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Friends United Meeting |
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April 2003
News from Friends United Meeting
Wanted: Recipes for a Quaker Cookbook
Quaker Life and Friends United Press are joining together to publish a new cookbook, Plain and Plenty: A Quaker Cookbook. The core of the book is taken from a Quaker Life column written by Avis Rees in the 1980s. Included in each column were recipes from a local meeting/church, a picture of the meetinghouse and a short history of the congregation.
Guidelines for other meetings to contribute to this new cookbook are:
¥ 1 long or 2 short recipes, especially focusing on more healthy guidelines;
¥ a picture or photo of the meetinghouse which will be returned;
¥ a short history of the meeting of no more than 200 words.
Also wanted are short quotations by Quakers that could be inserted as fillers thoughout the cookbook.
Send contributions to: Quaker Life, 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, IN 47374. For more information, contact Trish Edwards-Konic at (765) 962-7573 or email: quakerlife@fum.org. Deadline for all contributions is July 31, 2003.
2003 Vacation Bible School Focus Is Cuba
This year's Vacation Bible School (VBS) focus will be Cuba Friends. Our goal is to raise $6,000, the money will cover the cost of building classrooms at the Cuba Yearly Meeting facility in Gibara, Cuba. These classrooms will be used for Sunday school classes for Gibara Monthly Meeting and as classroom space as needed by Cuba Yearly Meeting. The Yearly Meeting facility is often used by youth groups and the extra classrooms will be a great advantage. VBS curriculum will be mailed to each FUM member meeting by May 1, 2003.
Dios es Amor en Cuba
By Maxine Nash
It was FUM's privilege again this year to sponsor a work team to Cuba, from January 23 to February 7. Thirteen members traveled to Cuba, including myself (co-leader), Erwin Lopez (co-leader), Lisa Baum-Waters, Jim Glading, Paul Hemingway, Judy and Ron Inskeep, Sadie MacDougal, Fran and Tony McQuail, Steve Miller, and Jerri and Patti Phillips. The group worked with Cuban F/friends to rebuild the chapel at Floro Peres. The chapel is a mission of Gibara Monthly Meeting, one of the five member meetings of Cuba Yearly Meeting.
Although the work was hard and the days long, the love of God gave workteam members and our Cuban hosts and co-workers a spirit of joy in our task and in getting to know each other better. Many "cadenas" (lines of people) were formed to move everything from rocks to concrete, but more importantly those lines moved God's love among Cubans and Americans. One of our Cuban hosts noted, "We have really felt your love, your tenderness and your friendship. We feel that we have been walking together hand in hand and there is no distance between us." To that I can only add that each of us on the workteam felt the same, and we were blessed to be part of something so special.
FUM Minute on Proposed War on Iraq
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. —Romans 12:21 KJV
Let us then try what Love will do. —William Penn
The government of the United States proposes to protect democracy by means of preemptive violence against the people of Iraq. Friends United Meeting calls it members—and all who know the love of God—to deny the possibility of a "just," "necessary," or "holy" war.
We believe there is another way to address issues of injustice and oppression because the root causes of injustice and oppression, such as greed, thirst for power and lack of mercy, cannot be solved through violence. We must examine our own entanglements in these roots.
Jesus shows us the way of service, humility, and non-violent intervention—substituting courageous acts of compassion for domination. The teachings of Jesus are clear: Feed the hungry, heal the sick, take care of children, love each other, forgive each other, return good for evil. In His life, His death, and His resurrection, we can see a way through our fears which is not the world's way.
The citizens of the United States continue in turmoil, affected by messages of fear and terror from all directions; we pray that they do not succumb to the temptation of believing in the security promised by military might and action. Only a false security comes through armies or weapons or creating fear—thereby hatred—in others. We recognize that following Christ's way carries risk. Yet, our experience of life under God's power keeps us on this path of love and compassion. We know that there is not—and never has been in this world—any safety except the safety that is found in hearts that have been touched and tendered by the Holy Spirit.
Friends United Meeting says to the governments and peoples of the United States, Iraq, and all the world once again, "The spirit of Christ, by which we are guided, is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil and again to move unto it; and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the spirit of Christ, which leads us into all Truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world." (Declaration from Quakers to King Charles II, 1660)
Approved by FUM General Board on February 16, 2003.
