The Living Light

“...and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14

Volume 54, Number 7 First Friends Church of Whittier Seventh Month, 2015 Learning to Listen Our 20th annual Friendly Neighbors Peace Camp is one of the most important forms of outreach at First Friends. All children from surronding neighborhoods are invited to participate in five days of arts and crafts, games and songs, and education in various forms of peacemaking. Peace Camp will take place Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. An organizing committee headed by Justine Whitehead has selected the theme “Hearing Each Other.” Committee members will contribute their many special skills to the actual operation. They include Carrin Bouchard, Marilyn Fant, Russ Litchfield and Darrell Young Friends Honored On Warren. As always, a cadre of veteran Peace Campers from the Meeting’s Youth Fellowship will serve as Promotion Sunday counselors. There will be outings to local places of interest pertinent to learning listening skills. As always, Kat Ryder and Bella Sturr sang a spiritual duet “See parents of Peace Campers are invited to participate in You Again” to open Meeting for Worship on June 14. demonstrations and wrap -up activities on the final Friday. Lynda Ladwig continued that theme in her introduction to Operating funds for this year’s Peace Camp were Promotion Sunday, saying “Christian Education is not raised at three Peace Café benefit events over the last something that stops.” She paid tribute to Darrell Warren year. Many members of our Meeting, including several of for his years of devoted work with the Adult Sunday our youth, worked hard in contributing their skills and School. The great contribution of Darrell and the other talents to these popular cabaret -night fundraisers. Sunday School workers — Tish Purkiss, Mel Sturr and Registration for Peace Camp began the last week of Becky Overmyer -Velazquez — was evident in the poise June. The fee is $50 per child and $40 for each additional and idealism in the faces of the five young Friends on the child in the same family. Some scholarship funds are facing bench awaiting their recognition. available. Tish and Mel presented continuation certificates to Let’s help get the word out about Peace Camp! Call Sunday Schoolers, starting with nursery class members the church office for registration information. Avalon and Landon Caringella. They also went to Ashley — Bob Newton Ryder and Lara Wemmerus, who both go on to 6th grade this fall, and to Samantha Cramer and Wes Van Dorn, who both graduated from high school this spring. Nathan Jones was awarded a Chronological Study Bible in Summer Meeting for Worship recognition of his recent graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in sociology from the University of California at July 5 through September 6 Irvine. Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall Continued on Page 3 2

