M ay 2008 • $5 Quaker Thought FRIENDS and Life OURNAL Today
Young Families and Quakerism: Will the Center Hold? Young Friends Voice a Need for a Radical, Spiritual Quakerism Seeing That of God in Our Immigrant Neighbors An • AMONG FRIENDS independent magazine serving the Providing a Warm Welcome Religious Society y husband, Adam, and I were blessed to serve as co-directors of Powell of friends House, New York Yearly Meeting's retreat and conference center, for three M and one-half years during the late '80s. We came there as a family with Editorial two young children (then two and five years old), eager to serve Friends-and eager Susan Corson-Ftnnerty (Publishtr and Ex£cutiw Ediwr), Robert Dockhorn (Smior Ediwr), Rebecca Howe to sustain Powell Hollie as a welcoming environment for young families like us. One (Associau Editor), Judith Brown (Poetry Ediwr), Joan of my favorite memories is of our interview with the Powell House Committee (its Overman (Book &viml Assistant}, Christine Rusch (Mikstonts Ediwr), Guli Fager, Mary Julia Street Board of 30 or so Friends from the yearly meeting). We'd come to the end of a (Assistant Mikswnes Editors), Robert Marks, George weekend of meetings with various groups, including staff and Board. Matthew, my Rubin (News Ediwrs}, Kara Newell (Columnist), Lisa Rand, Marjorie Schier (Proofoadus), Bonnie Ehri, youngest, was at the age when babies don't. want to leave their moms. Friends kindly Party Quinn (Voluntem), Rachd Tashjian, Bryan permitted me to answer questions and explain my vision with little Matthew in my Zudick (Inurns) Prod11ction lap fo r most of the weekend. During the final business meeting, the clerk of the Barbara Benton (/trt Dir«tor}, Alia Podolsky Committee was given a paper crown as part of some light-hearted fun. She gamely (Assistant Art DiretWr), Peter Deitz (Web Managtr) put it on, while we all smiled, and continued to con~uct the meeting. At this point, Advertising, Circulation, Development Gabrid Ehri (Associau Publishtr), Larry Jalowiec Matt decided these folks really were okay. He climbed down and joined the clerk, (Dirrcwr ofAdvancemmt), Nagendran Gulendran sitting next to her for the rest of that session. Adam and I knew we'd found a fanWy (Advertising Managtr), Jane Heil {Datab= Managtr}, Nicole Hackd (Circulation Assistant), Kay Bacon, friendly Quaker environment where we and our children could thrive. Ruth Peterson (Volunum) So much of what we do in life involves offering a warm welcome and hospitality. Administration Marianne De Lange (Ojfo:e Managtr), Tom McPeak Welcoming the stranger is how our private worlds expand and grow. In this issue, we (Accounting Servicts} have a number of articles that touch upon this topic. Tom Hoopes, in "Young Board ofTrustees Barbara Andrews, Catharine Bdl Wecteroth, Jon Berry, Families and Quakerism: Will the Center Hold?" (p. lO), offers numerous suggestions Paul Buckley, Katharine Clark, Karen Cromley, John about how meetings can create an environment that welcomes and attracts families Darnell, Mary Ann Downey (Assistant Clerk), Walter Evans (Treasurer}, Linda Houser, Bobbi Kelly, Paul with young children to become actively involved. He shares his own story of being Landskrocner (Recording Clerk}, Pat LaVJScounc, Linda invited to bring his boys along to a committee meeting that provided activities for his Lyman, Jay Wade Marshall, Barbara Mays, Pete McCaughan, Ron McDonald, Nancy Moore, Michad children while he met with the committee. In "Vibrant Meetings Grow the Society of Moulton, Mark B. Myers, Nan O'Connor, Liz Perch, Friends" (p.6), Lynn Fitz-Hugh says plainly, "Mentoring newcomers is of key Janet Ross (Clerk), S. C. Thomas, Rich Van Dellen, Margery Walker, Elizabeth Yeats importance." She speaks to much of what will bring newcomers in the door and keep FRI ENDS jOURNAL OSSN 0016-1322) was established them there: healing conflicts, reaching out to those who stop coming to meeting, in 1955 as the successorco The Friend (1827-1955) and Frimds lnuUigmctr (1844-1955). involving our young people in the life of the meeting, and clearly sharing our Quaker • FRIEN DS JouRNAL is published monthly by Friends Faith and practice. In "Seeing That of God in Our Immigrant Neighbors: Publishing Corporation, 1216 Arch Screec, 2A, Immigration and Friends Testimonies" (p.l7), Danielle Short takes us to a different Philaddphia, PA 19107-2835. Tdephone (2 15) 563-8629. E-mail [email protected]. perspective on welcoming the stranger into our midst, speaking plainly of the Periodicals postage paid at Philaddphia, Pa., and economic injustice and painful hardship that is a part of current immigration additional mailing offices. pressures and conflict. She calls us to open to the needs of immigrants in light of the • Subscriptions: one year $39, cwo years $76. Add $12 per year for postage co countries outside the U.S., Q uaker testimonies. She writes, "Community is not just about those closest to us, or Canada, and Mexico. Individual copies $5 each. those with whom we feel the most comfortable." . • Advertising informacion and assistance is available on request. Appearance of any advertisement does not Today, my two young children have gr0wn into young adult Friends. My imply endorsement by FRIENDS jOURNAL. daughter, Susanna, learned to love Friends conferences and gatherings while we lived • Postmaster: send address changes ro FRIENDS jOURNAL, at Powell House. When she was old enough, she enthusiastically attended many 1216 Arch Screer, 2A, Philaddphia, PA 19107-2835. • Copyright © 2008 Friends Publishing Corporation. gatherings of young Friends, telling us that they were transformational experiences for Permission should be received before reprinting excerpts her. She was among the cohort who attended a gathering of young adult Friends longer than 200 words. from many yearly meetings at the Burlington (N.J.) Meetinghouse in early 2007. Available on microfilm from Bdl and Howell Informacion and Learning. Anna Obermayer, a fellow attender of that meeting, reports on her own vital PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER experience in "Kindling a Spark: Young Friends Voicing a Need for a Radical, Min. 30% posr-<:onsumer Spiritual Quakerism" (p. l 4). "The young adult Friends in Burlington hungered for a deeper, more connected Faith than what they felt had been offered," she reports, '~d Moving? Let us update they were prepared to take action." your subscription and address. May Friends everywhere not only welcome the strangers who come to us, but our FRI ENDS JOURNAL, 12.16 Arch Sc., 2A, Philadelphia, PA own growing offspring as well. ~~~ 19107-2835 • (215) 563·8629 • Fax: (215) 568-1377 [email protected] • Web: www.friendsjournal.org
2 April2oo8 FRIENDS JoURNAL I I '"I I... I "tLJJ .
MAY 2008 JOURNAL VOLUME 54, N0.5 • FEATURES • POETRY 6 Vibrant Meetings Grow the Religious Society 9 Playing in the Faith and of Friends No Practice Band Lynn Fitz-Hugh Harold Branam Will Friends deal with the Lack ofimpiration and unattended conflicts in our meetings, while nurturing youth and newcomers, Meeting for Clearness or will we die out? William K. Jolliff I 0 Young Families and Quakerism: Will the 12 Words Robin Turner Center Hold? Tom Hoopes 13 Congregation It's time for Friends and meetings to give serious attention to the Jeanne Lohmann common difficulties that young families face. 16 Seasons 14 Kindling a Spark: Young Friends Voicing a Need John C. Morgan for a Radical, Spiritual Quakerism DEPARTMENTS Anna Obermayer The Young Adult Friends gathering in Burlington, NJ, a year •2 Among Friends ago leaves her hopefol yet concerned about Quakerism. 4 Forum 17 Immigration and Friends Testimonies: Seeing 22 Witness That of God in Our Immigrant Neighbors Supporting tribal community development Danielle Short Loan fonds Friends need to welcome immigrants and understand the causes of Quaker reliefduring the Spanish Civil Wtr injustice with regard to immigration. Harry's Light 20 Life and Work at the Casa de los Amigos in Visiting Agatha Mexico City 26 Reflections Stephen Snyder Northern Uganda: the peace process and the International Criminal Court On the occasion ofthe 50th anniversary ofthe Casa, the author assesses its work and describes its setting. jesus: what does he matter? Pile it on! Stuffand a spiritual journey Some things that give me hope 30 Visions Parable ofthe enemies The Goodwill store .... ~ 32 Books ~ ti! 34 News ~ cj 35 Bulletin Board ..1:: 39 Milestones 1:: Cover photo by ~ ~ 49 Classified Emily Stewart
FRIENDS j OURNAL May 2008 3 Quaker Aboriginal Affairs Experienced Friends have a role and Testimony" group. Like many Friends, I responsibility to teach youth the deep continue co struggle with the ethical Committee (QMC) spiritual growth that can result from the implications of abortion. Issues such as statement on the Quaker practice of the Quaker tradition. abortion and a consistent life ethic remain a We are challenged by the knowledge that tough issue for many Friends. sweat lodge as practiced Indigenous people have approached FGC The information given in the pro-life ad at Friends General with a concern of the FGC practice. We feel gave a perspective that is needed for being Friends need to examine whether or not chis informed and gives Friends an opportunity Conference Gatherings is an appropriation of someone else's culture to weigh and discern both sides of chis issue. and spiritual tradition. As well, we do not Several letters appeared in the February Our mandate states that the goals of see a way forward of building connections issue of the jOURNAL caking your staff to task QAAC include: "to focus on issues of and dialogue if concerns such as chis for running the ads. Again, I would like to Aboriginal concern such as spirituality ... continue only in the light of the benefits of deeply thank your staff, especially those who acknowledging the right of peoples to those Friends who participate in chis activity were responsible for making the decision to worship in the way of their own cultures at FGC. Egalitarian relationships cannot be run the pro-life Friends ad. and faith traditions." formed if any one feels violated, or unheard. FRIENDS jOURNAL is a welcome addition to Friends should be mindful that We, as a service organization, can only our home. I might not always agree with every Indigenous spirituality was grievously believe that the best practice is one that article, but the majority of articles (and ads) attacked by colonization. As descendants of recognizes that unresolved hurt cannot lead give me much food for thought. that history we should not engage in any to positive and healthy relationships. Craig Fox actions that are, or could appear to be, This is an opportunity to restrain Greensboro, N.C. unsupportive of the empowerment of ourselves from caking fUll license from Indigenous communities to reclaim their teachings that some have had the privilege spirituality. Our common work for peace Who is pro-life? and honor to share with Indigenous peoples. and justice comes from our mutual respect In response co the recent conversation We urge Friends co show recognition to our for our spiritual paths. about Quaker beliefs and abortion rights: Indigenous partners by engaging in a In our work QAAC is committed to I think that the term pro-life ought not to mutually respectful dialogue. the building of relationships with Indigenous be claimed by anti-abortionists only. Saving partners based on mutual trust, value of Q;iaker Aboriginal A./foirs Committee that label for that group only suggests that their spiritual traditions, and the Toronto, One. people who believe a woman should have recognition that partnerships are based control and choice over her reproductive on egalitarian relationships. Making Friends meetings rights is "anti-life." While, in fact, many The ongoing discussion on whether people who are pro-choice are aware of the Quaker sweat lodges are a viable practice by and gatherings accessible possible emotional costs to a woman having Friends at FGC, in our mind, questions and This is an invitation to Friends to share an abortion, and are also just as joyed and challenges our understanding of how we whatever they have discovered as they have mystified at the beauty oflife and p(>ssible should build our relationships with worked to make their meetings and life, and are ardently pro-life! Indigenous peoples. gatherings more welcoming and accessible to But really this debate is not about life and The sweat lodge is a traditional spiritual people with disabilities. It could be a sound death and who values which more, it is practice of many Indigenous cultures. It is system to improve everyone's ability co be about control, and it is about patriarchy's not part of the Quaker history, tradition, or heard, an inexpensive way to make a desperate hold on the world. It's about fear practice. It was taken and used separately meeting more wheelchair accessible, the and old-world sentiments ofsex and from the teaching, guidance, and collective name of a fragrance-free shampoo, or a really sexuality, shame and hatred. leadings of the Lakota tradition. Ic is our helpful book or article. For thousands of years women have not understanding that no one individual has the · There now is a website:
by Lynn Fitz-Hugh
ical belief to match people with the religion that best fits their beliefs, directs thousands of people a year to the Religious Society of Friends.) I believe Quak erism combines many ele ments that people long for: a non-dogmatic approach to the Divine, an open and accepting environment, a proud history of aligning values with actions for jus tice, the space to find Truth, and one's Inner Voice or Teacher, and a deep mystical union with the Holy One. How many people who long for just such a faith are dis n 2007, Friends World Committee the number of children born i'nto Quak couraged by churches that are bound by for Consultation reported 35,413 erism, as evidenced by the majority of dose-minded dogmas, have ugly histories unprogrammed Friends, about one gray and white heads at any Quaker gath of oppression or apathy, or lack the space tenth of 1 percent of the U.S. popula ering. There is no problem with having to allow for experientially found Truths? tion. This was a 3 percent drop in our many long-living Friends, but we need to Somehow in our historic opposition to membership numbers in the past 30 gain at least as many new members as the proselytizing we seem to have forgotten years. I don't wish to be an alarmist, but number of those dying! The issues are not that we have something uniquely won no group can maintain the integrity of its attracting enough new members, not derful to offer friends, family, and co traditions or its viability when it drops retaining the members we have, and not workers. Ifwe would enthusiastically lend below a certain critical mass. It is hard to keeping our youth. someone a favorite book, or recommend say what the critical mass is, but this is a a movie or TV show that we found problem we need to address now before enriching, then why on Earth would we we reach that point. Quakers have a Sharing Ouakerism not recommend to them that which we proud heritage of what they have con We must go to the heart of our rela find fulfilling in our meetings? tributed to U.S. history, and I believe we tionship with each other as a community Disturbingly, I think this is because can play a critical role in the 21st century of faith if we want to address declining many of us are not enriched in our meet as well. It is of the utmost importance that membership. The reason that people ings. We may go because our family does, we look seriously at, and address the fac come to our church, or any church, is to because we have decades-old friendships tors leading to, a decline in our member share religious fellowship with others there, because it's a nice group of people ship. For decades now, the number ofour whom we perceive share common theo to hang out with, or because we want our members lost through death has exceeded logical beliefs and choose to worship in children to have a religion. These aren't the same manner. It is my firm belief that terrible reasons to go; probably all church Lynn Fitz-Hugh is a member ofEastside Meet if more people knew about Quakerism, es have some percentage of people who ing in Bellevue, Wash. She is also a therapist and more people would indeed choose Quak attend for these reasons. Bur these are not a mother. She is part ofFriends General Confer erism. (In fact, a popular website,
6 May 2008 F RIENDS JoURNAL they draw a newcomer back again. who suddenly stop attending. Such meet rive if we accepted that peace is our ideal, What will allow us to do genuine and ings feel it is none of their business or the and, like the rest of the human race, that moving outreach is ifour meetings are, or Friend's own choice to make. Such com we still have to work on how to do it. The once again will be, places of spiritual plete autonomy from each other, I believe, next step would be to start telling the inspiration that nourish our souls. Places renders meaningless the idea of member truth about the conflicts in our meet where spoken ministry sometimes moves ship, having a marriage under our care, or ings-the decade-old conflicts between us to tears or stuns us by how amazingly being in fellowship with each other. Early two parties or two factions (sometimes it articulates our unspoken condition. Friends understood that living a truly . carried on beyond our memory of why). · Places where we are so closely connected Spirit-centered life is no easy matter, but Ifwe put on the table the fresh, still bleed by Light that a message for another can one in which we help each other achieve ing, and still festering conflicts and hurts come through one person's mouth and be this in loving fellowship. This suggests to about contentious decisions and figured spoken in total faithfulness--even words me, at bare minimum, that our Ministry out what resources to call on to create per or ideas alien to the speaker--clearly and Oversight or our Pastoral Care com sonal or meeting-wide events for healing, intended for one of the community mem mittees call Friends who have beeiJ. absent then there might be forgiveness and bers sitting among us. Places where souls for several months to check on them! Rea reconstruction of new ways forward. The weary and wounded from the events of sons may range from poor health or fam good news is that all yearly meetings, as the world can come and in the silence be ily crisis to a spiritual crisis or a dark night well as programs like FGC, FWCC, and restored again. When our meetings are of the soul, to perhaps being really angry our retreat centers have skilled, seasoned such places, how could we fail to recom with the meeting or some of its members Friends who do know how to help facili mend them to those we care for, and how over things that have happened-all of tate and give birth to such healing. could a seeker finding us for the frrst time which may call for some ministry by car not be enthralled and delighted at having ing meeting members. This last reason found what they sought? Why would our should also be addressed because where Keeping Our Youth young people want to leave such a home? one is driven away by conflict, others will No church keeps a very high percent Now before hundreds of Friends take be, too. Two close and dear friends of age of its youth. This is in the nature of up paper to write FRIENDS jOURNAL mine, attending meetings on different life. Parents' choices are not always right protesting that their meetings are just ends of the country, have stopped going for their offspring. As seekers we know such places, I want to say that I know to their meetings to worship because of people are drawn to different expressions. there are, thank God, many such meet badly handled conflicts there, and in each It is part of the developmental work of ings. But I also know that, sadly, there are case no one has even called them. This teenagers to differentiate from their par many that ate not. In many meetings, should never happen! Calling a year after ents. I don't expect us to keep all our youth or view it as failure when we don't. But I would like to feel that we have I don't wish to be an alarmist but no group can maintain something to offer and nourish youth who are drawn to us. Unfortunately I am not confident that this is what happens. the integrity of its traditions or its viability when it drops Many, many meetings, even those with large First-day programs, do not have below acertain critical mass. high school programs. Myths exist that teenage Friends just don't like going to because of dangerously low numbers the person has stopped coming and after churches; that we have no high school (bordering on dissolution) or meeting dry they have sent a letter declining to serve Friends in our meeting; that we don't have spells lefr unaddressed, there is no spoken on any committees simply adds insult enough teenagers to hold a program ministry Sunday after Sunday, little hap to injury. together; or that they are happy to just go pens in the silence. There are also meet to yearly meeting events once or twice a ings so large and undisciplined (or year. (Does once or twice a year nourish uneldered) that popcorn messages with Healing Our Conflicts any soul?) Usually our meetings have not much chaff and conflict are delivered Our unresolved conflicts are probably ever directly asked the high school Friends every Sunday, leaving the recipients one of the biggest ways we lose people. I what they would like. For me to go on overfed and dull, but not nourished. hate to say it, but for our reputation as much longer runs the danger of trying to We have work to do in our local meet peacemakers, we Quakers are not very speak for them, a form ofageism we prac ings and our yearly meetings ifwe wish to good at conflict! Too many come to us tice far too often. Instead, I encourage see a spiritual health that can again lead attracted to the peace, wishing to leave taking seriously the charge to mentor the· to the growth of our Religious Society as behind troubling memories of conflict next generation of Friends, and that we a whole. elsewhere, but without having learned may be ministered to by the passion and The easiest place to begin is to take an skills for conflict-which many of our intensity of their Lights. earnest stock of why we have lost mem lifelong members haven't learned either. One important part of this is accepting bers or longtime attenders from our meet We don't teach conflict skills, because one them as adults in their meetings. I went to ings. Many meetings have no process in of our great myths is that we all get along. Earlham College and so knew many oth place for even checking in with Friends I think it would be much more produc- er young adult Friends my age. I remem- FRIENDS jOURNAL May 2008 7 ber one of my Friends telling me a few Small meetings have to figure out how to years after we graduated that he felt he Mentorino Newcomers do this lightly. Large meetings may have a had to leave the meeting he grew up in regular Introductory Quakerism class or (and the only one near him) because too Much of what our youth need is what monthly "intro" talk, which is very help many people could not see him as an our newcomers need-a way to learn ful. They still may need to add intention adult. H e said they continued to refer to Quaker practice that does not leave them al mentoring to that structure. In the him as "X's son," even though he was a constantly worrying that they are making medium-size meetings there may be no member. I on the other hand grew up a faux pas or are forever lacking a mountain systematic way, and it is here that unsea: Friend and stayed one, so I know it is pos ofinside knowledge and rules. This ranges soned Friends pressed into committee sible. But I have sat in a business meeting all the way from Quakerspeak (including service can find themselves navigating without a map. It is important that these meetings give attention to how they help their newcomers. Recent newcomers can What will allow us to do genuine and moving outreach be great sources of information about is Hour meetings are, or once again will be, places of what is needed and where the holes are. spiritual inspiration tltat nourish our souls. The Heart of the Matter I have touched upon sharing Quak erism, attending to lost members, healing our alphabet soup of acro our conflicts, keeping our youth, and nyms: FGC, FWCC, AFSC, making a place for newcomers. Obvious etc., to our historic phrases: ly this is enough to keep Ministry and "seasoned," "the way opens," "el Oversight committees busy for a long dering," etc.). Yes, the ambi time. However, these are only structural tious new Friend may pick up matters unless they come from a spiritual a book of Quaker history or center. The heart of the matter is really Quaker practice, but not all are that our fellowship be infused with a ten so inclined to learn this way. der love for one another. Early Friends How do we lovingly and non were on fire with the mission of living a critically help them learn those life completely faithful to God. They saw things as well as our practices their relationships with each other as key for business and committee to that, they held each other accountable, work? How do you teach the they prayed for each other, and they history and experiences that bathed in the Light of God together in have led to our testimonies? worship. Committee work was a joyful How do we teach our meet carrying forward of the spiritual work of ing's unique way of doing cer the community and a rime ofspiritual fel tain things? lowship. It is still possible that we can This is a vital part of wel infuse our nominating process and our coming newcomers because committee work with this Spirit. It is also no one likes feeling stupid, possible that we can find ways to deepen awkward, or like an outsider, the spiritual life of the meeting to make and if we leave them feeling the silence again a living silence, not a that way too long they simply dead one; that we can tend to the growth don't return. Maybe worse yet, of membership in our meetings with a that a young Friend, home from college, in large meetings with big influxes of new sense of the vital and vibrant spirituality was attending and someone referred to the Friends and a shortage ofseaso ned Friends that we have to share with each other; and "children" of the meeting while gesturing to help explain our practices, newcomers that we can come to a Living Center that at him! simply substitute ways they have learned is compelling to any seeker to return to Routinely our nominating committees outside. Sometimes this may be good, but again and again. 0 do not approach young adult Friends more ofren it can lead to poor process, about service on committees, still seeing more conflict, more issues to heal, and them as children. A few meetings do have more loss of what is unique and powerful some sort of ritual designed to acknowl in Quakerism. T herefore, mentoring edge passage into adulthood for their teen newcomers is of key importance. members. This may be more important Some meetings are so small that the for the members of meeting than for the newcomer is attended to by every mem young person if we have trouble seeing ber of meeting, which can be overwhelm them as adults. ing and cause much self-consciousness.
