Quaker Community

Overheard in NY

2008-07-20T14:28:13Z

http://syndicated.livejournal.com/overheardnyc/3775850.html

The comments are almost as fun as the post itself! :)

favorite Quaker poet(m)?

2008-07-11T11:39:52Z

For Adult Forum this week, we have to bring a sample of our favorite Quaker poet or favorite poem. Being so new to Quakerism still, does anyone have any recommendations? I know about Whittier and his poems are easy to find on the internet but what about others?
Thanks for any and all recommendations!

College is opening new doors

2008-07-11T07:34:42Z

Like many of the thousands of freshly graduated high schoolers, I will be shipped off to college in the fall in the attempt to cram my brain full of what I need to know to be successful in life. Or, at least, so I've been told. And as August approaches, I'm steadily getting more excited and nervous.

I'll be going to Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. Many schools exist just to ship you off into the office world, others lead towards research, and others are just preparation for graduate school. It's rare to find a school like Macalester that really seems dedicated to making the world a better place. Though they are a Presbyterian college, it's amazing how much their mission statements and their attitudes really align with my own personal moral code, which has been led by the Quaker faith ever since I was convinced a few years ago. So many of the people attending this school want to make an impact on the world around them, to help others and to try and make life a little bit better for everyone. and the general student populace is very intelligent--the statistics for the class of 2012 are truly staggering. It really called out to me from the get go, and suddenly I find myself enrolled in classes and ready to go.

I also was admitted into the Bonner Community Scholars Program. This is a program that is taking place in many colleges and universities across the country and is truly amazing. Students get involved in non-profit organizations and other community programs, such as working with inner-city kids after school, in order to better the community and to help it grow. They work with people in order to help them help themselves, and offer them service regardless of race, age or ethnicity. It's a an enlightening program with great opportunities and I'm really lucky to have been accepted into it. I'm really excited. And a great part of it is that this is a scholarship program, which will be giving me more of the funds that I desperately need to make it through college. (If anyone has any suggestions on how or where I can get some more scholarships or grants, I'd be eternally grateful).

But one of the biggest doors that Macalester is opening for me, and one of the ones that I am most looking forward to, is the fact that there is a Meeting about a block away from campus. Not only will I be attending a school that really speaks towards my Quaker values and being involved in a program that actually allows me to act on them, but I'll be able to attend a Meeting that is close and convenient for me. Currently, I am the only member of my immediate family that is Quaker. My aunt, who lives in New York, my great-aunt in New Jersey and my grandmother who lives in Tennessee (and is the one responsible for introducing me to the Society of Friends in the first place) are the only ties that I have within my family. I live in Colorado. In my high school I was the only Quaker as well, and the nearest meeting to my house is around 45 minutes away. It was really hard to get there, especially with our financial situation and the cost of gas, and one of the few ways that I've been able to really be involved in Quaker life is through FGC, which is far too short and infrequent to really keep me going. I can't even express how excited I am that I'll actually be this close and be able to get involved with a real Meeting.

I have so many things to look forward to this fall. It's all coming together and it's really looking up for me now.

Young People's Empowerment Convergence!

2008-07-10T20:38:54Z

Hello Friends,
For the second year in a row, something wonderful known as the Young People's Empowerment Convergence is happening!

The Young People's Empowerment Convergence was founded last year by three Young adult friends who felt the need for a camp experience that was entirely designed by young people for young people with a theme of youth empowerment.

The premise of the camp was that there is a subtle and not-so-subtle youth oppression that exists throughout our general society. We as youth find that along with this external oppression comes an internalized sense of inferiority, which further leads to feelings of apathy. In creating YPEC we defy the stereotype that youth are unable to create and engineer something beautiful and amazing all on our own.

YPEC 2007 was entirely organized, and designed by the Young people who participated. While the effort was spearheaded by the three coordinators, the ideas and policies of the camp were decided through consensus process at the six meetings held once a month for the six months preceding the camp itself.

