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Friends United
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May/June 2007
Sacred Moments by Sylvia Graves, FUM General Secretary
FUM General Board Meets in Kenya
Friends Theological College Dedicates New Meetinghouse
Declaring Our Faith Curriculum Now Available
Peter Yarrow Visits Ramallah Friends School
Belize Boys School Student Honored
Mark this date and plan to come!
Lugulu Hospital Donates to Kaimosi Hospital
Sacred
Moments
By Sylvia Graves, General Secretary
“So,” I said, “How would you two like to write an article for Quaker Life about what it’s like to be children of missionaries in Africa?"
I was talking to James and Eden Grace’s two sons, Isaiah, age 10 and Jesse, age 9, while visiting in their Kisumu home. It turns out that neither of the boys really was enthusiastic about writing, but the following interview was a sacred moment for me.
Q: What is the toughest part about both of your parents working for FUM?
Jesse: When both parents have to work at the same time; it means we have
to go to their office and wait for them, or go home with friends after
school.
Q: That’s about the way it is for the children I know. What is something
about Africa that you would like to teach kids in America?
Isaiah: They don’t know how big Africa is. It’s really a lot bigger than
North America. When I was in America, the kids in my class thought Africa
was a country, but it’s a continent. When we got the map out and counted
the countries of Africa, we found there are 54 of them.
Q: What have you had the chance to learn that kids in the United States
don’t know?
Jesse: I don’t think kids in America have a mindset for giving or sharing
what they have with other people like missionaries do.
Isaiah: Also, we have the chance to see what it’s like to live in poverty.
There are way more people who live in poverty here!
Q: Do you see a difference in the attitudes of people who live in poverty?
Jesse: Not really. You can be poor and still be happy. Actually, the more
you have, the more you fear to lose.
Q: What? Say that again. Where did you hear that?
Jesse: I just made it up. The more you have, the more you fear to lose.
Isaiah: It’s like the story of the widow in the Bible. Her offering was
more precious, because she didn’t have as much to give. Having a lot leads
to greed.
Q: Hmmm. Thanks, guys. You’ve given me all I can handle for now. I hope someday you can write an article for Quaker Life about other things you’ve learned.
FUM General Board Meets in Kenya
Over a year ago, the North American members of the Friends United Meeting General Board started making plans for a first-time-ever meeting with representatives of the East African yearly meetings. That plan was realized on February 9 and 10; 81 people met in Kakamega, Kenya as a Global General Board with representatives from 24 yearly meetings and affiliate bodies, FUM staff and mission staff of Friends United Meeting. Six member yearly meetings were unable to attend.
Prior to the meeting, North Americans visited a few of the Kenyan and Ugandan churches. They worshiped with Friends at Ngong Road in Nairobi. They visited Kaimosi and Lugulu Hospitals, the Kakamega USFWI-sponsored orphanage and churches and schools in Uganda. After the General Board meeting, they attended the dedication of the new meetinghouse on the campus of Friends Theological College. The group then divided into smaller groups. Some spent several days in the Turkana area. Some visited in Samburu. Others stayed in Kaimosi and worked at the hospital.
They learned first hand about the challenges to ministry due to lack of water and food resources, difficulties in transportation and widespread poverty conditions. They also learned firsthand about the hope and enthusiasm of the African Friends, their love for hearing the word of God and their respect for Americans who have been coming for over 100 years to share the love of Christ. There are now over 2,000 Friends churches in East Africa, mostly in the Western Province. There are also 200 secondary schools and around 1,500 primary schools supported by local Friends churches. Quakers in Africa are respected throughout the country and many hold state leadership positions.
The first day of the General Board meeting was devoted to the continuation of the Strategic Planning Process that was begun at the June 2006 meeting. Groups who had been formed to develop goals and strategies in the areas of Administration, Communication, Evangelism and Identity at the October meeting were asked to review and revise their plans with the help and insight of the African members. By the business meeting on Saturday, the strategic plan had been groomed for acceptance as a work in progress. It was noted by the clerk that the plan could not be approved in its final form because it will be reviewed and revised annually to guide the work of the organization.
In the Identity Focus Group’s sessions, both in October and at this meeting, there were long and loving deliberations about the existing diversity of member yearly meetings. Prompted by concerns about the FUM personnel policy that requires employees to be married or celibate, some yearly meetings have encouraged continuing dialogue about sexual ethics whereas others have asked that the issue be put to rest. With the input of the Africans, the voice for the latter seemed overwhelming, and with the affirmation of the Richmond Declaration of Faith by most of the attending yearly meeting representatives, a few Friends came away feeling that FUM was trying to push their yearly meetings out of membership. However, affirming the Richmond Declaration is not set as a requirement for membership and the freedom to remain in FUM without such affirmation still exists. Also, there are parts of the strategic plan still in place to channel some continued discussions.