8 May 2008 FRIENDS jOURNAL Meeong mr ~tearness And he shall send his angels with a great sound ofa trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect .from the four winds, .from one end Of heaven to the other. - Matthew 24:31 Plaging in the Faith and No Practice Band Someday my trimmed and tweedy Friends and I will wing our way to heaven, passing joyfully The name of the band appealed to me, so I signed up yet tastefullly through vast black realms of light, to play in it, not thinking rt might live up to rts name. only to hover, silent, around the throne of grace, For weeks before the gathering, I practiced songs like there to awart the fullest opening of the Divine. "Morning Has Broken" and "What Wondrous Love Is This." Eventually we'll take seats, until, bored, a weighty Instead, when I packed up my gurtar and got there, I . Friend from the facing bench, attentive always to that learned we 'd be playing for the intergenerational dance, Still Small Voice, will scooch his sensible khaki chinos tunes like "Alley Cat," ':Jump Jim Joe," "Chicken Dance," and folding chair closer to the phosphorescent wall, '1\labama Gal," and "Sasha," none of which I knew. where, wrth dismay, he'll discover that, even in eternrty, At the first practice, there was some confusion about the Divine may choose where to spend the Holy Now, the meeting place, and we disturbed a few seminars. And at this now there's a dance band rattling windows At the second practice, no one could agree on how one room over, and if that familiar fiddling caller is to play the tunes; one guy took his guitar and left. who he thinks he is . . . it seems that God may be a while. Then the big night came, and you never heard such sweet harmony while the gleeful generations danced. ·-Harold Branam
Harold Branam lives in Savannah, Ga.
William K Jolliffteaches writing and literature at George Fox University in Newberg, Oreg.
FRIENDS j OURNAL May 2008 9 ~Vu.1~5 ~ a..l~~ll~\.Al a..l~U. '<._Ua.n..\...-.1.~~~~~. ~ill the Center Hold? by Tom Hoopes ~cly I was invited to hdp plan wrote back, without hesitation, "4:00 PM out, the wellspring of care and commit an adult religious education session at a at the meetinghouse is perfect, and please ment dries up, and this has a huge impact meeting that expressed interest in revital do bring the boys. That's what this is all beyond the home: community life shriv izing itself to attract and engage young about, so why wouldn't you? I'll check els up, and so does our democracy. Amer families. This meeting, like so many oth with Friends at meeting about availability ica's stock of social and human capital ers, recognized that young families hold to watch them." becomes dangerously depleted. If we can the key to the future vitality produce this magical parent of the Religious Society of power, we can go to the very Friends. This meeting is heart of our darkness and noteworthy, however, be make the center hold." cause it has begun the hard Where does the Reli work of making some of the gious Society of Friends changes necessary to be an stand in relation to today's attractive faith community "beleaguered moms and for children and young dads"? To the extent that adults, as well as for its cur Quaker culture has not rent core membership of intentionally organized itself older adults. around the needs of young In starting down this families, many people of my path of self-reflection and life stage have opted out of ~ conscious change, the com participation in organized ~ munity is taking a crucial Quakerism. We know this ~ and courageous step to from research as well as expe ~ wards self-renewal. The rientially, as many Friends' ~ footing will almost certainly own adult children- and ~ be unsteady, and at times it therefore their grandchildren ~ may feel fraught with peril, -are not active in a meet ~ but the path leads directly to ing community. ~ the heart ofour multigener Ofcourse, building mul ~ ational future. Simply by tigenerational community <:> ~ being faithfully themselves, is neither simple nor one young families bring the dimensional. Unless it has passion, loving care, and commitment I replied, "I really appreciate your been part of a meeting's culture, organiz that is at the q!nter of our shared project response to my proposal to bring the boys ing things around the needs of young to build and sustain spiritual community. to our planning meeting. I realize that families can create unanticipated chal Young families need Quakerism, and your question-'Why wouldn't you?' lenges and friction. Are we prepared to Quakerism needs young families. So, can was intended rhetorically, but, alas, my deal with the growing pains? we talk? experience is that many Friends don't There is good news: Quakerism offers In confirming our planning meeting, I make an effort for children to be part of what lots of today's young adults are seek wrote an e-mail to the facilitator of the the equation. So, your message of warm ing. There is now a burgeoning young session to explain, somewhat apologeti inclusion feels truly welcoming." adult Friends community in the Philadel cally, that the time we had selected coin In The 'Wtr Against Parents: What we phia area. The Making New Friends cided with a period when my wife and I Can Do for America's Beleaguered Moms project of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting had agreed that I would have responsibil and Dads, Sylvia Ann Hewlett and Cor found that those who joined Quakerism ity for our spirited young children. He nel West write, "The project ofgiv ing new started attending at the average age of 34. Tom Hoopes is a member ofVal!ey Meeting near status and support to mothers and fathers The project summarized that our out Valley Forge, Pa. After ten years on the staffof has extraordinary potential because of the reach efforts should focus on those in Philadelphia Yearry Meeting as director ofedu ways in which the parent-child bond is their 30s and 40s. Many of those who are cation, he begins teaching QJ!.akerism and world the most fundamental building block in drawn to unprogrammed Quakerism are religions at George School this foil. human society. When this is hollowed looking for a "tribe" that gives them a
10 May 2008 FRIENDS JOURNAL ., -- - , - - ~ - -- - ~J ------~~ - - o · ' 1 ' and who they are becoming. (Many who them, personally and spiritually. their own children, and they may feel take the quiz at
II o~u...~.~ .u.~~,.,_'-'L l'l'V.L t,U . .L.ly J.J.111Y'-' Ll'-'\,..l.l U'-'l..l5J.J.l.\..U l..,)J.J.1U 5) .,)J.l.l5c::lLIJ.\.. J.J.IU.,)J.\., J.J.l Ul\.. .J. V V to discover that many adults like it, too! Hymnal and Rise Up Singing. '1love to feel where words come from. " In this way, multigenerational worship Snacks. Who doesn't like yummy - Papunehang, quoted in The Journal ofJohn can become a natural and normal by food? Not only do children like Woolman, 18th-century Quaker mystic product of responding to the needs of snacks, they need them, because they young families. The whole community is burn calories faster than adults. Of When my daughter was three we told her thus enlivened and revitalized. fering healthy, yummy snacks at all the name of those openings Although we claim to eschew dogma, events is a good way to let young in the body through which we breathe: most ofour tracts implicitly posit "Quak families know they are welcome. It is nostrils er worship" as the practice of corporate, also a good vehicle for engaging seated silence. While centering down into young families in meeting, by asking nostrils, nostrils, silent worship is, of course, a central them to provide the snacks. she shrieked with a glee aspect of Quaker spiritual practice, it is Providing childcare during forums, so full, so surrendered, a glee not the only form of Quaker worship. meetings for business, and at com I'd long forgotten Indeed, contemporary Friends have mittee meetings, offered before any found many other ways to intentionally one asks for it. Providing childcare about where words come from, invite and receive the presence of the Holy upon request is nice, but this approach the way they feel, Spirit: singing, chanting, walking, drum places the burden on the young fam ming, and visual art making, just to name ilies, who will likely opt out of par their pure pleasure a few. ticipation, rather than ask for "special flooding, filling Happily, many meetings are "getting it treatment." Committees can become her small, whirling, dervish of a body right." They have embraced the wisdom a place ofco nnection for children and of the adage, "If you build it, they will adults. Inviting children (and music, nostrils, nostrils come." Indeed, many of the meetings that games, and snacks!) into committee have taken pro-active measures to reor meetings can bring joy into this like light ganize themselves in relation to the devel aspect of our lives. like music opmental needs of younger adults, chil Older adults taking turns assisting like God's own breath. dren, and families have begun to see the with First-day school and childcare. gratifYing outcomes ofgenuine multigen This creates an opportunity for young erational community. They have seen and old to connect with one anoth -Robin Turner firsthand that there are younger people in er, and to develop their own person their communities who are thirsty for al relationships. I frequently hear a what Quakerism offers, and that these message of gratitude from young par Robin Turner lives in Terrell, Tex. people bring welcome gifts of the Spirit. ents when their children are seen and Here are some examples of pro-active known by older members of meeting. measures taken by meetings to become more "Meeting feels like a family," quipped effectively welcoming to young families: one young mother to me recently. ular meeting, as a "scaffold" to help stu Hiring an experienced early elementary Encouraging and supporting young fam dents in learning about communion with or preschool teacher-to design, organize ilies in socializing together outside of meet that of God in themselves and in one and teach First-day school, even before ing. One salient point from the Making another. In this way, they learn how to there are many children. T his upfront New Friends research project was that approach meeting for worship intention investment sends an unambiguous mes "people need to have a few others they ally. Meeting for worship at a Friends sage to families who visit that they are tru know well in order to become part of the school can be a remarkably transcendent ly welcome, and that the meeting wants community." Meetings can facilitate this experience, with scores of youngsters cen them, "warts and all." sense of connection among and between tering together, as they have practiced Creating an age-appropriate, welcoming young families, wholly apart from meet weekly for years. Many of our meetings space for young kids. In most cases, this ing-sponsored activities. would do well to model their orientations means a little bit of redecorating, purging It is noteworthy that meeting for wor for new attenders---<:hildren and adults some of the old stuff, and freshening up a ship at most Friends elementary schools is alike-on the examples of Friends schools. space so that a young family comes in and structured and programmed in a way that Older Friends may understandably thinks, "This space looks friendly!" It usu is developmentally appropriate, as we ask, "Why are the needs of today's young ally requires dedicating a room or a space would expect in other areas of the educa families so very different than in the pre to children. tional curriculum and instruction. Young ceding generations?" Indeed, young adult Music! Kids love upbeat, melodic er students at Friends schools are given an Friend Thomas Kelly's words from 1941, music. As it happens, so do most adults. orientation to Quaker worship and are in A Testament ofDevotion , resonate today. Building a sing-along time into the rou introduced to it slowly and deliberately, He writes of the quest for inner stillness tine means that everyone is nourished, and just as they are introduced to new sports within the "mad pace of our daily outer that people of all ages get to do the same or academic subjects. This often involves burdens," with "our absurdly crowded thing together, at the same time. There is structured worship sharing outside of reg- calendars ofappointments through which
12 May 2 008 FRIENDS JOURNAL so many pantingly and frantically gasp." Wouldn't Friend Thomas be amazed by the pace of today's world, with our ubiq uitous cell phones, e-mail, and long-dis tance work and family arrangements? 1fhe simple fact is that young parents today are leading much busier lives than parents of an earlier generation. This is as true of Quakers as of other people. In addition to the accelerated pace oflife due to new technologies, most contemporary Quaker parents are part of two-career relationships. Until recently, an implicit premise of Quaker culture was the pres ence of free, dedicated caregivers for the children (i.e., mothers). Due to financial necessity and changed gender roles, this is no longer an operative reality. Quaker cul ture is still playing catch-up to this situa tion. (And then there's the matter of car ing for our aging parents. But that's a top ic in itsel£) The issues raised by the prospect of building truly multigenerational commu nity at our meetings are numerous and • How can we develop a culture that wel challenging. Young children tend to be comes children and families? Congregation • What changes do we need to make and noisy, messy, and rambunctious. Their In the chu.rcbes of my youth, parents are frequently stressed out, overex how might we facilitate those changes? tended, and beleaguered. Like Thomas • How might we need to change the way Mystery Kelly, many of us were drawn to Quak we think of ourselves? engaged the congregation, erism because of the promise of silence • How do we meet the needs ofsome old and peacefulness, a haven from the noise er people who might be uncomfortable and whatever I found and haste. Although we may hesitate to with young children's behavior and needs? I couldn't explain admit it, many of us do sometimes feel, • How do we communicate the challenges to others beside me deep down, that it would be nice if chil to Friends who may not be aware that dren were "seen and not heard," like so there may be an issue with the cultural in the polished pews. many children in fairy tales, TV shows, shifr required? Not separate, though we and embellished memories of our own • How can we develop an organized, cre thought we were, childhoods. Alas, ifwe want today's young ative, positive, and continuing program families to come to our meetings and to for children that doesn't lay too much re each of us puzzled stay, we will do well to relinquish our sponsibility on very few people? to be told we were blessed desires for continuous order, tidiness, and • How might we become spiritually led to in ways we didn't understand, serenity. (Ironically, my boys accompa commit to young families? nied me to the adult session at the meet • How might we welcome children in the though we kept hoping ing mentioned at the beginning of this life of our meeting, including worship? God and our parents article. They sat quietly at a card table in wanted us there. the corner of the same room for a whole If Quakerism is to have a vital future, hour, intently focusing on the art and we will be wise to organize ourselves more craft supplies set out for them, while I co intentionally around the interests and led and my wife participated in the adult needs of young families. There may not -jeanne Lolmumn centered discussion. We explained that be as many tranquil moments as some such behavior was not typical, and not to might wish, but there may be more than jeanne Lohmann lives in Olympia, be expected in the future!) expected. And our expectations will con Wash. The following are some helpful queries tinually evolve. The prospect of multigen for meetings seeking to embrace young erational Quakerism is a reality-based families, and to make them an integral vision of an integrated community that is part of the meeting community. These empowered, energized, and evolving. And emerged from the discernment and dis in those places where it is already hap cussion at the meeting event that I men pening, the future is bright. More signifi tioned at the beginning of this article: cantly, so is the present. 0
FRIENDS JOURNAL May 2008 13 I(INDLING A SPARI<: Young Friends Voicing a Need for a Radical, Spiritual Quakerism by Anna Obermayer
You know what time it is, how it is now the (and I hope many other Friends) that young Friends who were serious about moment for you to wake ftom sleep . ... The young adult Friends are able and willing their Faith and about their commitment night is for gone, the day is near. Let us then to take up the work that is in front of us. to the Spirit. Like almost everyone I have lay aside the works ofdarkness and put on I have taken the lessons of that conference talked to about the conference, I feel it has the armor oflight. -Romans 13:11-12 with me on my journey with the Spirit. changed my Faith and my relationship They have given me hope for young adult with Friends. little over a year ago I sat at the Friends and for the Religious Society of I come from New York Yearly Meeting, Young Adult Friends' Gathering Friends as a whole. which I love. I especially love the retreats, Ain Burlington, New Jersey, and We are a community afire. This sounds the Powell House conference and retreat listened while Friends expressed needs: to like a grandiose, even oudandish state center, and the Friends with whom I grew learn more about early Friends and early ment, yet I have been feeling the slight up. My home meeting is still the one Quakerism, to become more evangelical in stirrings of change and movement for a where I feel most comfortable. Yet I feel our Faith, and to begin a dialogue between long time. Prior to attending the Burling that something is missing from Quak different branches of Quakerism. Some ton conference I had spoken, in person erism, especially the Quakerism I see Friends spoke of the need to return to a and via blogging, with Friends who were practiced by the youth around me. Very more traditional way ofconducting meet deeply religious and serious about the few times have I been in a group ofyoung ings and ordering the Religious Society as state of Quakerism. They spoke about Friends who take Quakerism very seri a whole. Others spoke to the need to spend what they loved and what frustrated them ously. In most of my encounters with just as much time contemplating our about Quakerism. They spoke of the work young Friends, I have found them fierce- ~ belief in the Spirit and God as in going to that they were doing. But although I have ly proud of calling themselves Quaker, c::. protests and espousing nonviolence. seen the seeds of energy and change, I but not caring about talking or studying ~ Even though I attended this conference have also been plagued by doubts. Far too about what being Quaker means, about ~ over a year ago and have attended many often I have become discouraged by what conferences since then, that one made a I see as a weakening of Quaker identity, particular impact on me as well as on many and a tendency for Friends to forget or other young adult Friends who attended. overlook that the Religious Society of Many of the messages and lessons I took Friends is in fact an organized religion away from that experience have been with a history, a Faith, and a set of tradi restated and redefined in other confer tions and practices. I have also been dis ences, but as I read over my initial reaction couraged by some Friends' apathy from that conference I cannot deny the towards problems within Quakerism and lasting Truth I found there. Young adult work that needs to be done, and by the Friends spoke of the need for change and distressing inability of many Friends to for a loving community. They showed me criticize any aspect of Quakerism. I have seen these problems among Anna Obermayer is entering her senior year at Friends of all ages. However, since older Quaker theology, or even about what part Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. Anna likes Friends are more visible, we often see they are playing in the Religious Society to read and write queer theory and Christian Quakerism's flaws, as well as its strengths, of Friends. Over the summer I attended theology, and is also interested in human rights most clearly in them. In my experience, New York Yearly Meeting and was kzw. She feels called to ministry through writing young Friends have have shown these appalled by how few young and young and maintains a Quaker theology blog "Raised same flaws in troubling ways. (More trou adult Friends attended business meeting. In The Light,"
14 May 2008 FRIENDS JOURNAL When asked about Quakerism, young Friends often describe it as "like Unirari an Universalists, only cooler" or as "a group of people where you can believe whatever you want." I don't want Quakerism to be just a version ofUnirarian Universalism. I want it to stand on its own, to be something more. I want Quakerism to be a radical, liviQg faith. I want it to be a faith with a I can't really pin down what was the one present took Quakerism very serious history and with a complex spiritual, theo most important moment for me during ly. I was moved by the level ofcommitment logical core from which radical and often the Burlington conference. I know many to Quakerism and change that I encoun controversial witness stems. I want this times throughout the weekend it touched tered there. The young adult Friends at from the Religious Society of Friends, me deeply and allowed me to move to a the conference were some of the most intensely and passionately- sometimes so better spiritual place. It changed the way motivated Friends I have ever met. Since intensely I can barely stand it. Most frus I view the Religious Society of Friends, then, I carry with me the deep knowledge trating of all is that I know Quakerism is, but above all, it changed the way I think that we as the Religious Society of Friends can be, and has been what I want it to be. about young Friends. During the week can be a vibrant, loving, functioning com It is at its heart the faith I yearn for, but end I met, talked, and prayed with others munity under God, and that young and many Friends have just forgotten this, or just as serious as I, and in some cases young adult Friends have a place in build . nevrr learned it. much more spiritually mature. Whether ing and living in that community. they were Christian and based their faith I have been accustomed to Friends Ask and it wiU be given you; search and you wiU in the Bible and the teachings of early being either unaware of the concerns they find; knock, and the tkor will be openedfor you. Friends, or nontheist and based their be -Matthew 7:1 liefs in social justice and community, every- Continued on page 38 FRIENDS JoURNAL May 2oo8 15 SEASONS
Brown and still on the ground, these dry leaves huddle against the fall sun. Pale winter is soon come, turning muted colors into icy tombstones. This seems the country of the dead, the horizons of lost dreams, where ghosts, white with despair, dance slowly across ·a gray sky.
But stand quietly and listen: Before your eyes, Under the flesh, under the ground, feel the roots gathering strength. Be silent and reach down. This is the whole of wisdom that the wind blows, and the stars tell from distant galaxies. john C Morgan lives in Temple, Pa. This is the whole of wisdom that lost men give us This poem inspired the painting, below, in dreams-and Lazarus died twice to find. by Betty Kizujfinan
And now the roses grow before the country windows, the hawks again circle overhead, the firebush catches flames to warm the hummingbird. Smell the lilac, the fields. Stand under the open heavens and sing praises for another year-a time to begin anew.