The 2007 convergence was held on Snipes farm in Morrisville, PA, and was attended by about 15 young people (the numbers went up and down throughout the week). We all enjoyed excellent vegan food cooked by a vegan chef and owner of a store called 'nude foods'. We were treated to numerous workshops on topics ranging from sex and sexuality, to racism, to autonomous movements in Argentina, consensus-based decision-making, non traditional relationships, counter-recruitment, sustainability, permaculture, and many more. We also enjoyed a sweatlodge, bon fire, and sleeping in tubes outside.

This years convergence has built on the success of last years in that several participants in last years convergence have stepped into leadership roles within our community, taking over positions including coordinators, and website management. We have again planned the convergence at monthly meetings for the past six months, and are counting on having another excellent Convergence.

This year our inner city location in West Philadelphia allows us access to many local attractions such as locally owned bookstores, the clark park farmers market, capture the flag in the park, museums, and even a possible concert.

My point in writing all of this here is to promote and talk about the idea of youth empowerment as well to promote and invite young people from the Quaker community to attend this years YPEC.

The Convergence is completely free, all you have to do is print out and mail in the registration from available at www.ypec.org. The Convergence is geared mainly towards teenagers.

Hope to see you there!

New England Yearly Meeting

2008-07-07T00:15:14Z

I keep going back and forth in my mind about attending the New England Yearly meeting sessions in August. A lot of the programs seem interesting, but 6 days is a long time. Since I need to make up my mind one way or another soon, I am asking to be spammed with any personal YM experiences. Good, bad, or indifferent. Thanks!

Asking to be held in the Light

2008-07-02T01:11:11Z

I am not a member of a Quaker meeting, but have attended a few meetings, and very much have Liberal Quaker leanings.

I would normally never ask for anything, but I really feel the need for my husband and myself to be held in the Light just now.

I just spent 6 days in the hospital after a total abdominal hysterectomy. I was in a very weakened condition before surgery, and that has made recovery a much more difficult course than usual. I've also been dealing witha back fracture which had weakened one leg, and something happened to the other leg (must have been during surgery), so that I now have two very, very weak legs. I actually fell in the hospital.

I will be undergoing cancer treatement for stage 3 ovarian cancer, but am too weak for treatment yet.

I am getting stronger every day, but it has been a very rough road. I've been more concerned about my husband than myself, because this has left him with a whole lot to deal with, and he has been so exhausted and worried.

It would be a great comfort to me to know that we are being held in the Light.

Thank you so much in advance for your responses.

FGC

2008-06-26T13:16:06Z

Anyone sure they don't need to grab a ride up from the Carolinas to Johnstown PA?

I do this trip almost 5-6 times a year and I'd love for someone else to come along.

HELP IS NEEDED

2008-06-18T17:00:59Z

As some of you know John and I have joined the Quaker Community. We found that the views and ideology of the Quakers fits in with our views. One of the biggest values I have found in the Quaker community is their sense of helping others no matter who they are, there is no discrimination. They see a need and they help without questions. Recently, a co-worker of mine grandson, Chad Czapor was diagnosed with a brain tumor that needs a delicate operation. The insurance company is refusing to pay for the surgery because the doctor that they want to use is in New York and not Pennsylvania which puts him "out-of-network". This boy is a junior in high school and has his whole life ahead of him. It's unbelievable to me how insurance companies do not take these things into consideration. They have a dollar amount and that is it. The doctor in New York was willing to take whatever the insurance company would pay a "Pennsylvania" doctor, but again they said no. The amazing thing is that this New York doctor is part of the insurance company's "in-network" doctor, but only in New York. So basically, they recognize his abilities, they use him as part of their services, but only in New York--how stupid is that! So the family is trying to get monies together for Chad in order to pay for the surgery. This is a link to the website where donations can be made and taken as a tax deduction.

http://thedangelofoundation.org/The_Czapor_Family_Fund.html

I'm asking everyone to at least look at the website. The ironic thing is that the other family, The Jones family is a friend of my boss, Lauren. The father passed away suddenly due to another brain condition and they are trying to gather funds for that family as well. If you feel that you can make a donation to either one of these families or both, it would be greatly appreciated. I figured that the only way to the word around was to post on the sites that I normally frequent.

