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	Quaker Life January-February 2005
Valiant for Truth	Contents
By Patricia Edwards-Konic The early Friends proclaimed--Christ has come to teach his people himself. The fi rst time I heard that phrase was when Canby Jones spoke in Denver, Colorado in the 1980s. Then Lewis Benson and Roland Bainton came to Denver and I heard more about early Friends and the Lamb’s War. It was a time a rapid spiritual growth and introduction to great men of faith. Before going to seminary, I had been a major in Army ROTC and Captain of the Women’s Rifl e Team, then taught elementary school. My path had not been on the way of peace, yet by the time I left seminary, I was standing with other witnesses to peace encircling Rocky Flats, the only place that produced nuclear triggers. What a journey! I learned that the fi rst step toward peace was to stand still in the Light of Christ and listen to Christ’s Voice. That is where I will hear and know the path for each step of my journey. Engaging in the Lamb’s War takes seriously the presence of evil in the world by bearing the Cross in opposition to evil. Nonviolent resistance through love, kindness and prayer are the beginning points for the encounter. All acts of witness must be expressions of love—Christ’s love and light must so radiate from the witness to displace the surrounding darkness. Whew! Sounds good on paper but I continually struggle to be kind and loving in all circumstances. I want to jump to the defense when confronted; I lean toward judgment rather than love. Only through prayer and community can I overcome these tendencies toward my old person; only through Christ can I continue to clothe myself with the new. I recently interviewed Peggy and Art Gish (see page 16). Years ago, Art’s book, Living in Christian Community, pointed out to me the essentialness of being grounded in a community of faith. Peggy’s description of nonviolent suffering love fi ts me today. The Bible begins and ends with the wonder of perfect creation, God’s original plan for us. In Genesis, we read about the Garden of Eden. In Revelation, the River and Tree of Life beckon, “where the leaves of tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-5, RSV) There is evil in the world—just look around—but what really matters is fi nding one’s place in the Lamb’s War. It might be like Canby, Lewis and others to preach the message. It might be like my journey pastoring and writing. It might be working with the bully in school who is threatening your child or your presence with a hospice team. The journey for each of us is varied and suited to our own spiritual gifts. May you fi nd your path in the Lamb’s War. “And The Lamb Shall Overcome.” Blessings in Christ, Trish	10 The Lamb Shall Overcome Canby Jones Sharing his first introductions with the idea of the Lamb’s War, Canby gives us a preview of his keynote message for the 2005 FUM Triennial sessions. 12 Choose Your Triennial Workshop Check out the descriptions of some workshops offered at the 2005 FUM Triennial sessions on Thursday and Saturday. Then make your choices on the enclosed registration form. 14 Watu Wa Amani: People of Peace Ben Richmond Mennonite, Brethren and Quaker peacemakers gathered in Nairobi, Kenya to share theological and practical experiences of being a People of Peace. 16 Nonviolent Suffering Love in Action Peggy and Art Gish have served with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq and Hebron. Read how their faith compels them to go into difficult places. Features 4 News from Friends United Meeting 17 Soul Food Can We Have Too Few? Sara Beth Terrell 18 Reflection Snow and Rested Souls Brad Tricola 19 News 23 Peace Notes 25 Viewpoints 26 Passages 28 Classifieds 30 Meeting Directory 33 Friends United Meeting Member Yearly Meetings 35 Centering