16 May 2008 FRIENDS j OURNAL FRIENos }OVRNAL Name: ______subscriptions are $39 for
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1••• 111.1 ••••• 1111 ••• 1••• 11.1 •••• 11.1 ••• 111 ••••• 11.1 IMMIGRATION AND FRIENDS TESTIMON I ES
Seeing That of God I in Our Immigrant Neighbors
iends have been concerned about a sign saying, "Illegal Immigrants Not to be. Friends seek to empower those who the exploitation and dehumanization Welcome." Surely, there is a better solu are oppressed and to fmd ways for more Fof workers for many years, most tion. I believe we can create an immigra equitable distribution of the resources and notably in our opposition to slavery. I see tion system that will work for all of us; we wealth of the world." Economics should these injustices in the context of immi do not have to play the rights and benefits be about right relationship. By prioritiz gration today, but as Friends, we have not of one group against another's. We have ing profits over the health and well-being reached clarity on a common, Spirit-led more to gain by coming together and ad of people (as well as the Earth), our glob response. My experiences working with dressing the real causes of inequality and al economy treats those at the short end immigrants confirm my belief that the injustice. Our testimonies can help guide of the stick as expendable. Quaker testimonies call us to pursue us towards an alternative vision ofs ociety, Many immigrants to the U.S., both humane policies towards immigrants. My where we honor that of God in everyone. documented and undocumented, migrat faith calls me to work for a society where ed because free trade has made it more dif we celebrate the dignity and gifts ofevery EQUALITY ficult for them to provide for their chil one, regardless of immigration starus. I first directly encountered the dehu dren, and they know that many U.S. The suffering I see caused by our bro manizing impact of anti-immigrant rhet employers seek immigrant labor. As long ken immigration system touches me oric in the 1990s, when I lived in central as there are economic disparities between deeply. It pains me to see immigrants Mexico, accompanying delegations of nations, there will be displacements in dying in the process of crossing the U.S. U.S. students and church people in dia labor from a weaker to a stronger econo Mexico border. As a parent, I weep when logue with indigenous and impoverished my. The presence of 12 million undocu I think of the immigrant parents who live communities. I remember taking a group mented immigrants in the United States with the possibility of deportation sepa of college students to meet a woman is largely a consequence ofglob al inequal rating them from their children. I feel named Sirenia, who recounted how a ity. The inability to develop a humane angry watching the stricken looks on young woman from her village in Guer immigration system reinforces that in immigrant teenagers' faces when they see rero had died en route to the U.S. and equality by marginalizing undocumented returned home in a body bag. When we immigrants, who regularly experience vul Danielle Short is a member ofMountain View debriefed the experience later, one of the nerability, fear, and exploitation (as well as Meeting in Denver, Colo. She is the human rights students asked, "But she was illegal, was courage and resistance). Immigrants' fre program director at the Coloratlo office ofAmer n't she?" The statement floored me in its quent invisibility can also prevent non ican Friends Service Committee, where she has blatant disregard for human life. How was immigrants from recognizing that ofGo d done community organizing with lAtino!lAtina it that the young woman did not have just in them. This is an obstacle to the spiritu immigrants and citizen supporters ofimmigrant rights. She is currently coordinating the produc as much ofa right to survival as any of us? al development of non-immigrants. tion ofa D VD faith curriculum on immigratum, We are all children of God and are I sometimes hear people say that "we a joint project with the Coloratlo Council of loved equally by the Divine. But, as the have to take care of our own'' poor first. Churches, IliffSchool ofTheo!ogy, the Bell Policy 2006 draft of Faith and Practice of Inter Could it be that these sentiments are a Center, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, mountain Yearly Meeting (IMYM) aptly way of playing poor against poor so that andAFSC She is also in the process ofco-found states, "Yet not all human beings have just we evade showing care for any of them? I ing an intentional community based on sustain and equal means and opportunity to be believe that Friends' testimonies apply to ability, shared spirituality, and socialjustice work. come what their gifts could enable them everyone--whether they have their papers FRIENDS JOURNAL May 2008 in order or not. In "A Plea for the Poor," Latino/a immigrants. While groups chat ico, I began organizing with Spanish John Woolman connects the need to show oppose legalization ofi:en say that they are speaking immigrants in Colorado with care for the poor with the need ro wdcome not anti-immigrant, just "anti-illegal American Friends Service Committee. It the stranger by referencing Exodus 23:9: immigrant," the examples they offer of the was ironic to me chat I had traveled co live "Ye know the heart ofa stranger, seeing ye supposed dangers undocumented immi and work in Mexico so easily, while there were strangers in the land of Egypt." grants pose are overwhdmingly of immi was no way for my new immigrant friends Woolman adds, "He who hath been a grants of color. In a 2007 report titled in Denver co obtain work documents. I stranger amongst unkind people or under "Immigrants Targeted: Extremist Rhetoric heard many stories of the dangers these their government who were hard-hearted, Moves co the Mainstream," the Anti courageous people had faced to enter the knows how it feels; but a person who hath Defamation League documents how United States. One Guatemalan friend never felt the weight of misapplied power many anti-immigrant groups use propa shared her pain chat her young son still comes not co this knowledge but by an ganda-spreading tactics such as referring to carried the trauma of crossing the desert inward tenderness, in which the heart is undocumented immigrants as "hordes with a coyote co join his parents, even prepared ro sympathy with others." Do swarming over the border from Mexico" though years had passed. we seek this inward tenderness so that we and "third world invaders," portraying Over the past 20 years, the federal gov may come co understand better the expe them as carriers of deadly diseases and ernment has invested billions of dollars in riences of immigrants in this country? criminals who come tQ kill and rape, and a futile attempt to prevent undocumented In addition to gaining compassion for propagating conspiracy theories about a immigration by fortifying the U.S.-Mexico immigrants, we should explore how our Mexican "reconquisca'' plot to take over border. This has created a new, contempo country plays a role in global economic the U.S. Southwest. This covert racism is rary kind of war profiteering in the form inequality. Theologian Miguel De La reinforced by the links many of their lead oflucrative contracts co build border secu Torre traces how in 1954 the U.S. ers have to white supremacist groups, as rity installations and detention centers. Marines installed a Guatemalan dictator well as public statements referring to the Migrants have voluntarily accepted the ship co protect U .S. business interests, inferiority of certain racial and cultural kinds of conditions co which enslaved bringing poverty, strife, death, and migra groups. In the Southern Poverty Law Cen Africans were subjected in the transatlantic tion to escape from these dangers. In an ter's (SPLC) Winter 2007 Intelligence slave trade--cramming themselves into AFSC newsletter, he wrote, "Maybe the Report, the article "The Teflon Nativists: packing containers and ships. How can ethical question we should be asking is FAIR marked by ties to white supremacy," we accept a system where people see chis not 'why' are they coming, but, how do describes these links, beginning with the as the best option? Since the implementa we begin co make reparations for all we supposedly mainstream Federation for tion of border enforcement policies in the have stolen to create the present econom American Immigration Reform (FAIR), 1990s, according co a Mexican congres ic empire we call the United States?" which has accepted funds from the Pio sional report, over 4,500 migrants have We need to identify and address the neer Fund, a foundation chat promotes died from hypothermia, dehydration, and root causes of undocumented immigra eugenics research. According to the SPLC, drowning while crossing the border. tion so that people have the choice to stay FAIR has employed members of white The Friends' Peace Testimony is a deep in their home communities. Short of that, supremacist groups in key positions. The expression of our core belief chat each of we need to create humane policies so that SPLC article describes a series of memos us has a spark of the Divine, and nothing people who cannot make a dignified liv leaked in the 1980s, in which John Tan can eXtinguish chat spark. We seek to ing in their home countries can go in a ton, who has founded or funded a major resolve conflicts through peaceful recon safe and orderly way co countries where ity of the anti-immigrant groups, includ ciliation, and we reject violence, inequali the jobs are. We chose not to bring the ing FAIR, "warned of a coming 'Latin on ty, and injustice, which are seeds of out U.S. and Mexican economies into align slaught' and worried chat high Latino ward violence and war. According to the ment (as the European Union did) when birth rates would lead 'the present majori IMYM drafi: Faith and Practice, our Peace we aggressively promoted NAFTA co our ty to hand over its political power co a Testimony calls us to "refuse to join in neighbors, and chose instead co fortify our group chat is simply more fertile.' Tanton actions chat denigrate ochers or lead to southern border. We would do better if repeatedly demeaned Latinos in the mem their victimization." Enforcement strate we removed the vulnerable status of un os, asking whether they would 'bring with gies lead to suffering. Borders and laws documented immigrants through legal them the tradition of the mordida [bribe], should serve human beings, rather chan ization, which would raise wages and labor the lack of involvement in public affairs' vtce versa. standards for everybody. and also questioning Latinos' 'educabili In our society, it has become com ty."' As Friends, we should be aware of SIMPLICITY monplace to dehumanize immigrants, these connections and examine our own I have had the privilege of meeting and chose who appear co be immigrants. reactions to the debate. Are we looking for with workers from the maquikuloras, or In recent years, we have seen an increase chat of God? Do we love our neighbor as assembly plants, on trips co the U.S. in expressions of hatred against people of ourselves? Is it possible chat unconscious Mexico border. Several of them were fired color, both immigrants and citizens. The prejudices are keeping us from viewing for daring co organize. for better working term ",illegal alien" allows us to lose sight immigrants with compassion? conditions in the factories. I have seen ofour common humanity. That term has how young women have lost their youth also become racially coded language chat PEACE prematurely while trying to meet their conjures up images of Mexican and other Afi:er several years of working in Mex- production quotas. I remembered them
18 May 2008 FRIENDS JoURNAL later when I met Mayan women in the threat to our well-being, but rather that also obscures the systemic causes of envi state of Chiapas, Mexico, whose commu we can work together so that we all have ronmental problems and absolves the nities were in the path of a proposed what we need, but not necessarily more. affluent from their responsibility in over multinational free trade zone. The We ask ourselves how we may need to consumption ·and monopolization of women sat on the side of a hill, embroi change our lifestyles to enable everyone to resources. We can have the most impact dering their beautiful huipiles (blouses) access the resources they need. In the spir on the environment by understanding the while they eloquently told my group of it of John Woolman, we look at how root causes of environmental degradation students why they did not want that kind sweatshops and cheap immigrant labor and by working for better environmental of "development" in their community. I subsidize our lifestyles, and work for bet standards (especially for corporations and suddenly imagined the same women ter wages and working conditions for all the military) and sustainable communities. hunched over sewing machines, produc workers. In "A Plea for the Poor," Wool Rather than accepting the scapegoacing of ing Disney clothing to be sold at Wal man challenges the accumulation of immigrants, who are by no means the Mart. These women were poor by many wealth based on what we would now call heaviest users ofresources, we should work standards, but they were clear that retain exploitation: "If our views are to lay up for the right sharing of world resources. ing their traditions, their land, and their riches . . . and our demands are such as communities was their choice. requires greater toil or application to busi COMMUNITY The Testimony of Simplicity refers to ness in them than is consistent with pure As a Spanish-speaking community both spiritual and·material simplicity. By love, we invade their rights as inhabitants advocate, I'm often asked by immigrants letting go of our desires to own and con of that world of which a good and gra why a white woman from the U.S. like sume, we free ourselves to focus on deep cious God is proprietor, under whom we me would care about their situation. It er truths. We ask ourselves how our com are tenants." saddens me that it would seem that com fort is getting in the way of our faith. We Many of us are motivated to live a sim passionate people are unusual. Most of challenge ourselves to examine our anxi ple lifestyle because of our awareness of my immigrant friends' experiences with eties about our financial security and to our impact on the Earth, and this i~ white English speakers are of rejection or trust that the goods of the Earth are suffi extremely important. However, it is prob invisibility. Why should it be remarkable cient for everyone, ifwe share them. We lematic to focus on overpopulation as the that I am concerned that members of my view undocumented immigrants as God's cause of environmental degradation, broader community are struggling to live children who have just as much of a right because demographers say the population with dignity? to a dignified life as U.S. citizens, crossing explosion is over and because focusing on IMYM's draft Faith and Practice specif- borders to feed their children if necessary. the fertility of women of color reinforces Our faith shows us that they are not a racial, ethnic, and gender stereotypes. It Continued on page 36
FRIENDS JOURNAL May 2008 19 Life and Work at the Casa de los Amigos in Mexico City
by Stephen Snyder
ear and a half ago, in the fall of 006, the Casa de los Amigos in exico City celebrated its 50th anniversary as a Quaker presence in Mex ico. Over the years the Casa has organized service and work projects in Mexico, assisted the United Nations in housing refugees from the wars in Central Ameri ca, been the home of Mexico City Meet ing, and offered accommodation to inter national travelers. The 50th anniversary celebration provided an opportunity to reflect on and refocus the role of the Casa as a center for peace and international understanding in Mexico. While no brief introduction to the Casa can really cap ture the personal experiences of staff, vol more real to all those who live there and and many others. International guests and unteers, and guests, I would like to share to all who visit. Mexicans with expertise in these topics some experiences and reflections on Casa We welcome guests, listen to the joys often lead the conversations. life and work. and concerns of staff and guests, and try As a center for peace, the Casa provides My connection with the Casa de los to treat everyone with respect regardless of resources for networking among groups Amigos began in 1995-96, when our son religious beliefs or condition. Unpro doing peace and justice work in Mexico and his wife served as guesthouse man grammed morning worship during the and Central America. This networking agers. My wife, Mary, began volunteering week and regular study of the Bible and occurs both at seminars organized by the about this time, and I have been able to Quaker faith and practice offer staff and Casa and over informal conversations at join her since retiring six years ago. Our guests opportunities for .spiritual reflec breakfast and elsewhere among peace visits are usually for a period of three to tion. Saturday night dances, talent nights, workers staying there. At breakfast one four weeks. Our neighbors at home in and potluck suppers on Sunday provide might meet a graduate student or Men South Dakota sometimes assume we are informal times for sociability. Organizing nonite volunteer researching the impact doing missionary work in Mexico, fol guests to help with maintenance is anoth of the North American Free Trade Agree lowing the pattern of local churches, but er way we invite people into the life of the ment (NAFTA) on Mexican corn farm I would describe our work as participat Casa. One elderly guest, who was helping ers, a member of a Peace Brigades Team, ing in the ministry of hospitality. On any me paint bookshelves in the library, con a Mexican human rights activist, a volun given day the Casa is home to a diverse fided that he liked to visit each winter teer at the local shelter for homeless street group of staff, volunteers, neighbors, and because people here are caring and would children, or a facilitator for the Alterna visitors from many different countries, help him should he have another heart tives to Violence Project in Mexico. languages, and backgrounds. Along with attack while in Mexico-quite a testimo The working-class neighborhood staff and other Friends, we try to make ny to the spirit of hospitality at the Casa. around the Casa is an intercultural expe this home a place of friendliness, refresh Staff and friends of the Casa also rience itself, filled with a diversity of life's ment, and peace, where the Spirit becomes organize conversations in English and activities. There are many single-family Spanish during the week. These are homes and apartments; two bakeries; a Stephen Snyder, a member ofMenomonie (Wis.) modern health clinic; a nursery school; Meeting, attends Sioux Falls (S.Dak.) Worship opportunities for improving language Group. Before retiring, he taught political science skills and intercultural understanding. numerous small stores; rock 'ri roll danc and directed international programs at Univer Recent topics have included globalization, ing in the park; a refuge for street chil sity ofWisconsin-Stout. He and his wife, Mary, the impact ofWal-Mart in Mexico, emi dren; internet cafes; copy shops; ATM have been .frequent visitors as well as Friends-in gration, the rural economy, the changing machines and banks; vegetable, fruit, and residence at the Casa. Mexican family, gender roles, education, meat markets; a dozen or more small
20 May 2008 FRIENDS jOURNAL 1.. au j;;t:L a ~uue smne, or purcnase rresn cooperative said that corn pnces, whlch are teers, statt, peace workers, and v1smng squeezed juices, tacos, soup, sandwiches, normally a major source of income, have Friends return to the Casa periodically, clothes, CDs, watches, and most other fallen significantly since the creation of many renew friendships and contacts things one might find at Wal-Marr. NAFTA In seeking alternative sources of made during earlier visits. Over time, Mary and I enjoy the personal interac income to sustain the village, the coopera these patterns of interchange have created tion with the vendors on the street. Peo tive has constructed an adobe guesthouse, a community of people around the world ple are generally friendly and patient as we restaurant, and sweat lodge with the hope with links to the Casa. Parker Palmer, in try to communicate with our limited ofattracting tourists. Thus, our stay in the his Pendle Hill Pamphlet A Place Called Spanish, and a few even greet us with the village was not only an opportunity to Community, wrote that when a group of traditional kiss on the cheek. It is quite a learn more about rural Mexico but also to people commit themselves to God, they _ different experience for us to live in a contribute to the local economy. will find they are drawn into community. neighborhood where nearly all the neces On a walk outside the village we met a While the Casa has sometimes struggled sities of life are available within a two shepherd wearing a marine uniform he to find a shared vision for its work, it has block walking distance of our home with had purchased in the U.S. He tends sheep always been a place where people doing no need for a car. As one Friend from in the summer but leaves his family Boston said, "I can just live so much more behind to work in a restaurant in Wash simply here in Mexico City." One hopes ington, D.C., during the winter months. the local Wal-Mart won't erode this Later, riding on a public bus, I talked with vibrant neighborhood economy as it has several other Mexicans, all of whom had
God's work meet and support each other. Whether this work is offering hospitality to the "strangers" who arrive at our door, supporting volunteer service work in the neighborhood or villages, encouraging an attitude of equality and understanding among cultures, or networking and sup porting peace work, it has drawn its par ticipants into a community that extends over five decades and continues to witness in so many U.S. cities. Opposite page: The library at Casa the presence of love in the world. As another part ofthe 50th anniversary de los Amigos This witness of love has taken on new celebration, a group of us were privileged Above: Staff and visitors gather for breakfast life this year with the appointment of Right: Volunteers renew their acquaintance to spend two days visiting rural Mexico. after 50 years Roberto Garda as executive director, and Some members of our group had been with the first birth of a baby at the Casa, AFSC volunteers in this area in the late Agnita, the daughter of the guesthouse 1950s. Walking through one village, we worked or had relatives working in the manager and his partner. She joins Jeremy met an elderly Mexican woman who had U.S. It is apparent that rural poverty and and Yesenia, grandson and daughter of been involved with these AFSC work declining corn prices have pushed grow two members of the cleaning staff, in fill projects, too, and we were welcomed into ing numbers of rural Mexicans to emi ing the Casa with the sounds of new life. her home for tea and reminiscing. It was grate in search of work. While this work As Bridget Moix put it in her last letter as wonderful to realize these shared experi provides a source of income for families, director of the Casa, "This is truly an un ences were still vital some 50 years later. one wonders how the absence ofso many expected gift of the Spirit to our commu For me, it was also an opportunity to men and women from their families and nity in the rebirthing process of the Casa. observe firsthand some of the economic villages will affect the traditionally strong Having a few minutes to play with a small roots of poverty and emigration that we family structure in Mexico. Perhaps this is baby or cradle a new life in your arms had discussed in programs at the Casa. In one reason there are two shelters for aban inevitably brings a renewed sense of one of the villages, many families belong doned street children near the Casa in hope." We welcome Friends everywhere to a cooperative and are proud of the Mexico City. to come and experience this renewal of improvements to their community such As we returned to Mexico City, I had hope and community at La Casa de los as a piped water supply, a couple of blocks a new appreciation for the community Amigos in Mexico City. 0