Becky Overmyer -Velazquez and daughters, Amara Friendly Fare by Lea Wright and Zoe, spent a week mid -June in Vancouver, B.C. Dear Friends, As we go to press with our first summer visiting grandparents and doing fun things with friends issue of The Living Light we are looking forward to like biking around Stanley Park and swimming (lots of having a bit of a break from our normally hectic lives. Do swimming!) Tina Buell & her husband Jerry Post may we really think the pace will slow down? With 5 or 6 have forgotten to take The Living Light with them to weekly concerts and picnics in the park, things are just Texas (so no picture), but they had a great time visiting beginning to pick up. Jerry’s kids and his grand kids. One of his four New Friends: Rob & Sue Settlage welcomed Trinity grandchildren just graduated from high school. His Juliet Solís , their 4th grandchild & 2nd granddaughter grandchildren range in age from 24 to 14. Tina said, “The who arrived in May. Proud parents are Amanda Settlage dry southern California will be a welcome relief from the & Juan Carlos Solis . Trinity, who lives in Belmont Texas humidity.” They traveled from Copperas Cove, Shore, Long Beach, will spend workdays with near Fort Hood to Corpus Christi. Ted & Mary grandparents Sue & Rob in Whittier when her mother Marshburn travelled north of Sacramento and Amanda returns to work at the Rancho Los Amigos attended a family reunion of about 100 cousins of the Foundation in September. Milhous family on a cattle ranch near Auburn CA in early Friends Celebrate: Hubert Perry celebrated his 102nd June. On Sunday birthday on June 11, unfortunately in the hospital. He they visited the returned to his home after a short hospital stay. Grass Valley Friends Travel: On her trip east last month, Elinore Friends Meeting Petoletti visited a working at Nevada City windmill in Holland, MI. Here CA. This picture she is with The Living Light was taken at the continuing our tradition: “ The Post Office in Living Light Auburn which Travels .” (Remember, your opened July 21, submissions are welcome and 1853. When they needed.) Carol Urner flew to arrived home, Europe in April on her 86th granddaughter birthday to attend the Centennial Bethany arrived for the summer, returning from a Congress of the Women’s short study program in Colombia. International League for Peace Friends Remember: This month we said good -bye to and Freedom (WILPF) held in The Hague where the Judith Austin who passed away. All six of Judith’s organization was founded. Before returning to Whittier sons, who grew up in Rochester NY, (and four of whom she spent several days as an observer at the U.N. in N.Y., still live in the East) were in Whittier for their mother’s then stopped in Washington DC to do more lobbying for memorial service at First Friends on June 12. Sympathy to the abolition of nuclear weapons. She left Whittier for her the Sturr family on the death of Sharon ’s sister, Sandy, usual summer in Portland OR on June 1st. George & after an eleven year fight with cancer. Sharon and Jasmine Carrin Bouchard drove up north where they visited were able to go visit to see her just before she died. Adam & Stacy Day and Harry & Ann Eggleton . School and Work News: Recent high school graduates Somewhere along the way they ran into Tammy Van Dorn include Samantha Cramer , Emma McIntosh, Weston & her boyfriend, Nolan Luther . Sounds like a fun trip. Van Dorn and Alli Wright. Nathan Jones graduated Cum Laude with a major in Sociology from UC, Irvine. Coming from Indianapolis to attend Nathan’s graduation, Rex & Paula Jones visited First Friends on Promotion Sunday. Both Nathan and Melissa are now living in Whittier. Loletta Barrett gave a presentation on Namibia at the United Church of Christ‘s annual gathering held in San Diego the first weekend of June. She is pleased that her niece who just graduated from college has been accepted by the veterinary school of her choice and will be starting in August. Friends Sharing News: Help to keep the Friendly Fare going. Email me a quick note and tell me your news. Send to Lea at [email protected], or deliver to me at church on Sunday. See you next month! 3

