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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Job 24:13 There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not abide in its paths. This scripture comes from Job as he complains about the violence on the earth. Most, if not all, of us complain about the violence on the earth, too. As we read Jesus’ words about being peacemakers, we Friends take them seriously. If we believe in the peace testimony, we seek ways to accomplish peace in all circumstances. To do that, we must abide with God to know how to handle situations where violence, in word or action, attacks the souls of its victims.
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Obeying Jesus’ command to go and make disciples is a wonderful adventure in faith. I experienced this while working in the mission hospital in Kaimosi, Kenya many years ago. It began with God nudging me to go out into the villages and do small group studies. He revealed the way when Meshack came to pray with me at the hospital...
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The story reminds us that we can be the drivers of the bus, or passengers in the bus: drivers because we have leadership positions to help steer the congregations or meetings; passengers because we could be part of those being directed by the leadership...
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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.
