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Friends United Meeting |
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April 2001
News from Friends United Meeting
Britain Yearly Meeting Advices and Queries
8. Worship is our response to an awareness of God. We can worship alone, but when we join with others in expectant waiting we may discover a deeper sense of God's presence. We seek a gathered stillness in our meetings for worship so that all may feel the power of God's love drawing us together and leading us.
9. In worship we enter with reverence into communion with God and respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Come to meeting for worship with heart and mind prepared. Yield yourself and all your outward concerns to God's guidance so that you may find 'the evil weakening in you and the good raised up'.
10. Come regularly to meeting for worship even when you are angry, depressed, tired or spiritually cold. In the silence ask for and accept the prayerful support of others joined with you in worship. Try to find a spiritual wholeness which encompasses suffering as well as thankfulness and joy. Prayer, springing from a deep place in the heart, may bring healing and unity as nothing else can. Let meeting for worship nourish your whole life.
11. Be honest with yourself. What unpalatable truths might you be evading? When you recognize your shortcomings, do not let that discourage you. In worship together we can find the assurance of God's love and the strength to go on with renewed courage.
12. When you are preoccupied and distracted in meeting let wayward and disturbing thoughts give way quietly to your awareness of God's presence among us and in the world. Receive the vocal ministry of others in a tender and creative spirit. Reach for the meaning deep within it, recognizing that even if it is not God's word for you, it may be so for others. Remember that we all share responsibility for the meeting for worship whether our ministry is in silence or through the spoken word.
13. Do not assume that vocal ministry is never to be your part. Faithfulness and sincerity in speaking, even very briefly, may open the way to fuller ministry from others. When prompted to speak, wait patiently to know that the leading and the time are right, but do not let a sense of your own unworthiness hold you back. Pray that your ministry may arise from deep experience, and trust that words will be given to you. Try to speak audibly and distinctly, and with sensitivity to the needs of others. Beware of speaking predictably or too often, and of making additions towards the end of a meeting when it was well left before.
Ben Richmond Named Director, North American Ministries
At the February meetings, the Friends United Meeting General Board named Ben Richmond, Director of North American Ministries. He will assume the duties of that position on March 16.
Ben Richmond is well known within the Friends United Meeting constituency and in wider Quaker circles. He will deliver the Johnson Lecture at the FUM Triennial, July 10-14, 2002, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Most recently, Ben served Friends United Meeting as editor of Quaker Life magazine (January-July, 2000), as managing editor (1995-1999), and coordinating editor (1994). Before serving Quaker Life, he was on the FUM staff as administrative assistant in Meeting Ministries (1993-94) and as Coordinator for Peace and Social Concerns and Quaker Volunteer Witness (1985-1993).
As Director of North American Ministries, Ben Richmond will work closely with FUM's North American Ministries Committee, composed of staff and leadership from each FUM North American yearly meeting, to facilitate communication and identify opportunities for partnership. Current partnerships include FUM's Chain of Prayer, Intercessor's Letter, Vacation Bible School Missions Project, and Ambassadors for Christ.
"Our initial focus will be in two areas: 1) identifying and nurturing young adult leadership and 2) articulating our faith--authentically Christian and authentically Quaker--to the general public," Ben stated. "What excites me is where FUM stands. We hold together the Christian basis of our faith, and that listening worship and our testimonies are intrinsic to this faith. That is the treasure we have for the wider world."
Jonathan Vogel-Borne, clerk of the North American Ministries Committee, says, "Ben brings a deep commitment to following Jesus Christ, and, as many who have worked with him in the past have come to know, he truly lets his life speak from within that commitment. The committee looks to facilitate work coordinated through the FUM yearly meeting structures in three areas: evangelism, youth work, and pastoral leadership development."
As Director of North American Ministries, Ben will be traveling among the constituency at least 50 percent of the time. "Much of my travel will be focused on finding out where God is at work among us doing exciting things and sharing that news as I go. This may help us build off of each other."
A graduate of Reed College, Portland, Oregon, Ben Richmond earned a Master of Ministry from Earlham School of Religion in 1983. He was pastor of West Branch (Iowa) Friends Church from 1982-1985 and recorded as a minister of the gospel by Indiana Yearly Meeting in 1991. Ben and Jody Richmond, and children, Jessica, Peter, and Christopher, are members of West Richmond (Indiana) Friends Meeting.