Art and Peace Come Together Promotion Sunday continued from Page 1 Marilyn Fant explained the Larry, Lucy and George Many First Friends members are gifted with artistic Davidson Award, which is given to young Friends talent, and they used it to good purpose at Peace Café on deemed exemplary in their devoted participation in the May 27. Donations by patrons of the cabaret event go to Meeting, particularly if they have shared their musical and support the Peace Camp being held at the end of this other talents at such activities as Meeting for Worship or month. Peace Camp. Amara Overmyer and Anathea Woirhaye, Amara Overmyer, Kat Ryder and Anathea Woirhaye this year’s awardees, are well known for these are all veteran Peace Campers and Peace Camp contributions. Marilyn gave a short tribute to each, citing counselors. Kat and her Whittier High school friend their specific Meeting activities. Samantha Montoya sang a modern -idiom spiritual. Amara Next came the Mildred Votaw Jessup Scholarship. and Kat each sang, accompanying themselves on the This is a monetary award to recognize and encourage piano. Amara, Kat and Anathea collaborated in a trio. college -bound or in -college students. Marilyn called Anathea, who has been accepted at Orange County School Samantha Cramer to come up from the congregation. of the Arts, offered the clever introspective monologue Samantha had a straight A average in her four years at she used for her audition. The audience responded with California High School, and many awards, including a prolonged clapping and cheers. medal for her outstanding art work. She plans to start college at Rio Hondo Community College in the fall. Weston Van Dorn graduated from Patriot High School in Riverside with an impressive list of accomplishments, including being elected to the California All -State Honors Choir with the highest score among his auditioning group. He plans to start preparing for a medical career at San Antonio Community College. Jacy Purkiss, attending summer school and going into her junior year at UC Santa Barbara, was the third Davidson awardee. She wants eventually to take up psychiatry. Carrin Bouchard introduced a new achievement award, the Coffin Peace Memorial, sponsored by siblings Carrin, Jerry, Audine and Janice in memory of their parents, Joe and Audine Coffin. Carrin spoke a few words As always, our singer -composers Jo Nita Beede and about the legendary efforts in peacemaking of her parents, Holly Overin were mainstays of the event. Holly and her well known to First Friends members. She then presented “Vicissitunes” colleagues Mark Moran and Charell sang Samantha Cramer and Wes Van Dorn with scholarship several of Holly’s original ballads. Other acts included a awards. As a tribute to Joe Coffin, Carrin read some presentation of Deanna Woirhaye’s photography with excerpts from her father’s collection of favorite essays. background music such as “Simple Gifts” played by As is customary, members of the Sunday School pianist Russ Litchfield, and a Turkish Sufi dance by guest groups participated in the Promotion Sunday Meeting. artist Marguerite Stayton. As she whirled, her traditional Ethan Purkiss and Lara Wemmerus read the scripture costume unfolded to reveal a long bright red skirt. from Daniel and 2 Timothy, Ashley Ryder gave the Peace -related exhibits were provided by the Whittier offertory prayer, and Bella Sturr the children’s message. Area Peace and Justice Coalition and guest exhibitor The message, entitled “Going Forward,” was brought by Aissa Ayoob brought a lovely collection of woven scarves Wes Van Dorn. and Afghan -made silver and turquoise jewelry for sale to Wes believes the spiritual and moral guidance given benefit the Akora Khattak Afghan Refugee Girls Schools him at First Friends has helped him have the confidence to in Pakistan. Holly Overin created a table of spiritualistic have undertaken and succeeded in several different fields, pictures and objects on the peace motif. including music, literature, poetry and sports. He urged us Throughout the evening patrons enjoyed the splendid to be grateful for the God -given ability to acquire array of snacks prepared by Carrin and George Bouchard knowledge and skills. and Jerry Coffin, including elegant almond -honey The Young Friends who participated in the crackers and cherry cookies baked by Carrin. She has promotions ceremony were surrounded by loving friends been an organizer of the event since it was first held in and relatives at the rise of Meeting in the foyer and over 2004. Since that time, Peace Café has become one of our refreshments in Founders Court. most enjoyable and successful outreach projects. This — Bob Newton spring event brought in $450 for Peace Camp. — Bob Newton 4 Palestinians Ask Christians To “Tell Our Story”

