Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends (Quakers)

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Once upon a real time, in a real town, at a real cross, an extremely real man, and Son of God gave his vitally real blood to pay a huge, real price for heavy real sins you and I have or will commit in our precious real lifetimes. That is grace.

It’s by the grace of God, and out of His grace, that forgiveness can be an intentional, and sometimes automatic, response. It is only by His grace. His grace. His.

Once upon a very real night in my adult life, I embarked, unknowingly, on a journey of grace. My bags for this trip had been packed a long time ago when, as a kid, I gave my life into Christ’s hands and He extended His sweet grace to me. So, bags in hand, I began my trip.

On this very real snowy, cold night in 2003, my three children, husband and I were traveling from Portland, Oregon, to our home in Tillamook, Oregon, across the windy Coastal Mountain Range. As we descended the summit, and began rounding a corner, we were struck head-on by a large pick-up truck which was in our lane of traffic. There were many physical and emotional injuries sustained and my best friend and husband, Craig, was killed. The truck had been driven by a man who had chosen to be in control of his rig after drinking too much alcohol.

There were many choices made that night. Some were very bad choices, and these choices dealt with real lives. Real people. People God loves deeply. Continue reading …

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Some jerks just don’t deserve to be shown any love and respect. Or forgiveness. They’ve messed up so badly or so often, they’ve hurt so many or acted so brazenly that they’ve forfeited their right to forgiveness.

Not that forgiveness is a right. We can’t demand it, deserve it, earn it, or coerce it. It can only be given. Jesus, followed by Paul, insisted that, despite all the reasons not to, we must forgive, because God has already generously forgiven us, (See Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:13).

Forgiving someone does not excuse or trivialize real hurt or damage that has been done. It just refuses to build a wall, to create separation, to tend a grudge, and it does this whether or not the offender asks for or even wants forgiveness. Sometimes it’s hard. In one of the hardest occasions for me, I could sincerely mouth words of forgiveness long before love and the release of bitterness took root in my heart.

An important path forward is to recognize that God’s love and forgiveness are freely given to us in spite of our human frailty. Psalm 103 reminds us that God doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, but in compassion remembers how weak we are, that we are only dust, (Psalm 103:8-18). In a similar spirit, Paul urges, “Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you,” (Colossians 3:13 NLT). A lot of times we’re mad because other people fail to be as responsible, loving, and smart as we’d like to be (or, in some cases, think we are). But reality is that we humans are bumbling along with a frustrating mix of great powers and ordinary klutziness. God treats our frailty with compassion, and invites us to do the same. “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you,” (Ephesians 4:32 NLT).

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Queries:

• How have you experienced forgiveness in a way that changed your ability to forgive others?
• In what ways do you seek God’s help when forgiveness for others does not come easily to you?
• Is there an individual or a group that God is speaking to you about, asking you to forgive?

Please feel free to share your thoughts as comments below. It will enhance our discussion!

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“Are you at peace with one another?”

It is not uncommon for elders in some Mennonite fellowships to put this soul-rattling question before the congregation in the weeks leading up to the celebration of a communion service. Behind this query is the profound conviction that Jesus was and is serious when he said:

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to that person; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24).

How, after all, can we really speak of fellowship, reconciliation and intimacy with Christ when we are at odds with other members of his Body? How can we talk with integrity about sharing in Jesus’ body and blood when there are barriers within the community of Christ?

I’ve often thought that the discipline of challenging the community with this question is even more necessary in Friends fellowships, since we do not celebrate our communion with the physical reminders of bread and wine. Continue reading …

Years ago, while leading a student “serve trip” for George Fox University to World Impact in Fresno, we asked the staff how they began relationships with their neighbor kids and families. They told us, “Never do anything alone. If you go to the grocery store, invite the mom without transportation. Are you washing your car? Ask the neighbor kid to help.” This has been the underlying thought behind our ministry ever since.

When we were recently married youth group leaders, this worked. As our family has grown, however, it doesn’t work as well. Our car is already full, and our schedules are crowded. So instead, we filled our house. Sometimes with worship gatherings, sometimes for celebrations of all kinds: birthdays, garage sale day, science exploration day, too-many-leftovers-come-help-us-eat-them-day, I’m-tired-of-my-leftovers-what’s-in-your-fridge-day. Lately, we’ve even celebrated homework by creating Homework Club. Monday afternoons the table is filled with neighborhood kids eating a snack and trying to complete as much of the week’s homework as possible, so they can play afterwards.