If I knew a way to do a mass posting all over the country I would. If any of you out there would like to post the link to places where you frequent that would also be helpful. The only way to get help is to spread the word. Sometimes, help comes in other forms other than cash. So please do whatever you can to make people aware that there is a need out there and that we as a society can help everyone in many different ways. Do what you can whenever you can. Thank you for reading this post.

Gretchen

Friendly Persuasion

2008-06-17T22:53:38Z

Last night Gretchen and I watched an old movie called "Friendly Persuasion". It is a 1958 movie about Quakers in Indiana during the civil war, starring Gary Cooper. http://movies.com/friendly-persuasion/d821737/drama

The movie deals with Quakers who are pacifists coming to terms with their commitment to a spiritual life of non-violence when confronted with Rebel soldiers looting and killing in their area. The movie starts with a scene in which young Jess is chased and bitten by the family's devious pet goose Samantha. I laughed so hard at this scene. Many other moments in the film gave me great fits of laughter. You may have to be a Quaker to get some of the humor, but it is very heartwarming. I especially loved the meeting for worship scene in which the Birdwell family's daughter gives her first vocal testimony sharing her joy during the worship. Her little brother wants to do so as well and stands quickly stating "God is Love!" much louder than he should because he was nervous.

I recomend this film because it made me think about the peace testimony of Friends and it made me laugh, two things a good film should do. If you get the chance watch "Friendly Persuasion". I rented it from www.netflix.com.

Do not be confused by the use of "Thee" in the film , Quakers often used "Thee" in place of the more formal you. The attitudes of early Quakers, George Fox in particular, objected strongly to the use of "ye/you" when addressing a single individual. Not only does this usage showed deference based on rank, but it is inaccurate (hence untruthful)

I pray thee enjoy this wonderful movie. In Love and Light, John.

Hello!

2008-06-17T20:03:05Z

This is my first post here and I am happy to have found this group on LJ.

I attended my first Quaker meeting last Sunday and although I did a lot of reading and studying beforehand, I was amazed of the depth of feeling it brought up for me as I sat there in the silence and "expectant waiting". The biggest challenge for me, I think, after growing up in a faith that was very structured in both belief and rituals, will now be waiting upon the Lord to fill me with His Spirit, listening and discerning what is revealed to me, and accepting that I can have this personal relationship with Him instead of having to go through others.

I have a long way to go to integrate everything into my being but I realize becoming a Quaker is not a goal but a process- a continual process of allowing.

We shared with each other, broke bread with one another, talked of relevant issues and how we could be a part of the healing process this world needs. They have a wonderful library and lots of information. There is an adult forum every Sunday and a study group as well. After so many of years of searching, it all comes to this, the simplicity, integrity, peacefulness and "that of God in everyone" of the Society of Friends.

I look forward to reading everything everyone has to share and thanks for letting me share as well.
:)

quakers @ 2008-06-08T18:48:00

2008-06-09T01:49:42Z

Hi, I'm new here!
My name is Jenna, and I'm interested in Quakerism but don't know where to start.
What do you suggest? Start by attending a meeting? (There's one 15 min from my house!)
Is there a website or book you recommend?

Thank you so much :)

Quake Wedding / photos...

2008-06-07T03:29:05Z

Hi you all who are experienced with Quaker weddings. I have a question I hope someone might have input on (perhaps even tonight! Hope springs eternal!)

Our Meeting has a tradition of no photography during weddings.

This has been my understanding of Quaker tradition as a whole; we don't take photos during worship.

Can anyone speak to the reasons for this? Is it essentially because photos distract from the spirit of worship? Are there any other reasons?

Britain Yearly Meeting's F&P says:

16.06 [...] Neither photography, nor potentially disturbing electronic recording is suitable during the meeting for worship.

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's says:

Friends are urged to consider carefully the intrusion into the spirit of worship that recording of any kind can present. Photographing, visible audio taping, and videotaping during the ceremony are often discouraged.

