Friends Bulletin- Building the Western Quaker Community Since 1929-September 2001

24 Pages·2001·3.5 MB·English

Community Since 1929" Volume 72 Number 7
ORD, we lay before You
The unfinished volumes of our individual lives.
Covers worn by worry and age.
Pages tattered by love and lies and excitement and pain.
We come seeking renewal.
Sheltering the sometimes flickering Light
Of Your presence in our wisest texts.
Awaiting the tender mercy of Your care and attention.
There is strength in our standing together.
Cover to cover and heart to heart
We
lean on one another in the silence.
Our empty pages are breathless with the wait.
Trusting in You to know our need
And to gather us gently but firmly
Between the bookends
Of Your wisdom and Your nurture.
Help us to keep the pages still. Lord.
Give us the faith to have the patience.
And
the patience to take the time
To open ourselves to the inscription of
Your message.
Lest we forget to tell You, please know
That we are grateful for Your authorship. ArtworkbyCathy Webb
And we are grateful for the shelter of each other while we wait...
—
Dee Surprenant (1946-2001), Durango (CO) Meeting
Inside This Issue:
Marge Abbott, "A Tender, Broken Meeting" (IMYM Keynote Address)
News of Alaskan, Korean, and Intermountain Yearly Meeting Friends
—
.
Friends Bulletin From the Editor Waiting and Resting in the True Silence....
The official publication of
Pacific, North Pacific and “When you come to your meetings... do you sit in the True Silence, resting from your
—
Intermountain Yearly
own Will and Workings, and waiting upon the Lord?” William Penn, quoted in Pacific
Meetings of the Religious
Society of Friends (Quakers) YWearly Meeting’s current Faith and Practice.
(Opinionsexpressed arethose ofthe authors
notnecessarilyoftheYearlyMeetings.) hen I first attended Quaker meeting in Princeton, NJ, I was deeply impressed with
Editor the awesome quality of silent worship. The stillness seemed all the more impressive
Anthony Manousos because we met in an 18th century meetinghouse in the midst of an old-growth forest. The
5238 Andalucia Court only sounds were the crackling ofthe fire in the old stone fireplace, the occasional creaking of
Whittier, CA 90601 oak floors, and birds chirping and breezes blowing through the trees. It was as if we had
Phone: [phone]
stepped backwards in time, or rather entered into timelessness.
Fax: [phone]
The silence was impressive, but the vocal ministry left something to be desired. Hardly
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.quaker.org/fb anyone spoke. And when someone did, it was usually a brief message lacking in eloquence. I
began to wonder ifit might make sense for me to attend the early-bird Quaker worship service
IMYM Corresponding Editors at 9:00 AM and then slip away to the nearby Presbyterian church, which had an intellectually
—
Alicya Malik
2693 W Avenida Azahar challenging and dynamic preacher. That way I could have “the best of both worlds” the qui-
Tucson, AZ 85745 etism ofthe Quakers, and the eloquence ofthe Presbyterians.
—
Henry Sellers As I sat in the silence pondering what to do, an inner Voice spoke or rather whispered:
PO Box 12651
Albuquerque, NM 87195 “Do you wish to know Me, or do you wish to hear sermons about Me?”
It was clear what I needed to do. I needed to learn how to “rest in the True Silence” and
NPYM
Corresponding Editors to stop judging vocal ministry by merely human standards. I also needed to avoid sermons
Don Goldstein
PO Box 1010 until it was clear that I was being led to them by a Higher Power, not by a desire for intellec-
WA
Twisp, 98856 tual stimulation.
Jean Triol In this issue, various Friends reflect upon what meeting for worship has meant to them. In
PO Box 367
Somers, MT59932 her keynote address to Intermountain Yearly Meeting, Marge Abbott speaks of worship in
Peg Morton terms of “brokenness” and healing. She describes how language and theological assumptions
5Eu1g0eVnea,nOBRur9en74S0t2reet can be hurtful and how we need to be “tender” towards others seeking to live the Truth. She
PYM helps to translate old Quaker concepts into contemporary language and concepts. Reflecting
Corresponding Editor
on the essentially ineffable quality of Quaker worship, Lanny Jay invokes a Hindu practice
Marybeth Webster —
PO Box 2843 the mantra as a way to center the mind. Norm Cooper focuses on the unexpectedly liberating
Grass Valley, CA 95945 experience ofSpirit-led vocal ministry.
Board ofDirectors Probably no Quaker worship experience is more moving than those in which we remem-
Lanny Jay, Clerk ber Friends who have passed on. During Memorial Meetings we share memories of beloved
18602 Old Monte Rio Rd
Gueraeville, CA 95446 Friends, reflect upon the Eternal, and also recall our own mortality. During Intermountain
Alan Chickering, Treasurer YM, I was acutely aware that two ofthe eight Friends who passed on were my coevals.
1916 OranWgeASt SE, Apt B Although I didn’t know Dee Surprenant personally, I was deeply moved by a poem she
Olympia, 98501
Anne Friend, Recording Clerk wrote, which was read at her Memorial Meeting and appears on the cover ofthis issue:
2649 Kenwood Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Help us to keep the pages still. Lord.
MaryLouCoppock
514 E Colgate Give us the faith to have the patience.
Tempe, AZ 85283 And the patience to take the time
Lisa Down To open ourselves to the inscription ofYour message.
PO Box 11197 WA Lest we forget to tell You, please know
Bainbridge Island, 98110
That we are grateful for Your authorship
Jeannie Graves
PMB 131 Box 8049 And we are grateful for the shelter ofeach other
Newport Beach, CA 92658-8049 While we wait...