FRIENDSJoURNAL May 2008 2 1 treatment by the white settlers, of tribal pover Supporting Tribal Community ty, racism, and social and economic exclusion, right up to the present. And we heard of the hopes for economic development and thus the Development Loan Funds strengthening of cultural identity and pride that the casino movement had afforded many byTomEwe~ other tribes and was to be expected when a casino was established in Maine. Because this was such a difficult issue ne ofthe moral dilemmas facing many faced with 20 or so people who were the steer for us, a special board meeting was called in Friends and others in our relations ing committee of the casino campaign. And addition to our regular meeting, as we needed Owith Native American tribes is how things got worse! We were there to explain to considerable time to discuss the matter and to we reconcile our qualms about supporting them why we had voted to oppose the casino; take into account the request that we at least Native gaming with our desire to provide gen they were there assuming they were being con remain neutral on the referendum. We truly eral and economic support. I want to report sulted in preparation of a vote and they began struggled deeply with the issue as some mem on one successful effort at addressing this the meeting with several people speaking at bers were not willing to easily set aside their dilemma in the State of Maine. length about the economic and cultural opposition to gaming and its corruption of In 2003 the Penobscot and Passamaquod importance of the casino and their past nega family, person and spirit; others were equally dy tribes proposed a major gambling casino in tive experiences with the religious communi- moved by the injustice and discrimination southern Maine. But due to restrictions in a against the Maine tribes for which the casino 1984 Land Claims Settlement between the offered some level of restitution and hope. tribes and the State of Maine, the Maine tribes When the Penobitot aflil After considerable debate we finally con were excluded from the Tribal Gaming Act cluded that we would continue to oppose the that allows many tribes to open casinos Passa~ tribes referendum, but we also made a covenant through federal law. The Maine tribes, in con proposed a major gambling among ourselves that we would offer some trast, had to seek approval of the casino alternative form of economic development, through a state ballot referendum that was casino in southern Maine, although we did not know what form that held during the 2003 November elections. we were faced with the might take. So we moved forward~~ strong I was the executive director of the Maine misgivings about the very real possibility that Council of Churches (MCC) at that time, classic anti-gaming/ we would yet again betray our commitments and when I asked the MCC Board if they to the tribes if the casino were defeated and we wished to take a stand on the referendum we support-the-tribes dilemma. actually needed to make good on our com were faced with the classic anti-gaming/sup Ifwe were ever to have any mitment. In addition we committed to using port-the-tribes dilemma. time at the beginning of each board meeting Our initial response was to conclude that, level oftrust in an ongoing for the rest of the year as a time to reflect on given our past opposition to gambling initia relationship with them, we Native American history and to worship in tives, and the strong opposition to gaming light of our racism and attitudes about our among most of our denominations, we should needed to hear their side of tribal relations. simply oppose the casino referendum, and we the story. The casino, in fact, was defeated. The initially voted to do so. However, a couple of tribes were devastated and angry. And now board members felt that out of respect to the we needed to come up with an offer that tribes and their sovereign right to appeal for a ty. They especially reminded us that the would most likely be very difficult for the casino, and ifwe were ever to have any level of Catholic Church had introduced bingo into tribes to accept. trust in an ongoing relationship with them, the tribe as a way of supporting the church! A tremendous break appeared, however, we needed to hear their side of the story. I was Due to poor communication, we were thus in when I learned that there was indeed a new asked, with a member of the MCC Board, to a position of having to admit that not only economic development program among the meet with representatives of the tribes to had we already taken the vote, but that once tribes where we might be helpful and they explain our position. again we were guilty of a huge breach of might be willing to accept our support. The A meeting was arranged, we thought, with respect for the needs and choices of Native Four Directions Development Corporation a couple of members of the tribal leadership American people and, worse, realized we were (FDDC) had been initiated by the Penobscots in the state. But when we arrived we were patronizing them. It was perhaps the lowest in 2001 and had been expanded to include the point in my 20 years as executive director of other three Maine tribes. The FDDC had Tom Ewell is a member of Portland (Oreg.) the MCC. The meeting represented all that is established as a Community Development Meeting. He was Executive Director of the wrong with a condescending attitude that Loan Fund with the purpose ofproviding cap Maine Council of Churches from 1986-2006. ignores value conflicts between "liberal sup ital to support affordable tribal low-income He now lives in Clinton, Washington, where he porters" and Native Americans. housing and small business development proj works at what he calls "strategic peace building. " As a result of that meeting the MCC Board ects. They had received a federal matching For more information about the Four Directions was asked to reconsider their decision, and a grant of $1,145,000, and they were looking Development Corporation, you may contact representative of the Penobscot tribe-their for ways to raise the matching money. Would Susan Hammond, Executive Director, 20 God representative to our state legislature-was we be willing to join them in this effort? frey Dr., Orono, ME 04477 or
22 May 2008 FRIENDS JoURNAL their board president and staff members, and LEARNING with the support of the MCC Board, we agreed to launch a fundraising program called the Giving Winds Campaign. A steering com DlFFERENT mittee, consisting of both Native and non Native members, was formed, a part-time campaign coordinator was hired, and we IS OFTEN began a three-year process of developing the infrastructure (brochures and other interpre tive materials and the institutional capacity to receive and track contributions and loans, for BETTER. example) and to develop a level of trust on both sides that would make the project work. For Students with Learning Differences We appealed to the denominations, churches, and a few individuals initially Multisensory teaching strategies for diverse learning styles through presentations at denominational con ferences. We held regional gatherings that College PreparatonJ · Grades 7-12 ·Summer Program included cultural interpretations (drumming, art work, and smudging ceremonies) and tes timonials on how the loans already in place Prospective Parents Open House dates for 2007-2008: had made a difference in peoples' lives. We October 24 ·November 28 ·December 12 invited two groups of representatives from the January 30 · February 20 · March 12 · April16 · May 21 various parts of the state to visit the Penobscot Professional Open House: January 16 reservation. We received a gev.erous initial per sonal loan from a family trust of$50,000 that DELAWARE VALLEY FRIENDS SCHOOL gave us a good start, and we targeted various foundations and groups that had opposed the ILJ L1"t ( t·ntr.ll \\'l'I1Lil', l\wl1, P-\ ILJ3lll referendum to join us in our alternative eco 1110-h4ll-41 'ill \\\\ \\.dvh.Prg nomic development efforts. And over the months, although we had some initial disap pointments, our capacity and success grew. And perhaps as important as the money raised, we built up, layer by layer, an increas "Sometimes I feel as if we ing amount of comfort and trust between tribal membership and our supporters. have our own life-time In November of 2006 we held a celebra tion event for the Giving Winds campaign. learning establishment:· Including the matching federal dollars (the amount of which was expanded), we raised a -A Foxdale Resident total of$1,460,050, which included $600,800 Opportunities for growth abound at Foxdale Village, in low-interest loans, $54,225 in outright gifts, a community where each resident is encouraged to live $75,000 from foundations, and $730,025 in fully and compassionately, with respect and care for federal match funds. The impact of the loans each other. Three levels of care contribute to a graceful made thus far has been significant. It means life at Foxdale: residential living in ground-floor garden that residents on the reservations who previ ously were unable to get loans (the reserva apartments, assisted living, and skilled nursing. tion land is owned by the tribe, which pre • Front-door public transportation to theatres, cluded banks from securing the loans) are now museums, sporting events, and shopping able to improve their property and thus raise the value of their homes and create small busi • Cultural and educationalg ness opportunities. opportunities at nearby · Foxdal e We count this effort at economic partner Penn State's campus Vi II ship and trust-building a remarkable success, • Reasonable fees include ' I age and we recommend that other groups consid lifetime medical care A Quaker-Directed Continuing er a similar approach in conjunction with and pharmacy Care Retirement Community their local tribes. 0
W'itness continues on next page
SOO East Maql)n :\\enue • State <:ollege. P.\ 16801 • ww\\.foxdale,illage.org For more information call (814) 238-3322 or (800) 2S3-49Sl
FRIENDS jOURNAL May 2008 23 Quaker Relief during the Spanish Civil War by Nancy and Gerard Negelspach ne gray morning in early February, a in the war to a newly opened library of Cata small group of Friends was finding irs lan history. He always believed that someday 0 way to an encounter with 70 years of the story would come to light. forgotten Quaker history. In the Facultad de For years his box of material was hidden in The critical balance between Pedagogia (School of Education) at University a closet, uncatalogued, until Rosa, who had academic rigor andj oy in learning ofGirona in Catalunya, Spain, we had come to learned of irs existence through a magazine hear about and support Rosa Serra i Sala, an article, insisted to the librarian that a Domin attender at Barcelona Meeting. She is a pri go Ricart had left documents about los Cud mary school teacher who, for her doctoral the queros that had never been seen. (Domingo sis, was given the seemingly impossible theme had died by then, but his spirit must have of Quaker relief for Catalan children during pushed the librarian into looking further!) ABINGTON fRIENDS SCHOOL the Spanish Civil War, from 1936 to 1939. Rosa also kept insisting in other areas, includ The project was deemed impossible ing the finding and meeting of elderly ex-relief A coeducational ~aker school because: (1) practically no material existed in workers in Madrid who had collaborated with from preschool through grade r2 Spain, because the 40 years of Franco's dicta Friends and others who had received Quaker torship erased all official documents; (2) a few aid as children. Thus it is not surprising that in 575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046 other scholars had made the attempt but had 1984, during a worldwide ecumenical "prayer 215-886-4350 given up because of inability to connect with for peace" in the Cathedral of Barcelona, we www.abingtonfriends.net foreign sources of material; and (3) the organ were thrilled to learn later that the odd word izations involved had all their written ma Cudquero had stirred warm memories in sever terial and minutes in English, which Rosa, al people, who remembered the food and care who speaks Catalan, Castellano, and French, given them as children during the hard years. does not know. (While there have been arti For ten years Rosa left no stone unturned, cles in English and more recently a book discovering hidden facts in some areas and about Spanish relief written by a British even having to revise what she had written at Friend, there has never been a full account first. The more she found, the more she kept IDe"®t~ · written from the Spanish sources.) asking herself: "Why did these Friends leave In spite of her tutor's skepticism, Rosa their homes to come to Spain to help as they r.ertif~ began in 1995 to look for the few sources did on both sides, not politically motivated available, mainly dealing with statistics offood and totally committed to a cause not their supply to specific locations in Catalunya, and own? What was the fundamental Quaker ~ J\{a~(~chtnan frequency and places of distribution. Howev motivation?" She began to attend our meetings Caft!_9t~§ er, through the Ecumenical Centre of and soon discovered why. www.mtcalligraphy.com Catalunya, she found her way to our home, A large part of the defense of her thesis was 10 Union Street, Greenfield, MA01301 an unofficial Quaker "office" and where the the most remarkable revelation of what Henry (413) 529 9212 E-mail: [email protected] meetings for worship of Barcelona were held Cadbury used to suggest: "Quakers should from 1965 to 2003. For all those years we had preach what they practice." She quoted John collected material from Friends Service Coun 15:11-17 and spoke passionately about the We have rented cil in London and the American Friends Ser Christian basis of the work. Not all the aca for 52 years vice Committee in Philadelphia, Pa., includ demics on the panel got the message, but those Meetinghouse Fundraiser ing photos, pamphlets, magazine articles, let who did-one a theologian and another a 250 recipes ters, and more, looking toward that day when friend of Friends--supporred her thesis totally, $10 + $5 S&H someone would appear to write down this putting aside the typical academic nitpicking of the others. And so, after they debated behind North Branch Friends remarkable account of Quaker history. This c/o 400 Aleeda Blvd. was not a casual dream. We had known Alfred closed doors, we all reentered to hear that she Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 and Norma Jacob in Philadelphia, the direc had received the panel's approval of Excellente. tors of Spanish relief work, and later in At our celebration dinner afterwards, Barcelona we became friends with Domingo which included eight people from our meet Ricart, a Friend then living in Kansas and for ing and six from the panel, we toasted Rosa's The Bible Association of Friends mer Catalan director of relief Domingo was long, fruitful dedication and those others who in America so anxious to have the story told that, when he were in Spanish relief work 70 years ago. We retired and came back briefly to Barcelona, he agreed with Rosa that the research into hidden since 1829 has offered Bibles, NewTesraments, and Portions free or at cost to Friends left all his material of the Quaker experience Quaker history was destined to come into the institutions, individuals, and others worldwide. light. While it is written in Catalan, could we Write to: P.O. Box 3, Riverton, NJ 08077 Nancy and Gerard Nege/spach are members of ask for yet another miracle to have it published Barcelona Meeting in Spain. and translated into English? 0
24 May 2008 FRIENDs JoURNAL "') ~- ...... ) .&......
e diagnosis came into our world shat in the bed. His spirit seemed so present. I'm seeing!" I stood beside her, and through ering our stability, our plans, and our His body was taken to the medical school the tears, saw great beams of light falling on Tifuture. The gentle, soft-spoken doctor to volunteer for students-in death as he had each side of Harry's garden. We were awed. explained to Harry, "You could live another so often done in life. The sun had not quite No words came. But, as the light softened, she two years with treatment or another two risen. My sister slipped out to the back yard remembered the promise of her friends, "We weeks without." overlooking the trees. are holding Harry in the Light." 0 Harry chose life; the chemo began; the She called, "Come out-1 can't believe what days were orchestrated around N s with mys terious compounds dripping, dripping hour after hour. Two weeks, four weeks, eight weeks passed. Strength returned, food looked appealing, and Visiting Agatha plans took root-a return to Ireland, to the verdant, peaceful Southwest where the fee by Mariellen 0. Gilpin quem misty hours were known as "Soft days" was an untrained amateur leading a self of a coma. I was rewarded now and again with by the villagers. help group for the mentally ill. Statistics a faint flicker of recognition. Maybe Agatha This late riser, this morning curmudgeon I were grim: in my first five months as leader, could respond if she were read to. A children's was up at first light, bringing coffee, pouring six people were hospitalized and two died. story, I thought. I chose an old favorite, Lau over maps, and nudging his companions into After that I stopped counting. The hospital ra Ingalls Wilder's "Mr. Edwards Meets Santa movement. "Come on, come on, it's almost was just a few blocks from my office, and I Claus," from The Little House on the Prairie. It eight o'clock, the day's half over!" What trans spent lunch hours visiting group members, had just the right combination of suspense, formation was this-joyous but startling- and armed only with friendly caring against an ill humor, love, and uplifr. I was sure Agatha was a bit wearing on his traveling companions. ness too often deadly. Group members loved a churchgoer; she wouldn't be offended by a They stood gazing at the meadow, Harry's Agatha, a beautiful old woman, hair carefully story about Christmas. I put the book in my arm enfolding my sister. She shared later that coiffed, whose body English declared silently, backpack and walked to the hospital. "He said that he didn't think he would live to "Love me, but don't come near me." Her eyes The nurse let me in, gave me a direct look, experience this moment." intently followed our conversation from speak and made a decision. "I'll show you where It rained and stopped and rained again. He er to speaker, but she never spoke during meet Agatha is," she said. She led the way to Agatha's chose a large umbrella with lrekJnd splashed ings. And now, Agatha was in the hospital. room, saying, "Agatha, you have a visitor." across the ftom. We walked and nodded and Mary and I agreed we would visit Agatha And she left us alone. Agatha was in bed in smiled at villagers who nodded back, mur together. Maybe it was because Agatha had restraints-the only time I saw someone in muring, "Grand day, isn't it?" two visitors at once, and she was overwhelmed. restraints there. Agatha grunted recognition But these grand days and adventures com We found Agatha lying on her bed. When we and looked away. "Hi," I said as I sat down. "I pleted themselves and we returned to our spoke, she frowned and froze in instant cata brought you a bedtime story today." I began land, still filled with gratitude and feeling tonia. We were both upset; Mary patted to read, not looking up. This was between quite Irish. However, we were becoming more Agatha's cheek and crooned ro her. Agatha's Agatha and Laura Ingalls Wilder and God. I aware of a lingering anxiety. body grew even more rigid. Mary backed away. didn't look up until I finished, when I saw a The disease did return; the treatments I sat silent, sensing a vast abyss of raw pain look of utter delight on Agatha's face. Then resumed, and the possibility of his dying be under the anger. We stayed only a few min she saw me smiling at her delight, and she fad gan to loom for each of us. utes. The nurse let us out of the locked ward. ed away at once into her own world. But the Our Quaker friends called. "We're holding The hospital staff was unfailingly respectful lines of pain were softer. "I gotta get back to Harry in the Light," they said-a new con and humane in all my dealings with them. the office now," I said. "I'll see you." The nurse cept for us but an image that becomes increas Mary and I said nothing until we were outside and I locked eyes and I gave her a thumbs-up ingly vivid. the hospital, when we clung to one another. over the heads of the patients in the day room. My nephews were a steady, loving, witty Our grief was too deep for tears. "She's shut She let me out of the ward. · presence. Their quiet jazz, played with such ting our all reality," we said to each other. Within hours, Agatha was transported to skill and passion, filled the home and evoked I held Agatha in my heart for several days. the Zone Center, which was official speak for a smile as he lay so quietly. We sat beside him, I decided to go back alone. I thought, "Maybe the regional warehouse for patien ts who were not wanting to leave, not wanting to release if she doesn't have to respond, she will re a danger to themselves or others. I knew a few his hand. Friends sat in turn and thanked us spond." I remembered as a child reading aloud success stories &om the Zone Center, but very for the privilege. to my grandmother as she slipped in and out few. Months later, Agatha's obituary was in the Their youngest came to us in the night and paper, an account so cryptic I strongly sus whispered, "He's gone." His body was so still Marie/len 0. Gilpin is a member of Urbana pected Agatha had found her own way out of Champaign (Ill.) Me~ting. This article recounts that abyss of pain. But I will always remember Dorsy Hill was a member of the Mennonite an experience she had 20 years ago. She didn't that instant when I saw the real Agatha, the Church for many years and now considers her cry then-the pain was too deep for tea~t Agatha she was meant to be, shining, shining self a Quaker. She occasumally attends Moun she did cry one night when instead ofsleeping she in her eyes. 0 tain View (Colo.) Meeting. finally committed it to words. FRIENDS jOURNAL May 2008 25 oncile the ICC with the desire tor peace. it and the lnternanonal Criminal Lourt the Ugandan government prosecuted the by Michael Bartlet cases effectively •then the jurisdiction of the ICC could be superseded, though Ugandan prosecution would need to follow recognised e 20-year rebellion in northern Ugan that calls for the judgment of Solomon. The legal processes to satisfy the ICC-traditional da has killed tens of thousands and laid most terrible atrocities have been committed. processes in themselves would not be enough. waste to a generation that has scarcely How do you balance the requirements of jus It is here that the judgment of Solomon known peace. Once described as the "biggest tice and peace? Should arrest warrants against enters-what kind ofaccountability would be neglected humanitarian emergency in the the leaders of the LRA, issued by the Interna sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the world," the brutal war conducted by the Lords tional Criminal Coun (ICC) in November ICC and how can such accountability be guar Resistance Army (LRA) since 1986 has result 2005, be allowed to undermine a fragile peace anteed? When is it justified to let appalling ed in both boys and girls being abducted to process? Much of civil society in the north crimes go unpunished in the hope, itself uncer become soldiers and for sexual use, caused the tain, that it would lead to the prevention of forced displacement of between one and two future atrocities that might be no less terrible? million people, and devastated the region agri Northern~ now Cenainly among the Acholi people there culturally and economically. Its distance from seems little appetite for the ICC. There is a the fault lines of international politics means faces a dikmma that long history of traditional justice processes that deaths in Uganda have never been given such as Mato Oput (the drinking of the bitter the same prominence as those in Kosovo or calls for the judgment root) but these in themselves are not enough. the Middle East. Areas of fenile savannah are ofSolomon: should arrest Uganda's Amnesty Act of2000 grants immu now overgrown scrubland. Boundaries of nity to prosecution for all rebels laying down homesteads are obscured. Whereas before the wan-ants issued by the their arms and registering with the Amnesty conflict there were 36,000 cattle in the Acholi Commission. Peace agreement agenda item sub-region of northern Uganda, now there are International Criminal three on accountability appears to anticipate 5,000. The rebellion has been fought to a that the arrest warrants m ight be suspended, stalemate in which the rebels could never hope Court be allowed to but fails to detail the procedures that would to take over even the regional government but enable this to happen. Traditional and reli neither could the government of Uganda dis undennine a fragile gious leaders, Ugandan NGOs, and civil soci lodge LRA warlords from the borders with ety organizations are currendy consulting on a Sudan and Congo. peace process? framework in which national and traditional But change came in 2005 following a processes could combine to provide a type of peace deal to end the civil war in neighbour fears that an external legal process could jeop accountability that might substitute for the ing Sudan, which ended the tacit suppon for ardize the peace and prevent a lasting settle ICC. Trials at the ICC's home in The Hague, the LRA by the government of Sudan. This, ment. To suspend the warrants, however, could addressing only the LRA leadership, would plus national and international pressure and send a message that those commining hor not deal with those immediately responsible the exhaustion of a generation of combat, rendous crimes can escape the consequences for the killings. They would cost millions of encouraged peace talks between the Ugandan of their actions. The credibility of the fledg pounds, and anyone convicted would live in government and LRA rebels. Lines of com ling coun is at issue and its deterrent effect to material conditions vastly superior to those of munication were opened with the LRA and future atrocities internationally. most people currently living in lOP camps. the new quasi-autonomous government of Supponers of the ICC claim that the threat What kind of accountability might be· southern Sudan offered to mediate peace of prosecution served to bring the LRA to the acceptable both locally and internationally as talks between the Ugandan government and negotiating table and contributed to the peace the foundation of peace? Public acts of contri the LRA in the southern Sudanese town of process. Yet the prospect of imprisonment for tion and statements of apology by both the Juba. A cessation of hostilities agreement the LRA leadership is now a stumbling block Ugandan government and the LRA could was concluded in August 2006. In April 2007 to agreeing a final peace deal. Both, of course, play a part. These could be built on by repa the talks were strengthened by the interven may be true; there are very complex issues at rations paid to the affected communities in tion of former President Chissano of Mozam stake here. To what extent should judicial the form of improved services. Local tradi bique in his role as UN Special Envoy; the opposition to the principle of impunity be tions of justice including ceremonies of rec following month the panies came to an out allowed to jeopardize a sustainable peace? Most onciliation held between communities where line agreement on democracy and · develop of those affected in the North simply want to the conflict has fueled tensions may also help. ment for the North; June saw agreement return to their land and resume a normal life These ceremonies could accompany practical , on principles of post-conflict accountability free from violence. In both Northern Ireland and relevant memorials such as schools and and reconciliation. and South Africa, it was decided that there are hospitals dedicated to a future and more For the first time in a generation the peo occasions where accountability for terrible peaceful life. Such acts could be drawn into a ple of Acholiland face the prospect of peace. atrocities has to be attenuated in the interests wider framework of truth and reconciliation But northern Uganda now faces a dilemma of preventing further atrocities in the future. backed at a regional level by cultural leaders, But neither of these countries had to contend at a national level by the Ugandan govern Michael Bartfet is parliamentary liaison secretary with the complicating factor of outstanding ment, and at an international level by UN for the Religious Society ofFriends in London. arrest warrants of the ICC and a UN system sponsorship and resources. It is here that advo-