Triennial Preparations Continue
Preparations for the 2002 FUM Triennial in Kenya are well under way. Meetings will last from July 10-14, 2002, at the Technological College outside of Nairobi. Group travel options will be available as well as opportunities for extended travel in the country following FUM sessions.
Several things you can begin doing now are:
1. Obtain a current Passport and check on current Visa requirements.
2. Begin budgeting the $2500-3000 necessary per person;
3. Read about Kenya and Friends in Kenya (websites: www.fum.org for World
Ministries and the Triennial site, plus www.Kenyaweb.com, www.africaonline.co.ke,
and http://travel.state.gov/kenya.html).
Plan now to join with Friends to fulfill the Triennial Host Committee's objective: "To work towards reconciliation and unity within the Quaker community and to revitalize the Quaker faith and practice in Kenya and elsewhere."
FUM General Board Meets
The FUM General Board met in regular session February 10-11. A memorial time for Joe Vlaskamp was observed with sharing by several Friends. Joe had served on the FUM General Board for many years and presently was a FUM Trustee. His cheerful presence and wise counsel will be missed.
Minutes of appreciation were written for Joe Vlaskamp, Steve and Marlene Pedigo on the 25th anniversary of their service to the Cabrini Green area of Chicago, David Brock for his tenacious assistance in the settlement of the National Friends Insurance Trust fraud, and Wayne and Kay Record Carter for their volunteer service as Interim General Secretary of FUM for the past six months.
Bob Wilson, North Carolina, was named Clerk of the Friends Extension Corporation and Larry Barker, Wilmington, accepted a second term on the FEC Board. Jim Cradler agreed to fill the unexpired term of Joe Vlaskamp on Trustees.
Thanks to FDS
By Clinton Harris
In 1998, when part of my house burned, I was attending Friends Boys School. As I arrived home from school, my house was in flames. I didn't know what to do. I was shocked, stunned. I decided to help the others extinguish the flames. I got a bucket from across my neighbor's yard. I did that in a hurry and started dipping water from the drain and throwing it onto the flames. This incident occurred about 12:40 p.m. The fire was out before the firemen came.
I graduated from SCMS and came to FBS. It was very difficult until the man with a multi-millionaire heart came along. This was Mr. Cain. He assisted us in every way a family could be assisted. He asked my mom to explain the situation at home. She told him and he said he would build a house for us. Two months passed by and my mom thought he was bluffing until he showed up with a group of American volunteers. They asked no questions and started working immediately. My mom didn't even know what was going on.
She asked Mr. Cain and he said, "You want your house to be built right?"
She said, "yes."
In two weeks, the house was almost complete. We were surprised about the speed at which the house went up. They had actually built us a house. It took about one working month to complete the house. We were surprised.
My mom thought that they were robots. They finished the house and left. They moved so fast my mom and I didn't even have a chance to thank them. So now, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the good people who really assisted us in time of need. We are eternally grateful. I am personally grateful and will do my best to repay these kind people by giving back to FBS and the community.
Belize Work Team
By Mike McCormick
ÒTwo are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up, but pity the person who falls and has no one to help him up!Ó Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Dean Johnson, founder of Friends Disaster Service, expounded on these verses when FDS was in west Tennessee helping rebuild a burned church. I realized that by doing something I enjoyed with a good group of people, I was also helping to fulfill this Scripture. What a revelation!
Our latest trip was to Belize, Central America, in October, 2000. Six of us, Aaron King and Rich Klaus from Marshalltown, Iowa, Harold and Libbie Curry, Nancy and myself from Chester Friends, Ohio, flew to Belize to help with a project already in process. The home of a Friends Boys School student burned last February. Mike and Kay Cain, FUM field workers, went out on faith and took on the responsibility of building them a home. First, three workers from Indiana framed in the structure. Then, our group cut in the windows and outside doors, ran the wiring, drywalled the interior walls, and hung the interior doors. All this was accomplished while working around a four year old who wanted to help, a sixteen year old who did help, and some other friends and relatives of the family who came by daily to inspect the progress.
We did have some fun other than working on the project while we were there. We went snorkeling one day, boating by Caye Caulker, an island that was hit by Hurricane Keith. What devastating damage can be done by wind! The youngest one of our group, Aaron King, developed friendships with some boys in the area by playing basketball with them and just having fun.
