Have you heard or read this quote from Howard Thurman? “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Thurman’s quote came to mind on a recent Wednesday evening, listening to Colin Saxton deliver his message for the Perkins Family Lecture hosted by Earlham School of Religion. Colin repeatedly invited us to think about the question George Fox raised: Friends all everywhere, in the life and power of God live and dwell, and spread the truth abroad. Quench not the spirit, but live in love and unity one with another; that with the wisdom of God ye may all be ordered to God's glory... And live all as the family of God in love, in life, in truth, in power…George Fox, Epistle 150 Saxton wrote in his essay: “Do I live in the Life and Power? Do you? Do we, as the Religious Society of Friends? I want this reality to become radically true in my experience. Even more, I long to belong to a community that hungers and thirsts for this same reality, as we proclaim and demonstrate the peaceable kingdom.”
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Pastors, their spouses, and children, from New Association of Friends, Wilmington, Western, and New York Yearly Meetings, met for food, fun, and fellowship April 22-24 at Hueston Woods State Park in Ohio. This marked the second visit, as a group, to this particular location, and the fourth joint pastors’ retreat. In a world which is often marked by hustle and bustle, these retreats are an invitation for pastors to rest and relax, serving as an important reminder to the pastors that they aren’t machines. Whatever we are doing and wherever we are, it can be tempting to feel as if we are isolated and alone in our cares and concerns. Gatherings like these provide a timely reminder of the shared call and purpose in ministry.
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Turkana Friends Mission recently held a youth conference at the Kakuma Friends Church in the Kakuma 2 Refugee Camp. The Mission gathered young people from across Turkana to explore the theme “Youth and Social Media.” The camp was held from 16–20 April, and between 250 to 350 people attended. Heavy rains received during that period posed some challenges to the program, but overall Turkana Friends Mission assesses the conference to have been a success.
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1 John 2:6 (NASB) “6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” Abiding in something is often translated as ‘remaining’. But in order to remain we must first have a beginning. This verse says that if we say we are remaining in Him (Christ) then we must continue after our awakening. I believe it was John Punshon who taught our spirit must be quickened by the Holy Spirit in order to become a believer and follower of Christ.
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Jesus this makes it clear to the Samaritan woman, and by extension to us that he is the centre of our lives and that he is ready to grow us and to enlarge our territory for his own glory. When we do his will, he uses us to impact others. God made all things. He made us in his image, and he commands us to love him with all pour heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. God is love and we cannot love others without first loving him. In choosing to let him abide in us, that is living by his word, we choose to serve h only and not to turn to other hodd--Deut 6. God commands us to obedience in all that we do.
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Throughout our history, the people known as Friends (or Quakers) keep rediscovering an essential and enduring truth: There is one who speaks to our most basic needs and most significant hopes—Christ Jesus the Lord. Both individually and communally, we are learning to know and follow the Voice that guides us in the way we should go. Together, we seek to understand and obey that truth which sets us free. As a people, we share in the experience of that powerful life which makes all things new. Maybe you are searching for an authentic and transforming faith and community to call home—if so, come in and join us as we seek to know and follow Christ.
Friends United Meeting commits itself to energize and equip Friends through the power of the Holy Spirit to gather people into fellowships where Jesus Christ is known, loved, and obeyed as Teacher and Lord.