26 May 2008 FRIENDS joURNAL lt.M.' esus' name is not commonly spoken stay. H e revealed himself to me in compassion PRE-K-GRADE 8 among unprogrammed, liberal Friends from the start, and he continues to do so. He (at least not those I am familiar with), and is tenderly opening my eyes to the ways I turn 1450 Newtown-Langhorne Rd., Jit is sometimes outright unwelcome. away from God's grace. He also shows me Newtown, PA 18940 Many among us speak easily of great spiritual how he so lovingly holds and cares for those teachers such as Thlch Nhat Hanh, Buddha, around me. It seems hls presence in my life is Gandhi, and others. But Jesus? He often a balm allowing me to engage with the Bible 215-968-2225 seems to be a relic with little relevance in the www.newtownfriends.org · spiritual life of our meetings. Or worse. I have heard stories of people who are chastised and ~all know that silenced when they speak ofJesus . For a long time, thls missing piece of our jesus told stories, spiritual life was inconsequential to me. I may have heard other unprogrammed Friends parables. What we may lament Jesus' absence in our spiritual commu not realize is that he nity, but it left no noticeable mark on me. In fact, there were times when I was glad I didn't tells our story. have to deal with hlm and what I believed about him. Not only was Jesus' absence okay with me, any language of God or Christiani ty made me uncomfortable for many of my and reconnect with my Christian heritage years among Friends. both of which are integral in the ways that I am grateful that my discomfort, and the God is currently immersing me in the Holy (609) 714-0100 discomfOrt ofso many among us, with Jesus and Presence. with Christian language did not quiet the voic So what does it matter if Jesus is or isn't [email protected] es grounded in our Christian tradition. Because part of our corporate spiritual life? What, if • MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES • gradually, often imperceptibly, God returned anything, do we lose if he is absent? What, if • INSCRIPTIONS • SCROLLS • to me wrapped in a coat of Christianity. anything, do we gain when he becomes part 673 Medford Leas, Medford, NJ 08055 And, before I could get used to the idea ofour faith and practice? There are others who that Christianity and a Christian understand have written eloquently and convincingly ing of God could be part of my adopted about this. There are others-perhaps increas Quaker faith (I am a convinced Friend who ingly-who grapple with queries such as grew up in the Catholic Church), in walks these. I have become one of them. Jesus. Unexpected. Uninvited. Unwelcome. · Do I think Jesus was or is God? My CREMATION But it didn't matter. In he came, and in answer: I don't know. Were the miracles of the Friends are reminded that the rather dramatic fashion, with a strong sense of New Testament real? I don't know. Was he Anna T. Jeanes Fund hls actual presence. And it seems he is here to anything like the person recounted in the will reimburse cremation costs. (Applicable to members of Bible, or are those just stories that make hlm Philadelphia Yearly Meeting only.) Y.) bigger than life? I don't know. That's m y Mary !Vly G!dzer, a member ofRo chester (N For i_oformation, write Meeting, is a spiritual director and a gradtldte of answer to most questions about Jesus. I don't DORIS CLINKSCALE know. And I've come to a place where that's 414 Foulkeways the SchooL ofthe Spirit's On Being a Spirittldi Gwynedd, PA 19436 Nurturer program. okay. I don't need to know those answers. FRIENDS jOURNAL May 2008 27 Gospel message that Jesus embodied is radical. from that deep spiri~ual transformation as a Jesus ~mes in~o our liv~~d heals us with It is saturated with grace, compassion, and for wimess to the power of the Holy Spirit at grace, compassion, and love beyond measure. giveness. It is revolutionary. Jesus engaged work among them. Early Friends' relationship And sometimes it doesn't matter ifwe believe. with the poor, the sick, the unclean, women, with the Holy One was grounded in the He is compassionate and loving- and some children, tax collectors-all outcasts at the Gospel. That relationship empowered them times angry, and sometimes anguished. He fringes of legitimacy-and challenged to the to live boldly and radically in ways that have has deep compassion for us in· our humani core the dominant political and religious sys led to great and good change in the world and ty-our frail, flawed, and faltering humanity. tem of his time. He continues to do so in our in the lives of individuals. He loves us with God's own love for us. He time, even as we tolerate, and sometimes wel These Friends took Jesus at his word. They touches our deepest wounds and we are come, the teachings of the Pharisees of our understood the subversive and radical nature of healed. He invites us to his table, over and time and honor and support corrupt public his message, a message he brings in his unique over again. It is time we accept the invitation servants and corporate practices. We all have way. We all know that Jesus told stories, para and see what Jesus has to say to us. dirty hands; and Jesus still calls us home. bles. What we may not realize is that he tells So I, an unlikely and sometimes reluctant Jesus' message is transformative. Early our story. He tells my story and he tells your believer, ask again: what does it matter ifJesus Quakers knew this experimentally (to use story. Our lives are reflected in the pages of is or isn't part of our spiritual life? What do we George Fox's word). Many Quakers today Scripture. We are the prodigal son-and prob lose if his life and lessons are lost to us? What know this experimentally. They live in the ably not the "good son" who stayed home and gifts of the Spirit do we gain when Jesus power of the Gospel message and have a living did the right thing (Luke 15:11-32). We are becomes part of our faith and practice? Per relationship with the God of the Gospel that the Samaritan woman at the well who was giv haps it is time for you to attend to these has changed their lives in unimaginable ways. en the living water Oohn 4). We are the blind, queries and turn your eyes toward Jesus, 0 Pile It On! Stuff and a Spiritual Journey by Robin Magee ometimes a strong image will appear to I took time during worship to explore what I just needed to focus on freeing the Light with me during meeting for worship. About this new message might hold for me. I saw in. When I remember to look within an enor Stwo years ago I had a very strange vision myself standing in a landscape of haphazardly mous pile, I no longer feel condemned to an of wading through endless piles of broken, piled objects, Some heaps towered over me. impossible task but energized to stride forward. heavy objects. The image made sense because To make my way through this environment, I Perhaps my spiritual journey is to walk I often feel that what I ought to do is get rid had to step carefUlly across teetering things. through a precarious landscape looking for ofstuff. Because de-junking is such a wrought Many of these objects appeared to be sharp opportunities to release the Light. 0 process for me, I am much more likely to and splintery. When I tried to move the dusters of toys, beloved drawings, dig through a shallow pile, I clean laundry, partially read newspapers, and couldn't even make a path. Lay Some Things that Give Me Hope junk mail to another room. ers of heavy items shifted them Then I began to wonder about the vision. selves back into place. They • A little nonprofit organization in Russia whose Maybe it meant more. Was it a metaphor for were like an ocean returning to mission is to listen to Russian citizens who want to my untidy internal life? Or was it just the cover a trail of footprints. physical realm creeping into a quiet moment? The terrain changed. Now I improve or change a bad situation, then back them to Accumulations are nothing new to me. I was standing in a pile of hap do that work. grew up in a house of comfortable clutter. We hazardly stacked wood. Any • Third and fourth graders from two elementary all knew the piles weren't presentable. Before step might trigger a crushing company or special events, our family strate collapse. I refused to stay there. schools, one for severely disabled children, gy was to move them all to the basement. We Gritting my teeth, I climbed collaborating to create and perform a musical. never thought to bring the heaps back up cautiously down the mound. I • The story of an Israeli and Palestinian acting troupe, because new ones were destined to cover any knew instantly something was horizontal surface. As a young adult, I tried trapped underneath. I sensed a rehearsing during this summer's war, taking time occasionally to "reform" the stacks in my par circle of warm yellow light when tensions were running high to listen to each ents' living spaces. My most rewarding adven under all the wood. What if I person's deepest feelings about the situation, then ture was reducing and recycling the towering moved a piece? The moment I getting on with the rehearsal. peaks atop the washer and dryer. Near the bot lifted a board, a beam of light tom I found an autographed photo ofSir Lau leapt forth! I braced myself for ~ A woman in a poor neighborhood of the city who rence Olivier from the 1950s. an avalanche, but nothing hap grows her flowers right out to the edge of the sidewalk Since stacks of stuff are a part of my life, pened. There was only silence. so children can easily pick them. My lifelong knowledge of Robin Magee is a member ofDurham (N C) clutter changed at that very -Pamela Haines Meeting. She isn't sure what form her spiritual moment. If I could look deep journey might take, but she is sure the photo of inside the obstacles of my life, Pamela Haines is a member ofCentral Philmielphia (Pa.) Sir Laurence is in a pik somewhere in her house. then nothing could threaten me. Meeting. 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FRIENDS FIDUCIARY CORPORATION For more information: ISIS CHERRY S TREET An independent Quaker nonprofit corporation PHILADE L P H IA, PA 19102 21S- 241- 7 272 IN FO@FRI EN DSFI DUCIARY.ORG WWW.FRIENDSFIDUCIARY.ORG FRIENDS j oURNAL May 2008 29 Parable of the Enemies Two men were summoned before God. wells. I used it to make his fields exceedingly With eyes downcast they were told the follow fertile and bountiful. It was used to bring ing: "You each have an enemy who hates you good health and happiness to his children and and wishes to destroy you. I am giving a vial to loved ones. He is comfortable and contented each of you. I will not disclose the contents of and now I believe he considers me his friend." these vials at this time but suffice it to say that God spoke, "You both have used the liq the liquid is both precious and potent. It will uid in your vials to great effect. It is time to affect your enemy according to your hearts' de reveal the contents of the vials. As you were sires. These vials are not yours to keep. I will ask told the liquid is both precious and potent. for their return and an accounting of their use." The liquid in the vials contains the lifeblood Many years passed. The men were again and sweat of your children, family, friends, summoned before God. They were asked to and neighbors; extracts from the grains of account for the precious liquid used. The first your fields and fruits of your orchards; and man stepped forward grim and proud. power from your factories and industry. As His account is as follows: "I used the liq you have returned the vials to me, I shall WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER. uid in my vial to poison the wells and fields of replenish their contents and give them to your my enemy. I used it to sicken and starve his enemies tomorrow. Now leave." PEACEFUL PRMNTION IS. children and family. It was used to bring As they left one man's heart was filled with untold hardship and suffering to him. I am fear and trembling for himself and his family. Free "Peaceful Prevention" pleased to say that although he loathes me and The other left contented and with a smile on booklet or "War Is Not the wishes to destroy me, he is far too weak and his face. preoccupied with suffering to do so." -~yne H Swanger Answer" bumper sticker The second man stepped forward and See www.fcnl.org smiled. He responded, "I used the liquid in Wfzyne Swanger attends Oshkosh (Wir.) Meet or call 1-800-630-1330 the vial to sweeten the water in my enemy's ing and Winnebago Worship Group. Friends Committee on National Legislation The Goodwill Store Some years ago The New 10rker magazine donate it. No money will change hands. Every published a cartoon of a man standing at his one will have enough and no one will need to &om door. Speaking over his shoulder to his invade anyone else's country. Plymouth Meeting Friends School wife, he says something like, "It's the Goodwill After we have the first part of this plan up man, Edith. Are we giving or getting?" This and running. we'll establish something else, an / ~otlng El-t."'t. sums up perfectly my relationship with Good-. assomnem of Spiritual Goodwill stores. Like will through the years. From the start of our the other warehouses, these will be located all marriage, it was Mel and Me and the Good over the world. They'll be stocked with spiritu ~"\ will Store. Being too poor to buy furniture at al necessities-faith, kindness, understanding. a regular furniture store, we headed over and tolerance, and whole shelves of patience and 1780 Pre-K through 6th Grade over again to the nearest Goodwill outlet. good humor. On the days when your kids are In a few years we accumulated quite an pushing all your buttons, you can drop by and Summer Arts Camp-June 23 ro August 8 interesting assortment of furniture, dishes, and pick up some patience. When nobody under retails en the wel::site · creaking appliances. stands you, you can get a little comfon. But on 2150 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 By the rime we had enough money to buy the days when you wake up overflowing with (610) 828-2288 • www.pmfs1780.org a dining room table with six chairs that love for the whole human race, you're obliged matched, we began donating things back to to leave some of it with the Goodwill Store. Goodwill. So over the course of 40 years, we There's a tiny problem with my plan. I Books For Your Book Group either gave or got, and had a lot of fun doing haven't the least notion how to get it in oper it. The whole process has led me to develop ation. It's certainly too important to leave with A Quaker Declaration of War, what I am calling "A Simple Plan to Change the leaders and politicians of the world. The Vivid case studies of the peace the Global Economy and Save the World." only thing I can think of is to ask Friends to set testimony in practice. $6.95 The idea is simple. We have merely to up a committee and get things rolling. If any Without Apology, liberal establish a number of giant warehouses equal one can do it, we can! Quaker theology presented ly distributed around the globe. These will be with humor and depth. $12.00 -Yvonne Boeger stocked with the things people need in order Tom Fox Was my Friend. Yours, Too to live-<:hairs and tables, rugs, books, pic Yvonne Boeger, a member ofKennett Meeting in Letters from and Reflections on the witness tures, lawn mowers, and tortilla chips. The Kennett Square, Pa., submitted this article be of a modem Quaker martyr. $7.95 financing will be easy. We'll just sell all the fore her death this past year. By Chuck Fager. Ask Your Bookseller, or write: weapons of war. If you need something. you Kimo Press, Box 1344, Fayetteville NC 28302 can head for a Goodwill store and help your sel£ If you have a surplus of something. you May 2008 FRIENDS j oURNAL Celebrate and read the writing of Quaker writer Margaret Hope Bacon! Read Angelina Conti's recent engaging interview with Margaret entitled "Quaker Historian, Journalist and Activist" at www.quakerbooks.orglinterviews. We regularly post new interviews with Quaker authors. Read all of them here. But One Race The Back Bench The Life of Robert Purvis State University of New York Press, Quaker Press of FGC, 2007, 2007,272 pp., hardcover $35.00 136 pp., paperback $13.00 ~"'·.· · · · ~<, ~· ~ j Valiant C/l_a!icuw ' I f}fowui Tnr Lin :o r -~ ~ Friend LJK.."UTV. Morr The Life of Lucretia Mott Sarah Mapps Douglass Quaker Press of FGC, 1999, Faithful Attender of Quaker 304 pp., paperback $17.95 Meeting: View from the Back Bench Many more of her titles at WITH A FOREWORD BY VANESSA JULYE quakerbooks.org Quaker Press of FGC, 2003, 34 pp., paperback $10.00 QuakerBooks of FGC 1216 Arch Street, 2B, Philadelphia, PA 19107 I-800-966-45 56 I www.QuakerBooks.org I [email protected] Quaker Roots Run Deep. ince the mid-1700s Quakers have been changing seasons with temperate winters, and moving to North Carolina. Before you make a stimulatiog quality of life in an active Quaker Sa retirement decision, plan to visit community. The area is home to several Greensboro, North Carolina_and find out why Quaker meetings as well as one of the so many Quakers have settled here. You will nation's most well respected Quaker institutions, find Friends Homes, Inc. owns and manages Guilford College. Call (336) 292-9952 two outstanding continuing care retirement for more information or to arrange a visit to communities. You will enjoy the beauty of four Friends Homes. FRIENDS HOMES, INC. Providing Retirement options since 1968 EQUAL. HOUSING www.friendshomes.org OPPORTUNITY FRIENDS JoURNAL May 2008 31 • BOOKS Blackwater: The Rise and benefactor of the Works ofJaffies Nayler, conservative Dutch of the World's Reform Church and Vol. III the Republican Party. Most Powerful Erik Prince is a mem Quaker Heritage Press, 2007. 762 pages. ber and benefactor of $28/hardcover. Mercenary Army This is the third of a projected four-vol conservative Catholi ume edition of James Nayler's complete cism and the Repub By Jeremy ScahilL Nation Books, ~orks. Centered entirely on the year 1656, it lican Party. The idea 2007. 452 pages. $26.95/hardcover. IS the longest so far, and it contains consider for Blackwater was Bl.ackwater is an expose, and as able riches. The first 528 pages contain tracts pitched to Erik Prince such It espouses a point of view: It is ~d controversial writings, notably from four by his Navy Seal dangerous to outsource the govern Important pamphlet debates of that year. As in mentor Al Clark and ment's monopoly on the use offorce. o~er volumes, Nayler's writings are accompa with Erik's inherited billions This is Jeremy Scahill's first book but med by the writings of his opponents, so that Prince and Clark were off and running. To a reading would lead one to other the reader can see the context of the contro co~clude paraphrase Scahill, in less than a decade Black wise for it is written with the succinctness versies. A chief treasure in this part of the vol w~ter has risen out of a swamp in North Car organization, and attention to detail (all doc~ ume is the tract "Love to the Lost," one of the olina to become a sort of Praetorian Guard for umented and notated) found in the work of major pieces of Quaker theology before Bar the Bush administration's global war on terror. ~~re veteran authors. It is also a quick read as ela~ It was answered by one T. Higgenson, Today, Bl~ckwater has more than 2,300 pri It IS a page-turner. The words and the facts aga~nst whom Nayler rejoined-these two vate soldiers deployed in nine countries flow. The points are easily grasped and one is tracts are both here. "Love to the Lose" con including inside the United States. It main~ forward as the saga unfolds. This tains solid and sometimes intricate expositions p~opelled cains a database of 21,000 former Special VI.rtue may require a reread to master the sig ofNayler's understanding ofmany theological Forces troops, soldiers, and retired law mficance the convergence of diverse points, from "light and life" (this is one of the ?~ enforcement agents on whom it could call at free capitalism, patri intricate ones) to "government and magistra fo~ces-rehg~on, m~ket a moment's notice. Many of these "assets" are Madison Avenue spin, the cy," to hope, faith, love, and the sacraments. o~sm: m~chismo, U.S. citizens but many are multinational ~nvatization of essential governmental func At the far end of Vol. III there are several from Chile, Colombia, South Africa, and tions, greed-into an entity named Blackwa letters Nayler from this important year, more. Blackwater has a private fleet of more ?f ter, USA. some hi~,best. He ~ices to Friei;lds in the City th~ 20 aircraft, !ncluding helicopter gun . The book's preface is essentially an execu ?fYo.rk: . So dear friends, feel that Spirit which ships and a surveillance blimp division. Its tive summary of what is to follow. In some 15 7,000-acre headquarters in Moyock, N.C., is IS ~~ck 1_ll hearin~ peaceable in receiving, and pages one has the skeleton of fact and inter willmg m obeymg, for that is the Spirit th~ world's largest private military facility. It pretation th~t comprises the message. But beloved of God, and all being joined thereto trams tens of thousands of federal and local much more IS told as the skeleton is fleshed the chords [sic] of God's love so unite as no; law enforcement agents a year and troops out. Essentially, Blackwater, USA, is the vehi to be broken. So every one look to that which from "frie?dly'' fore!gn The company cle to expose the much broader and long n~tions. is low, and exalt that which is easily trodden us~d operates Its own Intelligence division and standi?.g gradual I?ove toward privatization of on; so shall you make up the breaches and find cou~ts ~ong its executives senior ex-military the military funCtion of the United States gov even paths to walk in, the Spirit of peace shall and mcelhgence officials. Blackwater has more ernment. Th_e saga starts with President Eisen rest upon you, your walls shall be salvation chan $500 million in government contracts hower's warning of the rise of the military and your gates peace." (748) ' and that does not include its secret "black" industrial complex. The book ends with the is also a travelogue from 1654, budget opera?ons. for.l!.S. intelligence or pri !h~re registration with the U.S. government of which IS a lengthy description in telegraphic vate corporations/mdiVIduals and foreign gov Blackwater-affiliated "Greystone Limited." style of Nayler's travels and travails in York ernmen~. Blackwater attempts-and may be Greystone was registered offshore in the shire-all~ded to in Braithwaite's Beginnings succeedmg-to have its cake and eat it too: Caribbean Island-nation of Barbados It is ofQuakmsm , and now here available for the whil.e resisting attempts co subject its private classified. by U.S. as a tax-exempt time. is just one sample of the mate ~e. ~rpo soldiers to the Pentagon's Uniform Code of ~rst ~his rate entity, listing its. ser;,ices as "security nal not prmted in the earlier collection of Military Justice-insisting they are civilians guar~ and. p~trol semces. Its promotional Nayler's writings, dating from 17 16, which ~lackw~ter has simultaneously claimed to prospective corporate Li~ia Kuenning, the Quaker Heritage Press macen~s dismbut~d Immuruty from civilian litigation in the Unit ~d n~tion-state clients proclaim, "Greystone editor, has found and made available. ed States saying its forces are a part of the U.S. IS de?Jcated to providing the best physical And so we come to the approximately 200 Total Force. security assets from around the world in sup I have not mentioned yet. This is a col This book will give the reader a look into pag~ port of freedom, peacemaking, and the main lecuon of documents concerned with "the the fascinating world of privateering in the tenance of peace." The book ends but the sto Nayler controversy''-his entry into Bristol in 21st century as exposed by extensive research ry contin~es as Blackwater pursues its avowed October 1656 in reenactment of Jesus' Palm and talented writing, and a deep and abiding g?al ofdom g for the U.S. military what FedEx ~unday entrance to Jerusalem. This prophetic perception of where current U.S. defense did for the U.S. Postal Service. s1gn, or whatever it was, led co his famous and (war) policy is taking us. The book deserves But what is Blackwater? Blackwater USA irregular trial and savage punishment for blas your attention. is ~e ~odd's largest private army, ow~ed b; - Gerald Bray phemy, and caused tremendous trouble with Erik Pnnce, an ex-Navy Seal and son of the in Quakerism, as well as trouble for the move deceased multibillionaire Edgar Prince of Gerald Bra:y_ is a member ofRock ingham Coun ment. ,T~is is j~st about the only part of Holland, Mich. Edgar Prince was a member ty Preparattve Meeting in Wentworth, N C Naylers life that 1s well known among Friends 32 May 2008 FRIENDS JoURNAL these days, and while these volumes give abundant evidence that there is much more to him than this one event, it still seems so reveal ing of his deeps and complexities that it has to be considered along with the rest of his testi mony. Here we have extensive notes from his trial, contemporary reportS (by Friends and Friends General Conference nurtures a vibrant future for others) of the Bristol event itself, letters among Quakerism by providing the Quaker leadership beforehand, reports of spiritual and practical visits to him in prison (including one &om his resources for individuals, wife, Anne), and even a tract written by him meetings, and the Religious and his companions just a&er his imprison Society of Friends as a whole. ment. In addition there is the "True Narra tive" by Robert Rich, a fascinating, choleric, You can hdp by remembering and loyal friend of Nayler's, which provides a FGC in your will. valuable and sympathetic account &om one who finds much fault with the Quaker "estab lishment" of the time. This volume presents a very high propor tion of the documentation available for this extraordinary event, spoken in many voices. It is riveting. Ir leaves us at the beginning of the final phase of Nayler's life: Bristol has hap pened, and is at this point a raw wound for Friends, for Nayler, and for the nation. In the last volume of the edition, we can expect some of the documents relating to Nayler's further evolution or resolution. We will see his reflec tions on the Bristol incident (To the life of God in all) plus some of his most powerful tracts, including The Lamb's Wtr, How Sin Is Strengthened and How It Is Overcome, and Milk for Babes. -Brian Drayton Brian Drayton is a member ofWeare (NH) Meeting. Quaking By Kathryn Erskine. Philomel, 2007. 