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Valiant for Truth The day was hot and the lawn showed definite signs of needing yet another mowing. So, as the afternoon began to cool off, I got the lawn mower ready and began the process. Back and forth, back and forth, mowing one strip after another. As I passed the porch, my young son waved at me. The next time by, he was out waiting for me. As I stopped, he stepped in front of me, put his hands on the mower handle and began to try and push it along. Watching him struggle so seriously, while not making any measurable progress, I chuckled and stepped forward to place my hands next to his. I arched my body over his short one, and walked with my legs on either side of him. It was a difficult position for pushing a lawn mower, but slowly we began to weave our way through the grass. The cool afternoon breeze brushed by as my son looked up at me and smiled, "I'm a big helper, right Mom?" "Of course," I replied, fully realizing the lawn-mowing project had just lengthened and the finished results would leave some long blades still standing. It would not be perfect nor done as well as if I had done it myself. As I think back to this long-past incident, it reminds me of my relationship with God. How many times have I wanted to help when I'm sure God could much more easily do it by Himself? Yet, this is how the Kingdom of God is built. We are called to push the mowers while God stands and pushes with us. God could easily do all the work without our help. After all, God created us and is in control of the universe! But God doesn't do it that way. His plan is different. We are to continue as co-laborers with Him, weaving across our communities, maybe leaving blades of grass and imperfections, while God guides our paths and actions. Why? Because as Christians we are called to serve and minister to one another! And only we can do the particular ministry for which God created us. We are not called to be perfect; we are called to be faithful in ministry, to be co-laborers with God in our families, in our communities and in our world. Blessings in Christ, Trish Edwards-Konic

COVER STORIES 10 Rising Above a Sewer Society John A. Muhanji The lifestyle of the Kingdom of God calls Friends to be in the world, but no longer part of it. John Muhanji's experience in Africa faces situations occurring in all cultures. 14 Choose Life! Tom Baugh The witness of Friends long past leads modern Friends into developing lives that are integrated culturally, spiritually and physically within the context of the fullness of creation. 16 The Divorce Stamp Ken Thames Ministry to those who are divorced in our meetings is still awkward in many situations. Ken Thames shares the results of surveys sent to divorced church members. 19 Manasquan Meeting Celebrates 300 Years Dean Freiday Now a National Historic Landmark, for 300 years Manasquan Friends Meeting has been a beacon for God and faithfully served its community.   FEATURES 4 Commitments Retha McCutchen 4 News from Friends United Meeting 8 News 11 Salt and Light Time Management Arthur O. Roberts 12 FUM 2002 Triennial: A Call to Quakers for Stepped Up Evangelism Miriam Khamadi Were 15 Turning Points Disability and Us Derek Parker 17 Wilmer Cooper Inducted into OFIC's Hall of Excellence 17 Yearly Meeting as a Jazz Concert Alan Weinacht 18 Bible Study In the Stillness of My Heart Sara Beth Terrell 20 Ideas That Work Minutes from Mardis Gras Spencer Thury Friends and Fragrances Geraldine Glodek 22 Viewpoints 23 Reviews 26 Passages 29 Classifieds 30 Meeting Directory 34 Pentecost Message 35 The Back Bench God Bless America Philip Gulley

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