramento Meeting (CA) facilitated their first same sex marriage.
Worship and Ministry Committee of Sacramento Meeting (CA) encourages Friends to prepare for worship before entering into the meeting room. “Enter into the Silence, then enter into the Meeting Room.” “Worship in process, prepare before entering meeting room.”
Palo Alto Friends (CA) are reading Robert Barclay’s Quaker Catechisms and Confessions of Faith which presents fundamental religious precepts of Friends in 1673.
Orange County Friends (Santa Ana, CA) are listing community resources, sharing skills and supporting one another through listening and shared meals.
Orange Grove Meeting (Pasadena, CA) will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Meeting for Worship in the Orange Grove Boulevard Meeting House on Sunday, May 31st. There will be a display of old photos from the early years, music and singing and a birthday cake. All F(f)riends from near and far are cordially invited to join in this milestone celebration.
Newberg Friends Church (OR) will hold its annual celebration and blessing for graduating seniors on May 17, complete with live music, smoothies, dessert, a slide show and blessing.
Young Adult Friends of Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) gather in Worship on the second Sunday of each month. They attend to business between 4:30 and 6 pm, then settle into potluck dinner, moving easily between song and silence through the evening.
Multnomah Meeting (Portland, OR) Friends are being asked, “Are we still a dangerous people? What might yor answer say about the work of the Spirit in your heart?” Friends will meet Saturday, June 13 with facilitators Marge Abbott and Peggy Parsons to explore the spiritual qualities which once caused Quakers to be thrown in prison and legislated against as a danger to the realm.
Mountainview Meeting (Denver, CO), to foster better communication between its separate committees, will hold a meeting of the clerks of all committees multiple times this year. All committee members are urged to keep each other better informed, through the Meeting’s newsletter, written announcements, Business Meeting, and daily conversations.
“Women in Transition,” women of Grass Valley Meeting (CA) gather 4 - 5 times a year at someone’s home for a day to deepen their friendships and share their lives.
Eugene Meeting (OR) holds Meetings for Worshipful Inquiry where Friends learn to share their personal experiences of faith and practice. In May, Friends will be asked, “How to Abide? – How do I handle those times when the well has gone dry? What do I do when there is no ‘way opening’ or no ‘leading?’”
Worship and Ministry and Children’s Religious Education Committees of Eugene Meeting (OR) have developed a brochure clarifying the Meeting’s relationship with children in the meeting for worship. The brochure includes the reasons that children are included in worship, ways that parents can prepare their children for worship, and guidelines for behavior.
Delta Meeting (Stockton, CA) is a sponsor of the Modesto Peace Life Center’s Peace Essay Contest. Approximately 210 attended the Contest Awards Reception. This year’s assignment was to nominate a living person for Peacemaker of the Year. Friends noted it was nice to see students participate year after year and to see their growth.
Davis Meeting (CA) is holding discussions on topics such as “Affirmations for undoing old injuries—a step to forgiveness,” and “Sharing spiritual inspirations: What experiences and people have helped to shape your spiritual path?”
Corvallis Meeting (OR) has adopted a key policy for the Meeting House, establishing who should have keys.
Claremont Meeting (CA) contributed artwork to the “Building a world fit for Children” project through Church Women United.
Chico Meeting (CA) will hold monthly study and worship-sharing times around Plain Living: A Quaker Path to Simplicity by Catherine Whitmore.
Bridge City Meeting (Portland, OR) will share a picnic at a local park. At this time “old” committees will turn over responsibilities to “new” committees.
Boise Friends Church (ID) will hold a retreat at Quaker Hill with the theme, “Stop and Hear the Who…. Because a Friend is a Friend no matter how small. Friends are encouraged to apply for scholarships if needed and to contribute to scholarships is possible.
Bellingham Meeting (WA) maintains a presence at the Bellingham Saturday Market as many Saturdays as possible. Topics presented include war (no war), the environment and health insurance for all.
The children of Bellingham Meeting (WA) are collecting war toys for the purpose of being relinquished, in conjunction with other faith groups. The children will be making a peace dove with the collection.
Albuquerque Meeting (NM) will hold a Saturday afternoon workshop on “Vocal Ministry in the Tradition of Friends.”