272 pages. $16.99/hardcover. Quaking explores the complexities, strengths, and peculiarities of roday's Religious Society of Friends through the experiences of a quest ing girl, her quirky Quaker foster parents, and a U.S. high school where violence vies with peacemaking. Kathryn Erskine's artful dialogs depict an ordinary family grappling with per sonal paradoxes that illuminate the faith, prac tice, and testimonies of Friends in terrorist times. Matt looks like a rough 14-year-old girl but she's not. Her body quakes when sexist bullies harass her. She's an insecure orphan whose voice shakes when she speaks pacifist Oakwood Friends School, guided by Quaker truth to power. Overhearing George Fox principles, educates and strengthens young OAKWOOD mentioned as the founder of Friends, Matt's ~ FR I ENDS SCHOOL curiosity leads her to Google George with this people for lives of conscience, compassion inner commentary: "Even though he was ani:l accomplishment. Discover Oakwood... 22 Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie, NY www.oakwoodfriends.org born in England way back in 1624 ... I actu and find your own voice. 1-800-843-3341 ally like this guy. For one thing, according to all the drawings I find of him, his nose is eas COLLEGE PREPARATO RY PROGRAM • QUAKER VALUES • GRADE S 6·12 • BOARDING & DAY • COEDUCATIONAL ily as large as mine. And he was absolutely, FRIENDS j OURNAL May 2008 33 GuideOne Insurance is America's leading insur er of religious institutions. and has been pro tecting Friends houses of worship and schools for more than 20 years. In fact. since 1979, GuideOne has been the Friends Insurance Group property and casualty insurer of choice. quaking To arrange for a FREE premium quotation, and to learn more about GuideOne Insurance, call 1-877-448-4331 ext. 5429. lnsut~nce brutally honest, which is apparently a Major Warm and welcoming, always. Quaker Thing, according to this website even when people were offended by his hon Kendai-Crosslands offers attractive, esty or it was not socially acceptable. Ha! He affordable floor plans in studio, small saw through people and fdt like a mature adult even when he was a kid. Ditto." Kathryn one-bedroom, and one-bedroom units Erskine infuses the social dilemmas of 2007 to enjoy along with spacious commu with the spirit ofTom Fox and the testimonies nity grounds, choice of dining areas, of integrity, simplicity, and commitment to and a fully-equipped, professionally peace. Her warmth reminds me of Jessamyn staffed wellness center. Full residen West's way of depicting the views and values tial services and lifetime, restraint-free of historic Friends. Quaking is a terrific gifi: ro health care. readers of all ages, especially young seekers. It is the best fiction I've found to introduce the myriad gifts and graces, quirks and questions ~NDAL-CROSSLANDS of Friends today. -judith Favor ?Jommunities judith Favor is a member ofClaremont (Calif) Meeting. FSA QUAKER-RELATED • NOT-FOR-PROFIT ...... Afke For information or a tour, call • NEWS 61G-388-7001 • 1-SQ0-216·1920 P.O. Box 100 • Kennett Square, PA 19348 Early this year Steve Chase represented Put www.kcc.kendal.org ney {Vt.) Meeting in a 50-minute interfaith dialogue that was recorded at a public access f------Kendai-Crosslands Communities welcome television station in Claremont, N.H. The EQUAL HOUSING residents without regard to race, color, religion, OPPORTUNITY sex, sexual orientation, or national origin. pand included a Muslim, a Quaker, a Pagan, a Jew, and a Buddhist. T he venue for the dialogue was a New Age public access cable program called "The Third Eye Show," which is broadcast on over 20 public access stations A Ministry of Prayer and The Way of Ministry, a new one-year program across the country, including San Francisco Learning devoted to the co-sponsored with Pendle Hill, Sept. 2008 - May 2009 and New York City. T he show will be for those called to public, gospel, or traveling ministry broadcast this month. The show is also Applications by June 1, 2008 available for viewing on the Internet through Interested? Come explore the new program Google Videos: 34 May 2008 FRIENDS j OURNAL because she inserted the word "nonviolendy" k:;ultivate the arts and gardens at ... in her state-required Oath of Allegiance form. By early March, the University reinstat ed the member ofStrawberry Creek Meeting, with back pay, stating, in part, that "Signing the oath does not carry with it any obligation 1 or requirement that public employees bear · ~~~ lKn~l~!}~s arms or otherwise engage in violence." This statement is stapled now to Kearney-Brown's CREATE works of art with loyalty oath, and it will be presented by the local artists. university as clarifYing language to other new employees. A veteran public school math EXPERIENCE music with teacher who specializes in helping struggling local m usicians. students, Kearney-Brown, 50, had signed the GARDEN with our oath before and had modified it each time. Each time, when asked to "swear (or affirm)" horticultural therapist. that she would "support and defend" the U.S. and state Constitutions "against all enemies, RESIDENTIAL & ASSISTED LIVING foreign and domestic," she inserted revisions: SHORT-STAY REHABILITATION She wrote "nonviolently" in front of the word NURSING CARE "support," crossed out "swear," and circled "affirm." All were to conform with her Quak Faith Woodward, er beliefs, she said. -San Francisco Chronicle c Director of Marketing and Admissions panpha 700 N. Franklin St...... _..._...... • BULLETIN BOARD West Chester, Pa . EEO/ADA 610-696-5211 Upcoming events: FSA LEP www.bf.kendal.org -OPPORTUNITY •June 5-8-Great Plains Yearly Meeting •June 8-15-Intermountain Yearly Meeting •June 11-15-Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting "Lee has authored a very •June 12- 15-Lake Erie Yearly Meeting •June 18-22-Illinois Yearly Meeting important book that examines many important subjects Opportunity: relevant to successfully • Intermountain Yearly Meeting and the AFSC Joint Service Project OSP) are current managing a business ly making plans for spring and summer serv enterprise in today s complex, ice projects to Mexico. The projects can include learning about border/immigration issues, difficult environment. " speaking Spanish (although no knowledge of -Daniel Bauer DBA Spanish is necessary), camping in community Dean, W. Fielding Rubel School of Business with other participants, getting to know local Bellarmine University. Louisville, Kentucky families, and learning about Native traditions. Each is described in more detail and with This book is about ethical principles in pictures on both MySpace and FaceBook business, and translating those principles (search for Joint Service Project). You do not into ethical behavior in the workplace. need to have a specific slcill to go on a service It's about how people need to form project-people are needed to listen, cook, problem-solve, and support the work of the peaceful partnerships so that everyone group in many ways. Projects are designed to Lee B. Thomas, comes out a winner. connect small, intergenerational groups of Jr. is a longtime Hardcover, 152 pages, $16.95 youth and adults (ages 14 and up) with the businessman and work ofAFSC. We open ourselves to be guid founding member of ed by the Spirit into more informed, respect Louisville Friends Order online at ful ways ofliving in peaceful balance with our Meeting, which planet and its many societies. Contact Mike celebrated its 50th www. butlerbooks.com Gray for more information at FRIENDS j oURNAL May 2oo8 35 J I o· ically makes the connection between lack of integrity in the mainstream immi exploring the issue more deeply, through immigrants and community: "We care for gration debate. We Friends need to do this threshing sessions, educational panels, and migrants who have left home and family in the context of questioning the domi intervisitation. I believe we need to engage to seek a new life in a strange place. We nant paradigms ofour time. This was well in real dialogue, explore the issue deeply, care for all we love and all we might come stated in An Expression in WOrds- ofBritain and listen to each other's concerns. We to love." We need to remember that all life Yearly Meeting's Corporate Social Testimony need to ask ourselves, "What is the whole is interconnected, and that welcoming of 1997: "Our complex social, political truth? Are we only seeing a piece of it?" immigrants helps us become closer to and economic system gives a great deal of We Friends look at this issue from mul God. We can work to build the blessed cover for deceit and half truth." tiple perspectives, including that ofU.S. community where everyone is able to We need to be sure that our under born workers. Reputable studies have relate to that of God in one another. standing of immigration is grounded both shown that common assumptions about Community is not just about those in the facts and in our faith, not in our immigrants' impact on jobs and wages closest to us, or those with whom we feel fears. I am pleased that recently many come from a simplistic analysis of the the most comfortable. IMYM's draft monthly meetings have committed to economy. A more nuanced analysis shows Faith and Practice says, "Although we best know a sense ofspiritual unity within our families and our meetings, we look out wards and try in love to include others in RESOURCES our community-our neighbors near and www.a{Sc.org/immigrants-rights www.immigrationforum.org far." I believe that God calls us to break !defoult.htm National Immigration Forum: out of our comfort wnes and build com AFSC legislative updates, statements, immigration policy and community munity across difference. This means pro educational resources. resources. moting a multicultural and inclusive www.afic.orglcentral www. nnirr. org vision for our society. The anti-immigrant 1/mmigrantRights/immigrant-rights.htm National Network for Immigrant and movement is challenging the idea that Coloradans for Immigrant Rights: Refugee Rights: BRIDGE popular people from different cultural, racial, and resources on allyship, blog with education manual on immigration. ethnic backgrounds can coexist peaceful You Tube videos, additional links. ly. Friends can play an important role here http://campaignforauniteclamerica.org in standing up for a vision of harmony www.fcnlorglissues/issue Campaign for a United America: and peace among peoples. .php?issue_id=69 stories of citizens who support FCNL statements, background, and immigrant rights. INTEGRITY analysis on immigration. www.lwv.org/AM/Template I have struggled greatly with how to talk www.iwj. orglactnowlimm .cfm?Section=LWVUS!mmigrationStudy about immigration with Friends. When I /immigration. html League ofWomen Voters Immigration began working on the issue, there was a Interfaith Worker Justice: For Once Study: study briefs, background small and passionate group working to You Were a Stranger, interfaith resource papers, and other resources from their raise awareness about the humanitarian on immigration. two-year study on immigration. aspects ofimmigration ip my yearly meet www.progressivestates.org/content/714 ing. It is a controversial issue, and it seemed www.newsanctuarymovement.org Progressive States Network that many people were not interested in Interfaith movement to support families Immigration Project: a clearinghouse broaching it. Immigration provokes pas suffering from unjust immigration laws. of immigrant-related state legislation. sions on both sides of the issue, with some www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action Friends expressing concerns about immi www. nomoredeaths.org =action.display&item= CCIR_main grants' impact on wages, state and local No More Deaths: information about Sojourners: Christians for Comprehensive services, and population growth; discom the U.S.-Mexico border, opportunities Immigration Reform fort with immigrants breaking the law to for volunteering. enter the country; and the perception that wwwjusticeforimmigrants.org www. splcenter. org immigrants are not learning English. Catholic Campaign for Immigration Southern Poverty Law Center: research Reform: extensive faith-based resources My concern is that I know how slant on hate groups, including anti from a Catholic perspective. ' ed most media coverage of immigration immigrant groups. is, and how hard anti-immigrant groups www. nile. org have tried to frame the issue in a way that www. migrationpolicy. org National Immigration Law Center: activates people's fears. The Testimony of Migration Policy Institute: think tank resources on immigration law and policy. Integrity refers to the value of speaking on global immigration, resources on plainly, hiding nothing, dealing honestly, www.detentionwatchnetwork.org immigrant integration. and refraining from deceiving or exploit Detention Watch Network: resources ing, and I feel it is important to expose the on immigration detention. 36 May 2008 FRIENDS JoURNAL FRIENDS Consider the rzdurzJlttzges oj{z g~fi rllllluity zuit/J JOURNAL Based on a $10,000 cash gift, the chart below shows examples of how a gift annuity could also provide you or your loved ones with tax savings and a lifetime income. For more information, check the items you would like to see and mail this card, or call our Director of Advancement, Larry Jalowiec, toll free at (800) 471-6863. 0 our booklet on charitable gift planning 0 a gift annuity illustration for the 0 sample bequest language for your will birthdates below Annual Annuity Age Rate Income 65 6.0% $600 $3,854 70 6.5% $650 $4,198 75 7.1% $710 $4,626 80 8.0% $800 $5,053 85 9.5% $950 $5,368 Zip: 90 11.3% $1,130 $5,807 NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO 35933 PHILADELPHIA PA POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE FRIENDS JOURNAL 1216 ARCH ST STE 2A PHILADELPHIA PA 19107-9370 1••• 111.1 ••••• 1111 ••• 1••• 11.1 •••• 11.1 ••• 111 ••••• 11.1 that the impact is minimal at most, once immigrants' economic contributions are taken into account. Even when one con siders the small impact immigrants have on wages, one should not isolate immi *All graduates accepted to college grants in an analysis of wage levels. *Self-directed, lifelong learning Numerous other dynamics have a much *3:1 student-to-teacher ratio greater impact, such as continued racial discrimination against African Americans, *Sharea work program _ decline in protection of labor organizing *Organic garden a no farm rights, outsourcing, increased automation *Supportive and diverse community of work, and the decline in the inflation *Laptop computer program adjusted value of the minimum wage. *Daily Collection, weekly When immigrants are isolated as the cause ofeconomic insecurity in our coun Meeting for Worship try, I have to wonder if there is something else at play. People in this country have historically blamed immigrants for our economic woes, and I believe this is in large part because of deep-seated fears of those who are different from us, rather than a calm analysis of the issues. What Can Be Done · I believe that God calls us to welcome immigrants to our communities and work to address the deeper social injus tices in our society. Immigration is not a cause of injustice, but a symptom. By ignoring our broken immigration system, we contribute to human suffering. Quak ers have a long history of challenging unjust laws and systems, and I believe that it is time for Friends to develop a shared public witness in regard to immigration. Steps that meetings could take include holding threshing sessions, forums, or film showings on the issue; building rela tionships with grassroots immigrant rights organizations; supporting day laborer projects; attending immigrant rights ral lies; speaking publicly, writing letters to editors and contacting policy makers; sending members to volunteer setting up water stations in the Southwest desert; supporting families affected by immigra tion raids; or joining the New Sanctuary Movement, a recently formed interfaith movement to accompany and protect im migrant families who are facing the viola Live independently in a small, friendly Quaker community. tion of their human rights. One and two-bedroom cottages available. Immigrant communities are organizing for change as never before. Faith commu nities are becoming key players in the im FRIENDS VILLAGE migrant rights movement, and now is the 331 Lower Dolington Road, Newtown, PA @' time for Friends to put our faith into action 215.968.3346 • friendshomeandvillage.org on behalf of justice for immigrants. 0 FRIENDS ] OURNAL May 2008 37 Keep your copies for reading, reflection, and Young Friends Voicing a Need referral. FRIENDS JouRNAL is a major continued from page 15 forum for Quaker thought and Quaker life in might have with the state of our religion, or unwilling to voice such concerns. Nev the 21st Century. It's a helpful reference for er had I been in a group of Friends my conversation and contemplation. Don't wait. own age who did voice them. Never had I heard another Friend rise during meet Subscribe today to the journal that tells you ing and tell the group of worshipers that what Quakers are thinking and saying. the Religious Society of Friends was bro ken and that we had allowed this to hap pen. Many Friends expressed the belief 0 I'll take 12 monthly issues for $39, please. 0 Lock in my rate for 2 years-24 issues-for just $76. Overseas subscribers please add $12 per I want Quakerism year for postage. to be a radical, living 0 Check enclosed 0 Please bill me 0 Charge my MasterCard or Visa faith with a complex lC•IIIIIIf Card Number ______Expiration date ____ • spiritual, theological core ~ Nam~ ------from which radical Address: and often controversial Ci~~Mte!Zp ______u witness stems. r " For fastest service, log on to May 2oo8 FRIENDS JOURNAL • MILESTONES Marriages AQuaker boarding and day high school where ... Bragonier-Richards-Elizabeth R Richards and ... personal transformations take place Emily Christine Bragonier, united in marriage on ... each person seeks to live with full integrity May 25, 2007, in a civil union ceremony in ... distinct ways of learning are honored Burlington, Vt. Gloria Gill officiated the ceremony. Elizabeth is the daughter ofAlliso n and Michael Richards of Camden, Del., Emily is the daughter ofWilliam and Karen Bragonier of Harrisburg, Pa. Elizabeth is a member of Camden Monthly Meeting in Delaware. Emily is a candidate for a Master of Science degree in sustainable systems at eting School Slippery Rock University, Pa. and Elizabeth is a professor of cinema at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. The couple resides in Pittsburgh. Fitz-Hugh-Harrison-Adam Harrison and qnn Fitz-Hugh were married on March 9, 2007, under the care ofEasrside (Wash.) Meeting. Lynn is a member there. Lynn and Adam also for your Meeting promised to love each other's children, Sara or per$onollihrory Grendon and Jonathan Harrison. The couple lives in Seattle, Wash. Saving Women Denis-Nadel-Stephen Nadel and Fabiola Denis from the Church were married on August 19, 2007, at Providence (R.I.) Meeting. Stephen is a member of the HOW JESUS MENDS A DIVIDE meeting, and Fabiola an attender. by Susan Mcleod-Harrison $18.00 Deaths It's a Donee Ahrens-Oscar Christian (Chris) Ahrens Jr., 91, on MOVING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT O ct. 14, 2007, in Black Mountain, N.C. The son of Carrie Butcher and Oscar Christian Ahrens, by Patrick Oden Chris was born on July 21, 1916, in the Bronx, $18.00 N.Y. He earned a BA in Civil Engineering at New York University, and a master's in Community But I Tell You ~ Planning &om Goddard College. His focus and JE SUS INTRODUCES Front-line work included antipoverty projectS, low-cost and A BETTER WAY TO LIVE Quaker self-help housing, better transportation, health HOUSE by Karen L. Oberst Peace Action needs, conservation, sustainable living, preserva $19.00 Since 1969 tion of the environment, peace, and other Quaker values. Chris was a conscientious objector during 223 Hillside Ave. World War II, giving alternative service from 1942 Practicing to 1945 under the supervision ofAFSC. Chris and Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg Olga (Ollie) Mae Quadland were married in 1947 Discernment Together in New York City and spent their honeymoon FINDING GOD'S WAY FORWARD NC 28301 IN DECI SIO N MAKING directing a Quaker workcamp in an Indian village www.quakerhouse.org in Mexico. When Chris and Ollie got married, they by Lon Fendall, made a vow never to be held down by possessions, Jan Wood; Bruce Bishop Chuck Fager, Director so as to be open to service leadings and callings. $16.00 A&er their sons were born, they worked in Ryder Hospital in Humacao, Puerto Rico, where Chris supervised the building of the first training school for practical nurses as well as houses using green technology. A&er a short stay as engineering man Display Ad Deadlines July issue: Reserve space by May 12. ager at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, Ads must be received by May 15. N.Y., C hris moved with his family to The Bruder hof, an intentional poverty community in Rifton, Reservations are N.Y. In 1961, he joined the Peace Corps and went required for display ads August issue: Reserve space by June 9. to Colombia, to oversee technical projectS. He next Ads must be received by June 12. joined the Foundation of International Coopera in FRIENDS JOURNAL. tive Housing, which led him and Ollie to many places in Central America and finally to Ad rate is $40 per column inch. Charleston, W.Va. A few years later, the Office of Economic Opportunity asked Chris to join a Spe Call (215) 563-8629 now cial Technical Assistance Program for low-income with your reservation or questions. people around the country. His specialty in low income housing led him to many pares of Appalachia, the Virgin Islands, upstate New York, E-mail: [email protected] and New Jersey. He then worked with the World FRIENDS JOURNAL May 2oo8 39 Bank, examining protocols with an eye to appro funds on college campuses. Funds went to student the spring of 2000, spurred by a visiting Quaker priate technology. This led him tO Sri Lanka and prisoners of war and to help Chinese non-Com couple from London, Wm and his wife formed the then to Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Kenya for proj munists move their universities irt.land in an effort Oxford Worship Group. This smaU group thrived ecrs building houses and schools using local labor to salvage student leadership for the future. Lois vis and, under the care of Memphis (Tenn.) Meeting, and materials. In 1981 , Chris prepared an imerna ited 100 U.S. campuses and traveled to Europe. became a preparative meeting. ln 2002, it became tional service program for studems at Warren Wtl Following a YWCA job planning conferences and Oxford Meeting. the only monthly meeting in the son College, and he developed and supervised pro organizing activities in ten Midwestern srates, she state. Win applied for membership and, in 2003, grams in Cemral America and BotsWana, Africa. married George Hogle. They moved to England for became a member. He and his wife, Cora, affirmed Later he caught a course at Warren Wtlson in four years while he completed his Jungian naining. their wedding vows of 1982 and pledged their appropriate technology. Chris cominuaUy intro In 1959 they moved to Palo Alto. Lois and