Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends (Quakers)

• Learn about Meghan’s friends in Nicaragua
• Learn some Miskitu and Spanish words
• Find out about some of the foods they eat in Nicaragua

Download your copy of the February 2009 GO Newsletter!

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Dennis Russell, executive director of Friendsview Retirement Community, announces the grand opening of its newest neighborhood, Springbrook Meadows, on Friday, February 20, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include tours of model homes and refreshments in the community center.

Springbrook Meadows is located at 4061 Hayes Street, Newberg, Oregon, behind Providence Newberg Medical Center and next to Providence Drive.

“This newest Friendsview neighborhood,” says Russell, “was birthed out of a request from many on our wait list to add more duplex units to our inventory designed for younger active retirees. Proximity to the Chehalem Glenn golf course, shopping, and the Providence Newberg Medical Center is a plus for all the new residents at Springbrook Meadows.”

At the time the project began, Karl Birky, chairman of the Friendsview board of directors, announced that the acquisition of the property was a partial donation/partial purchase. “The Werth family has been very supportive of Friendsview and wanted to include us in the master plan for the Springbrook development. Their support helped make the project feasible.”

Architects Ankrom- Moisan designed the neighborhood. The Portland-based firm specializes in senior-living facilities. Yorke and Curtis of Beaverton constructed the 42 duplex homes and the community center. The 2- and 3-bedroom homes range from 1321-1552 square feet. Amenities include fireplace, private enclosed garage, outdoor patio, washer/dryer, and indoor/outdoor maintenance.

A focal point for the neighborhood is the community center. It features a fitness area, large fireplace, platform, audio-visual capabilities, and full-service kitchen. Residents enjoy the center as a gathering place for family get-togethers, movies, special programs, fitness classes, music, health checks, and hobbies.

Frank Engle, marketing director, reminds, “Friendsview is a continuing care retirement community, and Springbrook Meadows offers the same health care benefits that come with living on Friendsview’s Fulton Street campus.”

Seventy-percent of the homes are occupied or reserved. Engle says, “It’s not too late, however, to reserve a home with the option of a refundable deposit.”

Residents in both Phase I and Phase II duplex homes found Springbrook Meadows appealing for many of the same reasons: Friendsview’s financial stability, the faith-based community, family nearby, freedom to travel, sense of security, long-term care, as well as nearness to George Fox University, the hospital, and shopping.

Springbrook Meadows residents, John and Margaret Smith, recently moved from White Salmon, Washington and Libby, Montana. “We look forward to no outside work and living in a community,” they say. “We lived in a rather isolated rural area,”

Gary and Ellie Fendall, who moved to Springbrook Meadows from their farm west of Newberg, explain, “We like the size of our duplex home. It gives us room to host visits from our children and grandchildren.” Fendalls also appreciate the opportunity for health care.

For more information about the grand opening or about Friendsview, contact Frank Engle at 503-538-3144 or fengle@friendsview.org.

My name is AJ Schwanz. These are my sons, Judah and Abel. And I’ve had to explain
things most of my life.

My parents, transplanted from Alabama to the West some thirty-five years ago, have “funny” accents. When people asked where they came from, Mom told me to say “Southern Idaho.” My brother and I grew up with the Southern tradition of saying “yes, ma’am” and “yes, sir”, receiving approving nods from elders but mocking comments from peers.

My family is small, which for much of America is an anomaly in itself. But growing up in the heavily Mormon and Basque-populated city of Boise, second glances only increased.

My faith community background comes from attending Quaker churches. Not a prevalent or well-known denomination in my childhood hometown. Many classmates asked about oil changes and oatmeal boxes. In a grade school of 700, I knew two other Quakers: my brother and the librarian who tried to dye her hair black but often it turned out more green.

It wasn’t easy being in the minority: I often found myself relating to my classmate Bill, the only Catholic. When I made the switch from public grade school to a private Christian middle school, I expected to find myself in a more understanding, sympathetic crowd. However, during a discussion of capital punishment in my eighth grade Government class (in which I was the sole individual against the act), my teacher used words to dismiss and belittle my beliefs. I realized again that I do a lot of explaining, and much of it doesn’t feel received or understood.