RobertGriswold
1745 Cherry St
Denver, CO 80220 As Dee reminds us, Quaker worship is about keeping still, waiting, and opening ourselves
Phyllis Hoge up to the Author (and sometimes the Editor) of our be—ing. The beauty of Quaker worship is
213 Darmouth SE We
NM that we do not have to wait alone. can wait with and be inspired, nurtured and chal-
Albuquerque, 87106 —
Jim Kimball lenged by Friends who share our concern about and devotion to the Spirit.
NW
3050 Lynwood Circle
Corvallis, OR 97330
V
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—
Page 2 Friends Bulletin September 2001
a
"A Broken
Tender,
Meeting"
A
Talk at tion. Others see themselves as Wiccans,
Universalists or agnostics.
Intermountain
What we encounter in meeting for
Yearly Meeting worship is beyond all words. Yet words
are essential to our human communities.
June 2001 We all know how words can shut down
communication as well as open up rich
by Margery Post Abbott
connections. Words can point to possibili- Confronting fears and misconceptions
Multnomah (Portland OR) Meeting ties or they can harm others. All too often can be a lifelong task. To fully listen to
we do not know how words truly affect other Friends speak about who they are
A
^ ^ Tender, Broken Meeting” is one the people we are speaking to. requires that we be open to being changed
xXway
17'*’ century Friends de- For example, a friend of mine had a ourselves in the process. To be open at
scribed what we might call a “gathe—red transforming mystical experience. This such a fundamental and vulnerable level as
meeting” or even a “covered meeting” experience was such a strong in-breaking that of faith is frightening in itself Few of
time when the Eternal Presence was felt ofthe Spirit into her life, and the potential us welcome the prospect ofchange.
strongly in the midst of worship, connect- change so significant, that she sought the The change in me involved personal
ing everyone in the room in a deep fellow- help of her meeting. She was deeply hurt friendships, regular confrontations with the
ship before God. This experience was and left the meeting with a broken heart living faith of other Friends, and God’s
transforming and often difficult to face as when no one could understand what she arm around me showing me another way to
individuals saw their own failings re- was saying and no one was willing to sim- be. The process will be different for each
flected in the Truth, as well as experienc- ply listen. ofus.
ing love, hope, and unity. I had the opposite experience, that of We profess to be open to every person
Early Friends had a distinctive lan- tenderness. When God broke open the finding their own relationship with the di-
guage of faith which was rich and full. hard, protective shell around my heart and vine. In reality, we all too often have an
They have taught me much about the called me to transformation, someone was unspoken agreement that Christian lan-
work of the Light in my own heart as well present who sat with me afterwards, lis- guage, in particular, is not acceptable.
as what it means to be a Friend. What fol- tened to me, and gently spoke to my con- We have good reason to be respectful
lows addresses the language of faith and dition. Later, others agreed to meet with of those among us who have had painful
some of what it can teach us about grow- me regularly as I learned words that might experiences in the church of their child-
ing in Spirit, enriching our lives and mak- expre—ss something of the inward change I hood, but too rarely know how to help heal
ing us beacons for hope in the world. knew words which helped birth the those wounds. We show respect for other
Spirit in me and create the ministry I am faith traditions, but are often uncomfort-
Listening to Words now living. able with the fact that much we admire
The women who sat with me each about Quakerism came from people who
Words are full of meanings depend- had their own language of faith and in- knew Christ Jesus risen and alive in their
ent on their context, the speaker and the cluded one evangelical Christian. As I hearts.
hearer. In our Meetings, when we attempt found my own way, I came to know that Coming to terms with Christian lan-
to speak about the Holy One and our their languages were not mine. However, guage is, however, valuable in our unpro-
spiritual lives, the process becomes even by our willingness to be tender towards grammed meetings. So many of us have
more complicated. We may find individu- one another in the Spirit, we each came to people in our lives who are evangelical
als who look to Judaism, Buddhism, or terms with the difficult words, as well as Christians and find it difficult to talk with
the Christian Testament for their inspira- the helpful ones, which the others used. them. Others were hurt by childhood expe-
This experience thus became a valuable riences in the church. When old anger
Margery post Abbott is a Released Friend,
writing and traveling in the ministry among Friends, process ofhealing and growth for all us. from these wounds spills out at the wrong
under the care of Multnomah Monthly Meeting in Within our unprogrammed meetings, time, it can and has been destructive to our
Portland, Oregon. In 1995 she visited many Friends as we speak of our faith, we inevitably meeting communities.
in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyo- learn that we believe things that others Learning to hear Christian language
ming as the Brinton Visitor to Intermountain Yearly experience as truly painful or difficult to
Meeting. Some of what she shared with Friends has hear. My concern is about finding words within Quaker tradition is a three-step pro-
been pubhshed as the pamphlet “Mysticism Among to express our faith and the ways we cess. First, is to become aware of the
Friends” (Woodbrooke, 1998), which can be found might heal and grow as individuals and as meanings used elsewhere in the church and
at http://members.aol.com/WestQuakes/ meetings. let go of old feelings about the way these
Mysticism_and_Quakerism.html.
—
Page 3 Friends Bulletin September 2001
—
words are sometimes used or misused. Guide, to lead, sometimes by unexpected Early Friends also saw clearly the
Second, is to consider how early Friends means and using surprising people. pain and suffering in the world, knowing
used these terms and what useful concepts These words of early Friends grew out how easily we can be trapped in this. In
they might bring to us today. The third of their deep knowledge of the Bible. They the Cross, they did not see some abstract,
step comes as we integrate this under- are words which might open our hearts and distant sacrifice to atone for our sins. The
standing. We might then recognize which beings to the Truth which both embraces Cross was a measure of God suffering
words we can simply hear without rancor Christianity and extends well beyond with us and for us, lifting our pain and
and which can be useful in service to our Christianity. burdens so that we might be free.
