Coming Together on Political Issues
by Lon Fendall, Director of Peace and Global Studies, George Fox University, and West Chehalem Friends Church, Newberg
Political campaigns are inherently divisive, not unifying. Candidates focus on the negative positions and qualities of their opponents, hoping to lure away some of their opponents’ supporters. Political parties take extreme positions, hoping to draw in those who resonate with the party’s core issues. One of our Friends queries asks if we are exercising our civic responsibilities. We might assume that means voting, praying for public officials, and sending letters and e-mails to officials about issues that move us deeply. But maybe there is something we can do beyond these “civic basics.”
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Living with Dual Citizenship
by Julie Prescott, Whitney Friends Church, Boise
As Christians in America, how are we responsible to also be citizens in the Kingdom of God? And what exactly is the “Kingdom of God” anyway? Is it something we will experience when we die? Or a child offering a cup of cold water to a sweaty sanitation worker on a hot day? Or a Christian Peacemaker Team member escorting Palestinian children to school past an Israeli road block? Consider with me some principles that may allow us to be effective dual citizens of America and the Kingdom.
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Prayerful Politics
by Phil Smith, Professor of Philosophy, George Fox University, and Newberg Friends Church
The Bible tells us to pray for kings and other people in authority. Okay, so we’re supposed to do it. But how? Take our new president, as an example…
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Out of My Mind – A Colony of Heaven
by Colin Saxton, Superintendent of NWYM
For all the talk about hope and change over the past many months leading up to the presidential election, I am now hearing a lot of fear and doubt about the future. As the economy continues to go sideways adn we are staring into the prospect of more–rather than diminished–global tensions, my sense is there is increased doubt about change we can believe in and diminished hope in what new political leadership can really accomplish, at least in the short run. Maybe this more realistic assessment is a good thing.
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Keeping Current with Local Outreach – Hillsboro Moms’ Group
by Amanda Schull and Laurie Christenson, Hillsboro Friends Church
Last year, Bernie Bosnjack, pastor at Hillsboro Friends, chatted with a young mother in her neighborhood. The woman, like many in our community, was busy with work, an active family and her home. While there are lots of programs for teen moms, and play-groups for the children of moms who have money and time to spend, this woman shared her own sense of call around helping average moms with little time, money or energy. As they talked, they envisioned a place for such mothers…
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Keeping Current with Global Outreach – Latin American Civil Responsibility
by Hal Thomas, Latin American Leadership Development Program, and North Valley Friends Church, Newberg
Wednesday, September 10, while Nancy and I were walking downtown in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, police officers began running towards us from an adjacent street. Powerful triple shot rockets that sounded like gunshots were exploding in the street behind them. How do Christians we know in Bolivia respond? How are we, as evangelical Friends in Oregon, Washington and Idaho responding?
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Global Outreach Spotlight – Linda Byrd, Newberg Friends
A goal of the NWYM Global Outreach Board is to highlight NWYM folks who serve with other mission or relief agencies.
What type of ministry is the most effective means for reaching the most receptive hearts? Christian camping, of course!
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Youthworkers Face Challenges of Service
by Rachelle Staley, NWYM Youth Superintendent
A group of 50 youthworkers gathered in Hood River, Oregon, for our annual Youthworkers’ Training Conference. They came from around the northwest to learn to motivate youth towards service in our communities. Before the conference ended, we were the ones motivated.
“If you want to start a food ministry, find a hungry person and feed them,” began our speaker, Marshall Snider, of BridgeTown Ministries.
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
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News, Announcements and Updates
Including:
- Update on two new Latino Ministries
- Board of Local Outreach matching grants to local meetings
- New ministry point outreaches
- Brendon Connelly named as NWYM Director of Finance and Development
- Recent ministry staff transitions at local churches
>>read them all>>
Links referenced in the January Connection
- Barclay Press
- Local Outreach Matching Grant
- NWYM Bible Quizzing
- Gar Mickelson’s Tidbits Newsletter(almost ready!)
- Midwinter High School Retreat
- BridgeTown Ministries
- NWYM Queries
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Download a PDF version of the January 2009 Connection
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Themes for upcoming issues of Connection Please take a look at these and feel free to contact us about writing for a specific topic, or recommending someone to write!Write to us at: info AT nwfriends.org
