Reflections on Quaker Leadership
What do Quakers Bring to Leadership? Plenty. Quakers have contributed a great deal to the understanding of leadership. Many ideas that seem new and fresh in today’s leadership literature were normative for Quakers from the beginning. Our foreparents such as George Fox, Margaret Fell, Elizabeth Fry, Joseph Gurney, and many others practiced a unique form of leadership in Quaker meetings not at all natural in 17th century Europe.
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Upholding Our Standards
by Arthur Roberts, North Valley Friends
Arthur, is a professor emeritus of George Fox University, and has traveled, taught, and written widely among Friends. Regular devotional thoughts written by Arthur can be found on our site at Roberts Reflections.
Standards refer to scriptural principles documented in our Faith and Practice. This month’s query stresses the importance of exemplary leadership. Northwest Friends are a covenant people, not a collection of independent congregations. Historically, we have been gathered as a people who together seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in articulating what we believe.
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Out of My Mind – Living Spaciously
In the last Connection, I noted one beautiful way scripture describes the experience of salvation by pointing to the Old Testament notion of “a spacious place.” This language of spaciousness is directly tied to the Hebrew vision of a God-directed life. I also suggested that shalom—peace with God, oneself, neighbor, enemy, and even creation—is central to the spacious way. Such peace is much, much more than the absence of conflict. Rather, as it is imagined in its fullness, it is an unhindered, contented life lived before God and in the beloved community belonging to God.
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Reflections on Recording
by Deborah Climer, Silverton Friends, Board of Leadership Development
I have experienced the “recording subcommittee” within two different structures of NWYM. One of the parts of the recording process that always amazes me is when the candidates share their testimonies. No two stories about their encounters with God are ever the same. I am constantly reminded that God cannot be put in a box.
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Keeping Current with Local Outreach ~ South Salem Dinner Program
by Larry Rotondi, South Salem Friends
About a year ago during one of our stewardship meetings we were sharing ideas on how to serve God through our community. There were great ideas such as a community garden (we have a parcel next to the church perfect for it) or a food bank. Then Cindy and Ben Jury shared about a Silverton church where Ben’s mother worships. They started a meal program to feed about 30 people and now serve up to 300! Cindy and Ben shared about the miraculous things God has done there and how he has blessed this church, with its limited resources and small congregation, while filling a real need in the community. Ben and Cindy presented the idea to the stewards. “We could do the same for our community.” And we have…
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Keeping Current with Global Outreach – Latin American Quakers Find Their Voice
by Nancy Thomas, North Valley, Friend Serving Abroad
The wise old saying goes, “Don’t give a poor person a fish. Teach him to fish.” For me that saying becomes, “Don’t just give someone a book. Teach her to write!” I remember one of my first assignments as a young untried missionary to Bolivia. I was to write an interactive programmed textbook on the epistles of Paul to be used by adult Aymara leaders in rural communities. It sounded challenging to me, so I tackled the job and after about a year came out with a fairly decent text. But I look back now and shudder at my naivety….
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Spanish-Language Ministry Training Program
In January, the Latin American Center for Theological Studies (CETLA) completed its first cycle of seven courses for its Certificate in Bible 
Ministry. This is a partnership program between NWYM Latino Ministries and Barclay College. Antonio Mandujano, pastoring a second Spanish-speaking congregation under Iglesia Amigos en Newberg, was the first graduate. CETLA is an initiative of members of NWYM, with Hernán Díaz of Vancouver serving as director.
>>read more about the CETLA program>>
Announcements and Updates
- Twin Rocks’ Party by the Parkway
- Youth Challenged to Expand their Worldview Team Announcement
- North Africa Exploration Team
- Boise’s Emergency Family Shelter
- Summer Youth Camp Schedules
- Local Elders Handbooks
- Christian Education Banquet at YM Sessions
- Yearly Meeting Sunday, May 23
- Pastoral Transitions and Church Openings
- Share Call for City’s Edge
- Young Adult Friends Leadership Team
Download a PDF copy of the May 2010 Connection