—
community healing old wounds rather To take up the Cross daily was once
than simply leaving raw scars. The Seed an essential part of being a Friend, a part
we all too often forget. To share the pain
A Few Words Which Point IfI were a yogi, I would seek samadhi, of the world consciously with Christ is
the Way to Growth or transcendence. If I were Buddhist, I part of growing in perfection and living a
would work to achieve Nirvana. But I am life of faithfulness. The Cross also sym-
The old Quaker doctrine of Perfec- not. I am a Quaker, a Friend. Thus I seek to bolized the—struggle of th—e “creature” or
tion says much to me. This kind ofperfec- be perfect: to be whole and to love fully as “the flesh” the self-will the part of us
tion is not about doing everything exactly I am loved. Thus, I seek to truly know and which resists the leadings of the Light.
right. What early Friends knew as respond to “that of God” in myself and in So, in some sense, to take up the Cross is
“perfection” was a process of becoming each person I encounter. similar to the Buddhist desire for self-
whole: of learning that each one of us is The phrase “that of God in everyone” emptying and knowing that neither pain
dearly loved by God and can grow in our is widely used today, but I’ve heard many nor desire need control our lives.
ability to love those around us, enemies as people express frustration with it. To speak Faithfulness to God’s way in service
well as friends. instead of “the Seed” makes clear an ex- of others is integral to the way of the
Early Friends offer other words pectation of growth. The Seed within is to Cross. We most often speak of this Way
which help me to speak about the process be nurtured and attended to or else it risks in terms of our testimonies to peace, sim-
of becoming whole so that God’s uncon- becoming stunted or even dying. As Isaac plicity, integrity, equality and commu-
ditional love might shine in us and Penington so vividly described, the Seed nity. The inward experience holds Truth
through us. sends forth tender shoots like young, green as it becomes reflected in the way we live
— corn. Yet no matter how carefully we may and the way we treat other people, all
Be still and cool in thy own mind sit and watch, the shoot does not seem to creatures, and this ball of earth we live
wait, attend grow. The growth becomes clear only over on.
The Seed days, weeks and months. No matter what our circumstances,
Taking up the Cross daily Early Friends saw this growth as we always have a choice to let generosity
The New Creation “becoming more like Christ.” We may flow and to notice thejoy present in even
Retirement more often speak of “becoming more fully the most difficult situations. The Cross is
Broken and tender meetings ourselves.” But I like the earlier way for a thus about renewal, hope and the cycles
couple of reasons. One is that I know of life.
Together, these words teach us much Christ as an eternal source of love, truth,
about being healed and whole so that we energy, hope and renewal. And second, my The New Creation
might come to live more fully in the world own experience of growth has taken me in
but not of it, and with humility let go of unexpected directions and touched on po- One of George Fox’s great openings
our self-identification with the materialis- tential I had no idea was present. I had in came when he “rose up through the flam-
tic values ofthe world. the past sought for many years to “become ing sword into the paradise of God,” and
— more fully myself’ only to learn that my “all creation had a new smell.” With this,
Be Stilland Cool in Thy Own Mind concept of myself was too limited and the he rejected the teaching that we are
Wait, Attend result was stifling rather than freeing. Only trapped in sin until some future coming
when I let go of my own concept of who I ofChrist. We can know and live in God’s
We can learn to listen for the still, was, was I able to truly come into myself. New Creation here on earth. When we
small Voice of God within, whether we attend to the Light, when we nurture the
are speaking of Meeting for Worship or Taking Up The Cross Daily Seed within, and take up the Cross, we
our all-too-busy daily lives. Early Friends can come into unity with all creation and
had several ways of expressing this kind Buddhists acknowledge that suffering with God.
—
of listening with the inward ear and seeing is endemic in this world. The First Noble In this New Creation which is
with the in—ner eye: Be still and cool in thy Truth is that suffering, pain and sorrow are sometimes referred to as the Kingdom of
own mind wait, attend. part of this world, a suffering which also God on earth, or the City of God
The reminders are constant in old includes impermanence, insubstantiality people will live in peace with one an-
writings: stop your own headstrong at- and imperfection. But this is only an ac- other, without being dominated by greed,
tempts to control your relationship with knowledgment so that we might not be envy, fear or hatred. The world cele-
God. Rather, wait upon God and trust the trapped by and in our ignorance and pain. brated in the Sermon on the Mount will
Inward Light, the Inward Teacher and Only then is true liberation possible. be come a reality.
—
Page 4 Friends Bulletin September 2001
Friends’ testimonies, our business are more aware that messages in worship vulnerable, or we can hide behind it as if
method, our worship, and the way our may not be for us personally, but may be it were armor, or even use it as a weapon
meetings are organized all grow out of very meaningful for someone else. Even at of attack. When others use difficult lan-
this experience of the New Creation real- the moments when a person may not be guage, we can respond in anger or we can
ized among us today. speaking from the Spirit, we can quietly be challenged to understand more of other
accept this and let it pass without it damag- people, ourselves and God.
ing the time ofworship.
Retirement Can we learn to be at least bi-lingual?