I will be speaking with the couple tomorrow morning; I'm trying to be faithful to custom and not be a dour "no you can't, it's simply not done" care-committee-M&C person. This is made more challenging because at the bride's parents' ceremony, there were photos taken.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Wrongdoing, punishment and restorative justice

2008-05-29T19:30:22Z

Last week, Wendy Portillo, a kindergarten teacher at Morningside Elementary School in Port St. Lucie, Florida put five-year-old Alex Barton in front of his class and asked his classmates to say what they disliked about him, and whether he should be voted out of class. He was told that he was "annoying" and "disgusting" and they voted him out by 14 votes to 2. At the time Alex was in the process of being diagnosed for Asperger syndrome, a form of autism. The story is here: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/may/23 and click on 'St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class'. On the same page for that story there is a link to the news that the St. Lucie County School District has reassigned Ms.Portillo out of the classroom pending further investigation, and that Alex has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and with ADHD.

What Ms. Portillo did was wrong. She should make restitution for her actions, such as by making a public apology for them. She must be held accountable for them and be subject to the appropriate punishment according to the disciplinary procedures of her school. I don't think she should be fired, and certainly not be banned from teaching again.

I have read comments on various websites that are nothing less than a public lynching, and are without any compassion towards her. I am appalled by the hate directed towards her. Some people want to do her emotional and/or physical harm. There is a large amount of vengeance fuelled by righteous indignation in the comments.

Supporting Alex Barton and believing passionately that he should not have been subject to such outrageous treatment, does not mean that Wendy Portillo should be subject to public humiliation or a campaign of hate. She is capable of realising that what she did was wrong and working towards redemption.

To what extent is the Quaker belief in restorative justice applicable in this case.

Friends General Conference comeing from the South.

2008-05-25T14:03:48Z

Hi ya'll!

I'm headed to Friends General Conference in Late June early July.

I live in Greensboro, North Carolina.

I was wondering if anyone would either like to ride with me OR could a catch a ride with you?

I know its early, but I'm getting a start on things!!

Hymns and Spirituals

2008-05-22T22:33:58Z

Most of the Quakers I know grew up in different Christian traditions so they are familiar with hymns and spirituals. What are some of your favorites? My all-time favorite is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, followed by Be Thou my Vision, Amazing Grace, Old Rugged Cross, How Great Thou Art and It Is Well With My Soul. I'm learning to play them on guitar because music fills me with the Spirit!

quakers @ 2008-05-22T21:56:00

2008-05-22T21:02:14Z

Is anyone else going to Britain Yearly Meeting this weekend? I'm just trying to get organised ready to set off tomorrow morning. So far I've had a quick flick through Docs in Advance (so failed on the heart and mind prepared bit already as I'm driving and won't get another chance to look properly).

The Disability Equality Group AGM is happening on Saturday lunch time and I really want to go to that, but otehrwise I'm just going to have to see how my chronic fatigue is and go to sessions as and when I have the energy and concentration levels.

But I'm really looking forward to being there and seeing lots of people.

Coming Out (As a Christian!)

2008-05-19T04:54:33Z

Today, at Borders, I wanted to look for Marcus Borg in the Christianity section but I was ashamed to be seen standing there. Coming out as a Christian is deeply embarrassing. Most Christians don't understand Christianity -- imagine how we look to outsiders! Our president claims to be Born Again; meanwhile, he authorizes death and destruction in Iraq. Then there's Fred Phelps and his infamous "God Hates Fags" campaign. Add Intelligent Design to the mix and you can see why any right-thinking Christian is embarrassed. It doesn't matter that I'm a nice Quaker, by identifying as a Christian I'm responsible for all the sins of Christendom! And I guess, if I’m really honest, I'll admit that I'm a conformist: my friends and professors have no love for religion and see it as (at best) intellectual death or (at worst) deadly folly. It's hard to be the odd one out.

In the end I grabbed the book I wanted (Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary) and ran. Do you have similar feelings of collective guilt and apprehension when you come out as a Christian? How do you deal?

Marriage Intro texts?