Other items of business included:
• The acceptance of a Capital Improvement Partner Program in which a fund
will be established for the purpose of granting financial assistance for
building construction and/or improvement to non-North American churches.
Guidelines will be made available at both the Richmond and Kisumu FUM
offices.
• FUM Triennial Sessions will be held at High Point, North Carolina, July
9-13, 2008. The theme is from Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans
I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
• Africa Ministries Representative, John Muhanji, reported the work of
the Africa Ministries Office since its establishment in 2005. He has worked
to take a census of the African Yearly Meetings, begun work with the Quaker
secondary school leaders to include Quaker values in the curriculum and
has facilitated mission work on the part of the yearly meetings.
• Patrick Nugent, Friends Theological College Principal, presented a long-term
capital projects plan, encouraged all the African Yearly meetings to bring
their annual contributions of 10,000 Ksh to support the college and to
adequately support the students they send there.
• Gabriel Wabuti, Administrator, presented the report for Kaimosi Hospital.
The hospital is struggling to pay salaries in view of the low number of
patients, but with the plans to refurbish and renovate the hospital with
the help of donations from American churches and perhaps a USAid/ASHA
grant, it is hoped business will soon pick up.
• Jacob Neyole, clerk of Friends Church Kenya, reported a spirit of cooperation
between FCK and FUM. The major project for FCK is the establishment of
Friends University Kenya, due to open later this year.
• Jane Mutoro, FUM representative to the World Council of Churches, expressed
appreciation for support for her travel to attend the WCC meetings.
• Jason Wekesa, Chairman of Lugulu Hospital Board of Governors reported
a desire for closer cooperation between Lugulu and Kaimosi Hospitals.
James Grace reported that as soon as ASHA approves the list of equipment
submitted for the hospital, the purchase will begin.
• Samson Ababu reported for Aquavis, the organization of Quaker businessmen
who volunteer their service to the community. He thanked Friends for their
support of Lindi School in the Kibira slum. The school aspires to provide
a quality education to children and has had success in preparing students
to pass the state exam.
• Roland Kreager, of Right Sharing of World Resources, offered a report
of the “Best Practices” conference held in Kakamega a few days prior to
the General Board meeting. He said RSWR had provided 38 micro-enterprise
grants of up to $5,000 each in 11 yearly meetings. Many of the recipients
had been local USFWI chapters.
• John Lomuria and Richard Lomase presented a report from the Turkana
Friends Mission. They urged Friends to prepare for full responsibility
of the Kalokol Children’s Home which will be turned over to them in 2009.
• Isaiah Bikokwah and Caleb Wangia began their report for Samburu Mission
by honoring the memory of Alfred Waudo who died last June. They described
the insecure situation which kept them from visiting in the Samburu region
earlier and called for Friends to work for peace.
• Friends World Committee Executive Director, Nancy Irving, had been in
Uganda for the meeting of the Africa Section. She spoke about the differences
in the function of FWCC and FUM, but praised the close cooperation between
them, especially with the Africa Ministries Office.
• USFW International President, Margaret Stoltzfus, invited all women
and men to attend the triennial sessions in July of 2007 in Indianapolis,
Indiana.
Presiding Clerk, Brent McKinney, read the following minute to close the
meeting:
God is Good! All the Time! We have been richly blessed beyond measure
during this Friends United Meeting General Board meeting. The fellowship
among participants has been rich and the love among the gathered Friends
has been evident. May God always find us being faithful, walking humbly,
acting justly and searching for His will upon our lives. May we long remember
this day and may we continue to uphold one another as brothers and sisters
in the Light of Jesus Christ. As we depart, may we continue to encourage
one another to the Glory of God’s Kingdom. Praise God!
Friends
Theological College Dedicates New Meetinghouse
On a warm and beautiful Sunday morning, February 11, 2007, Friends Theological College dedicated its long-awaited new meetinghouse. In attendance were members of the General Board of FUM, who had gathered for their historic meeting in Kakamega.
The meetinghouse is the first dedicated worship space the students at FTC have ever had. About 200 Friends were in attendance. Moses Shiribwa Smith, outgoing chairman of FTC's Board of Governors, delivered the keynote address and noted how important it is that Americans and Kenyans work in partnership to sustain the institutions that serve Friends.
The ceremony began outdoors under tents to shelter celebrants from the sun, but concluded with hearty songs of praise in the meetinghouse itself. FUM Presiding Clerk Brent McKinney cut the ribbon and the congregation entered. The incoming Chairman Seth Chayuga delivered the dedication prayer followed by the benediction offered by John Muhanji of FUM's Africa Ministries office. During the service, General Secretary Sylvia Graves and USFWI President Margaret Stoltzfus presented the college with a portrait of Edith Ratcliff, who served more than a half-century as a medical missionary and evangelist in Kenya. The portrait was painted by Jamie Lyon, a pastor in Western Yearly Meeting. The service was blessed at several points with contributions from the FTC Choir, under the direction of second-year student Fanuel Demesi.