The joint Global Ministries program of the Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ (UCC) denominations has provided All Friends Fellowship Night with some good travelogue programs. The latest was on June 5, at the last AFFN of the current season, when we heard from Nancy Fowler, an ordained Disciples minister. A friend and classmate of Loletta Barrett at Claremont School of Theology, Nancy received her M.Div. degree from Claremont and is currently a PhD student there. Elizabeth Beavers with Sue & Rob Settlage Nancy’s new ministry is leading groups on short mission trips to Israel and to see for themselves When Police the challenges to peace in the area. Through slides and Look Like the Military narrative, Nancy told of her most recent trip in March that took eleven Protestant clergy and church members from Over the past 15 years, the Pentagon has donated southern California to for a 10 -day stay. Led billions of dollars worth of military equipment to police in by Metri Raheb, an Arab Christian and author of the cities across the country. Those cities include Whittier, recent book Faith in the Face of Empire: The Bible which recently acquired a mine -resistant, ambush - Through Palestinian Eyes , their study focused on protected vehicle (MRAP). understanding the deepening political crisis in the Friends discussed the use of military equipment by Mideast. law enforcement after Meeting for Worship on May 17. Bus excursions took the group to places with names Elizabeth Beavers, Legislative Associate on Militarism familiar from the Bible such as Hebron, Jericho and the and Civil Liberties for Friends Committee on National Jordan River. All of these, tragically, are prominent in Legislation, led the exchange of ideas on how best to today’s news. Nancy showed us huge Palestinian refugee equip police, if such equipment is necessary to protect and camps, the high wall with guard towers that separates to serve, and how militarization is affecting local Israel from the territories it occupies, and the security communities. check -points which Palestinians must go through on foot FCNL’s efforts have focused on stopping weapons in tedious single -file to visit or work in Israel. and equipment used for war zones from being used on city In view of the current expansion -oriented streets. Central to this concern is that such use makes it administration of Israel, the plight of the disenfranchised too easy for police to think of citizens as enemies, Palestinians’ prospects for peace with justice seems exacerbates tension and increases the likelihood of progressively more hopeless. However, the travel group disorder and violence. Such use, as occurred in Ferguson, observed a spirit of unquenchable hope among the MO, violence, may make the community see the police as Palestinians and sympathy and found support for them an occupying force, out of touch with and out of the among Jewish Israelis. They were encouraged by recent control of local residents. movement in world public opinion on the urgency of The discussion could not have been more timely. On addressing both Palestinian justice issues and Israeli the day after the Whittier conversation, President Obama security fears. issued an executive order banning the federal government In addition to Raheb’s book, Nancy recommended from sending some types of military equipment to local Occupied With Nonviolence by Jean Zaru, an U.S. police departments. — Elisabeth Elliot internationally known Quaker living in . She also encourages us to explore Churches for Middle East Peace at www.cmep.org and Rabbis for Human Rights at www.rhr.org.il/eng/. Picnics in the Park Friends thanked Nancy for giving us an informative Every Wednesday through August 5 6:00 p.m. and moving program. AFFN organizers Ted and Mary Michigan Park Marshburn have visited the Ramallah Friends Schools in (at the corner of La Cuarta Street and Michigan Avenue) occupied Palestine which our Meeting supports and where Bring food and drinks to share our late member Peggy Paull served as Principal. For the and your own table service. evening, Mary wore her RFS T -shirt, with the school’s name in beautiful Arabic calligraphy. — Bob Newton JJJULY 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Schedule for Sundays 1 2 3 4 6:00p Picnic in Office Closed— Unprogrammed Worship—9:00a the Park 4th of July First Day Classes—Not Meeng in Holiday Summer Months Meeng for Worship—10:00a in Fellowship Hall 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11:15a Youth Wring Class 7:00a Spiritual 10:00a 6:30p Fellowship Dinner Play resumes in Growth Group Personnel Movie Night Rehearsal September 9:15a Trustees Commiee (suitable for 8:00p M&C Meeng youth over age 4:00p Pastoral 12) featuring Care Commiee Amazing Grace 6:00p Business [see the arcle & Finance on page 6 of this Commiee issue] 6:00p Picnic in the Park

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 11:15p Monthly Friendly Fare 7:00a Spiritual Living Light Meeng—Lunch Deadline Growth Group Arcle Deadline will not be 10:00a 6:00p Picnic in served this Quiltmakers the Park month.

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 11:15a Youth Youth Leave for Youth Summer Editors Youth Summer Youth Return Dinner Play Quaker Center Retreat @ Compose Living Retreat @ from Quaker Rehearsal Quaker Center Light Quaker Center Center 11:15a Chrisan 7:00a Spiritual Youth Summer Ed Commiee Growth Group Retreat @ Quaker Center 6:00p Picnic in the Park

26 27 28 29 30 31 11:15a Youth 9:00a Peace 7:00a Spiritual Living Light 9:00a Peace 9:00a Peace Dinner Play Camp Growth Group Folding Camp Camp Rehearsal 9:00a Peace 9:00a Peace Camp Camp 6:00p Picnic in the Park