2008-05-13T15:21:50Z

I'm on a wedding Care Committee, which is being a real joy. It has been a long while since our Meeting has had a wedding under its care.

I wonder if you might have the text that was spoken (or just provided) for people who've never been to a Quaker service before. I have sample funeral text, but no wedding text.

It might also be interesting to see how different couples do theirs; I bet there is a *lot* of variation.

Thanks.

[Edit to add: thank you all for your contributions so far; these are very helpful.]

Do you suppose...

2008-05-11T15:35:58Z

moar funny pictures

Did the person mean first day of school or First Day School?

Current new on CA Loyalty oath & Teacher Firing

2008-05-09T19:53:16Z

http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/915089.html Editorial and note about proposed legislative action

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-oath9-2008may09,0,1371724.story LA Times story
* People For the American Way have offered to represent her
* PFAW have helped Gonaver revise her statement
* CalState system talking to her
* but, oops, someone else has been hired to do her job

http://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp?c=feIJKQMEF&b=4119631
* People For the American Way pledge

Not again...

2008-05-07T16:31:33Z

Another Quaker teacher has been fired because of the loyalty oath:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oath2-2008may02,0,6280956.story?page=1

Apparently it's CSU Fullerton, and they're being stricter on their interpretation of the law regarding the oath.

I know it's not Quakerly to hope for a lawsuit, but it would be very nice if this oath went away once and for all.

cross-posted to mareserinitatis

A statement of Quagans

2008-05-02T18:27:58Z

I have placed in the first comment to this post a statement of Quaker Pagans. It's long(ish), so I didn't put the whole thing in this post. Please read it.

quakers @ 2008-05-01T07:12:00

2008-05-01T12:14:38Z

So what are your own requirements for being a Quaker? What do you, personally, believe a Quaker must believe or not believe, how they must act or speak?

quakers @ 2008-05-01T11:31:00

2008-05-01T09:57:43Z

The post about "Quakers going Pagan" got me thinking...

The article i think touched on a big source of anxiety among Friends in FGC, that is to say, the tension between being open and accepting - both in the interests of maintaining Quaker values of equality and so on, but also in the interests of keeping our numbers up when our membership is rapidly aging and shrinking - and between identifying and maintaining a serious Quaker core of belief that I think many Quakers feel is being put at risk by the increasing trend of "hyphenated-Quakers" (i.e. Pagan-Quakers, Buddhist-Quakers, Atheist-Quakers, etc.), basically because, to put it bluntly and without meaning to cause offense, I think many Friends wonder where their loyalties really lie and whether, when push comes to shove, they can really be called Quaker in any meaningful way at all.

What obviously everyone wants is more people - lots, lots more (we've got a population to maintain, here, people!) - who are strongly committed to the Society of Friends, whatever their preferred hyphenation. So this, finally, is my question:

Has the time come for FGC to start actively seeking out potential convincees?

Or to put it more provocatively:

Is it time for FGC to develop a kind of Quakerly evangelism?

What do people think this would entail? How could such a thing be developed or discerned - or could it? Advantages, disadvantages? Great idea? Repellant? Un-Quakerly? Distasteful, but necessary? Any thoughts you've got.

I'm also very curious in the perspective of our Friends over at EFI, who obviously have some experience with this kind of thing - does EFI's evangelism make an effort to be distinctly Quaker? That is to say, do you guys do it differently than other evangelical groups out of concern for maintaining Quaker values - whatever those might be?

Also, do Friends in FUM evangelize? What is your perspective on it?

EDIT: Before this gets out of hand, I want to emphasize that I'm not too interested in once again rehashing the "What is a Quaker?" debate - as someone pointed out, that's been kind of done to death. I'm more interested in people's views on evangelism within a Quaker context, whether it's possible or desirable, and what form it could conceivably take.

Christianity Today Article

2008-05-01T00:23:06Z

Are the Quakers Going Pagan?

from here.

I think a better, more fitting title would be "Are the Pagans Going Quaker?" My understanding is that more Pagans are exploring Quakerism, not that more Quakers are exploring paganism... Am I wrong? Thoughts and responses to this article?