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Friends United Meeting |
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January 1998
Meet...Friends United Meeting Field Staff
by Retha McCutchen
Among the most important functions of Friends United Meeting is to identify, place and support the gifted people who carry out our ministries and represent our care throughout the world. Our team is an exciting and diverse group, united by a vision of Christian outreach and integrity. Please let the World Ministries office know if you want their reports from the field or would like to make a prayer or financial commitment. We want to hear from you if you feel a leading to work in any World Ministries area of concern. Meet our field staff in:
Kenya, East Africa
In August, Drs. Jan Armstrong and Ray Downing returned for a second term at Lugulu Hospital. Jan was appointed Medical Officer in Charge of the hospital. Ray and Jan's two children, Elizabeth and Timothy, are attending the Rift Valley Academy near Nairobi.
Richard and Sandy Davis arrived in Kenya Oct. 17, where they have a three- year appointment as FUM Representatives. Rich is serving as principal of Friends Theological College. Rich and Sandy will represent FUM at yearly meetings and Friends institutions throughout Africa. White's Residential Care Facility had been the Davis' home for 24 years, where Rich served as executive director.
Ramallah, Palestine
Laurie and Marilyn Hadden from Toronto, Canada, are FUM representatives at the Ramallah Friends Schools. Laurie serves as director, where his experience as superintendent of schools in the Ontario, Canada school system brings stability and direction. Marilyn volunteers in the high school library and tutors in English at nearby Birzeit University. Laurie and Marilyn sing with the community Jerusalem Choir.
Nancy Maeder, a member of Iowa Yearly Meeting, brings to the Ramallah Friends Schools a background in fund-raising and music, as well as experience as administrative assistant in World Ministries. Nancy is working in a variety of capacities-teaching Christianity, leading a choir, holding a casual singing time with several students as well as providing administrative assistance to the principals. Fund raising will also be a part of her work.
This past year Allyn and Holly Dhynes graduated from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, married and moved to Ramallah. Holly teaches art to the high school students in Ramallah. Allyn, who is fluent in Arabic, teaches Christianity and ethics at the grade school. Allyn's training in conflict resolution and peace studies is helpful working with students as a mediator.
Belize, Central America
Florence Emma Peery of Western Yearly Meeting often travels to Belize to do volunteer work at the Friends Boys School in Belize City. The Boys School, begun in 1994, provides preparatory education for boys who have not passed the high school entrance exam. The school lets them retake the exam after a year of further study at Friends.
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Steve and Marlene Pedigo serve the Cabrini-Green housing project, providing pastoral leadership to the Chicago Fellowship of Friends. The fellowship began in 1981 as a youth ministry, quickly growing into a meeting for worship in 1986. Steve is President of the Near North Ministry Alliance, a network of ministries serving as advocates for resident needs and concerns.
Retha McCutchen is Friends United Meeting associate secretary for World Ministries.
Copyright (c) 1998 Friends United Meeting
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