As a Quaker I was learning the value of both individual and corporate life. Vacation Bible School taught me about being and working with those I didn’t know. Children’s Yearly Meeting shaped the understanding of my history, teaching me about Bible characters and Quaker saints. Bible Quizzing gave me opportunity to be exposed to God’s word, facilitating a transformation through memorization (egged on not a little by a competitive motivation). Pastors and teachers and other adults talked to me as an individual, a respected part of the community, and gave me a place to contribute and work out my theological ideas.

In high school I moved to Newberg, affectionately known as “Quaker Mecca”. Holy Moley. I met more Quakers in one day than I had in my lifetime! Hannah, a friend from Youth Yearly Meeting (as well as a Friend of several generations), adopted me and showed me around. For the first time ever I didn’t have to explain: values, worship expressions, history, beliefs, passions… among these people I found a place where I fit.

I participated in youth programs galore. If it was offered, I was there. My friends, or rather my faith community, lived all over the Northwest. Our times of worship and spiritual formation during camps, conferences and service projects were more influential and transformative than my Sunday morning worship gathering. While filling out the “home church” section of college applications, I was tempted to put “Northwest Yearly Meeting” because that felt more like my “church” than any other Monthly Meeting gathering.

The thing about fitting in is that you often don’t have to explain anything. Things are understood, and sometimes with that unspoken understanding comes habitual, unintentional non-action. Then I attended George Fox University, and to my surprise, many students had never heard of Friends. Due to my years of being around folks “just like me,” I found my “explaining muscles” to be sorely out of shape. Following graduation I moved back to Boise, and a co-worker who was Jehovah’s Witness calmly told me one day: “We’re so much alike.” “Who?!” “Quakers and JW’s. We hold a lot of the same values, and we’re both so misunderstood.” I found myself speechless, which sadly I think he took as agreement. I no longer could translate my values and faith into explanations: I was used to being understood.

Since then I’ve married, relocated back to Quaker Mecca, and become the mother of two boys, ages 4 and 1.5. God’s been kind in helping me establish my “parental feet” because, really, I don’t know what I’m doing. We’ve said prayers before bed and read children’s Bible stories (some are really hard to stomach, because they gloss over the hard or gory stuff… the stuff that makes the Bible so real). We attend a worship gathering on Sunday mornings, attempting to sit together through a service (which mostly consists of trying to distract one child with activities while shoving food in the mouth of the other – not necessarily so centering). And when my oldest asks why we do some things, sometimes my explanations fail me: “we do it because we always have; it’s what you do.”

But then there are the moments, you know, Those Moments. Both my children love to pray before meals. They may not fully know what they are saying, but they understand that it’s important. My eldest will bring me my Bible at breakfast time, knowing I like to start the day off with reading Scripture, while my youngest loves turning the crinkly pages when I leave it out within his grasp. My eldest loves to sing about Jesus loving all the little children, “red and yellow, green and brown” (he doesn’t quite have the words down right) as the youngest joyously dances along. We relish the opportunities our faith community has provided to give to others who need help: from participating in Advent Conspiracy to making the Newberg Friends Walk an annual tradition (organized by some of the young people of our church to raise money for EFM outreach, and pictured to the left). My children are exposed to Scripture, to values, to a faith that is transforming them into the image of Christ for the sake of others. I will never forget offering up my sons to be dedicated to the Lord. We stood in front of a faith community that committed to partner with us to strengthen and nurture and equip these precious children to be the men of God that they were created to be, to be salt and light to the rest of the world.

When I find myself living life unintentionally, when I find myself not being able to answer questions, when I don’t know why I do what I do, I need to reevaluate. But I hope that within my community (family, church, and the Yearly Meeting) there will be space intentionally created to provide a foundation for growth and a challenge to act. Though my children will have different experiences than I did, and though they may express their faith and values differently than I have, I pray that we will respond to God’s calling through this partnering of actions and words, that this will be our life’s explanation.

Questions for Discussion:

1. How have you experienced “family” and “community” with your church?
2. How did the church invest well in your, or your children?
3. What could have been done better? What do you long for from your church?

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The Cherry Grove youth group, from Battleground, Washington, share their thoughts about their church. This article was collected during a discussion at their youth/young adult group’s New Year’s Eve over-nighter, not too late at night. Pictured are (left to right top to bottom): Row 1: Grace Skinner, Luke Pritchard, Casey Trout, Taylor Leboki, Row 2: Ben Skinner, Lauralea Kinser, Kayleigh Roberts, Brenda Pritchard Row 3: Dakota Geil, Kayla Trout, Alec Trout, Ashley King, Steven Skinner, Dallas Geil Row 4: Lindley King, Nyemah Skinner.

