Growing Up Among Friends
by Aj Schwanz, Newberg Friends Church
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.
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Reflections of Youth
by the youth group of Cherry Grove Friends, Battleground, Washington(This article was collected during a discussion at our youth/young adult group’s New Year’s Eve over-nighter, not too late at night!) 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.
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The Church’s Children
by Marianne Phillips, Clackamas Park Evangelical Friends ChurchDedicating 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. Little did I know…
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Out of My Mind – Raising Children of Faith
by Colin Saxton, NWYM SuperintendentWhen 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.
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Keeping Current with Local Outreach – Christmas Provides Outreach Opportunity
by Marge McLain, Clackamas Park Evangelical Friends Church
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….
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Keeping Current with Global Outreach – Peacemaking in the Middle East
by Allyn Dhynes, advocacy manager with World Vision
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.
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GFU MISSION: Student Moves into Ministry
by Mike Richeson, for George Fox UniversityWith 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.
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Announcements and Updates
- Volunteers on Wheels
- Tierra de Rogocijo (“Land of Joy”), our newest church in Caldwell, Idaho
- Bible Quizzing results
- Global social justice projects and resources on our site
- Men’s Retreats
- Steve Diehl Forgiveness Seminar
- Junior High Jamboree
- Yearly Meeting Session 2009