We
can focus on listening for the voice
This is one of the challenges for all
Do we take time away from the press of the Infinite in the silence and in the peo- Friends today. If someone asks you: “Are
of society, the demands of peace and jus- ple around us. The Light may break into you saved?” What is your response? Do
tice concerns, the obligations of the work- our hearts as we listen and our lives take on you get angry and declare, “How can you
place, and even our family? The word re- a new texture. A hard layer ofresistance or ask such a question!!!” Do you take some
tirement can call us to a time of refresh- fear deep inside might break open in the deep breaths and empty your mind? Are
ment, not the end of our work. This may silence allowing new growth. you present to that person and what they
be as simple as a period of meditation are saying? I have had people ask
in the early morning, or before we go me that question quite seriously,
to bed. It may involve reading to our concerned for my soul if I don’t ac-
children from books which speak of cept Jesus. But I have also had peo-
the Holy One shining through into the ple ask it in a broad manner, want-
world. ing to know if I am right with the
Making retirement pa—rt of life universe no matter what my faith.
includes times of retreat personal And I’ve had people ask me that to
retreats especially where one can take tease me and see how I respond.
a day or a few days alone, in the “Are you saved?” and the phrase
quiet, to renew inwardly. Similarly, which I like to use, “How is the
when I take time to write in my jour- Spirit with thee. Friend?” are both
nal at the start of the day, or sit qui- honest questions growing out of
etly and clear my mind, the whole personal faith. How they are asked
day goes much better. MargeAbbotand TedChurch, clerkofIMYM—Staffphoto may indicate priorities in a person’s
Simply taking time to hold a cen- life, but when we type-cast people
tering word in our hearts or finding because of this, or give rote answers, we
“opportunities” to worship spontaneously When we are whole, we are not as eas- only show our own lack of trust in the
with others in the midst of the on-rushing ily threatened by words we disagree with
Spirit.
flow of our days, can offer surprising per- and we have less need to control what hap-
We
spectives and give us a chance to shift pens around us. can hold ourselves and So what does it mean to be perfect?
gears and become more transparent to the the world more lightly and more joyfully. to be whole? to be healed? to know un-
Light. We can come to be present to the moment, conditional love and come more and more
and learn to allow our minds and bodies to
to love unconditionally? This is the un-
TenderandBroken
be responsive to the Source as well as our usual kind of perfection which early
Early Quaker Journals often de- hearts and souls. Friends were convinced was possible.
scribed worship as “broken” and “tender.” It is a state of being attentive to the
On Becoming Broken and
When hearts were tender, people had been Spirit, the Inward Guide, Teacher,
TenderMeetings
open to the work of the Spirit among and Comforter.
them. Meetings—were rich when many I recently had lunch with a woman It is a transforming process of nur-
were “broken” when the demands of who has not been active in my Meeting for turing the Seed within your soul. This
human lust, greed, fear and selfishness several years. She spoke more softly this Seed will bring forth fruits of pa-
broke and gave way to the leadings of the tience, truth, love, joy, peace, gener-
time, but I could still hear the bitterness she
Light. felt when people criticized her for speaking osity, faithfulness and self-control.
Sitting in the silence is not an easy
about her love for Jesus in Worship. The As the Seed grows, old wounds are
thing. Anyone who has tried it for long
wound is slowly healing, but she is not yet healed and old pains lose their con-
can attest to the huge range of thoughts
which come unbeckoned. In the silence ready to return to Meeting. Yet I also miss trol over our lives. We may then
we can give in to negative thoughts or we a man who was part of our Meeting when I come to willingly take up the Cross.
can nurture the Seed within, allowing the first came to Portland, then resigned his As we face the sometimes over-
Spirit to release the power which anger, membership because our Meeting was “too whelming and horrible realities of the
pain, fear or bitterness holds over our Christian” in his eyes and had no place for world with the support of the Unseen
lives. his faith. Power which guides us, we then have
In meeting for worship, it is some- The language of faith can be the most the power to choose to live in ways
times all too easy to be offended by a spo- difficult language a person can learn. It can so that we will not inflict more suffer-
ken ministry. As we come to be tender, we open us to others in a way which leaves us ing on others and we will ease, as we
—
Page 5 Friends Bulletin September 2001
.
are able, the injustices and pain which In our work and the huge de- As more and more of us grow into
others face. In this we live out of that mands of our busy lives, can we wholeness, we become more tender
deep, eternal peace within our souls stop from time to time for periods towards one another. The hard shells
and convey hope to the world. of retirement? As we pay atten- around our hearts are broken by the
In nurturing this Seed within, and tion to our own well-being and Holy One and we come to find com-
taking up the Cross, we come to live place our hopes and fears in the munity, support and right relation-
out God’s New Creation here on hands of the Spirit, we can be re- ships with each other and with the
earth, a place where peace is possi- freshed and renewed to continue Source. As we grow in the Spirit, we
ble, justice is known, mercy is abun- our work with new energy and a come to know ourselves as part of a
dant and humility governs. clearer perspective. tender and broken meeting.
The Mystical That Quakerism is essentially mysti-
cal is not a new idea. For example, in a
Experience 1924 lecture entitled ‘The Inner Light,”
Gerald Kenway Hibbert told his Swarth-
OF Worship
more Lecture audience:
by LannyJay Every religious system has its
—
Redwood Forest (CA) Friends Meeting “Quakers” those who turn from the
outward and the legal and the institu-
T tional, and focus their attention on the
here is a school of thought which Divine that is within. There is much
holds that one’s mystical experi- fellowship between Friends and mys-
ence of the Divine is not to be ex- tics of other systems.... The mystics
pressed in words, for words cannot do of the world everywhere join hands.
justice to transcendent experience, nor Their spirits leap together in a flash
—
should the recipient of such experience of joyous recognition in the great
presume to share with others a gift which deeps they find their unity and their
she or he has received from the Source of abiding home (quoted by Martha Dart
spiritual enlightenment. Adhering to this To make out this case, I turn first to in ‘To Meet at the Source,” Pendle
school of thought, I have shared my mys- George Fox who, in one sentence, man- Hill Pamphlet No. 289, p. 7).