Each time I go on a Friends Disaster project I am reminded again how all over the world people want many of the same things--a secure and safe home, a family to love and be loved by, friends to be with and worship with, the good feeling you get deep down inside when you reach out and help someone, just because of the love God has instilled inside of each one of us, no matter where we live. The most gratifying part of going to Belize is worshiping with the Belizean folk. We worship with Catholic friends as well as Presbyterian friends, finding God's Spirit alive and well in each.
This is the thread binding us together--God's Spirit in each of us. When we are in Belize we meet people who are just vacationing. It is a wonder to them why we would come there to work. What they miss is getting to know Belizean folks as they are, where they work, by visiting in their homes, and getting acquainted with their families.
We went to Belize last October to help work on a new home and to minister to others. In the process, we were ministered to. One more aspect of this verse in Ecclesiastes--we had a good return for our work. God ministered in many ways while we were there.
What Makes For Peace?
By Tom Getman, World Vision Jerusalem
Jesus wept over Jerusalem during His "triumphal" entry on Palm Sunday. He was heartbroken because His people were contentious with hatred. He lamented the needless pain on the horizon...even in the face of his own passion. He could see that soon the City would lie in ruins and thousands of families would be scattered across the face of the known world. Political intrigue rather than the way of love had already laid the land mines that would lead to unimaginable suffering. He must still be weeping profusely as selfish political ambitions and idolatry of a few hold up the desire of the peaceful hearts of many.
We in Jerusalem walk by or on the Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount and can see still the line of huge Herodian stones that were the few left in place after the destruction of the city in 70 AD. The newer successive Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Ottoman and modern building blocks are reminders of Jesus' cry, "would that even today you recognize the things which would give you peace."
Today it is the psychological rubble of broken hearts and families of both oppressors and oppressed that are apparent. Deeply troubled hearts cause heavily armed occupiers in the Old City to beat children or kick over the fruit or vegetable basket of elderly Bedouin ladies selling in the hot sun at the Damascus Gate. Severe discouragement after repeated humiliation cause alienated villagers to explode themselves on a bus or in the market taking many of their fellows from both communities with them. How can the cause of peace be advanced in this poisoned atmosphere created by traumatized people while surrounded by the residue of history? Especially recent generations of Jerusalemites have perpetrated heinous crimes against one another. The way of love that Jesus held out fortunately is not limited to Christians only...especially since in Israel and Palestine it is estimated that less that 2% of the population have declared themselves followers of Jesus.
The way of love we see personified in the courageous members of the Rabbis for Human Rights and the Israelis Against Home Demolitions is in fact a model for Christian activists such as the Christian Peacemaker Teams who stand between alienated settlers and residents in the city of Hebron. These humanitarians together illustrate what it means to "lay down their lives for their friends" as they stand in front of the guns and sit in front of the bulldozers.
Peace will dawn when more Israelis recognize and work toward the reality that Palestinians have the right to live without fear, on an equal basis in human rights, economic structures, and social and religious freedoms. "To live in their own homes and harvest their own vineyards" as Isaiah prophesied. As the oppression deepens and a new Apartheid is established, even while leaders are negotiating peace, it will be for the recipients of the new arrangement to say if things are better, not the dictators of the treaty.
In practical terms the things that will make for peace, in addition to the necessary asking one another for forgiveness, are when:
1. Palestinians who live outside of but have jobs within Jerusalem no longer have to plead for a three month permit of entry from Israeli "civil administration" to come to work each day;
2. Israeli civilian settlers in the Occupied Territories are no longer used as part of the Israeli military occupation and they live as Palestinian citizens without relying on Israeli soldiers for protection;
3. Bethlehem and other areas of the West Bank and Gaza control their own water resources and receive water more often than the Israeli determined once every 20 days for a few hours; and,
4. Visitors to Israel and Palestine open their eyes to the stark human needs and inequities, and move beyond shallow theology that rationalizes a god who endorses ethnic cleansing, torture and other degradations...and give witness to what they are seeing.
World Vision development educator Paul Beran says, "Peace for me will mean that victims are turned into forgivers, and perpetrators of crimes into confessors. Responsibility for each person's actions toward others will prevail irrespective of ethnic origin and equality will be alive. The order of the day will be not whether you are a Jew, or Palestinian or expatriate but if you are one who holds to the holiness of each individual and the sanctity of all human life."
From: ASSIST COMMUNICATIONS, Garden Grove, CA, January 18, 2001.
Tom Getman serves on the Board for the Ramallah Friends School and is the head of the World Vision office in Jerusalem.
Copyright (c) 2001 Friends United Meeting
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