Through all of this, we try to see these friends through Christ’s eyes…looking for the things that make each person a wonderful and lovable creation, but also seeing the pain that each person carries. As these friendships deepen, we are often given the opportunity to listen and offer a prayer and encouragement as someone lays out their struggles. Continue reading …

Jesus Christ, Matt Macy (Mid-America Yearly Meeting’s Youth Superintendent), Brad Carpenter (an Evangelical Friends Mission worker) and maybe one or two others in the room were talking about future missionaries when a stroke of genius hit. Or maybe it was Jesus’ contribution. Why not hold a retreat for future missionaries? Everyone in the room liked the idea, and so did everyone they talked to later.

Brad and Chelsea Carpenter (Rwanda missionaries on furlough, and seated in the photo) took on the challenge. As they prayed and planned and worked it seemed that the Lord Jesus kept giving them new  ideas. Yearly Meeting and Regional Superintendents, Missions Directors and EFM staff spread the word.

Fast forward to May 27-30, 2009, at Camp Quaker Ridge near Colorado Springs. The Retreat started with everyone standing in a circle playing a crazy game to help remember each other’s name. It worked. About 35 folks who plan to serve overseas in the next five years began a journey together that included space for discernment, worship, mission orientation, and great mentoring opportunities. Each yearly meeting was well represented. NWYM sent six participants!

Abby Hutson (MAYM) and Chelsea Carpenter led in worshipful singing, and former missionaries spoke and served as coaches-Ray Canfield (Guatemala and Cambodia), David and Mae Kellum (Burundi), Willard and Doris Ferguson (Burundi and Rwanda), Gene and Myra Pickard (Guatemala), and Russ and Esther Zinn (Taiwan). It went so well that most everyone jumped at the chance for on-going mentoring.

Unforgettable were the Concert of Prayer led by John Williams, Jr. (Superintendent of Evangelical Friends Church-Eastern Region), and messages from Scott Sward and Matt Macy.  EFM board members from NWYM shared personally and practically with these future missionaries. Ron Stansell (Newberg Friends and Director of Evangelical Friends International Church Council), Dan Cammack (Tigard Friends and clerk of NWYM’s Board of Global Outreach), Colin Saxton (NWYM Superintendent) and Shawn McConaughey (NWYM Associate Superintendent of Global Outreach) provided helpful insights about missionary life and the preparation for ministry. In addition to formal sessions, the EFM Board got to interact with these future missionaries at meals and during breaks. The conference participants were a huge encouragement to the EFM board.

The sessions shared between the EFM board and the future missionaries retreat were delightful for all of us-and highly educational. Built into the schedule were times of solitude with the Lord. The exit reports reflect what the Holy Spirit spoke to participants through speakers, coaches and from the Holy Spirit directly. Powerful!

What’s ahead? There are some new career missionaries, some short-termers and many in school for more training! Most plan to go out with Friends! This is good news for our future as a movement.