If we've missed your Travis Allen Allison Coop birthday, we apologize (and Elinore Petole Eric Bald Amanda Cramer happy birthday)! We're Bey Sargent Carrin Bouchard Harry Eggleton working hard to keep our Pay Tillman Ken Camp William Graham birthday calendar up-to- Marcia Vaden Cassie Caringella Lynda Ladwig date so please let us know if Donald Votaw we're forgeng anyone. Jon-Paul Cook Les Marshall Thank you! “The purpose of this unique event was to ignite a flame in all of us to get to know God better,” says Lynda Ladwig, who was one of the conference’s small group presenters. “I was on the planning committee, and I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I was pretty impressed. There was never any doubt about the theological diversity that would be represented, from the venue to the members. We were hoping for the presence of the Holy Spirit to unify us, and that is exactly what happened. It did feel very much like we were in the presence of God throughout the weekend.” Following the opening session with Colin, and the first of the many simple home -cooked but hearty meals provided by the hospitable staff, we were led into our first home group session by a “Concert of Prayer,” coordinated by Charlotte Stangeland and Mary Glenn Hadley. This “California 7” Gets Fired Up! was described as a “solid block of time spent with the Lord and with others in seeking Him in prayer…a time to slow our pace of life and focus on the Lord for a set “Let me set aside the baggage that I have brought with period and to commune with Him through prayer, me to this conference,” announced Colin Saxton in the scripture, and singing.” We focused on the early church’s opening session of the Friends United Meeting’s “Stoking receiving of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2. The the Fire” conference in May. Seven representatives from central message was that intimacy with God leads to First Friends made the journey to Milford, Ohio: Lynda purity, and purity leads to unity. It was one of many Ladwig, Russ Litchfield, Jacy Purkiss, Candice Ryder, powerful reminders throughout the weekend of the vital Jasmine Sturr, Deanna Woirhaye, and Leah Wright. They importance of vocal, corporate prayer in our meetings. were with 47 Friends from around the and The morning worship message was brought to us Kenya. daily by local pastor Doug Haag, with musical inspiration Colin, the General Secretary of FUM, got our provided by Janine Saxton. Following breakfast each day, attention with his words and even more when he pulled home groups met to learn practical implementation of out a suitcase, unzipped it, and set its individual items on structured discernment, intercession, and accountability a small table at the center of the room. With the placement among Friends. These powerful tools were meant to be of each very personal, symbolic item (such as his cell brought back to our meetings to strengthen each of our phone and motorcycle helmet), he described the faith communities. significance of each in his life and how it could distract Two plenary sessions by Noah Baker Merrill him from being truly present at this event. Next, he reminded us (as Colin did) to let go of what keeps us from handed out slips of paper and invited us to identify our truly getting closer to God. He explained that many times own “baggage,” marking the beginning of our journey in the Bible, the invitation is given to “come and see.” We through what turned out to be much more than a religious must ask ourselves what we need to let go of before we conference or weekend retreat. It was, as our seven can “join the Teacher and abide in the ‘house of now’.” Is representatives describe it, “intimate, transformational, it our connections to our past, our privilege, our authentic and a powerful invitation to move in closer to possessions, our habits, our history, our identity, our God.” expectations, or even our institutions? “When we are “Be proof that God exists…and the Holy Spirit will willing to let everything go, then we can accept the fill you. Believe!” was how one delegate from Tennessee invitation.” He also implored us as Quakers to set aside introduced himself. - - - our fear as we watch our meeting numbers dwindle, and This first of its kind program was scheduled to instead return to our roots as a radical movement. coincide with the traditional celebration of Pentecost “85% of those surveyed in a recent poll felt that a Sunday. The Jesuit Spirituality Center was an ideal personal relationship with God is essential. …The world setting, with its 35 acres of pristine grounds (very green to needs a church that is in it - not afraid of or trying to leave these California eyes), a short hiking trail to the Little it. Do not fear. Keep up the courage. While the ship may Miami River, a diverse collection of religious artwork, be lost, not a soul will be.” and even an outdoor labyrinth. Daily unstructured time — Candice Ryder and the nearly perfect weather of late May allowed plenty of opportunities to commune and connect with the wonder of God through nature and beauty. Look for more news from “Stoking the Fire” in the next Living Light . 5

