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Friends United
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Quaker Life "The Living Christ"
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| Valiant for Truth | Contents |
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By Patricia Edwards-Konic Two recent studies have me concerned. First, a study on cell phone usage noted that Korean teenagers made 90 cell phone calls a day and that social scientists are beginning to correlate high cell phone usage with rising rates of depression. Second, a Knight-Rider news service study noted that Americans are reporting fewer close friends. The average person now has only two close friends and a number of people said they had no one to discuss important matters with. This issue hits in the midst of the high season of SAD (Seasonal affective disorder) when the lack of sunlight causes depression to increase in many people. And then to fi nd out that high cell phone usage produces depression and that Americans have fewer people to really confi de in—well, that is quite a fi x we fi nd ourselves in. I returned recently from “The Living Christ Today” conference for Friends ministers in sunny San Antonio. The messages have been summarized in this issue, but the facts remain—we live in a postmodern, anti-Christian, hightech culture and the ways of thinking and responding by many are rapidly changing. Doing business as usual is no longer an option. So many people are constantly connected to others, yet have few, if any, close friendships. It’s a world where you hear people talking on cell phones even in restrooms or teens text messaging 2,500 messages in a month, where people appear connected but in reality are lonely. The Living Christ today has much to say to such a world: “Come unto me all who are weary and I will give you rest.” “Listen to my voice, like sheep hear their shepherd, and I will lead you.” “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Leonard Sweet, the main speaker at the ministers conference, kept saying we have the best name, “Friends of Jesus.” He also said that the message of George Fox speaks to people today better than even in the 1600s. Friends have a message to share—Christ is present—and a community to gather. In the midst of loneliness, you are never alone. In the frantic pace of staying connected, you are always connected to God. Our faith communities need to provide more opportunities for face-to-face contact with others, opportunities for meaningful relationships to develop. The lonely crowd must be transformed into the crowd of witnesses, people of faith who are reaching out to others and sharing the presence of God. As we move forward in 2007, some goals we might consider are: take a media fast at regular intervals, be more intentional about developing personal relationships and encourage community building. Ultimately real community happens only face-to-face—with God and with others. |
8 The Living Christ
Today 10 Fox Etched in His
Soul: 12 Howard Macy Speaks
Out on His New Book 15 FDS Partners in Lafitte, Louisiana _______________________________ 4 News from Friends United Meeting 7 FUM Staff/Contact
Information 11 Soul Food 14 Salt and Light 17 News 19 Reviews 23 Viewpoints 24 Passages 28 Classifieds 33 Friends
United Meeting
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