• Kim Felton has been hired for the newly redesigned half-time Administrative Assistant position in the yearly meeting office. Kim has considerable experience working for nonprofits. After graduating from Multnomah Bible College with a journalism degree, she served seven years as writer and editor with the Luis Palau Association, followed by three years as web project manager with Medical Teams International, a humanitarian aid organization. Last July, she walked away from her full-time job to focus on freelance writing. Between editing book manuscripts and writing web and PR copy for various clients, she enjoys the great outdoors with her husband, Rob (director of public information at George Fox University), and is trying her hand at gardening. Claiming that she’s eager for a bit of people-interaction and up for a new challenge, she came to us.  Kim is active at North Valley Friends Church in Newberg. She will officially begin July 1, overlapping with Terri Bowen for six weeks.
• Terri Bowen completes 25 years in the yearly meeting office on August 14. Terri has been a beloved co-worker, friend, and partner in ministry with us. We are going to miss her and her many gifts a great deal as she will be leaving the staff. We certainly hope to see her involved in yearly meeting events, and perhaps even volunteering at the office occasionally!Terri has meant a lot to all of us over the years and will be sorely missed. As the “voice of the yearly meeting” she has greeted, hosted, provided information, and helped knit us together as a community.Donations are being accepted for a surprise farewell gift (contact Bruce Bishop for details: bbishop@nwfriends.org) He is also collecting notes of appreciation to be presented to her at the yearly meeting sessions closing banquet. They can be sent to him at 200 N. Meridian, Newberg, OR 97132.
• NWYM has also been working hard on the search process for the Associate Superintendent for Youth and Young Adults. Several months ago, Colin Saxton assembled a search team that involved Leslie Murray (North Valley youth pastor & Board of Youth/YAF clerk), Paula Hampton (Newberg Friends parent), Drew Miller (Youth Yearly Meeting clerk), Brittney Harold (Reedwood young adult) and himself. Approximately 10 resumes from people inside and outside NWYM were received. Phone interviews were conducted with five candidates. Three face-to-face interviews completed the process.At the final meeting, it was wonderfully clear that we have the right person already serving on staff in the interim role. Rachelle Staley, Newberg Friends, has such a clear call to this position and a deep passion for our youth, young adults and the yearly meeting as a whole. As the search team worked to listen to each of the candidates and to the needs of NWYM ministries at this time, they sensed that Rachelle was the best fitted for this work.
• Fifty years ago the publications board of Oregon (now Northwest) Yearly Meeting began a transition plan that would transfer the operation and ownership of “Oregon Yearly Meeting Press” from Ray Carter and Ralph Fletcher to the yearly meeting. The official change of ownership and management took place May 1, 1959, and the name became The Barclay Press, honoring Quaker theologian Robert Barclay. Ray Carter, Jack Willcuts, Harlow Ankeny, Dick Eichenberger, and Dan McCracken have provided primary editorial and managerial leadership over the years. Dan (pictured here) was initially added to the staff to do Linotype typesetting and today serves as the Barclay Press publisher. Staff members, book authors, article and devotional writers, board members, donors, and readers have all played an important role in 50 years of ministry. Barclay Press exists today due to a continuous vision and a willingness to embrace change. Current Barclay Press ministry is a rich mixture of tradition and innovation that looks toward serving future generations. Explore www.barclaypress.com to learn more.
• The Sowers Fund pledge total as of June 1 was: $47,780.68.  Given to date: $43,475.63. The initial $50,000 will go to assist with Latino church planting. Donations can be sent to the yearly meeting office or made online.
• Yearly Meeting workshop descriptions are now online.
• Registration for Yearly Meeting Sessions is online as well. This is a new experiment, allowing people to register and pay online so that everything will be ready when you arrive. Paper copies of the registration forms are available at your church office if you prefer.
• The Outreach Celebration (formerly the Sunday afternoon Outreach Rally) will be held on Sunday evening, July 26, 7p.m. Join us for worship and the sharing of exciting stories of how God is using Friends around the northwest and the world.
• All past, present and future missionaries, board members, YCEW team members, and Teaching Abroad teachers are invited to congregate for the annual missions picnic.  It will be Saturday, July 25, at noon at Jaquith Park on North College Street in Newberg.
• The Fine Arts Subcommittee of the Board of Congregational Care would like you to know of some great ways you can participate in this year’s Yearly Meeting Session through using the arts.
  • Enjoy the Hoot each evening, where different groups from NWYM share their music on an outdoor stage. There is room for a few more performers.
  • Attend a workshop entitled “Let Your Voice Be Heard,” led by Jim Teeters and Nancy Thomas, to have  an opportunity to share original poetry and short writings.
  • Participate in an Art Fair, featuring artistic creations either reflecting upon this year’s YM theme, or other inspirational and beautiful creations.If you would like to participate in any of these three things and want more information, you can contact the Fine Arts Subcommittee through Aletha McKennon .
• 25 Years of YCEW! If you have participated in a past YCEW trip please come celebrate 25 years of YCEW with your family on Sunday, July 26 at George Fox University.  There will be a time of reflection, dessert, and celebration.  Please RSVP or send questions to: ycewreunion@gmail.com.
• Youth Challenged through Local Service (YCLS) is a team of NWYM high school youth who will be working with BridgeTown Ministries for a week to show love and support to the people of inner-city Portland. The “Week of Passion”  will take the team into some of the neediest areas of Portland to serve.  Groups will be involved in leadership training, teamwork experiences, servanthood opportunities, mercy ministries and evangelism.This year’s YCLS team members are: Rachel Vance (Caldwell Friends Church), Katie Comfort (Reedwood Friends Church), and Joy McKibbin (Hayden Lake Friends). Team leaders are Tami Burton (North Valley Friends, currently teaching in Caldwell, ID) and Emily Smith (North Valley Friends).
• Recent ministry transitions include:
• Jim Pike, beginning at South Salem Friends on July 1.  Jim and his wife Sharon have three grown children, Erin, Travis, and Justin. Jim has spent 14 years in full-time church ministry. He enjoys hiking, working out, and completing different projects around their home in Dallas, Oregon, such as a raised garden bed in their back yard.
• Adam Bradbury, begins July 1 at Greenleaf Friends as their full-time associate pastor. Adam has been a member at Rose Valley Friends, where he grew up, assisting in ministry there for many years. Adam is married to Annie, and they have two children, Judah (2 years old) and Selah (6 months old).
  Chris Tiner has been hired at Meridian Friends as high school youth coordinator. He and his wife Stephanie have three children.

