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Friends United Meeting |
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November 2004
Commitments -- byRetha McCutchen
By Retha McCutchen, FUM General Secretary
November is the month of America’s thanksgiving celebration. Thanksgiving was first celebrated as a holiday in the American Colonies in 1621 to commemorate the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony after a harsh winter. These settlers felt they had much to be thank God for. Thanksgiving has continued as a national holiday in the United States on the third Thursday in November. Let’s use the month of November to be thankful…
I give thanks for Friends United Meeting…
…personally, because you have offered me a place to use my gifts in God’s service.
…for our continued witness as the largest Christian, Quaker voice in the world.
…for the vision of the general board in establishing the priorities of evangelism, leadership training, global partnerships and communication for the coming Triennium.
…for an organization that brings together the creative vision, resources and service of Friends around the world.
…for its committed staff, general board and volunteers who facilitate the worldwide ministry.
Are you aware that 15 full-time positions in the Richmond, Indiana central office provide the administrative and support work needed to: 1) operate a bookstore—Quaker Hill Bookstore, 2) publish a magazine—Quaker Life, 3) publish and market at least two Quaker books a year—Friends United Press, 4) oversee a dozen field staff working in Kenya, Jamaica, Belize and Ramallah, and 5) provide the fundraising and administrative support for field projects such as Africa Quaker Vision, Lugulu Hospital, Friends Theological College, Turkana and Samburu Friends Missions, Belize Friends Boys School, Ramallah/el Bireh Friends Schools—to name only a few.
…for constituency (people like you) who give financially to the work of FUM. It is through your support these ministries flourish.
…for a group of Friends involved in the lives of people around the world: FUM Friends feed AIDS orphans, house the homeless, provide loving day care for children, build homes for hurricane victims, run homes for troubled teens, provide counseling centers, schools and universities, train pastors, make available land for families to grow food, wage peace, visit prisoners, serve as hospital chaplains, model and teach Alternatives to Violence.
Join with me in giving thanks for Friends United Meeting. Take a few minutes and make your list of ways FUM has touched your life and the lives of those you know and love. If you want to share your list with me, it would be welcome. If you prefer using the computer, my email is: RethaMcCutchen@aol.com
By Mary Kay Rehard and Patrick Nugent
Third-year students at Friends Theological College have been serving practical ministry attachments (or internships) across Kenya during the fall semester: three on the coast, three in Samburu, and eight in Nairobi. Herman Otioko Jaika, former director of Turkana Friends Mission, and Moses Murenga, recent graduate, provided special training in cross-cultural and urban ministry during a retreat for these students. The night before their departure, the college held a special commissioning worship with a lighting of candles which they carried with them in ministry. Soon they will be returning to campus for an intensive seminar before the college closes for the December holiday. We thank you for your prayers for these students as they complete this capstone experience.
Bus Beats IvanBy Justin Weber
A 66-passenger school bus, purchased by Michael Cain/FUM to assist the growing ministry of the Friends Boy’s School in Belize, Central America slipped into Tampa, Florida as hurricane Ivan racked the gulf shores. David Taffe, Greg Smith and Don Silvey (as pictured below), all of First Friends Meeting of Kokomo, departed at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 14. Don Silvey, who delivers recreational coaches to various parts of the United States, was able to schedule delivery of a coach coinciding with the bus’ journey to Tampa. This wonderful blessing gave the men not only a place to relax in the evenings, but Don also pulled his return vehicle behind the coach which transported the men back to Indiana. The men squeezed in between hurricanes Frances and Ivan, delivering the bus to Jackson Shipping Company in Tampa the same day Ivan made landfall.
The International diesel bus had a top speed of 64 miles-perhour on the fl at and a top speed of 45 in the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee! On the fi rst day, they spent the evening in Chattanooga, Tennessee. By 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, they made it to Mason, Georgia. With Ivan bearing down, they decided to push through to Tampa delivering bus number 22 to Jackson Shipping on Thursday, September 16. The shipping company processing took one hour and they informed the men that the bus would be shipped on the 22nd or on October 6th to Belize City. The men returned to Kokomo late Saturday evening.
The bus had been loaded with school and home supplies from Friends in northern Indiana Yearly Meeting and northern Western Yearly Meeting. Some of the supplies included 30 backpacks for the students, boxes of teaching and school supplies, a washing machine, a ten-speed bicycle and lounge chair for the Cains. Thanks to all who expressed their compassion by donating practical items to this viable ministry. Heartfelt thanks to Jim Walker of Russiaville for purchasing the washing machine and chair for the Cains. Thanks also to John Norris of Amboy who provided insurance coverage for the bus.
Justin Weber is pastor of First Friends, Kokomo, Indiana.
Kathy Sawyer, (left) and Trish Edwards-Konic join local farmers and residents as they sell Plain & Plenty: A Quaker Cookbook at the Farmer’s Market in Richmond, Indiana. While their endeavors were a success, cookbooks are still available! Don’t miss out on this unique and practical must-have! A great gift for Christmas! Only $13.50! Order today!