Commitments
By Retha McCutchen
The 26-member delegation of Kenyan and U.S. Friends' leadership to Israel/Palestine has returned. We feel overwhelmed with the information, feelings and ideas we heard. Emotions were at a high level as we listened to people and walked the streets of Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Ramallah.
The primary purpose of the delegation was a pastoral visit to the Friends School community in Ramallah. Friends United Meeting's 134-year history with this Palestinian community tugs at our hearts. As FUM leaders, we desired to show compassion to our brothers and sisters, and to gain a deeper understanding of FUM's future role. We carried a desire to encourage Friends in the Ramallah Monthly Meeting and the Amari (refugee camp) Play Center project. We returned knowing we received more than we gave. Our prayer is certainly that our presence was an encouragement, but the real result is that our lives were changed by the open sharing of Israeli and Palestinian presenters, as well as being hosted in the homes of Friends School students.
While there is much distressing news arising from this conflict, leading peacemakers from both the Israeli and Palestinian communities continue to express hope. We gladly join them in this journey. FUM presiding clerk Brent McKinney told the school staff and teachers: "We will not forget you." He was speaking for us all. At the General Board meeting February 16, a task group was established to work toward a new vision for our ministry in Palestine/Israel.
The following articles are reflections of three members of the delegation.
Come and See
By Margaret Stoltzfus, Iowa Yearly Meeting
From the West Bank I hear the Palestinian people calling, "Come and see." Come and see the refugee camps, the Israeli settlements, the new eight-meter-high security wall that divides the village of Bethany, the checkpoints manned by Israeli soldiers (17 and 18 year-olds with M-16s), the traumatized children, the students at the Friends Schools in Ramallah who have lost their childhood, the shopkeepers in Bethlehem for whom the tourists do not come, the streets in Ramallah without traffic or street lights because of disruption by tanks, the smashed cars over which the tanks rolled, the ATM machine with the screen shot out, the house of Saleem which was demolished three times—all scenes of violence and destruction.
But there is a call to see another view as well—the lush green of irrigated land, the traditional white stone buildings, the grey-green olive groves, the soft pink blossoms of the almond trees, the blue sky, the shy smiles of children, homes being rebuilt, Christian Peacemaker Teams quietly at work, World VisionÕs strong presence, courageous and resilient people like Violet Zarou intent on continuing the play center, abundant food, generous hospitality, dedicated teachers at the Friends Schools, a University staff that finds new ways to cope with curfews so that education can continue, possibilities in the renovation of the Ramallah Meetinghouse—all bright spots in a land that seems to be slipping away from its people.
As part of a delegation from Friends United Meeting, I joined a group of 26 presiding clerks and general secretaries/superintendents of yearly meetings from the United States and Kenya for this pastoral visit to Jerusalem and Ramallah in early February. Indeed our purpose was to support and encourage those Friends working in the area, particularly at the Friends Schools, but more than that it was a heart and eye-opening experience for each of us as we sojourned in the land of our spiritual fathers. The Friends Schools (preschool through form 12) educate about 1000 students each year and are considered to be one of the best schools in the West Bank. I was told by a graduate that you can tell which people attended the Friends Schools because in addition to learning from books they learn how to be good people, how to treat others with respect and dignity.
Living with a Palestinian family while in Ramallah gave us each a unique view of life under occupation. All of these families had children attending the Friends Schools. Bonds of friendship were formed during these five days that are enormously significant for the future. It changed my life forever. Now when I read news stories about the Middle East, I picture the members of my host family and remember their openness and love in the face of great difficulty. I am grateful for the whole of this experience—for the joy and sorrow of it, for the hope amid despair, for the courage in the face of dwindling possibilities. As you hear the call to "come and see," may you, too, respond with openness and love.
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, Yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken Nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:10)
What Are We Called To Do?
By Chris Jorgenson, New England Yearly Meeting
A historic ten-day pastoral visit to Israel/Palestine included 21 American and five Kenyan Quakers. These staff members and clerks from most FUM yearly meetings visited the Friends Schools and Friends Meeting of Ramallah in the West Bank in February, 2003. We all remember fondly the wonderful hospitality and warmth of our Palestinian hosts (and the mountains of delicious Middle Eastern food). We remember the intensity of our emotions as we listened to testimony from discouraged Israelis and Palestinians who nevertheless still work for peace and justice; as we encountered stories of violence and terror during the occupation; as we applauded presentations from bright and promising young students; as we wondered if our own group would be admitted or denied entry through the airport and roadway security checkpoints.