Summer at This Month in Whittier Friends School Meeting for Worship July 5 Meeting for Worship at 10 a.m. With the support of parent volunteers, Whittier Fellowship Hall Friends School plans to collect money for parking spaces Loletta Barrett will bring the message in the church parking lot during the six Concerts in the Take Nothing Park, taking place Monday evenings beginning July 6 at Central Park. This little fundraiser helps support the Mark 6:1-13 school during the lean months of summer while giving the July 12 Meeting for Worship at 10 a.m. school parents and kids a chance to visit with each other at Fellowship Hall the concert. Come on out and visit us! Lynda Ladwig will bring the message June brought endings, beginnings, and changes to our Let it Go school. We had three intermediate students graduate from our school: Anathea Woirhaye, Avon Dhawal and Hunter Hebrews 12: 1-2 and Matthew 11: 28-30 Collins. These three friends were with us since preschool, July 19 Meeting for Worship at 10 a.m. so it is inspiring to see all they have accomplished. We Fellowship Hall look forward to hearing about all of their continued Loletta Barrett will bring the message adventures. We also had 15 preschoolers graduate from Walk our preschool this year. As of press date, our Transitional Mark 6: 30-56 Kindergarten/Kindergarten/1st grade classroom has eight enrolled, all graduates from our preschool. July 26 Meeting for Worship at 10 a.m. Fellowship Hall Loletta Barrett will bring the message Words and Images

Psalm 145

On Our Calendar... Youth beach cleanup September 19 Mystery Dinner Theatre October 3 We are pleased to report that Marielle Askew has “Hawaiian Heist” been hired to teach our Transitional Kindergarten/ Kindergarten/First Grade class next year. Marielle is a Stewardship Month Starts October 25 graduate of Whittier College, has a Special Education credential and has had a long association with the school. At Monthly Meeting on June We are very excited by the prospects of moving Marielle 14, the Business and Finance to her own classroom and collaborating with her as a full - Committee reported the time, salaried teacher. Next school year, Cassie Caringella wonderful news that monthly will be teaching 2nd thru 6th grade as Elementary giving has increased as Plans for Director and Alicia Atkinson will be directing the Support continue to come in. (If Preschool. you haven’t submitted your plan, Our preschool remains open during the summer. The [email protected] fall school year begins on Tuesday, September 1st for all to make arrangements.) three classrooms. The students will be studying such Western Association of the Religious Society of Friends topics as Early Civilization and Biomes. We look forward has been presented with a minute from New York Yearly to the changes and growth we see happening around us. Meeting requesting the release of Leonard Peltier from — Cassie Caringella, prison. Friends are encouraged to visit www.freeleonard.org for information in order to further discuss this matter at Monthly Meeting on July 12. Lunch will not be served at Monthly Meetings in the summer months of July and Remember the Red Wagon August and the meeting will be held one hour earlier as will when you do your grocery shopping. Meeting for Worship. Friends may bring their own lunch. 6

The “Amazing Grace” of Shakespeare Company’s Romola Garai and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore in the HarryPotter films) is the Changing the World politically canny Charles Fox. Admission to Fellowship Movie Night is free and the

William Wilberforce has a dilemma. As a young community is invited. The film is suitable for youth over Member of Parliament, does he pursue a promising future 12 and parents are advised that the film contains scenes - in politics? Or, as a newly awakened Christian, does he do depicting violence and the cruelty of slavery as well as the work of God? The answer comes over dinner with a some swearing and racist language. Study guides will be group of social activists. “We humbly suggest,” says available for students. You can watch a preview of the reformer Hannah More, “that you can do both.” film on our website at www.firstfriendswhittier.org.

This is a familiar theme to Quakers, of course, and The reason this film was chosen for Fellowship Movie one that is at the center of the film Amazing Grace , to be Night is simple,” says Elisabeth Elliot, who will lead screened at Fellowship Movie Night on Friday, July 10 at discussion before and after the movie. “Not enough