tical experience of Quaker meeti—ng for aged to instruct Friends on how to ap-
worship only with my life partner with proach meeting for worship and encapsu- Being mystics and at the same time
one other exception. late meeting’s transcendent nature. To rooted in Christianity, Fox and other early
The exception was a retreat weekend have an experience of the knowledge and Quakers identified the Inner Light as the
at Ben Lomond Quaker Center. One of strength of the Divine we need only, in “Light of Christ.” Friends made this iden-
that weekend’s exercises involved draw- Fox’s words. tification because they perceived Jesus’
ing our experience of meeting for wor- life as a life fully illuminated by the Inner
ship. Using just two crayons, I dutifully Be still in thy own mind and Light. Yet, from the earliest days of the
drew the requested picture. As fate (read: spirit from thy own thoughts, and Society of Friends, Quakers understood
the Divine) would have it, as I explained then thou wilt feel the principle of that “the Light which was before the earth
my drawing to the small group, Madge God to turn thy mind to the Lord was” (Fox’s Epistle 49) is neither exclu-
Seaver, who must have then been in her God, whereby thou will receive his sively Christian, nor is it ofone or another
early 70s, happened by. Hearing the ex- strength and power from whence life religion. Rather, “the true Light, which
planation of my picture, Madge shot me a comes, to allay all tempests, against lighteth every man that cometh into the
look which said, “Friend, this we do not blusterings and storms (quoted in world,” as the sometimes-called Quaker
discuss.’’ PYM’s Faith and Practice, 1985 ed., Gospel puts it (John 1:9 KJV), is, accord-
While I can’t know for sure what was ing to Beatrice Saxon Snell, “the free gift
p. 85).
in her mind, I know that I knew that I was of God to every one of us, not only to
crossing a line when discussing my draw- For Fox then, the approach to worship Christians but to every living soul. Each
ing, and I have never forgotten being was quite simple while the gift to be found man, woman or child who sets himself to
eldered by that look she gave me. there is ofalmost unimaginable consequence. obey the prompting of truth and love is
In keeping with that experience, here In this understanding of meeting for worship making use of the Inner Light, whatever
I seek not to delineate what the mystical Fox was not alone among early Friends. name he may give it” (quoted in ‘To Meet
experience of meeting for worship has Francis Howgill found that ‘There was some- at the Source,” p. II).
been for me or is for others, but only to thing revealed in me...so I waited, and many A pure principle which unites mystics
share the fact that many Friends have ex- things opened in me ...and then the perfect of whatever tradition, and an Inner Light
perienced, and do experience, meeting for gift I received” (quoted in Faith and Prac- which belongs to no tradition but is avail-
worship as an essentially mystical event. tice, p. 84) able to all; or at least to all who wait upon
—
Page 6 Friends Bulletin September 2001
the Divine in silence with open hearts and prayer to achieve the same end with of God. The purpose of a Quaker meeting
attentive minds. Sound familiar? Wasn’t it similar success. is not to provide a means for the sharing
John Woolman, whose Journal attests to Yet experiencing meeting for worship of one’s religious views or for the plead-
his belief in a “pure spirit which inwardly as a mystical event is not an end to be ing for support for some political cause. A
moves upon the heart” which waits in silent sought or a goal to be achieved. Rather, it Quaker meeting is provided so that those
worship, who summed this all up when he is a means. It is a path to knowledge and attending may come together in divinely
wrote that: service (for knowledge is meaningless inspired silence.
There is a principle which is unless put to use), and it is a way to serve Through the years, I have come to
pure, placed in the human mind, without losing faith or burning out. For find that God-prompted vocal sharing is
which in different places and ages Friends, the importance of knowing the not a long dissertation on some subject.
hath had different names. It is, how- mystical nature of our form of worship is Rather, vocal ministry is more apt to be
ever, pure and proceeds from God. to be found in the community of worship- short so that those present can return to
It is deep and inward, confined to no ers and in their mutual support and collec- their silence as soon as possible.
forms of religion nor excluded from tive achievements. Thus, regarding the In silence, there is unity and power. I
any, where the heart stands in per- nature and significance ofQuaker meeting remember an experience that occurred
fect sincerity. In whomsoever this for worship, Robert Barclay could un- when I was working at the Pasadena of-
takes root and grows, of what nation apologetically declare. fice of the American Friends Service
soever they become brethren {The Committee. There had been a press attack
Journal and Major Essays of John As iron sharpeneth iron, the seeing on the pacifist stand ofthe AFSC. A meet-
Woolman, ed. Phillips P. Moulton, of the faces one of another when both ing of the employees was called to see
are inwardly gathered into the life, what should be done about the situation.
p. 236).
giveth occasion for the life secretly to As the discussion continued, it be-
Just as many Friends experience meet- rise and pass from vessel to vessel. came clear that there were two quite dif-
ing for worship as an essentially mystical And as many candles lighted and put ferent views as to how the situation should
event, so too many Friends lack such an in one place do greatly augment the be handled. Each side felt that it was right
experience of meeting. Robert Griswold, light and make it more to shine forth, and argued for its point of view. Finally,
last year’s Brinton Visitor, suggests that an so when many are gathered together the clerk ofthe meeting said, “It’s time for
“expe—rience of the Light requires disci- into the same life, there more of the the silence.”
pline the discipline of waiting.” Yet he glory of God and his powers appears, Gradually, God-prompted silence
also warns, “The Light isn’t something we to the refreshment of each individual took over. Not a word was spoken. Out of
obtain. It is something that obtains us to its (quoted in Faith and Practice, p. 86). the silence, quite a different way of han-
service” (“Authority and Discipline Among dling the situation came to me. Then I
Friends of Truth,” Friends Bulletin, Jul So Friends, with my eyes closed and heard the clerk of the meeting say, “I feel
2000, p. 4). And Chris Ravndal, a resident my attention focused upon that deep place that the consensus of the meeting is...”