“Weaving Sacred Wholeness Conference.” What does that evoke in you? I had no idea what that was supposed to mean, yet I had a plane ticket to go across the country and was signed up and ready to go to the conference. I only knew I was going to an intergenerational conference for all Quakers at the Penn Center in South Carolina. Over those three days of joining with fellow Friends, we were able to have such fruitful interactions on what wholeness means.

There was wholeness at the conference itself, not to be confused with sameness, far from it. Sameness was not sought but we did explore commonalities as well as disincentives we have as a community. Oh community. To me, that is what wholeness is about when combined with seeking to live out Christ’s love for the world and doing God’s will.

The conference was not always comfortable. Certain times might be indeed uncomfortable, but that is all right, in fact I want it that way. In my trip, I anticipated uneasy, tentative times in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people, and some unfamiliar practices – none so unfamiliar any longer. What I did not fully anticipate was the clear sense of safety. Safety that permeated deep within, yet its source being tricky to pin down. I guess it comes back to the idea of loving community.

That safety I felt really freed me during the conference to embrace who I am and to embrace what went on during the weekend. It would have been easy for me to not fully engage as being the only one form the Evangelical Friends Church grouping of Quakers. Without stepping out to a somewhat scary place, I would have missed out on so many blessings. (Scary not because I felt threatened but because of the newness of it all, not knowing what to expect, and being vulnerable with people.) Growth doesn’t generally come when you’re comfortable. If I want growth, which I do, then I have to remember life is going to get pretty crazy sometimes.

This ties in with some of what we talked about in worship sharing. We talked about the wholeness we long for. We talked about how God calls us to live radically with which I completely resonated. Many Friends shared that we need our actions to match up with our words. We need to either get with it or get out, which has really been on my heart for the last few months. It’s not always going to be easy and we’re not called to an easy life anyway. I was blessed when one Friend brought forth that we do need to have joy in life. God has not intended for us a hard life, void of that which is life-giving, for He gives us our passions in life and joy. When we’re living out God’s call for our lives, we are becoming whole in Him. Then engaging our whole lives in what we profess, we join in God’s love for the world. Loving God, loving people, being together in community…weaving sacred wholeness.

Queries:

• How is God currently pushing you out of your comfort zone to promote growth?
• In what ways do you resist these nudges of God? In what ways do you embrace them?
• Are you living with enough open-handedness that God is able to teach you th rough circumstances or people that are unfamiliar?
  

Please feel free to share your thoughts as comments below. It will enhance our discussion!

A team of 17 George Fox University students spent nearly a month in Paarle, South Africa, as part of the university’s May Serve program. Their work with Monte Christo Ministries included teaching life skills in primary schools, making soup in MCM’s food center, working with kids in a soccer program and visiting AIDS and TB patients.

Begun by Americans but now increasingly led by South Africans, MCM first addresses basic needs such as hunger and poverty and then focuses on discipleship and life skills development.

The students were accompanied by Andrea Crenshaw, director of outreach and service, and Cliff Rosenbohm, director of the social work program, who met with them regularly during the school year. Students learned South African history, helped each other through Tilikum Retreat Center’s challenge course, prayed together and raised money for the trip.

Though they went to serve, the team members were served by MCM. “They had people with us constantly, guiding us, encouraging us, praying for us, and helping us understand why God wanted us there,” says Ethan Rhodes, an ‘09 graduate from Irrigon, Ore. “We were overly blessed.”

Rachel Madore, an ‘09 graduate from Vancouver, Wash., agrees. “My passion is discipleship, and to live alongside and partner with this ministry was such a valuable experience. I’ll never forget the things I saw and heard.”

Some of what Rachel saw and heard were burned-out shacks and the stories of the people who still lived in them. “We visited people there to find out what their needs and dreams were,” she said. “There’s a lot of poverty and hopelessness. There were times we wondered if what we were doing was making any difference. But we realized that God was using each encounter to communicate his love.”

Alyssa Schaad, a senior from Newberg, Ore., remembers the children who came to the soup kitchen with their own containers as well as a lesson she learned: “Being fully there and wanting to be there, showing people in Africa that we cared-that was the most important thing we did.”

Now in its 20th year, the George Fox May Serve program allows students to spend a month in volunteer service in cross-cultural settings. Previous May Serve trips have gone to Thailand, Ukraine, Brazil, India, Cuba, Jamaica, Brazil, Romania and the Philippines.