7 p.m. people have seen it.” Amazing Grace introduces us to Wilberforce and the struggle to abolish the slave trade in Great Britain. The movement, started by Quakers, has stalled and Handbell Concert Thrills Wilberforce is stirred to action through his friendship with William Pitt (played by Benedict Cumberbatch in one of A dozen handbell players pealed their way down the his first important roles) and members of what became center aisle of the First Friends Meeting Room to open known as “The Clapham Saints,” including several what proved to be one of the most enjoyable, and certainly Quakers, Hannah More, the fiery Thomas Clarkson one of the most unusual, music performances ever held (Rufus Sewell) and former slave Olaudah Equiano (played there. by Senegalese singer and activist Youssou N’Dour). But The black -garbed musicians assembled on the there are politicians and power brokers with a vested platform, 10 players in front and 2 behind, their shining financial interest in the trade and unlikely coalitions have bells before them on covered tables. Most of their pieces to be made and then prevented from collapse. A sweeping were written for handbells. They showed a great diversity historical epic that is part political thriller and part of tone and expression that most concert -goers would personal drama, Amazing Grace is a moving and exciting hardly have suspected. This musical medium requires tale of the kind of fascinating men and women who impeccable precision to be effective, and the musicians, quietly change the world. under the baton of Alex Guebert, performed at the necessary high level. Four of the pieces were transcriptions from classical orchestral works. There was Elgar’s “August 9th Adagio,” the “Allegro” of Vivaldi, augmented by J.S. Bach, “The Sunken Cathedral” tone poem by Debussy, and an electrifying piece, “Bugler’s Holiday” by Anderson, that was as exciting on bronze as on the original brass. Another thrilling piece, pertinent to our area, was “Tremors,” by Glasgow. This tone poem was so well done, from the first heart -stopping jolt to the relief of subsiding quivers, that many of our seism -conscious Southlanders must have gotten goose -bumps. The final number was performed after a brief free -will offering collected by Russ Litchfield, Jo Nita Beede, and Pat Garland. “Dorian Dance” by Joy was an all -out revelry of sheer exuberance. The musicians got a prolonged standing Wilberforce is played by Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, ovation from the audience of over 100. who is better known to American audiences for his roles Linda Krantz, so well -known to First Friends from her in action films such as The Fantastic Four and the current many appearances as handbell soloist at our Meeting for San Andreas . Albert Finney plays John Newton, author of Worship, is the principal founder of L.A. Bronze, now in the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Newton was a captain of its 4th season. During the June 7 concert she frequently slave ships before becoming a priest who lives “in the manipulated four bells simultaneously, with the grace and company of 20,000 ghosts.” Barbara Spooner, who animation that we remember so well. becomes Wilberforce’s wife, is played by the Royal — Bob Newton 7 Loletta’s Lines As a kid, my expectations for summer adventures were of joy in experiencing the world - World Series baseball, camping under the stars, swimming through undersea caverns, climbing Mount Everest, swinging over piranha infested waters, navigating lava pits, and all that just in our own backyard! Summer often brings a change Blessed Are the in activity for people and organizations, and our Meeting is no exception. In some places the activities decreases a Peacemakers lot, but they don’t seem to here! While some things go on hiatus until September, (Monthly Mission Monday, All “True peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the Friends Fellowship Night, Movie Night), there are other presence of justice.” These words of the 1931 Nobel things we do that are special to summer time, like Peace Peace Prize winner Jane Addams are cherished by the Camp and weekly picnics in the park. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, And we do Meeting for Worship differently. It is the organization that Jane Addams helped found in 1915 earlier, and we move to Fellowship Hall —a different and which today remains an active and highly regarded environment in which to experience worship, praise and part of the world peace effort. Carol Urner, who brought prayer together. We also have different ways of presenting the worship message on May 31, is prominent among music and thoughts and prayer and silence to uplift, today’s WILPF peace -workers and for several years has encourage, and motivate our spirits. been national Co -Chair of its committee on disarmament All of that is to say, we will have an opportunity to and putting an end to war. listen to God and each other in different ways, at different Carol chose the title “Seek Peace and Pursue It,” as times, at different levels. So I look forward to letting go of quoted from Psalm 34, which are words that were once some of the busy -ness of life and immersing myself in the used on a banner on the front of our meeting house. joy of summer with you, at a picnic in the park, and Carol’s scripture, read by Jo Nita Beede, was the engaging in worship. Oh, and we are all invited to think Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. about the fun of volunteering at Peace Camp! Carol shared the history of her call to peacemaking, Let us all come, open to what we might experience, explaining that, as a child, she had felt that the Beatitudes with only the expectation of joy listening, and hearing were hard to live by, especially having to return love and something wonderful. mercy when confronted by hostility. It was only after many years of living among poverty -stricken and oppressed people in other countries that she came to The Hague. She was probably the next to oldest woman at realize the transcendent wisdom of the Beatitudes. WILPF’s Centennial Congress, having arrived in the Carol’s husband Jack was a U.S. government aid Netherlands on her 86th birthday. She also visited the consultant, working for underdeveloped countries in Asia United Nations in New York, where, as an observer for and Africa. Carol volunteered as a teacher and social WILPF at the Nuclear Non -Proliferation Treaty Review worker, especially among the women. And in every Conference, she found the non -nuclear nations updating country where the Urners lived and worked for 35 years, their strategy. Finally, accompanied by WILPF’s peace Carol found peace and nonviolence movements she could intern, Whittier College student Katya Murillo, she went support as a Quaker. Jack and Carol’s peace work to Washington to talk with members of Congress and the included a period as co -clerks of the Central and Southern State Department about H.R. 1976, the newly Africa Yearly Meeting of Friends. reintroduced bill which would require the U.S. to Carol’s and Jack’s ministry abroad ended in an auto negotiate the abolition of nuclear weapons. crash in South Africa in 2000 that killed Jack and gravely Carol concluded her message by stating that she loves injured Carol. Despite a serious loss of mobility from her her fellow humans and agrees with Quaker Caroline injuries, Carol continues to work actively for peace and Stephen who said “I want to keep the human race around justice. She recently returned from a 5 -week trip, the for a while.” She urges us to say “Yes” when we hear the highlight of which was attending the WILPF Centennial at call to peacemaking. — Bob Newton 8 Return Service Requested Postmaster: send address changes to: The Living Light Periodicals First Friends Church Postage Paid at 13205 Philadelphia St Whittier California Whittier, CA 90601 –4303 The Living Light USPS 316 -320 Volume 54 Number 7 Issue Date: July 1, 2015 The Living Light is published monthly by First Friends Church, 13205 Philadelphia Street, Whittier, California, 90601 -4303. Periodical postage paid at Whittier, California. Bob Newton ...... Editor Elisabeth Elliot ...... Associate Editor Sabron Newton ...... Copy Editor Loletta Barrett ...... Pastor Lynda Ladwig ...... Associate Pastor ...... & Christian Education Coordinator Russell Litchfield ...... Dir of Music Ministries & Organist Mary Boltz ...... Office Administrator Lorenzo Mora ...... Custodian Telephone 562 -698 -9805 FAX 562 -698 -1127 www.firstfriendswhittier.org Whittier Friends School Staff Marie Kaneko .... School Committee Clerk 562 -945 -1654