teacher at Pendle Hill, warns that Roman to which (all praise to Allah) my mantra and he presented the exact solution that
Catholic contemplative traditions view regularly transports me, I look forward to God had given to me. Amazingly, in the
mystical experiences as potentially danger- seeing your candle “augment the light and silence, everyone was guided by God to
ous “gifts.” Potentially dangerous because, make it more to shine forth.” And after this same conclusion.
while given “of God for our encourage- meeting for worship, as the old Quaker This experience is an example of how
ment or edification,” these gifts “can dis- joke has it and Robert Griswold entreats God-inspired silence works. Even though
tract us from the real goal, [as] what was us to remember, is when the service be- not a word was spoken, the silence
given as an encouragement to one who is gins. brought forth a solution. How alert we
actually spiritually immature can be taken should be not to be tricked into stopping
as a confirmation of spiritual superior- Vocal Ministry the silence by sharing our personal relig-
ity” (“A Friendly Approach to Centering ious or political views. This does not
Prayer,” Friends Bulletin, Mar. 2000, p. 16). by W. Norman Cooper mean that we should not give voice to our
Whether posing danger to the God-inspired unfoldments. We need short
Ojai (CA) Meeting
“spiritually immature,” or requiring disci- H God-inspired messages, but these should
pline and then bending the recipient to its ow vividly I remember the first time be prompted by the silence gained in the
will, the mystical experience of meeting for I attended a Quaker First Day Meet- meeting.
worship requires a deep centering of one’s ing about thirty-five years ago. When I God does not speak to us at our meet-
mind upon the Divine. To achieve this, I entered the meetinghouse, I was given a ings through the “wind, earthquake or
use a mantra. Not a mantra given to me by typewritten sheet, which stated, “Do not fire” or through human reason, but
a spiritual teacher or guide; rather, a self- speak unless God prompts you to speak. through the “still, small voice” of the
given mantra which resonates with my Be sure to speak ifGod prompts you.” Spirit (I Kings 19:11-12). When this in-
sense of the purpose of my life. A mantra I was later to learn that these simple ward voice is heard by anyone in the
which is mine and which, when silently statements summarize the greatness and meeting, he or she should speak. Ideally,
repeated during meeting for worship, has simplicity of a Quaker meeting. The main vocal ministry should always be the by-
served me quite well. Some Friends use a purpose is to find unity in silence, which product of listening to God’s still, small
short biblical passage or a Buddhist is only broken audibly by the prompting voice.
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Page 7 Friends Bulletin September 2001
News of Western came from Anchorage, Buckland, and ferent backgrounds can build understand-
Fairbanks and found hope and common ing and trust by listening to what we each
ground in the following agreements: care about the most.
• As Alaskans, we are stewards of a
Compassionate
We
remarkable natural bounty. share
a sense of wonder, respect, and re- Listening about
Compassionate
sponsibility for the future of Alaska’s Makah Whaling
Listening In Alaska wild places and rich gifts of fish and
wildlife.
by Gene Knudsen Hoffman • Through our Alaskan heritage of ^ XI ^he issue is tearing this town
Santa Barbara (CA) Meeting hunting, fishing, trapping and gather- apart!” said a frustrated Port An-
and Cyntbia Monroe ing we are part of wild Alaska. We geles, WA activist in a meeting to think
American Friends Service Committee value respectful and sustainable use through what could be done. The issue is
of wildlife, fish, and other resources. the way the Makah tribe’s resumption of
n the spring of 1999, I received an un- • Each of us has a personal responsi- whaling has surfaced intense racism
I
expected call. It was from a young bility to learn about and understand mixed in with opposition to whaling and
woman representing the Quakers in human involvement in Alaska’s land challenges to “outdated hundred-year-old
Alaska. Her name is Cynthia Monroe, and and animals. treaties.” Port Angeles, 60 miles away but
she asked me to come to Anchorage and • What we learn from elders and writ- the largest town near the Makah Reserva-
train a group of people in Compassionate ten history, families and communities tion at Neah Bay, finds itself struggling to
Listening. She said there had been a long- creates our personal values. We want deal constructively with the intense feel-
time conflict between the indigenous peo- to teach new generations to hunt and ings generated by the tribe’s decision,
ple of Northern Alaska and the profes- fish with humility, to use resources feelings never far beneath the surface.
sional and recreational hunters and fishers. without waste, and to share foods “People take sides here and don’t listen,”
Though they had tried various ways to re- generously. the Port Angeles activist said. For exam-
solve the conflict, nothing had worked, • Many Americans lead lifestyles ple, at one meeting AFSC Program Direc-
and they had been persuaded to try Com- which distance them from the natural tor Jeff Smith and July 7 Coalition mem-
passionate Listening. world. Direct experience on the land ber Gillian Gillingham, were challenged:
I went. Indeed, I went there twice. teaches us about our dependence on “Are you going to talk about racism? For-
After the second training, and under the our environment and strengthens our get it. People won’t stay.”