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From simple smiles given by older members in our church, to those who teach Sunday school, we, the youth of Cherry Grove have been encouraged and inspired in many ways by adults in the church body.

We have greatly missed a dearly loved woman in our church who has been unable to attend recently because of a hip injury. Nyemah Skinner says, “Louise is one of the best people, she smiles and gives encouragement. She shares her experiences and stories.” We love this woman for her kindness and attentiveness to us. At one of our recent visits to Louise, she shared an impromptu Bible lesson, encouraging us to “pray, pray, pray” and study the word.

Adults at Cherry Grove spend time with us as we serve others. It is easy to tell that they love working alongside us and work very hard arranging meaningful opportunities. Bob and Phyllis Burger led our service week at a small Vancouver church in need of yard maintenance and building repairs during Spring Break. Andrea Dyroff led a two-week art project for us in December.

Visit our worship services and you will see people of all ages greeting each other and talking at length. Steven Skinner says the church has been more like a family to him. Fellowship, for him, is when the family gathers in conversation. “When people ask you a question you can bring up what is going on and you can pray for each other even in a short time like our greeting time.” Agreeing, Casey Trout says, “our church is very caring. When they ask how you are doing, they really want to know.”

Both youth and young adults share a sense of care and welcome. Kayla Trout relates, “The people in the church have been really accepting. I went knowing nothing and no one looked down on me.”

People of all ages and groups in our congregation work, plan, play and worship together. Grace Skinner says: “They include youth in really important stuff and nobody is too young to do things for the church. The church has changed me as I have been involved in things. It is cool that people see things in me that I didn’t, and challenge me to reach my potential.”

Kayleigh Roberts, who serves on the Christian Education committee says, “It is pretty encouraging, adults are open to youth leading a mission trip to Africa. And if you have problems they help you.” Tom Pritchard, an elder, parent, and frequent volunteer, says “I think it is neat when I see youth involved in committees. It helps adults to understand other perspectives. It is encouraging and I am impressed that youth want to be involved.”

Noticing that cliques tend to isolate others in some churches, schools and organizations, Dakota Geil adds, “At our church there are groups (committees, small groups, groups of friends) but they all merge together and work together. Groups help each other out.” We have noticed this as the elders encourage us, share their thoughts about the direction of youth ministry, and cheer us on in our involvements as a youth group. We realize that a lot of people in our church work hard to share their lives and thoughts with us during youth group and Sunday School.

Ben Braskett has often joined the Adult Sunday School class and enjoys it. He says the teacher “is really inspiring because he knows so much and makes it sound cool and interesting. It makes me want to learn more.” He is impressed with the adults. “When they speak during open worship, they inspire us with their stories and things they’ve learned either the hard way or not. It is often helpful.”

Throughout our discussion, the youth and young adults agreed that Cherry Grove conveys a sense of family for them. Cherry Grove has been an encouragement to their growth and life. When asked what could be done better, they chimed “more parties!” It looks like the next all church movie night slated for the end of January is right on time.

Questions for Discussion:

1. What would you like to say to these youth?
2. What was, or is your experience growing up in relationship with a church?
3. If you are an adult, how do you work at relating to the youth of  your church?
4. If you are are youth, how do you work at relating to the adults?

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Dedicating our children to the Lord seemed like a quaint idea. It worked well for Hannah and Samuel in the Old Testament. I would have raised my children to serve Jesus without the ceremony, but ceremonies help us remember our commitment.

We dedicated our older children when they were young, in a different denomination. We promised to raise them to be good Christians and the congregation promised to support us in that endeavor. It was a nice little ceremony. We went on to raise our kids as Christians with very little help from the church other than Sunday school.

Twenty years later, at Clackamas Park, we had another set of kids to dedicate. These were severely abused children who had run the gamut of foster homes before landing in ours. We were in the process of adopting two of them. During this dedication, I wondered whether the ceremony would be just another show. Did any of us know what it would mean to bring these damaged kids up in the Lord?

Over the next year some of the kids left and others took their places. We went through the two adoption ceremonies. Then the unthinkable happened and I became a single parent. From that point on, the church at Clackamas Park lived out their belief in the words of that dedication ceremony.

