Quaker Life Navigation: ---- Select a Subtopic ---- Quaker Life Home Advertising Information Subscriptions Invitation to Writers E-mail quakerlife@fum.org Meeting Directory

“Consumo,” the false god of Overconsumption, impinges on the classic Doyle Penrose painting, “None Shall Make Them Afraid,” on our cover. He comes from Alternatives for Simple Living, whose humorous assault on “Consumas,” the season of buying, (page 10) introduces two reflections on wealth and poverty by Bill Ratliff and Florence Kimball. In future issues we hope to bring voices from outside of North America to this discussion. Have Friends made friends with materialism? This is not a new question. As early as 1764, John Smith was warning that as “the marks of outward wealth” among us increased, “so the powerful overshadowings of the Holy Ghost were less manifest….” [Woolman’s Journal, (FUP) pp. 139-140] Of course, Jesus had another name for Consumo: Mammon. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:9ff, KJV) In that light, simplicity is not a “lifestyle option;” it strikes at the heart of our faith. Which god will we serve? And who are “we,” anyway? This month we are co-publishing with Friends Journal Doug Bennett’s article summarizing the results of an important consultation with Friends on that question (page 14). Friends have been wrestling for a long time with our direction, and how we can encourage our leadership when “we” are pulling in many directions. Cliff Loesch reports on the consultation on leadership FUM held prior to our Triennial sessions last summer (page 20). Thomas Jeavons offers suggestions for how we could strengthen our “collective spiritual journey” (page 19). Who are we? Whom do we worship? Praise be to God, we know some answers to those questions! Please accept our friend Ellen Pidgeon Gilbert’s invitation to write: when our “in-basket” is full, we’ll bring back the regular Viewpoints column. Ben Richmond

Cover Stories 10 Consumo Alternatives for Simple Living “Consumas” or Christmas? Which shall it be as we head into the high holy shopping season? 11 Musings from Kaimosi Bill Ratliff A summer in Kenya left Bill asking, “What do I do with the poverty?” The answer is in faces he remembers. 13 The Rich Man and Lazarus Florence Kimball An encounter with beggars in Washington, DC, caused Florence to remember Jesus’ story and wonder if we will share the rich man’s fate. 14 Among Friends Douglas Bennett More than 200 Friends in focus groups across the U.S. participated in a consultation about the condition of Quakers in the U.S. today. Here is what they said. 19 Our Collective Spiritual Journey Thomas H. Jeavons Thom calls us to help others experience the transforming presence and grace of God. And he suggests that we’d better try to do it together. 20 Paradox of Leadership Cliff Loesch Pastors are to nurture others’ gifts in ministry, but pastor’s gifts need to be empowered, too. Friends continue to struggle with how to encourage “servant leadership.” Features 4 Commitments “There’s just you and me, kid” Johan Maurer 4 News from Friends United Meeting 7 News 18 Salt and Light “Do you want to be made well?” Bruce Bishop 24 Bible Study And Blessed Are You, . . . Jan Hodson 25 Turning Points I Said Goodbye to a Friend Today Randy Quate 26 Reviews and Releases Let Your Life Speak; Ripples from the Zambezi; The “Left Behind” series. 28 Passages 28 Classified 30 Meeting Directory 35 The Back Bench On Giving Thanks Tom Mullen

For information about subscriptions, advertising in the print issue and to access other back issues of the magazine, use the "Quaker Life" button, left.

Copyright (c) 1999 Friends United Meeting