Reflections on Immigration Issues
Many Latinos are angry and disappointed because of the history behind these lands we live in, both North and South America. We feel we are reaping what others sowed. The first Europeans took these lands when they found out that the natives didn’t understand the concept of private property. They imposed their laws and worldview. In South and Central America they were mostly Catholic, while in the north, they were mostly Protestant.
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Modern Slave Trade: Turning Anger into Action
by Amanda Folwell, Greenleaf Friends Church
I first became aware of the issue of human trafficking four years ago when I attended a lecture given by a friend’s sister, the founder of a ministry in Athens, Greece for people caught in the web of slavery. I felt an immense desire to do something about it. I thought slavery was a dark stain of the past. Little did I realize that it has become stronger than ever. I came away from the lecture gripped by fear, hopelessness and anger. How could God allow this terrible thing to happen to innocent people, especially children?
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
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Responding to a Nudge
by Jared Jones, North Valley Friends, Newberg
I live in a privileged white, middle-class world: I’m a comfortable, married father of two, meaningfully employed; I’m satisfied, if sometimes overcommitted. I often wonder what I could or should be doing to reach beyond my snug context into a hurting world of which I’m painfully aware.
I have been asking God to guide me toward an opportunity to work for justice. I envisioned… well, read on to see what I envisioned, and what God actually nudged me to!
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Building Bridges of Trust Between Cultures
Excerpts of an e-mail conversation among leaders of NWYM: Louise George, Angel Diaz, and Becky AnkenyLouise George of Boise Friends asked:
How do we Anglo Christians help build bridges to the Latino Christians and the Latino community in general? I know that language is a barrier, and culture too, but there must be some practical ways we can find to embrace each other, to truly get to know one another, to share our lives with each
other. What do those of you from Latino cultures have to tell us? What do you need from us? What do you wish we understood about you?
Thank you, Louise, for the opportunity that you bring to us to give ideas that can help to integrate both cultures and reach the community by building bridges between Anglo Christians and Latino Christians (and the Latino community in general). Let me share five points about our cultures that seem important…
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Keeping Current with Local Outreach ~ Hayden Lake Makes Room for Recovery 24/7
by Terry Butcher, Board of Local Outreach
Twenty-Four/Seven in North Idaho is a transitional and mentoring outreach to individuals recovering from addictions. It is a residential program, so clients live in the houses and participate in structured programming. Most clients apply to the program while they are still in the county jail, and if accepted may be allowed by their probation/parole officer and a judge to leave jail early in order to enter the program. They would also return to jail if they fail the program. You may have heard of Twenty-Four/Seven before, since it was started at Hayden Lake Friends while Gar Mickelson was the Outreach Pastor. In the program, Twenty-Four/Seven clients find out (possibly for the first time in their lives) that they can be loved and are loved.
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Keeping Current with Global Outreach – Speaking Out for Justice in Russia
by Johan M., NWYM Friend Serving Abroad in Russia
On the corner of Mir and Tevosyan streets in Elektrostal, Russia, stands a poignant memorial: two flowers carved into a stern boulder, with a plaque reading “In memory of victims of political repression: Bless these departed lives, our homeland’s stars washed in blood.” Fresh flowers constantly appear before the boulder, as families remember those lost through injustice. Our American history rarely included mass repression—that is, not among people of the same color and class as those “Founding Fathers.” But Scripture warns us not to put on airs!
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
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Keeping Current with Global Outreach – Spotlight on the Chapmans 
A goal of the Global Outreach Board is to highlight NWYM folks who are exploring overseas ministry. Michael Chapman, married to Melissa, and member at Newberg Friends, recently visited Rwanda for a graduate program internship. Here is his reflection.
I had walked up that hill many times before, but this time was different. As I stood shoulder to shoulder with Mudenge, I tried to place myself in his shoes. What was going through his mind? What was he experiencing? Were his heart and emotions racing the same way mine were? Or the same way that his were 15 years ago? In 1994, Mudenge walked this very same road on a march to his death. He and 5,000 other people were herded like cattle from the bottom of the hill, up the one-mile steep incline to the crest of the hill, only to be slaughtered at the hands of the interhamwe, or Hutu militia.
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Yearly Meeting Foundation: Support the People and Places You Value
by Gene Christian, Yearly Meeting FoundationIn a recent church service, our pastor talked about running well—and finishing well—this race we call “life.” He said many people get off to a fantastic start, but then they run out of the “fantastic” and end up sputtering to the finish line. He mentioned the importance of good estate planning as one of the hallmarks of finishing well. For many people estate planning is a daunting prospect. The terminology and concepts used are confusing, the subject area isn’t exactly big fun, and ultimately, legal paperwork must be completed to make everything official. Now in its third year, the Yearly Meeting Foundation is working with the various churches throughout the Northwest to make sure everyone has access to estate planning services that are free from insurance or investment sales.
>>read more and discover how to access these resources>>
GFU Mission: Friends Leadership Center to Launch
Jamie Johnson is returning to George Fox University this summer to strengthen its ties with the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends. Johnson graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in religion and youth ministry and was known then for his goals and assists on the soccer field. He returns now as the university’s new Friends Leadership Center advisor and recruiter of students from Friends churches.
>>read more>>
.Announcements and Updates
- Friends Women Update
- Newberg Friends “Vecina, Vecino” program
- NWYM’s Subcommittee on Human Rights update
- Immigration Advocacy seminar
- George Fox Evangelical Seminary Graduates
- West Chehalem Friends Church Centennial Plans
- Summer Camp Director Contacts
Register online for Yearly Meeting SessionsJuly 26-30, Sunday to Thursday evening
(the descriptions below are links that will take you directly to the registration page)
- Family Registration
- Individual Registration
- Youth Yearly Meeting Only Registration
- Tilikum Only Registration
- Celebration Banquet Only Registration
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LINKS
- Here are some organizations that can help provide information and resources to address human trafficking.
- NWYM’s full list of Queries
- Local Voices – NWYM’s blog page of local outreach initiatives
Download a PDF copy of the June Connection