This happened about the time the church was going through a pastoral change. I almost left the church, for I felt I wasn’t going to fit in. However, when there was no “pastor” to lead the congregation, the people started filling the role of caring for each other. They started to take care of my family’s needs.

For some reason, mishaps seem to come in threes. We were no exception. That year my family went through two more traumas. When the dust cleared, my household consisted of two young teenagers, my mother and myself.

Each time, the older people of the church held me up in prayer and gave me emotional support. There were two women that I knew were praying for me on almost a daily basis. I could feel their strength. For the first time I really came to understand the power of prayer.

One couple provided much needed respite for the kids on a continuous basis for over three years. They also functioned, essentially, as my therapists. Every evening for a year, they let me debrief my day. They listened to all my pain and frustration, loved me, and encouraged me.

A few of the women close to my age became sounding boards for my childrearing woes. The kids’ reaction to the trauma was to act out more. Both came with several mental health issues. Their defense mechanisms got an early training in trauma.  I was supposed to be the safe house, not the place for more pain. These women listened, loved and made suggestions. They helped me know that I was an okay mom.

Neither child had ever bonded with anyone. To create a bond between us, I homeschooled them. Believing in experiential education, cross-country bicycle trips became part of the curriculum. We have biked more than 13,000 miles together. Though I think some of them thought I was a little crazy, the church supported the trips through bake sales, donations, and prayer. They also helped financially to send my daughter on a summer mission trip to Zambia’s AIDs orphans with Teen Missions. This opened her eyes to God’s work and compassion.

Various people within the church have befriended the kids, keeping them overnight, giving them odd jobs and teaching them job skills. Hugs flow freely at church. There’s always a smile and an encouraging word from someone.

They are almost 18 years old now. They’ve made some wrong choices, and suffered the consequences, but they know that God is real and working through the people of the church. They know that there are people who will love them unconditionally, in spite of the mistakes they’ve made.  I do not know how I would have made it this far if God had not placed so many caring people around my family. I am eternally grateful that they followed God’s leading. God is alive and well at Clackamas Park.

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Colin Saxton is NWYM Superintendent, and the father of four children.

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When it comes to learning to be a disciple and being formed into the image of Christ, there isn’t too much more important than good ‘ole prayer and Bible study. These are givens-foundational disciplines that help us learn to know and obey Jesus better. Strange, isn’t it, how often both become neglected practices by so many Christians.

As important as these two have been for me, however, I have to say that one of the main graces that God has used to re-direct and re-form my life has come in an unexpected way-parenting.

Despite having four terrific children (and now a fine son-in-law, too) being a parent is hardly a walk in the park, even in the best circumstances. Want to learn humility? Be a parent. Interested in having to face down your fears, confront your need to control or address issues like selfishness, anger, and forgiveness? Here is a plan that will help you-become a mother or father.

Sure, parenting is also one of the great joys known to humanity. Oh my, it is an overwhelming experience to hold your newborn and hear her first sounds! It nearly explodes the soul when your silent toddler reaches up to you wanting nothing more than…a hug. And, I could almost feel my heart swell as I watched my daughter walk down the aisle on her wedding day. Yes, indeed, parenting is a great source of joy!

All those bright and cheery Kodak moments just waiting to be captured on film, however, can easily be matched by dark and gloomy days. Recently, I read an article by an author who suggested many people have children in order to stop being so lonely. I hate to break this to any of you who are not parents, but sometimes the loneliness that comes with parenting can be devastating. Deal with the trauma and uncertainty of a child in danger, in rebellion, in doubt, in conflict and the joy that once seemed so precious and central, now seems like nothing more than a faded and barely recognizable photograph.

Losing my mom this past summer caused me to reflect on the grief I caused her. Continue reading …

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Holly and Allyn Dhynes (with their Daughter Carys) live in Jerusalem. They attended George Fox University and are members at West Hills Friends Meeting in Portland. Allyn is World Vision’s Advocacy, Peacebuilding and Communications Manager for Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Working with World Vision in Jerusalem since 2002, he is responsible for making sure that the issues in one of the most complex situations in which World Vision works, are communicated accurately and consistently.