George Quaker marriage vows in 2003, in the presence of duced elements of what is today caUed green tech joined Palo Alto Meeting in 1960, beginning many Oxford Meeting. As a member, Wm enjoyed teach nology: Chris helped establish Quaker worship years of service to the meeting. She was shocked to ing First-day school, served as treasurer, guided the groups and meetings in Mexico; Colombia; St. see what developmem had done to the srate and Committee for Ministry and Nurture, and served Croix in the Virgin Islands; Charleston, W.Va.; and began her work in environmental preservation. In on many clearness comminees for membership. Puerto Rico, and was a member or anender at 1962 she established the Comminee for Green The meeting continued to be held at the Jordan Westbury (N.Y) Meeting. Friends Meeting of Foorhills, with a group of about 25 people, which home until late 2006. Win retired from teaching in Washington, D.C., Elmira (N.Y) Meeting. and helped to preserve many large parcels ofpubli c land 2003. At a University service for him in Oxford, finaUy Swannanoa VaUey Meeting in Black Moun for trails and wildlife. She also became a member the Quaker men borrowed his awful ties, carefully tain, N.C., where the Ahrenses moved in 1995. ofth e Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, mis-matching them with their shirrs. Wm is sur Chris is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ollie; his the Peninsula Open Space Trust, and the YWCA. vived by his wife, Cora Miner Jordan; his former sons, Paul and Glenn Ahrens; rwo grandchildren, Lois and George were divorced in 1966. ln 1977 wife, Phyllis Henry Jordan; his children, Joshua H. Brenon and Gramm Ahrens, and a great-grand Lois was a founding member of a group to study Jordan, Jay Mort Jordan, and W. Eliot Jordan; his child, Quentin Hancock. the principles of Carl Jung and analytical psychol stepchildren, Michael W. Reilly, Steven D. Reilly, ogy, which ofren met in her home. In 1984, she was and Mary Beth Conklin; five grandchildren; five Collier-G. William Collier, 90, on December 6, instrumental in securing funding for the Medica step-grandchildren; and his brother, Edwin C. Jor 2007, in Chesterfield Township, N.J. Bill was born cion Cottage at Ben Lomond Quaker Center. She dan. in Bordentown, N.J., to Victoria and Albert Col served on the Unity with Nature Comminee fo r lier. He was a lifelong resident of the Crosswicks Palo Alto Meeting and sojourned at Pendle Hill in Kennedy-Sti!jJhanit Kenntdy, 64, on June 30, and Chesterfield area in New Jersey. A graduate of Pa. In 1997, she co-edited with Darryl Babe Wt.l 2006, in Berkeley, Cali( Stephanie was born on November 11, 1941, in Fresno, Cali( , to Sheila Bordentown Milirary Institute, Bill earned a bach son a book of interviews with contemporary Native elor's degree from the Wharton School of Univer Americans, Surviving in Two Worlds: Contemporary Thompson Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. sity of Pennsylvania. He served as a caprain in the Native American WJices. Lois loved music, and she Stephanie spent her earliest days with her family in Signal Corps during World War II and the Korean continued to attend concertS and to host musical Berkeley. However, she grew up in many different Conflict. Shortly afrer World War II, he esrablished events in her home in the last year of her life. She places, including the Philippines and Viemam. Her the G. William Collier Agency and was active with played harpsichord and piano and sang in a local father ran libraries for the U.S. Informacion Serv the company for over 50 years. He was a member choral group. Lois is survived by her daughter, ice. She scarred school in a boarding school in the moun rains of Da Lat, Viemam, an experience that and past president of the Nonhero Burlington Francie Kelly; her sons, Allan and Steve Hogle; and was very difficult for her. The first months of con Regional School Board and was involved with the four grandchildren. consnuction ofthe school. He was a long and faith fus ion and shunning gave way to her mastery of ful member of Crosswicks (N.J.) Meeting. He Jordan-Winthrop (Win) D. Jordan, 75, on Febru French, and her time at this school raught her that enjoyed Harvey Cedars, his farm in Chesterfield ary 23, 2007, in Oxford, Miss., from amyotrophic she could persevere and survive as well as a lifelong Township, and was an avid tennis player and fish lateral sclerosis. Win was born on November 11, love of French culture. As a young adult, she stud erman. Bill was devoted to his family and had a 1931, in Worcester, Mass., to Lucrecia Mott ied Anthropology at University of California at genuine affection for people. He encouraged his Churchill Jordan and Henry Donaldson Jordan. Berkeley and later earned a master's in Library Sci family in Quaker ways and in the obligations of Growing up, he attended Yarmouth (Mass.) Meet eoce. Afrer college she worked in the Richmond, membership. Bill is survived by his wife of66 years, ing in the summers. As an adult, he anended Calif., Public Library. She enjoyed working in the Elizabeth Brick Collier; his sons, William S. and Berkeley (Cali() Meeting and Yarmouth Meeting children's department, in the bookmobile, and at John P. Collier; his sister, Jean Stenberg; and his in the summers when he could. He earned a bach the reference desk, and she kept in touch with grandchildren, Manhew, Christopher, Michael, elor's in Social Relations from Harvard University, librarians throughout the Bay Area personaUy and and Michelle Collier. a master's in Hist9ry from Clark University, and a professionaUy. Stephanie married John Burke, and PhD in History from Brown University. He began their daughter, Sara, was born in 1964. John and Hogle-Loir Crozier Hogle, 92, on December 27, his teaching career in 1955 as a History instructor Stephanie divorced when Sara was young. Her sec 2005, in Palo Alto, Cali£, of cancer. Born in and in 1963 joined the faculty of University of Cal ond daughter, Mary Kate Joly, was born in 1969. Coalinga, Cali(, Lois grew up in the cennal valley ifornia at Berkeley, where he became professo r of Stephanie raised Sara on her own and shared cus of California. Afrer her father's death when she was History and served as associate dean for minority tody of Kate with her father, David Joly. Stephanie 15, the family ·moved south to Glendale, and in affairs in the graduate school..In 1982 he moved to worked in labor, antiwar, and social justice cam 1932 Lois anended Glendale Junior College and University of Mississippi, where he caught Hisrory paigns, including the efforrs of the United Farm then University of Redlands, graduating in 1936. and African American Studies. During rhis time, he Workers. She became active in Strawberry Creek There she became acutely aware of the radical mes continued his association with Yarmouth Meeting. Meeting in Berkeley, Cali(, in 1977 and continued sage of]esus' life and felt a profound calling to fol Win's first book, Whi~ Over Black: American Atti to work in public education, library issues, and war low his example. Many years later she earned mas tudes toward tht Ntgro, 1550-1812, pioneered the tax resisrance. She came to Quakers as an atheist, ter's degrees in Education and Social Work. She modern study of race. He authored many other and later fo und she was no longer one. What drew then took a job with the First Baptist Church in books and articles. Some of his awards included fel her was the Quaker idea that God is speaking Los Angeles. Afrer hours she wem to Clifron's Cafe lowships from the Institute of Early American His through our lives. Becoming aware that she had an teria, a center for social activism, where groups tory and Culture, the Guggenheim Foundation, alcohol problem, she joined Alcoholics Anony worked for peace, jobs, and freedom. She was elect the Social Science Research Council, and the Cen mous afrer a stay in a residential facility. Her vocal ed state chairman of the California Youth Legisla ter fo r the Advanced Study of the Behavioral Sci ministry sometimes reflected her struggles. In 1985 ture and the western branch of the American Youth eoces. To try to make himself more accessible and Stephanie fell in love with a woman, Maegie, the Congress, and she traveled to Washington, D.C., more human, he began to wear old, narrow ties love of her life, who died soon afrer they met. This where she met Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1943, Lois with plaid flannel shirts that never matched, a prac experience oflove and loss led her to open up to her took a job in New York raising student war-relief tice that earned him a repuration as an eccentric. In lesbian identity. Later, she spoke with awe about 40 May 2008 FRIENDs ]OUR- 'EXCELLENCE IN 'LEARNING • GROWTH IN 'KNOWLEDGE the experience of being loved and held by Straw berry Creek community throughout the traumatic experiences of that time. After many years as an attender, Stephanie became a member of Strawber 'F'R1'E'Nt!JS· ACAt!J'EMY ry Creek Meeting in 1990. She was active in First day school, served on many committees, joined in Bible study, and worked on the Quaker Lesbian Conference. One of the many gifts she brought the meeting was her rich vocal ministry, which drew on literature, opera, the Bible, and especially her life experiences. Stephanie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. Stephanie is survived by her sister, Jane Ramsey; her brother, Nick Kennedy; her mother, Sheila Kennedy; her daughters, Sara Burke and Mary Kate Joly; and her three grandsons, Moselle Burke, Oscar Burke, and Zane Joly. 'EVERY 'LIFE IS TO BE 'EXPLORED Miller-White-Ruth Passmore Miller-White, 86, CELEBRATED AND 'ENJOYED peacefully, onJuly27, 2007, in Gwynedd, Pa. Born to Hannah and John Passmore on October 6, Founded in 1876 by Gideon Frost for "the children of Friends and 1920, Ruth was the youngest of five children born on the family dairy farm known as Fair View those similarly sentimented," Friends Academy is a Qyaker, coeduca Farm in West Grove, Pa. After her father's death tional, independent, college preparatory school on Long Island serv in 1934, the farm was sold and Ruth moved with her mother to Philadelphia, where she attended ing 7 50 students from age three through twelfth grade. Philadelphia High School for Girls. In 1939, Ruth graduated from Westtown School. During World Friends Academy • 270 Duck Pond Road War II, she lived in Philadelphia, attended Taylor Business School, and worked at AFSC. In the Locust Valley/Glen Cove, NY 11560 summer of 1945, she attended AFSC's first inter racial work camp in the south, in Nashville, Tenn., Telephone: 516-676-0393 • www.fa.org a profoundly important experience to her. In 1946, Recru [email protected] Ruth married Lawrence McKeever Miller Jr. and lived in Chicago while Larry attended the Chicago Theological Seminary. In 1948, at the request of a Joint Committee of Orthodox and Hicksite Quakers, they moved to Doylestown, Pa., to L QUAKER WITNESS revive and revitalize Doylestown Meeting. Ruth remained an active member and contributor for 38 years. Berween 1950 and 1960, Ruth and Larry had fo ur children, and Ruth devoted her time to raising them. In 1965, they took the family to What do Bangalore, India, to work with AFSC's Voluntary 100 Philadelphia architects, International Service Assignments (VISA) pro gram. This experience in India gave her a new 8 Ikea store managers, sense of independence and self-confidence. Ruth was also an active volunteer in the Doylestown The Port Authority of NY&NJ, community, serving for 15 years in the local His Highness Sheikh Mo)1a mmeCI school district, where she worked at the Pine Run Elementary School library. She volunteered for ruler of Dubai, and many years at Peace Valley Nature Center in . DoylestOwn. Ruth and Larry divorced in 1988, and a W ilmington Coll ege librarian for the next 18 years she lived with her second have in common? husband, Brett White, initially in Mt. Dora, Fla., where they were active in O rlando Meeting. They later moved to Swannanoa, N.C., and were T he greening of Friends Cente(. active in Asheville Meeting and later in Swannanoa Valley Meeting, which they helped to form. Ruth I spent her last year and a half at Foulkeways I in Gwynedd, Pa. She had a remarkable ability Get tile story: to listen with her whole heart and care for www. friendscentercorp. org others' needs, as well as a way of putting people at ease and inspiring trust and confidence. She had a special interest in children's books. Ruth is survived by her husband, Brett Miller-White; her daughter, Janice Miller; her sons, Kenneth, Lee, and Tunothy Miller; three stepchildren, Lorna Willis, Kendra Skellen, and Camela White; six grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and four great step-grandchildren. Join them. Join us. FRIENDS JOURNAL May 2008 4I Moses--Lincoln E Moses, 84, on December 17, 2006, in Portola Valley, Cali£ Lincoln was born on December 21, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo., and moved to southern California with his f.unily when he was two. He anended San Bernardino Valley Junior College, where he earned an AA degree, and Stanford University, where he earned an AB in Sta tistics in 1941. Lincoln and Jean Runnels were married in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy until 1946 and earned a PhD in Statistics from Stanford in 1950. He taught for two years at Columbia Uni versity before returning to Stanford in 1952, where he spent the rest of his academic career, becoming emeritus in 1992. At Stanford, Lincoln held a split appointment between the Department of Statistics and the School of Medicine's Department of Health Research and Policy. He was one of the ear ly leaders in moving statistics from an academic to an applied discipline, founding the medical school's Division of Biostatistics. Lincoln served on the Por tola Valley School Board in the 1950s and on the board of directors of Peninsula School in Menlo Park in the 1960s. For some years he and Jean were members of a small w9rship group that met in Por tola Valley. He was head of the Department ofSta tistics at Stanford from 1964 to 1968 and Associ ate Dean of Humanities from 1965 to 1968 and again from 1985 to 1986. His first marriage ended in divorce. In 1968 he and Mary Lou Coale were married, and in 1969 he became Dean of Gradu 5511 GREENE STREET. PHILADELPHIA. PA 19144 · 215-438-7545 ate Studies. He and Mary Lou joined Palo Alto GREENESTREETFRIENDS.ORG (Cali£) Meeting in 1971, and both became active in the meeting. From 1975 to 1976 Lincoln was a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford. He headed the Energy Information Administration in the Depart ment of Energy under President Caner from 1978 to 1980. He was a fellow of numerous institutions and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal FRIENDS j OURNAL offers the classic book from the U.S. Department of Energy. Lincoln was instrumental in establishing the Mid-Peninsula Chapter of California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty. He served on the Men BENJAMIN lo Park Police Chiefs Advisory Comminee on Racially Based Policy. He was a member of Palo Alto Meeting for over 35 years, during which time The Meetinghouse Mouse I he served as member or clerk on the Ministry and Counsel, Worship and Ministry, Peace and Social by Benjamin, as told to Clifford Pfeil, Action, and Oversight committees, and was associ with illustrations by John D. Gummere ate clerk and clerk of the meeting. He also served as representative to College Park Quarter. He If you remember the Benjamin stories served on the Pacific Yearly Meeting Ministry and in past issues, you will be happy to share them Oversight Committee and on the Faith and Prac tice Revision Committee. He was on the board of now in book form-with your children, grandchildren, and Friends! the Pacific Region of AFSC, serving for a time as Look for Benjamin in Friends bookstores or order directly from FRiENDS jOURNAL: clerk. He was particularly interested in the work of its Criminal Justice Committee and served as a Please send me copies of Benjamin@ $6.00 each, plus $2.00 shipping and handling member of the board. In thel990s, funded by the ($3.50 for shipping and handling outside U.S., Canada, and Mexico). My check is enclosed. National Institute of Health for AIDS prevention, he repeatedly visited Zimbabwe for consultation. Lincoln was a birder all his life, and traveled with Name ------Mary Lou to Southern Africa, Scandinavia, China, Adruess ------and Mongolia in pursuit of birds. He was also a backpacker. Lincoln is survived by his second wife, City State ZIP ------ Mary Lou Moses; three daughters, Katherine Counrry, if other than U.S. ------Moses Youngmeister, Margaret Moses Schneider, and Elizabeth Moses Strain; two sons, Jim Moses Please mail to Friends Journal, 1216 Arch Street, 2a, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2835. and Will Moses; fo ur stepsons, Frank, Kenneth, Ifany questions please call (215) 563-8629. David, and Matthew Coale; 15 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Marilyn Garren. 42 May 2008 FRIENDS ]oUR- Nicldin-Geo'Xe Leslie Nicklin Jr., 81, on June 26, 2007, in Medford, N.J., of a stroke. George was Why let your child's education be born on July 25, 1925, in Franklin, Pa., to Emma Reed Nicklin and George Leslie Nicklin. He ·anything less than transfonnative? graduated from Haverford High School in 1943. After a single term at Haverford College, he was drafred and qualified for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). Near the end ofWorld Moses Brown School is an War II, the ASTP was discontinued, and he was given a regular infantry assignment, serving in the independent, college-preparatory, Nimh Infantry Division. Having entered military Quaker school for girls and boys, service as an agnostic, he had a mystical spiritual experience during battle, which led him later to N-12. Graduates of Quaker become a Quaker. He was severely wounded in the Second Battle of the Rhineland, and spent schools are intellectually curious 100 days in a British military hospital, followed and thoughtful leaders, socially by a year in a Veterans hospital on Staten Island, N.Y. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for merito responsible and confident rious service, in addition to his Purple Hearts. citizens, collaborative and creative He completed his undergraduate degree at Haver ford College in 1947. He mer his future wife, problem solvers. Katherine Aronson, on a bicycle trip ro Martha's Vineyard, and they were married in 1950 under the care of Fifreenth Street Meeting in New York City. He graduated from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1951, and completed a residency in psychiatry at Bellevue Moses Brown School Hospital in New York City and became a fellow of FoR THE HoNOR OF TR1JT'H Inspiring students to reach their fullest potential. the William Alanson White Institute. He was a clinical associate professor of Psychiatry at New 2 50 Lloyd• Avenue, Providence, RI 02906 I 401 ·831·73 50 I www.mosesbrown.org York University for the rest of his life. As members of Westbury Meeting on Long Island, George and Kate were instrumental in founding the West bury Friends School, which their four children then attended. In 1958, George became interested in creating a college program that would address increasing globalization, while incorporating the Quaker ideal of valuing that of God in every individual. H e served as trustee and advocate for Friends World College from its founding until it was absorbed under the umbrella of Long Island ~ 1\\~ University as Friends World Program. In 1963 The llitimate George and his family began to spend summers on ~~ Shelter Island, Eastern Long Island, where he start Community in the ed Shelter Island Friends Meeting. He established a private practice in psychiatry and psychoanalysis Middle of Nowhere until retiring from active practice in 2004. He formed the Long Island Psychoanalytic Institute, in 1.1\ Hosted by New England Yearly Meeting affiliation with the Nassau County Medical Center. For many years, George worked with the instirute '\! Young Adult Friends to support the training of residents, psychologists, and other mental health professionals on Long Island. George was known particularly for his gre garious nature. The American Psychiatric Associa June 7-13, 2008 tion honored him in 2005, for 50 years of distinguished service. In recent years, he published two books. After his retirement, George and his wife divided their time between their home on Starksboro, Vermont Shelter Island and Medford Leas, a Q uaker retire Common Ground Retreat Center ment community in N.J. After decades of robust good health, in the fmal six months of his life George was assailed by a series of severe and debil- · yaf.neym.org/ camp itating illnesses, which he &ced with valor and grace. George is survived by his wife, Kate Nicklin; • Questions? Contact the Coordinator! four children, Emily Nicklin, David Nicklin, Jane Nicklin Olsen, and Sarah Nicklin; and 12 grand r Kimberly Allen (207) 754-9353 children, Max, Luke, and Anna Schleusener, Kate, [email protected] Megan, and Sarafina Kietzman-Nicklin, Emma, Molly, and Elizabeth Olsen, and Graham, Clara, and Olivia Moreno. FRIENDS JOURNAL May 2008 43 Pyle-G. Martin Pyle, 88, on November 4, 2007, Rodgers and Selden Scott Rodgers. Oliver grew up in Kennett Square, Pa. Martin was born on Janu in Anaconda, Mont., playing barirone sax in the ary 9, 1918, in Concord Township, Pa., in an 18th town's band and taking up the viola ro fill an emp century farmhouse that had belonged to his great ty chair in his family's string quartet. He continued great-grandparents, Daniel and Prudence Dutton to play for his own pleasure and with area musical Pyle. Martin earned his bachelor's and master's groups and traveled east with his brother to attend degrees at Temple University. In 1942, he married college, graduating from Harvard University with a Hannah Kirk, whom he had met at a dance spon bachelor's degree in 1936. After marrying Dorothy sored by Friends. After serving in the army in Welch in 1937, Oliver earned a master's degree in World War II as an accountant, Martin worked Mechanical Engineering in 1938 and did further briefly for Baldwin Locomotive; then he began a graduate work at University of Pennsylvania. In 40-year career with Atlantic Refining Co. (Arco), 1939 Oliver discovered Quakers, and from 1960 to which took the family to Caracas, Venezuela, from 2007 he served on boards and committees of many 1949 to 1960. Their daughters, Marilynn and Quaker organizations, including AFSC. He was Cynthia, were born there. In 1960, Martin and cofounder of Friends Board Training Service and The oldest Quaker school in the world, Hannah rerurned to Philadelphia in the midst of served on the boards of Friends Fiduciary Corp.; William Penn Charter School embraces the Society Hill revival and bought the shell of an the Hickman, a Quaker retirement residence in Pa.; tradition and welcomes innovation. 