Now that we are home again, we ask what we are called to do. Friends have been connected with Palestine for 135 years through the Friends Schools. What is Christ asking of us in Friends United Meeting, through the blessing of this connection? What does it mean to have a Christian Quaker presence in this beautiful tragic country, symbolic home of three major world religions?
These questions were before us as we listened, watched, prayed, sang, laughed and cried. We seemed often drawn to Psalm 91:1Ð2 during worship: You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trustÉ" (Psalm 91:1-2)
I remember when Taleen, my young tour guide at the elementary school, asked me where I thought God was in this situation. "How can God let this go on? When will there be justice for us? Why doesn't anyone hear us?" she asked. The experience in her young life is bitter. Her father was shot by an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint when he, a doctor, became impatient with the interminable delay and began walking across. She witnessed the incursion last spring when Ramallah was besieged by tanks and destruction, closing the school for over a month, with families under curfew 24 hours a day for days on end.
The school yearbook includes pictures and student artwork from that time of tanks, helicopters and guns. In the front of the assembly room at the Girl's School is a banner imprinted by children's hands with their messages: "We want to play!" "We are distressed!' "Destruction everywhere!" "Do you hear our voice!" The teachers and staff at the Friends Schools deal on a personal basis with the peace testimony, working to make Friends values active in school procedures and in conflict resolution needed in the daily life of the school. The insecurity of "anything can happen here without warning" takes its toll psychologically and economically. The unemployment rate among Palestinians is 75-80 percent; buildings stand half-finished or shuttered from failed businesses.
Those who love me, I will deliver. I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)
I told Taleen, with a confidence that surprised me, that things would change, I hope in time for her to see it. We will tell her story. We will pray for guidance about how the spirit of Christ can bring healing, reconciliation, justice and peace. We will pray to be used.
Occupation!
By Frank Massey, Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Check points! Closures! Incursions! Documentations! Separation! Passports! Human rights! Civil rights! Water resources rights! Houses demolished! Permits denied! Aggression! Suppression! Oppression! Settlements! Tanks! Apache Helicopters! F16s! Control! Denial! Violence! Hunger! Targeted killings! Death! Racism! Hatred!
The desire for peace is abundant in Ramallah. Though the residents of Ramallah have suffered, and are suffering, as is every town and village in the West Bank, they keep up their everyday lives as best as they can, preparing for and working for peace and justice. Shopkeepers and restaurants are open for business. The economy appears to be thriving, but there is suffering with high unemployment and in the whole of the West Bank more than 50% live on less than $2 per day. What could the Palestinians do if the restrictions were lifted and their economy was allowed to blossom?
Although I am unfamiliar with war and its aftermath, there was a feel of war and destruction on the West Bank, similar to what I felt during travels in Nicaragua and Haiti. We waited in lines at checkpoints, though the wait was much longer for Palestinians, if they were able to get through at all. Ambulances were stopped and searched at checkpoints. Such restrictions on travel cause much heartache for the Palestinians. The travel time from home to work is extended by hours, if one can get through at all. Most are not allowed to visit their birth homes if those homes are located in Israel. A teacher at the Friends Schools has not been allowed to visit his home in Jerusalem since 1988.
The Friends Schools are full of a vibrant and enthusiastic student body and faculty. With over 1,000 students (pre-K through 12), served by a dedicated faculty and staff who desire the best for their students, the Schools offer a sense of hope and care for the future that often seems bleak for many. When asked what message they wanted us to take back to F/friends in the U.S., an 11th grade student responded, "We are human beings! We want to be treated with dignity and humanity!" These are wise words for us to hear, for many are caught in the crossfire of the politicians who are playing for power out of fear and hate.
The birth of a child is a sign of hope. My Ramallah host family brought home a child late last year. She was a gift—grace—to this couple as they had waited years to have a child. Even with all that is going on around them, they have hope for peace and to raise and educate their child in the Friends Schools. There is hope! We have to believe and work for justice.
Hope! Resilience! Birth! Life! Courage! Building! Investment! Peace! Land! Justice! Persistence! Forgiveness!
Copyright (c) 2003 Friends United Meeting
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