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In 2002, my wife Holly and I returned to live in Jerusalem. It was the height of the Palestinian uprising which began in September 2000, and we came to share in the work of advocacy and peace-building at World Vision’s Jerusalem office. Previously, in the late ’90s we had ventured to the West Bank to teach young Palestinians at the Ramallah Friends Schools with the help and support of Friends in the Northwest. That experience was significant in imprinting Palestine/Israel on our hearts forever.

Over the nine and some years we’ve lived in the West Bank and Jerusalem, we have witnessed so much anguish and healing, anger and grace, and dashed dreams and hope. The conflict between Palestinians and Israelis never seems to go away. In fact, with all our personal and collective efforts of promoting peace, the situation only seems to get more sinister and entangled.

Recently you’ve seen smoke rising from ashes in Gaza on TV, or heard the repartee of politicians, military strategists or analysts about the current fighting. Most advocates for peace and justice around the world struggle to see their issue make the news. We have the opposite problem-oversaturation.

Although most people know that the situation in the Holy Land is not good, it is difficult for them to avoid turning the channel in frustration or, worse, apathy. It has been our job to help Christians worldwide find ways to compassionately engage in change.  It is a “job” with many headaches, but many, many more blessings. God’s peaceable kingdom is near in ways the headline news will never declare.

As Friends grapple to understand the nuances

of the heightening conflict in the Middle East, we have faith that some will be moved by God in both big and small ways. This is what keeps us going-doing this together with God blazing the path. Our children and the children of the Holy Land are not destined to a future of conflict and despair but one where their hopes and dreams come to fruition.

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The Board of Global Outreach has compiled some resources to help us understand some of the issues involved in the most volatile regions currently under crisis. You can read about the Middle East, and The Congo, as well as see some projects that local churches are undertaking.

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By Marge McLain, Clackamas Park Evangelical Friends Church in Milwaukie, Oregon

Vacation Bible School in December? Yes! It happened at Clackamas Park Friends Church, in Milwaukie, Oregon. This was a wonderful opportunity to share the true Christmas story with children who may have thought Santa Claus, gifts, and a winter school break were why we celebrate.

It all started last summer when, due to several circumstances, we were unable to hold the traditional one week Vacation Bible School. We decided instead to hold a one-day event on a Saturday. It was so successful, and the staff and students had such a good time, that we decided: “Let’s do it again… soon!” And so a date was set for Saturday, December 13, 2009. Continue reading …

With a heart for missions and a nursing degree, Kristiina Thomas views a world map like most people look at a drive-thru menu: She can take her pick.

“There are so many options of what you can do,” Thomas says. “And you can go anywhere.”

It seems that Thomas, 24, already has been everywhere. She spent her high school years as a missionary with her family in Romania, and she has traveled to 32 countries.

“Once you start traveling, it’s hard to stop,” Thomas says.

Before she returns overseas, Thomas must finish her last semester at George Fox University and then pass a difficult licensing test.

Thomas began college at Western Oregon University, where her twin sister attends, but she chose George Fox because she wanted a nursing education in a faith-based setting.

“It’s been amazing,” Thomas says. “The faculty is great at helping each student find a niche. The motto is ‘Believe. Achieve. Succeed.’ They live that out. You’re not just another face.”

Thomas’s nursing education has been both varied and in-depth. She’s had clinical practice at Providence Newberg Hospital, the state mental hospital in Salem, and she recently completed an internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in her hometown of Monmouth, Ore.

Nursing is a broad field, but Thomas wants to specialize in medical surgery, which would give her more face time with patients.

“When someone is facing problems with their health, they are vulnerable because they can’t fix the problem on their own,” Thomas says. “That can make them upset, depressed. It’s nice to just be there and listen to people to show that you really care about them.”

Interacting with patients is rewarding and uniquely challenging.

“I’ve seen cute old couples who have been married 70 years, and I’ve seen some strange people,” Thomas says.

One man was in so much pain that he began to scream curses at the doctor; another promised to share buried treasure with Thomas as soon as he went to France and dug it out of the ground.

When she graduates, Thomas hopes to pass her state licensing test and then work at Good Samaritan Hospital. After that, her future is wide open. She doesn’t have a specific destination in mind yet, but she would like to see more of Africa.

“Romania would also be great because I speak the language,” Thomas says. “But health care issues can transcend any language, any culture. It opens doors to maybe share about the Lord. It’s a way to minister to people here in the states or overseas.”