auspices ofthe Seattle office of the Ameri- commitment to protect our home for The July 7 Coalition was formed by
can Friends Service Committee, a Com- generations to come. the AFSC Indian Program to combat “the
passionate Listening Project was formed • Alaskans can work together for divisiveness of the conflict and the threats
by inviting people from both sides to be sound management of hunting and of violence prompted by it.” Some pro-
listened to by listeners who would not take fishing. Local people have deep un- tests were punctuated by signs with slo-
sides nor be judgmental of either side, but derstanding of resources and harvest gans like “Save a whale. Harpoon a Ma-
would try to help each side understand the patterns in their areas. Those who kah.” But anti-whalers often feel threat-
needs, grievances, and suffering of the travel to hunt and fish have a wide ened too. No middle ground there. En-
other. They called themselves “Alaskans view of Alaskan resources. Biolo- couraged by participants in AFSC’s Alas-
Listening to Alaskans,” and Quaker gists contribute scientific tools for kans Listening to Alaskans about Subsis-
Cynthia Monroe became its wonderfully studying wildlife and its changes. We tence, (see News Update, Eall 1999 and
skilled director. support advisory bodies in which lo- reported in this issue) the July 7 Coalition
This expanding group oflisteners and cal people, other Alaskans and re- decided to try Compassionate Listening
participants challenged itself to hear the source managers use all these sources themselves as a tool, hoping it would en-
“human story” of those with differing of knowledge to reach shared deci- able conscientious individuals on all sides
views. By listening fully to each other, sions. of the Makah whaling issue to hear each
they hoped to find values they all had in • We are heartened by what we are other, even if they were far from agree-
common. ment.
learning from one another. Both our
They began with many meetings of “We want to create room for partici-
similarities and our differences can
either urban or rural groups. Then, from pants to express their values, feelings, and
be opportunities for deeper under-
January 26 to 28, 2001, in Fairbanks they We beliefs in an atmosphere of understand-
standing. look forward to the
brought the participants together. They questions we take with us from here. ing,” says the July 7 Coalition in its mis-
sion statement. “Conflict tends to cut off
Gene Hoffman’s article originally appeared as Two dozen Alaskans is a small number. communicaWtieon and to strain or break rela-
a column in HopeDance, Pathways to Sustain- tionships. want to increase the possi-
able Living and Positive Solutions, July/ And there are difficult questions which bility of heartfelt, honest communication
August 2001. Articles on the Alaskan and Na- the project has not yet explored. Yet the
and to move forward toward mending the
tive American listening projects are from the participants so far did not know they had
AFSC News Update. For more information, so much in common. We hope that over fabric of our community tom by this con-
contact the AFSC, 814 NE 40th Street, Seattle, flict.” The approach uses confidential.
WA time, more and more Alaskans from dif-
98105.
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Page 8 Friends Bulletin September 2001
safe listening sessions and is designed to Many people struggle with how to Both AFSC and people in Port Ange-
avoid putting people on the defensive. reconcile support for tribal rights with les are looking for opportunities to deal
Trained listeners tell participants they’re their opposition to killing whales, and feel with genuine conflict in ways that respect
just going to listen; these are not meet- unfairly accused of racism on that ac- feelings, beliefs and values without dis-
ings for discussion. count. Often people on both sides have missing or devaluing other people. Their
The approach takes careful plan- strong interest in the whale. Charges of effort, in the AFSC tradition, is “To See
—
ning. People need to be trained in com- racism and defenses against such accusa- What Love Can Do.” from the Pacific
passionate listening. In Port Angeles tions often touch nerves and are difficult Northwest AFSC Newsletter, Summer
people were interested in being trained to deal with. 2000.
as listeners because the conflict is so dif- The listening sessions may help clar-
ficult for their town. ify values and feelings and raise addi- Colorado Friend
Many people involved in the con- tional concerns. Several groups in Port Receives Pickett Grant
flict are grateful for the opportunity to Angeles have responded with hope to FOR Environmental Work
tell their side of the story free from criti- what feels like a possible way to build
WITH Young People
cism and attack. Given the current legal more understanding with members of the
status of Makah whaling, the sides have tribes even closer to them than the Makah,
different standing. Some tribal and non- the Lower Elwha and the Jamestown S’K- Paula Palmer, of Boulder, Colorado,
tribal supporters of Makah whaling have lallam. These tribal members face every received a Pickett Grant (see below)
the confidence of winners in the legal day the deep-seated anti-Indian feelings for her work on behalf of Global Re-
battle, and are more upbeat in meetings. that unfortunately seem to be all too com- sponse, an international network for envi-
Anti-whalers by contrast tend to have a mon in “border town” communities near ronmental action and education.
harder time, both because they seem to reservations, and which are exacerbated At the request of communities around
be on the losing side of the legal argu- by the current controversy. In response to the world. Global Response organizes in-
ment and because they feel passionate in this awareness, an additional listening ternational letter-writing campaigns to
defense of whales, have seen one killed project has begun to learn more about help them stop or prevent environmental
already, and see others at risk as the hunt how it is for Indian people in Port Ange- destruction. In many cases, decision mak-
continues. Some tribal members who les. This project is a direct outgrowth of ers in government and corporations ignore
support whaling are reticent, feeling they training in compassionate listening by Jeff the protests of rural indigenous peoples
don’t need to defend themselves; others Smith, Gillian Burlingham, and Leah and local communities that are adversely
are glad to take opportunities to speak Green around the Makah whaling issue. affected by industrial “development.” At
publicly about their position.
The Trustees of the Pickett Endowment for We urge Friends to send nominations now for the
Quaker Leadership Announce the Following Awards
year 2002 (deadline Jan. 15th, 2002) and contrib-
FOR 2001: ute to the Endowment.*
Previous Grantees (since 1994): Stan Becker, Arden
Buck, David Bryne, Mia Carter, Sunu Chandy, Har-
old Confer, Sean Crane, Allyn Dhynes, Aaron Fow-
ler, Eden Grace, Alex Kern, Nancy Maeder, Marcelle
Martin, Susanna McCandles, Laura Melly, Bridget
Moix, Julia Pantoga, Chris Parker, Kathleen
Paulmier, Daniel Rouse, Deborah Shaw, Denova
Uvalle-Vasquez, Herb Walters, Andrea White, and
Chandra Woolson.