18th-century row house on Delancey Street. They and Penclle Hill, in Pa. His fars ighted approach and lived in the restored house until 1967, when Mar interest in international projects and socially cin was transferred to Houston, where he retired in responsible investments were valuable to these 1983. Cape May, N.J., had been a recreation spot organizations. Oliver held positions in research and in Marcin and Hannah's youth, and in 1967 the development at Westinghouse in Philadelphia, the Visit us on the web and learn more about family began spending summers there in a house Packard Motor Car Company and Curtiss-Wright our vigorous educational program and our near Congress Hall. Martin and Hannah moved to in Detroit, and Scott Paper in Philadelphia, design stimulating and diverse community. Dallas, Tex., where they were active in Dallas Meet ing and overseeing the design of machinery. At the ing, and Marcin professed faith in Jesus Christ as time of his retirement in 1980, he was director of www. pennchar ter. com his Savior and Lord. Martin was preceded in death technical development. He was a member of the by his wife, Hannah Kirk Pyle; his brother, Owen Westinghouse team that designed and built one of Zebley Pyle; and his sister, Carol Pyle Jones Fry. He the first jet engines in the United States. Music was ~ a recurring theme in Oliver's life. He enjoyed play williamPenn is survived by two daughters, Marilynn Kirk-Pyle Johnson and Cynthia-Ann Pyle Dixon; five grand ing music with his family and chamber groups Cliarter children, Lauren Kirk-Pyle Johnson, Kaitlynn throughout his life. In retirement, Oliver applied School Grace Johnson, Abigail Garrett Dixon, Kent his knowledge and inquiring mind to the puzzle of 215.844.3460 Moore Johnson Jr., and Rachel Dixon; and his sis violin acoustics. He published numerous research 3000 West School House Lane • Philadelphia, PA 19144 ter, Rurhellen Davis. papers and served as a mentor to violin makers fo r 25 years. Until the spring before his death, he made Robinson-jane Robinson, 49, on November 13, house calls in an old truck he converted into a 2007, in Santa Fe, N.Mex., after a long and valiant mobile acoustics lab, pulling up behind concert struggle with leukemia. Jane was born on January halls and in musicians' driveways. He also used the 17, 1958, in Norristown, Pa., and graduated from computer vibration lab at University of Delaware, Villanova University with a Bachelor of Nursing where he was an adjunct professor. In 2004, he was degree. She worked at Friends Hospital in Philadel awarded the Gold Medal of Lifetime Achievement phia and later in Gallup, N.Mex., as a teacher in by the Violin Society ofAmer ica. He was preceded the Nursing Education Department of University in death by his brother, Selden T. Rodgers, and by Give one year ... as a ofNew Mexico. Jane became a member of the Reli his grandson, Allan Bell. He is survived by his wife Quaker Volunteer! gious Society of Friends in Pennsylvania. She and of 69 years, Dorothy Rodgers; his children, her husband, Lowber Welsh, were married under Dorothy Bell, Daniel Rodgers, and Elizabeth Allen; the care of Chestnut Hill Meeting in Philadelphia his 1$fandsons, John Bell, Peter Rodgers, and Dwight www.57thStreetMeeting.org/ Call.pdf in 1990. They went to Taos, N.Mex., in 1999, Rodgers; and his sister, Eleanor Macdonald. when Jane became a member of the Mounrain [email protected] Home Health Care staff as nurse and hospice Rogers-Burton Brush Rogers, 98, on June 18, Text or Ca ll : 312-480-0252 nurse. She was particularly happy being associated 2007, in Lexington, Ky. Burton was born on May with the program at Mountain Home and with the 3, 1909, on a farm in Sherman, Conn., to Ruth staff, many of whom came to be with her in her Brush Rogers and John Theodore Rogers. Burton final days in Santa Fe. She was beloved by her hos grew up in the Congregational Church, where he pice patients and by the staff at Mountain Home played the organ for hymn singing. He was greatly G Health Care. Jane was a member of Clearlight influenced by the values and traditions of his Worship Group in Taos and always looked forward Quaker grandmother. In 1930 Burton received his to Intermountain Yearly Meeting. She and her fam BA in American History from Yale University. He F ily participated actively in all events. Jane was assis then went to Changsha, China, and taught English tant clerk of the meeting in the final year of her life. under the Yale-in-China program. After four years, s She was also a regular attender at women's gather he returned to Yale for his master's in Education Germantown Friends School ings sponsored by meetings around the state. Jane and then studied linguistics and phonetics at the is survived by her husband, Lowber Welsh; her University of London, where he met his future (215) 951-2345 daughter, Alicia Robinson Welsh; mother, Gwen wife, Mary Blagden. While living in London, he Please come to our Open Houses: Robinson; sisters, Tracy and Leslie Robinson; and came upon Friends House and went in, out of • Oct. 13, Saturday, 2-4 p.m. her brother, Matthew Robinson. curiosity, beginning a lifelong association with (registration ends at 3 p.m.) Friends. He returned to China for another four • Nov. 12, Monday, 8:30 a.m. Rodgers-O/illt'7' Eliot Rodgers, 91, on August 29, years of teaching English at Yali Union Middle • May 16, 2008, Friday, 8:30 a.m. 2007, in Kennett Square, Pa. Oliver was born on School. Bunon's ability to recall details and share Dec. 12, 1915, in La Jolla, Calif., ro Eleanor Tracy his stories was legendary. His extensive travels 44 May 2008 FRIENDS ]OUR- included a trip across the Soviet Union on the Trans-Siberian Railroad without a legal visa in the Olney Friends School 1930s. During the summer of 1940, he crossed the Burma Hump to visit Mary, who was then teach Barnesville, OH Est. 1837 ing in Murhu, India. He stayed long enough for them to get married, and the school community planned and carried out their wedding. He taught Good schooL Good friends. one more year in China before the escalating war there drove them back to Connecticut. Burton • Intellectually challenging began srudying for a doctorate in Religious Educa tion at Yale Divinity School while he and Mary • College preparatory looked for work in a rural setting where the cur riculum extended beyond standard academics. l.n • Coeducational boarding 1942, afi:er just one term of studies, he accepted a position as counselor and teacher at Pine Mountain and day high school Settlement School in Harlan County, Ky. In 1945 Burton and Mary began rwo years' service in India • Supportive Quaker with AFSC's flood relief program. While in India, Burton met major figures in the Indian and Pak community istani independence movements, including Mohan das Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Mohammad Core values: Ali Jinnah. In 1947 Burton and Mary returned to Integrity, equality, peace, Pine Mountain, where he served over the years as simplicity, respect for the counselor, teacher, principal, director, and director environment and the individual. emerirus. While at Pine Mountain, Burton became a member ofWest Knoxville (Tenn.) Meeting and attended Southern Appalachia Yearly Meeting and Association. After Mary's death in 1993, Burton moved to Lexington, where he joined Lexington Meeting. Until his death, he hosted meetings of the Care and Nurrure and Ministry Worship commit tees. Burton is survived by his sons, Christopher and Peter Rogers; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; his sister, Malyn Karnenoff; and his sister-in-law, Alice Rogers. Seaver-Madge Tompkins Seaver, 98, on May 5, 2007, in Palo Alto, Cali£ Madge was born on July 8, 1908, in Pittsfield, Mass. After her father's death Quakerism.May in 1914, her mother moved the family to New Brunswick, Canada, returning to Pittsfield in 2008 1920. l.n 1926 Madge entered Barnard College in May 9-11 . New York, where she majored in English. In New How Quakers Read the Bible York, she met Benjamin Seaver, and they were mar ried soon afi:er her graduation, moving ro Philadel with Stephen W. Angell and Paul Buckley phia, Pa., where Ben worked as a textile designer. Their rwin sons, David and Paul, were born in Five Spiritual Principles 1932, and soon afi:er that Madge began her career with George Owen as an English reacher at South Philadelphia Girls High School. Madge had been raised a Unitarian May 12-16 and Ben a secular Jew, but neither had any religious The Unifying Legacy of Rufus Jones affuiation during the 1930s, although they were active in the Fellowship of Reconciliation. In 1941, with Stephen W. Angell Ben resigned his position when his firm received a large shirt order from the Marine Corps. Seeking May 19-23 fellows hip with like-minded people, they began to Give Us This Day attend Gwynedd (Pa.) Meeting. For Madge, silent with Barbarajene Williams worship and the community of Friends came as a revelation and a joyous sense of having found a May 23-26 spiritual home. She became a member in 1945 and Nurturing Faithfulness subsequently served as clerk of Gwynedd Meeting. Madge continued to teach English until 1953, with Marcelle Martin, Laura Melly, when she and Ben moved to San Francisco so he and Beckey Phipps could serve as Peace Education Secretary in the San Francisco office ofAFSC. In San Francisco, Madge served as a part-time receptionist at the AFSC office To find out more, contact: and in 1954 transferred her membership to San 800.742.3150 (US only) ext 3 A QUAKER CENTER FOR STUDY AND CONTEMPLATION Francisco Meeting. She was active in the quarterly 610.566.4507 ext 3 338 Plush Mill Road · Wallingford, PA 19086 and yearly meetings and served as clerk ofSan Fran [email protected] cisco Meeting and of Pacific Yearly Meeting. After www.pendlehill.org they retired, Madge and Ben served as Pacific Year- FRIENDS } OURNAL May 2008 45 ly Meeting's Friends in the Orient in Hong Kong Silver-Haired legislature, and other groups. After from University ofillin ois, majoring in Home Eco and then as the resident couple at Friends Center Bill's retirement, the couple spent a year in Tucson, nomics Education. In 1938, she married Roscoe R. in Auckland, New Zealand. They also spent a Ariz., and a year in Arlington, Tex., before return Giffin Jr., a sociology professor. Following his semester at Woodbrooke, England. In 1985, just ing to Morgantown. In 1999 they moved to death, she married Lyle E. Tatum in 1965. Flo was weeks before Ben died, they moved to Stevenson Atlanta, Ga., with their daughter. After trying an accomplished carpenter and architect, a curming House in Palo Alto. Ma~e was active in Palo Alto assisred living, in 200 1 they bought a house in Ping-Pong player, a lover of folk dance, and a life Meeting until well into her 90s, serving as clerk Decatur, Ga., where they lived with in-home care long advocate of eating whole grains and allowing &om 1986 to '88. Madge loved poetry and 19th until their deaths. Lurline was preceded in death by children to go barefoot. She was a member of Had century novels, and she became a diligent student her husband of 59 years, Wtlliam Squire. She is sur donfield (N.J.) Meeting for over 40 years. She sup of the Bible and of Christian and Quaker history. vived by her daughter, DeCourcy Lurline Squire; ported racial integration in Berea, Ky., marched on Madge is survived by one son, Paul Seaver. her son; four nephews, Roger Kelley, Scott Kelley, the Pentagon against nuclear weapons, picketed the Gordon Maxim-Kelley, and Harvey Scott; one White House during the Viemam War, and visited Squire-Lurlint Scott Squire, 90, on November 1, niece, T heo Scott-Scheiern; and two grand women prisoners at the Burlington County Jail. 2007, in Decatur, Ga. Lurline was born on July 13, nephews, James Kelley and Neal Scott-Scheiern. She and Lyle traveled to many areas of the world to 1917, in Chattanooga, Tenn., the oldest of four pursue peace and other Friends' activities. For the children born to Alice Estelle DeCourcy and Warn Squire-William Squire, 86, on July 11, 2007, in last 15 years of her life, she campaigned to rid the er Henry Harvey Scott. During the Depression, the Decatur, Ga. Bill was born on September 22, 1920, world of landrnines. Florence was preceded in family moved often, living in Chattanooga; St. in the Bronx, N.Y., to Russian Jewish immigrant death by her husband, Lyle Tatum, in 2006. She is Louis, Mo.; and Amarillo, Tex., where she graduat parents Nathan and Masha Otter Squire. From survived by six children, Jearmine Giffin, Susan ed &om Amarillo High School. Estelle's work as a childhood, he was an avid and enthusiastic learner Tatum Taylor, Diane Giffin Fernsler, Brian Giffin, teacher was the family's main support. Lurline's who delighted in reading. He delivered groceries by Steven Tatum, and Lawrence Giffin Tatum; 16 father died when she was in her early teens. Want bicycle for his father's store as a boy. He graduated grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two ing to pursue a career in mathematics, she attend from City College of New York in Chemistry in brothers, Howard]. and William J. Littell. ed University of Chattanooga, where she was told 1941. During World War ll, he worked in the Sig that there were no jobs for women in mathematics nal Corps, and after the war moved to Washington, White-Helm f0es Wright White, 92, on April13, beyond teaching high school and that she could not D.C., to work at the National Bureau of Standards 2007, at Friends Homes at Guilford in Greensboro. major in math unless she also took education (now the National Institute ofStandards and Tech N.C. Helen was born on March 1, 1915, in courses. After her graduation she taught kinder nology). In 1948, Bill married Lurline Scott, a fel Muncie, Ind., and grew up in Delaware. She garten for several years in Chattanooga. When low physicist, and moved to Buffalo, N.Y., where attended George School in Pa. and Earlham Col World War II started she moved to Washington, he worked for Cornell Aeronautical Labs and Bell lege where she studied under Thomas Kelly. She D.C. She worked at the National Weather Bureau Aircraft. He received a master's in Mathematics met her future husband, Edwin White, at the sec and then moved to the U.S. Bureau ofStandards as from University of Buffalo in 1958. In 1961 he ond World Conference of Friends in Swarthmore, a physicist. One of her areas of research was heat accepted a professorship in the Aerospace E~g.i Pa., in 1937. Helen received a master's from sensor and tracking devices. The dropping of the neering program on the faculty of West Virgm1a Winthrop University in South Carolina and taught two atomic bombs in Japan disturbed her. She dis University. He enjoyed his students and colleagues high school and college English in Rock Hill, S.C. covered the Religious Society of Friends and and took a special interest in international students. While living in Rock Hill, she helped to found became a member and pacifist. In 1948 she met He published numerous technical articles as well as Charlotte (N.C.) Meeting. She worked diligently William Squire, a young physicist who was also a textbook, Integration for Engineers, and a collec throughout her life for equality and justice for all working at the Bureau of Standards. They were tion of predictions of the future, Hits and Misses. people, participating in many local, national, and married that year and moved to Buffalo, N.Y., After retirement in 1986, he continued his own international organizations. She traveled to Europe, where Bill worked at Cornell Aeronautical Labs. research projects. Bill was also a valued and active Asia, Africa, and Central America, striving to fur Lurline did volunteer work with the League of attender of Monongalia (WVa.) Meeting, which ther world peace. In addition to having an interest Women Voters and taught First-day school at Buf his wife, Lurline, hJped establish. He was known in international afF.Urs, Helen was committed to fulo Meeting. The family moved to San Antonio, for his great curiosity, his distinctive and creative improving race relations in the community. She Tex., in 1959, and then to Morgantown, WVa., in mind, his thoughtful mentoring of young fac~ty, taught at Friendship Junior College, a small ~lack 1961. Lurline and Bill lived there until 1999. and his insatiabfe interest in his field beyond reure Baptist College, and was a member of the regional While Bill taught in the Aerospace Engineering ment. He was a voracious reader, and his interests Human Relations Commission and the League of program, Lurline worked toward her master's in were always wide-ranging, from math, science, and Women Voters. She participated in Friends World Mathematics. She attended Morgantown Meeting. chess to opera, theater, and politics. He was a gen Committee for Consultation, SERVAS (an inter When the family first moved to Morgantown, tle man with an inquiring mind, an intuitive math national exchange group), and Friends Committee there were still two segregated restaurants in town, ematical sense, a consistent respect for truth an? on National legislation. She served several years on and the family boycotted them. In the summer of exactitude, and a dry sense of humor. After hts the board ofAmerican Freedom Association, which 1965, Lurline and her daughter went to southwest retirement he researched the work of a little-known was afftliated with the World Federalists. Helen is Tennessee to volunteer in a Freedom School. but prolific Canadian inventor, Reginald Fes survived by her husband of 67 years, Edwin Chan Lurline was a leader in opposing the Viemam War, senden. After Bill and Lurline moved to Georgia dlee White; two sons, Edwin Chandlee White Jr. attending demonstrations, writing and visiting her in 1999, they became active in Atlanta Meeting, and Charles Frederick White; a daughter, Sylvia Congressional representatives, and helping to and Bill was a quiet, reflective supporter of the Sandra White; and two granddaughters, Cassandra organize antiwar activities locally. Her two children meeting. Bill's wife, Lurline, died a few months Ellen White and Sylvia Rose White. were also actively engaged in peace activities, and after him. He is survived by his daughter, DeCour Lurline supported them through their arrests. Soon cy Lurline Squire; his son; two nieces, Marian Wood-Frances Alice Edmonds WOod, 86, on May Lurline began working on issues of juvenile justice Robin and Theo Scott-Scheiern; five nephews, Eric 25, 2007, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. and the criminal justice system's approach to the Squire, Harvey Scott, Gordon Maxim-Kelley, Scott Fran was born on September 7, 1920, in Des treatment of minors. She helped start a branch of Kelley, and Roger Kelley; and seven grandnephews Moines, Iowa, and grew up in Cincinnati,_ Ofl!o. the Women's International League for Peace and and grandnieces. She attended Antioch College and the Umverstty Freedom. Lurline also helped to start Monongalia of Cincinnati, where she received an MD in 1947. Meeting. She greatly enjoyed teaching in the First Tatum-Florence (F/Q) Giffin Tatum, 93, on June When Fran entered medical school, she was one of day school and worked with the FGC Religious 27, 2007, in Ellicott City, Md. Flo was born on four women in the class, and she earned money to Education committee. She remained concerned May 26, 1914, in Chicago, ill., to Florence Isabelle defray expenses by exercising circus horses, stand about local politics and ran for City Council. As she Moore and Frederick J. Littell. In her youth, Flo ing on the backs of two at a time as they paced grew older she worked for better care for the elder was an excellent swimmer, champion roller skater, around the ring. She met her future husband, John lywith the Council for Senior West Vuginians, the and serious student of the piano. She graduated Thornton Wood, as an intern in Englewood, N.J. May 2008 FRIENDS ]oUR- • These are difficult times in The couple settled in Williamsburg, Va., where • publishing, especially for Fran pursued a degree in psychiatry. After living in various communities in the South, they lived in He Ip secure • small non-profits. At FRIENDS Ann Arbor, Mich:; Champaign, Ill.; and Madison, JouRNAL, income from Wis. In 1968, distraught by the Vietnam war, they emigrated to Victoria, B.C. The family attended the future of • subscriptions and advertising Victoria Meeting. Fran worked at the Duncan and revenue covers only 52 percent of Saanich Menral Health Centres. After retiring in 1975, she studied oceanography, geography, mete FRl ENDS • what i_t costs to produce the orology, vegerarian cooking, Spanish, Hinduism, magazme. You can play a and sewing. She and John shared interests in natu ral history, camping, sailing, photography, and painting. For many years they enjoyed British JOURNAL • ~~:r~~:;:~:~nJ~~=~th:nd Columbia waters, participating in the Canadian Power Squadron, an organization providing boat • our goal of building readership ing and water safety training. After John's death in • among Friends of all ages-by 1990, Fran joined the Saanich Probus C lub, attending lectures and editing the newsletter. She contributing a planned gift that fits also enjoyed the "Dine with a Scientist" events at your needs. Such a gift allows even University ofVictoria. She attended theater, opera, FRIENDS -~~~ ~ and Art Gallery exhibits and enjoyed knitting, JOURNAL i!r those of modest means to contribute reading, sharing books with a book circle, and significantly to the ministry of the watching videos with friends. She remained pas sionately interested in medicine. Frances became a written word found in FRIENDS member of Saanich Peninsula Meeting near Victo JouRNAL, because such a gift can ria. In her early 70s she became a committed veg an and shared her insights and concerns generous provide lifetime income and '"!';UUli.A1uL 1 ly. Fran was an ardent environmentalist, suppon tax benefits for the donor. ing the Land Conservancy of British Columbia and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. She was devoted. to her family, which she expanded For 52 years, the written words of with informal adoptio.ns. Fran believed that all life should be approached with realism, optimism, and Friends have informed, enriched, and quiet courage. She showed all these qualities in her nurtured' our Quaker community. final, painful illness. Three days before she died, she summoned her family and physicians and told Your contribution to this ministry is them that although she had always hoped to live to critically important as it helps us to be 93, she woufd continue only with sufficient medication to reduce her suffering without cloud ensure a lasting, vital connection ing her consciousness. She then directed that her N among Friends. And your gift- as be removed. Fran was preceded in death by her husband, John Thornton Wood. She is survived by simple as a line in your will-provides her children, John F. Wood, Susan Wood, and Ster a legacy that can help sustain the lingWood. publication of Quaker thought for decades to come. Gifts can be funded beneficiary in your will with cash, stock or other property. Please send us your marriage and a charitable gift annuity union announcements for Milestones. FRIENDS JOURNAL Include names of both partners, meet Want to know more? ing affiliation, location, date, where the couple currently lives, as well as other interesting or unique facts: a line from Please contact our development your vows, a description of an interest staff at: ing piece of the ceremony, etc. 1216 Arch Street, 2A nclll.ld4!5 FRIENDS JOURNAL Philadelphia, PA 19107 beneficiary [email protected] a gift to our Term Endowment Fund (8oo) 471-6863 term) FRIENDS JOURNAL FRIENDS JOURNAL May 2008 47 Forum continued from page 5 Sweet fond Leo and national candidates should be asked repeatedly, "Will you sponsor legislation and then vote for or sign a bill requiring full Communit~ public financing of election campaigns?" K C (Chad) Murdock Pearl River, N.Y Available Now Was it meant as a code word? cohousing communit~ Yesterday at a campaign rally in Cincinnati, a speaker named Bill Cunningham, who apparently is a radio 9 eco-triendl~ homes show host, repeatedly referred to candidate Barack Obama as Barack Hussein Obama. Of course, this is Mr. Obama's full name. 8) beatitul acres Did this speaker assume he could frighten the audience by calling attention to someone's middle name as a son of code word for Guilford, Vermont Muslim? Was it the speaker's inference, that a U.S. citizen should be feared as a candidate because he has a Muslim name? Did the LE..E..D-certitied speaker mean to suggest that a U.S. citizen should not be considered for public office whose faith is Islam? And did the speaker more info at: mean to imply that all people with the name Hussein have to be of the Muslim faith? One www .sweetpond.info would hope that almost every U.S. citizen is enlightened enough to be insulted by such attempted manipulation. Needless to say, there are millions of U.S. citizens who are of A Vibrant City. the Muslim faith. And needless to say, Hussein is an honorable name held by A Close Community. thousands across the Middle East, Africa, Central and South ASia, and Pacific rim A Culture of Learning. countries. If indeed such simple-headedness has an appeal we are in trouble, and the bunch that wanted to scare evenness and sense out of us, and turn us against our own values through the 9/11 events, will have had a success. Did Bill Cunningham assume there are U.S. citizens who are so uninformed that his words would influence them? It seems to me we should be very concerned about even the possibility that some would find such demagoguery of interest. Donovan Russell Moravia, N.Y. Costa Rica presents Quaker opportunlttes Savor the flavor of Costa Rica. Here in San Jose, the capital and home to over a million people, one can find a small but A college preparatory, coed, Quaker day school, growing Quaker meeting, cradled in one of pre-k through 12, at 17th on The Parkway in the world's most lovable cities. Located at the Center City Philadelphia. Admission and open Casa Ridgeway, Centro de Amigos Para Ia house information: 215.561.5900 ext 104. www.friends-select.org Paz near the courthouses and within walking distance of many cultural attractions like the National Theater, pre-Columbian jade and May 2008 FRIENDS ]oUR- • \.LA))Itlt.U Quaker doctoral candidate seeks Quakers currently living in New England who objected to U.S. military service during the Vietnam Era to take part in a qualitative research study on gold museums, and many world class conscientious objecting. Interviews will be planned for spring Classified rate is 80e per word. Minimum charge is restaurants-Qr just simply a central walking of 2008. For more information, please email FRIENDSJ OURNAL May 2008 49 Do you care about the future Scattergood Friends School, a coed, Quaker high school of the Religious Society of Friends? located in West Branch, Iowa, is accepting applications for Support growing meetings and a spiritually vital Quak· openings to begin in the summer of 2008. Scattergood is a erism for all ages with a deferred gift to Friends Gen· college preparatory boarding school emphasizing academic eral Conference (bequest, charitable gift annuity, trust). excellence, community living, and Quaker values. We are For information, please contact Michael Concernedc5i~ seeking qualified candidates for the following positions: Aca Wajda at FGC, 1216 Arch Street, 2·B, Singles links socially conscious singles demic Coordinator, Business Manager, and ESL tNcher. Concerned who We also seek applicants for possible openings for a Human Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 561· care about peace, social justice, race, gender equity, envi· 1700; May 2008 FRIENDS jOURNAL Retirement Uving Schools Calllgrapher(NEYM) creates individually designed marriage certificates, birth/naming documents for newborn or adopted Friends Homes, Inc., founded by North Caroli ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL. Boarding and day school for children, and other one-of-a-kind documents. na Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, has grades 7-9. Small academic classes consensus decision See samples of my work at FRIENDS j OURNAL May 2008 51 A campaign to raise $200,000,000 to fund the Ameri can Friends Service Committee's programs for peace, justice and human dignity that will give practical assis tance and hope in the United States and abroad - now and for generations to come. Be looking for more infor mation in the coming months about how you can help. Thank you for your support of AFSC's ongoing witness to Quaker values. American Friends Service Committee www.afsc.org PhotO$: Jim wasserman (C8mbodllt); AFSC Archives (Mexico worl