Mike Richeson, for George Fox University

• Volunteers on Wheels (VOW) is a ministry of Northwest Yearly Meeting committed to serving God through the talents and time of its members. This is accomplished by working on selected and approved projects at various churches, camps, schools, missions, church planting efforts, and other evangelistic or Christian enterprises. Their work primarily involves construction, renovation and remodeling but many other areas are included as well. VOW is currently soliciting project applications for 2009, and new members are always welcome. See the link to their information at the Connection tab of our website.
  
• Worship led by Anita Sileoni, far left, launches NWYM’s newest mission point, Tierra de Rogocijo (“Land of Joy”) on December 7. Mario Ortega, pastor at Casa del Alfarero in Greenleaf, Angel Diaz, NWYM Latino Ministries Coordinator, and Don Brown, pastor at Caldwell Friends, join in. Attendance has been steadily increasing with new families coming each week. Caldwell and Tierra had a joint Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with music and scripture in both English and Spanish.  NWYM is thrilled to have Pastor Jorge and Elida Sileoni and family’s leadership and direction with the church.  They are excited to be partnering with Casa del Alfarero as God builds both congregations.
• Rose Valley Friends, Kelso, Washington, hosted the third Bible Quiz of the season, focusing on Luke 1-16. High school teams that placed in the top three were: Greenleaf 1, Newberg 1, and Hayden Lake 3. Middle school placing teams were: Sherwood 2, Rosedale 1 and Hayden Lake 3. The top individual scorer for high school was Chris Lee of Newberg. Kristen Burkholder, from Sherwood, took that honor for middle school.
  The next quiz meet will be March 7, at  Hayden Lake Friends Church, in north Idaho. Details and study materials are available at the Connection tab of our website.
• Global Outreach is compiling resources and information to assist local churches in understanding and responding to the turmoil in The Congo and Middle East. These global social justice projects include agencies offering relief, as well as suggestions for how a local meeting can make a difference. These resources will be linked from our Connection page for the month of February, but also have a permanent link on the Global Ministries page: www.nwfriends.org/ministries/global-ministries
• The March Connection newsletter will feature articles around living within our means and dealing honestly with other people. Articles are being solicited for the April Connection, which will focus on Query 2: “Do you cultivate your spiritual growth through prayer and Bible reading and through attendance at meetings for worship and study? Are you finding joy in the Lord?”  Would you like to write for this issue? Contact Bruce Bishop.
• NWYM-sponsored Men’s Retreats are planned for February 20-22, 2009. Two camps, Twin Rocks and Quaker Hill, are hosting the retreats. Chuck Mylander, executive director of Evangelical Friends Mission, will be speaking at Twin Rocks. Maurice Roberts and Alan Weinacht, pastors at Hayden Lake Friends Church and Greenleaf Friends Church, respectively, will be speaking at Quaker Hill. More information and online registrations can be found at our website under the Connection tab.
• Hayden Lake Friends Church is sponsoring a Forgiveness Seminar with Steve Diehl on March 20 and 21. The seminar is designed to teach how practicing the “three paths” of forgiveness heals the human soul and restores relationships. Cost: TBA (approx. $ 40.00 per person)  For more information, contact Maurice Roberts, at Hayden Lake, 208.772.7544 or please visit www.forgivenessministries.com
• Junior High Jamboree will explore “Living God’s Way.” This weekend retreat for middle school students takes place at Twin Rocks Friends camp over Presidents’ Day weekend in February. JHJ serves as an opportunity for fellowship and evangelism, with low-key instruction. This camp is planned by the Newberg Area Exec-a group of high school students, with oversight from Twin Rocks Friends Camp. Click here for information and to register, or call Twin Rocks (503)355-2284.
• The 2009 Yearly Meeting Sessions will take place July 25-30, at George Fox University. With the theme:  “We are Witnesses,” NWYM will gather together for a week of worship, spiritual challenge and business.  Bob A., worker in Nepal under Evangelical Friends Mission, will be our speaker.
• Midyear Boards are occurring February 6-7, in Newberg. Local church representatives are also meeting this weekend to receive information to assist churches and individuals with the economic crisis.
• Mennonite Central Committee is planning a February meeting for pastors and leaders to discuss and prepare for responses to immigration issues. If you are interested in attending, contact Colin Saxton.