The newly formed Iglesia de Los Amigos Cuaqueros of Richmond, Indiana, officially opened on Friday evening, November 8, with a service of worship and praise held at West Richmond Friends Meeting. The church will continue to meet on Friday evenings at West Richmond Friends. The volunteer staff includes Odalys Hernandez Cruz, pastor; Dinora Uvalle Vasquez, director of community services; Jasson Arevalo and Luisa Samayoa, music directors; and Myron Guachalla, secretary. The new church decorated the meetingroom with flags of all the South American and Central American countries and territories.
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Historically and theologically, Friends had little use for the liturgical seasons (Advent, Lent, and Pentecost) or the liturgical holidays (Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, All Saints Day). But as some of these seasons and holidays—Christmas, in particular—have become commercial and economic seasons in their own right, as well as family judgments, some Friends have turned to the devotional practices of the liturgical churches in order to stay focused on the spiritual heart of ideas that are being turned into material gain. For that reason, the FUM online bookstore brings in a few books every year aimed at personal and family devotions for the Advent season. A few of our selections this year:
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I have looked, listened, discerned, and cast my vote for who I would like to be the next president of the United States of America. I imagine most of you have done something similar. For me the decision was not difficult. The candidates present clear distinctions. I hope you have done the same. I hope you have voted with the fullness of your heart, soul, mind, and body. I also know we have not all come to the same conclusion. I know we have all been invited to the party. Sunday will come around and we will gather for worship in our places with folks who saw the choice differently and voted according to their conscience. It’s not a new reality. My mind has been made up for months. So, likely you were in worship this past Sunday with those same folks. This is the work of loving community.
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About a year ago my wife, daughter, and I visited the Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County just north of San Francisco. It’s a beautiful experience walking among the majestic Redwood trees. Even more powerful, though, is the invitation to silence and quiet. In order to provide a hospitable space for the wildlife, no dumpsters or garbage cans are found along the trails. Maintenance vehicles powered by electricity glide silently by and emergency vehicles do not idle their engines while resolving whatever problems brought them to the park. At one point along the trail, there is a sign posted along the trail as you enter the section called Cathedral Grove inviting visitors to be silent. It truly is a place of “...peaceful habitation”.
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The word abide means ‘hanging in there’, ‘tarrying’, ‘dwelling’ or ‘continuing’. There are many benefits that we get in life as a result of abiding in Jesus. In this reflection I will share 3 benefits; Firstly, Fruitfulness: God’s desire is that our lives will be fruitful. Our fruitfulness depends on us remaining or continuing or dwelling in Christ Jesus. As a Christian I know and have experienced the fruitfulness of God in many areas of my life. When we are in Christ we are fruitful in relationships, business, ministry and even just in social life (V 5). abide in Him and in His word.
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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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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.