Summer Mission Project To Create a Better “Place To Play” Please remember in “A Place To Play” is this year’s Friends United Meeting’s Summer prayer Mission Project. Donations from Whittier and elsewhere will make it possible those Friends for Friends to rebuild the Play Center in the ’s Amari Refugee Camp. Funds raised will allow the outdoor playground to be repaired, unable to renovated and resurfaced and also support new play equipment, refurbish the worship with kitchen and bathrooms and complete other minor repairs. us regularly. The Play Center has become an important Christian presence within the Amari Refugee Camp. It is a symbol for tolerance and peace for the camp’s Peggy Anderson almost entirely Muslim population. The Play Center restores dignity and hope Audrey & Carlos Bailey to the refugee residents who often lose faith in their future. Helen & Jack Carlisle The project is close to the hearts of Whittier Friends who have been long - Phil & Liz Ellis time supporters of the Friends Schools at Ramallah, founded nearly 150 years Rose Nedrow ago. Support of the Amari Play Center has been another way that Friends have Alpha Overin shown their concern for the Palestinian people. Maureen Russell

The Outreach Committee has enthusiastically approved joining with FUM Vi Smith in this mission project. Friends are invited to visit the committee’s mission Ami Troedsson board in Fellowship Hall where there will be more information about “A Place to Play” and a donation box. If each member donates $2.00 each Sunday Gerry Wolfe during the ten weeks between July 5 and September 6, we can reach our $600 goal! Perhaps more! — Jerry Coffin