The FTC community was also blessed to welcome Joseph White of Carthage, Indiana, along with his sons Lou and Don, Don's wife Mary and Lou's son Brandon. The meetinghouse project began when Joe, now aged 94, called Retha McCutchen, before her retirement as General Secretary of FUM, and offered to make a contribution to FTC because of his long association with Rich Davis, the former principal. The idea of a meetinghouse appealed immediately, and Joe contributed stock which funded about 75% of the costs. The remainder was funded by a grant from Indiana Yearly Meeting. Joe said to the gathered Friends, briefly but wisely, "The worship happens in here, but the work to be done is out there!"
Joe hopes his gift will inspire others to consider how they can use their resources to serve the Kingdom of God.
The meetinghouse is octagonal in shape, recalling traditional Western Kenyan house design, and was originally designed by Mary Kay Rehard. Technical drawings were made by William Busolo and his colleagues at Intershelter Sullivan Architects of Nairobi and Kisumu. The seating capacity is about 150. It is a bright, open, airy space. There are no fixed benches, so the building is flexible and may be used for many sorts of public gatherings. In fact, there is no furniture at all-FTC encourages interested Friends to make a contribution toward furnishings. The total cost will be about $5,000.
Declaring
Our Faith Curriculum Now Available
With the recent reaffirmation of the Richmond Declaration of Faith, people are asking, what does the Richmond Declaration say? What did we reaffirm?
In 1992 Friends United Press printed a curriculum entitled Declaring Our Faith, which included a copy of the Richmond Declaration as well as 13 lessons that explore the Biblical basis for the Declaration and how it applies to Meetings and individuals today. Topics included oaths, prayer and praise, sacraments, the Trinity, and more.
Following the February 2007 Board meetings in Kenya, Friends United Press reprinted Declaring Our Faith and updated it to include the new Minute reaffirming the Declaration. Now is the perfect time to explore the elements of the Richmond Declaration within your Meeting. For ordering information contact Katie—(765) 962-7573 or katiet@fum.org.
Peter
Yarrow Visits Ramallah Friends School
RAMALLAH, PALESTINE—Peter Yarrow of singing group “Peter, Paul and Mary” visited the Ramallah Friends School on March 21, 2007. A small group of eight gathered to hear his message of teaching respect to school children.
He immediately pulled out his guitar and began singing, “Don’t Laugh at Me,” the theme song of his organization, Operation Respect. Over the past nine years, he has worked as an organizer as well as a performer to bring respect into the classrooms of America. Working closely with Educators for Social Responsibility, their goal has been to train teachers and administrators to resolve conflict creatively as a way of doing things, not a subject. They are teaching educators to create a safe environment of mutual dialogue and making choices based on nonviolent conflict resolution. Music and the arts are key elements of the program. There are over 40,000 people who have been trained in the program to date.
Peter shared some old songs as well as new ones to illustrate how music speaks louder than words and can create a climate of understanding and respect. He is working to translate this program in Arabic and asked if he could bring trainers back to the Ramallah Friends School when it was completed. The Director and Board Members immediately accepted his generous offer for next school year.
Belize Boys School Student Honored
BELIZE—Kori Dawson, a student at the Belize Friends Boys School, finished third in the Young Meteorologist 2007 competition.
Contestants were to make a presentation of no more than five minutes on one of two topics: “How Belizeans can adapt to Climate Change,” and “How Belize can prevent water scarcity.” Kori’s presentation was on how to prevent water scarcity.
The competition took place at Holy Redeemer Parish Hall in Belize City on March 19, and at the Belmopan City Center March 20, 2007. The competition was open to all high school students throughout Belize.
Belize Friends Boys School is a Prep school. Officials say they are very proud of Kori, as he was able to hold his own against students from all four Forms in high school.
For his effort, he received a cash prize of $300 plus other prizes.
Mark this date and plan to come!
The next triennial sessions of Friends United Meeting will be July 9 to 13, 2008. North Carolina Yearly Meeting will host the gathering in Archdale/High Point. The sessions will be held at High Point Friends and the neighboring school facility. Housing will be available in local motels. From Jeremiah 29:11, the triennial theme will be “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” John Punshon is confirmed as one of the featured speakers.
Lugulu Hospital Donates to Kaimosi Hospital
KENYA—Recently Lugulu Hospital staff donated a microscope to Kaimosi Hospital. The microscope is a great symbolic example of the spirit of partnership and “sisterhood” between the two hospitals.