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This morning, Susan Hillman Casteñeda came to our office and led our morning worship. Many of you will remember Susan from when she worked as Bill Wagoner's assistant in World Ministries, wrote in the magazine, and led workcamps in Ramallah and Belize. It was a joy to hear from her and see her beautiful daughter Lainy. For the last several years, Susan has been living in Colombia with her husband César. But the thirty-five years of revolutionary activity and economic turmoil has intensified in the last year, and they felt it necessary for Susan and Lainy to return to the U.S. for a time. Susan told us it is the farmers who have born the brunt of the warfare, being attacked from all sides; now this incredibly fertile country has to import food. There are tens of thousands displaced internally, and thousands more fleeing: economic refugees, perhaps, but victims of war, nonetheless. Susan said that 13 million out of Colombia's total population of 40 million recently demonstrated throughout their country for peace. The proclamation of peace on earth was on the lips of the Christmas angels and is hidden in the mystery of the cross. In our December issue we like to remind ourselves of that. This month, we have the joy of meeting Friends and friends of Friends whose lives are speaking peace from South Africa to California to Russia and beyond. As this the bloodiest of all centuries comes to a close, let us renew our prayers for peace. And within our families and communities, let us be known as peacemakers, as sons and daughters of God. Ben Richmond

Cover Stories 9 A Faith that Tries What Love Can Do Margery Cornwell What happened one Christmas when the SAC airbase put up an image of Jesus and a sign reading, "Partners in Peace"? It turned some soldiers into Quakers. 10 Conscientious Engagement: A Quaker Deputy Defense Minister Bridget Moix Quakers in South Africa were astonished-and a little worried-when one of their own took a high appointment in the Defense Ministry. 13 Hanan Mikhail-Ashrawi: Palestinian Christian Peacemaker Richard Holden A graduate of the Friends Schools in Ramallah became a spokesperson for Palestinians during the peace process. Now outside the government, she continues to struggle for peace and human rights. 15 J.E. McNeil: A Skeptical Advocate for Peace Ben Richmond Here is a lawyer who is taking a Quaker couple's case to the Supreme Court-even while doubting the effectiveness of their witness. She is also the new director of the Center on Conscience and War. 16 The Decade To Overcome Violence Central Committee of the World Council of Churches The ecumenical movement is reaching out to us, as one of the historic peace churches, as they initiate a period of cooperation in building a culture of peace based in the Gospel. 18 The Man Who Lost His Face and Other True Stories Anthony Manousos Fred Newkirk ministers on the streets of Long Beach, California. Here are stories of people he has touched like Nate Redfern, a gang member turned reconciler, and Chai Kyu-Cher, one of the most famous Quakers in Korea. 25 When They Saw the Star Philip Hoffman Practical lessons in following the Word of God emerge from Philip Hoffman's imaginative retelling of the story of the three Wise Men. Features 2 Viewpoints 4 Commitments: Candles in the Dark Johan Maurer 4 News from Friends United Meeting 6 News 21 Turning Points: Mothers of Israel Elizabeth Claggett-Borne 22 Salt and Light: Being a Called People Bruce Bishop 24 Bible Study: In Spite of Our Fears and Doubts Jan Hodson 27 Passages 28 Classifieds 30 Meeting Directory 35 The Back Bench: The End Is Near Stan Banker

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