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Valiant for Truth Soon people in churches worldwide will be greeting one another with the ancient Easter greeting, "Christ is Alive!" Sometimes because we have heard the story so often, we get caught up in other things—new clothes, colored eggs, the Easter bunny, family dinners—that the Easter message becomes predictable. Yet, the Easter message is basic for our faith. Only by standing in the resurrection power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, can we have the strength and courage to face our changing world. Christians are Easter people. Suffering in the world catches our attention as we are called to a risky, prophetic ministry. The living presence of Jesus stood in the midst of His followers centuries ago and changed fearful men and women into courageous prophets of a new faith. Today, the same Christ stands in our midst and continues to call fearful men and women to be courageous prophets to the world around us. Christian courage is given in the face of difficult and possibly dangerous situations in which we are called to obey the guidance of God. When we feel the clarity of God's direction, we will have the courage of His Spirit. Courage cannot be stored up; it is given in the storms of our struggles, at just the right time and in just the right amount. When the things we attempt to accomplish can be done in our own strength, this courage will not be given. Only when we become involved in issues or challenges in which God is the only invisible means of support, will we be infused with courage. The adventure of the Christian life begins when we dare to do what we would never tackle without Christ. William Penn wrote: "I hope we shall ever remember who it was that said, 'Of yourself you can do nothing.' Those who are Christ's disciples have learned by good experience that without Christ they can do nothing." No matter what happens, we live in absolute confidence that God is in firm control and that the victory over death has been won. Christ is alive and we are called to be about the task of living and serving as joyous people with an unshakable assurance. Standing in the resurrection power, we will be given direction and courage. Standing as prophets in a chaotic world, our voices raise against injustice and violence. Standing in Christ's presence, we are filled with compassion and love. Christ is alive! Blessings in Christ, Trish Edwards-Konic

COVER STORIES 8 Resurrection! Jesus overcomes death through the resurrection. Once again, read the story. 9 Declaration from...Quakers...to King Charles II, 1660 A statement signed by early Quakers addressed to the king states the peacemaking ground of their faith. 10 Peacewalker Erhen Nagel traced the 500-mile migration route of Friends from Greensboro, North Carolina to Richmond, Indiana. Read about the spiritual grounding of this journey and the generosity of the people he encountered. 12 FWCC Conference on Peace Five attenders of this historic conference share what they learned and how it impacted their spiritual journey. 15 Christian Pacifist Sharing his experience of being a Christian pacifist, Lloyd Lee Wilson lists four reasons why he utterly denies all wars. 16 Peace Church as Soldier Advocate An area of peacemaking is as a soldier advocate. Joel Maiorano urges more Friends to take up this role.   FEATURES 4 News from Friends United Meeting 17 Salt and Light Quakers and Spiritual Direction Jack Kirk 18 Bible Study Things That Make for Peace Jan Hoffman 20 News 21 Peace Notes 24 Reviews 25 Booknotes 26 Passages 28 Classifieds 29 Friends United Meeting Member Yearly Meetings 30 Meeting Directory 35 The Back Bench Come, Ye Thankful Praise Teams, Come Stan Banker   ON THE COVER "Passing on the Faith"—A grandmother helps her granddaughter letter a sign to be used at an anti-war march in Portland, Oregon, on January 18, 2003. The marchers filled Portland streets along the looping parade route and by the time the last ones left the park, the first ones were returning. Photo by Rosalie Graff.

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