MichaelArnold
Paula Palmer Trustees: Allen Bowman (Secretary), Stephen Cary
West Grove (NC)
Boulder (CO)
(Assistant Clerk), Carolyn Pickett Miller, Michael
Monthly Meeting
Monthly Meeeting
Moyer, James Newby, Doris Jean Newlin, Wilmer
Tjossem (Clerk), and John Wagoner.
Advisory Council: Jay Beede, Elise Boulding, Henry
Candace Kugel Freeman, Leanore Goodenow, Mary Hoxie Jones,
Edward Zuroweste Lawrence McK. Miller, and Gilbert White.
Chambersburg (PA)
Monthly Meeting
*Grants rangefrom $1,000 to $8,000 andare notavail-
ableforacademic study.
**[email protected]
Vanessa Julye
Nikki Coffey-Tousley
Central Philadelphia Durham (NC) Contact: William Penn University, Oskaloosa, lA 52577
Monthly Meeting Monthly Meeting Phone: [phone] www.quaker.org/pickettfund
—
Page 9 Friends Bulletin September 2001
the request of such communities, Global sponse offers
Response issues Action Alerts to its mem- them a way to
bers around the world. Members in 86 make a differ-
countries then send personal letters in sup- ence in the
port of the local communities, creating a world, in coop-
global citizen demand for respect of hu- eration with
man rights and environmental protection. others,” she
With the help of the Pickett grant, says.
Paula seeks to involve young people,
worldwide, in these campaigns. “I believe FRoerspmoornesei—nfoE,ncvointraocntmGelnotbaall GLOBACLonRtEacStPONSE
that children and teenagers need to experi- Action & Education Net-
at globairesponse.org
ence being part of a global community, work, PO Box 7490, Boulder,
CO 80306-7490. Phone:
working together with people of different [phone]. Email: ac-
cultures, continents and ecosystems to pro- tion®globalresponse.org.
Website: www.
tect our planet as a whole. Global Re-
globalresponse.org
Intermountain Yearly Meeting Epistles
Fort Lewis College in the knowledge that all locations are im- REUNION ANUAL DE
Durango, CO perfect. The perfection we seek will only INTERMOUNTAIN
June 17, 2001 be found in our tender care for each other, (IMYM)
and in the spirit that guides us as we take
Fort Lewis College
Our Love and Greetings, up the cross ofour work in the world.
M Durango, CO
In our morning worship sharing
arge Abbot’s keynote speech “A groups, outdoors on the green lawns of Ft.
Tender, Broken Meeting” about Lewis College, or under the firs and aspens Con amor y salutaciones,
the scriptural basis of the language of of Snowslide campground, we considered
L
early Friends, and the deeper meanings of how we could reach past the barriers of a tonica de nuestra reunion anual
their words set the tone for our annual language and opinion to touch the seed of fue proporcionada por Marge Ab-
gathering. We find ourselves challenged perfection in others. In this cherished time bott, quien, con su presentacion bajo el
to listen more deeply, setting aside old of reunion and retreat we found refresh- tema: La Junta Anual, Carinosamente
prejudices or habitual reactions to lan- ment in the universal language of music, Multifacetica, nos ilustro sobre las bases
guage different from our own. touch, shared food, shared work, and cen- del lenguaje utilizado por los primeros
In our meetings for business we tered silent worship. cuaqueros y el sentido profundo de sus
found ourselves seeking to be tender with In gathered silence we heard the me- palabras. Nos invito a esforzamos a es-
each other, to surrender our individual morial minutes of Friends who laid down cuchar con mayor profundidad, haciendo
goals and become broken to the guidance this earthly life during the past year. Our a un lado viejos prejuicios o nuestras
of the spirit. The results were unexpected hearts opened in sorrow for our loss, and in reacciones mas habituales hacia un len-
and refreshing. A leading of two of our deep gratitude for the gifts given to us by guaje que es diferente al nuestro.
members toward peace work in Palestine these bright spirits, grandfathers and grand- En nuestras reuniones de acuerdos
caused us to reevaluate the nature and mothers ofus all. buscamos utilizar las formas mas tiemas
We
uses of our Committee on Sufferings. On- are stunned into joy by the beauty en el intercambio de ideas, dejando a un
going work to write a Faith and Practice of our children. We are awed by the light lado nuetras metas individuales,
true to the nature of IMYM leads us now that shines in our young people, as they abriendonos a la guia del Espiritu. Los
to make our historical archives both or- seek to walk cheerfully as Friends in a resultados fueron inesperados y refre-
ganized and accessible. We continue to troubled and sometimes heart-breaking scantes. El hecho que dos de nuestros
We
pursue our concerns for human rights is- world. are grateful to have the opportu- miembros han estado involucrados en
sues on the border between the United nity to nurture these seeds. trabajar por la paz en el Medio Oriente,
States and Mexico, although at times we In closing we acknowledge humbly the nos llevaron a rejuvenecer nuestro
differ on how best to carry forward this truth ofPaul’s words: “though I speak with Comite de Aflicciones. El proceso en
concern of our yearly meeting. We are the tongues of men and angels, and have marcha de redactar una “Fe y Practica”
encouraged that this issue is becoming not love, I am as sounding brass or tinkling que refleje la realidad de IMYM nos ha
one ofnational prominence. cymbals.” llevado a hacer mas accesibles nuestros
As we considered changing the site of Whatever your language Friends, we archivos historicos. Continuamos con
—
our annual gathering a subject that has send you greetings and our love. nuestros esfuerzos por proteger los dere-
— —
led to conflict in the past we found unity Ted Church, clerk, on behalfofIMYM chos humanos en la frontera que separa a
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Page 10 Friends Bulletin September 2001