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Friends Bulletin PACIFIC, NORTH PACIFIC, AND INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETINGS OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Volume Number 61, 2 October 1992 jvI'1*'*'’ y >vv' The Western Gathering of Friends — PAGE 18 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN A Blessing Editorial byJohn Sullivan, Vashon Island TheWesternGatheringofFriendswasanhistoricevent. Forthose — ofus who were there those Friends—who are willing to act as a AlthoughIbelieve in freedomofreligion,itconcernsme bridgefromonetraditiontotheother theeventwasanunquali- thatFriendsofdifferentperspectivesaresodistantfromeach fied success. other.True,thedifferencesamongusarenotinsignificant,nor Bob Stauffer, Honolulu Meeting, looked at the numbers with a easilybridged.DouglasGwynwarnedthatweQuakersmay differentperspective: beonthethresholdofnewschisms andalienationandthatthe Oftheeightgeneralareasoftheworldwhereunprogrammed polarizing force of the past is pulling at us with renewed Friendsexist, weintheWesthavethesmallestratioinrelation strength. to programmed Friends, something like one to seven. As FortheseveryreasonsitwasablessingtohavetheWestern such, we are perhaps a proving ground for reconciliation Gathering bringing together at least some from all Quaker effortsworldwide,wheretheunprogrammedFriendsexistin wings,probablythemostmoderate,andpermittingtheinvalu- adecliningrelation,currentlysomethinglikeonet6four. On ableexperienceofseeingandhearingforourselveswhatwein the other hand, if material numbers are anyjudge, the first ourdifferentstylesholdsacred,howweworship,whatrolewe Western Gathering fell short of its planners' decent and provideforsocialaction,andsoon.Weallwerelearning. worthy expectation. Unprogrammed Friends were 34 times In the worship group which I co-clerked, a member of more likely to show up than our estranged programmed BerkeleyFriends Churchsharedherbeliefsandpractices,and cousins.Votingwiththeirfeet,bynotcoming,thethundering liberalFriendsdidso,too.Clearlynervousatthestart,wewere silenceoftheirtestimonyspoketomanyofus. drawnbyourinterest,thenbyfeelingsofmutualityatcertain Headds: points,andfinally, Ifelt,trueaffectiongrewamongus.That Beyondsuchweighty(thoughfascinating)matters,Ihada maybethemostwecanhopeforatpresent;thepersonsateach marveloustimewithallthewonderfulattendersattheGath- endoftheQuakerspectrumwerenotinattendance.Butastart ering. The whole event was emotionally and spiritually re- hadbeenmade.PeaceandloveamongQuakersmaybecome warding, and Irecommend sucheventstoeveryone. more thinkable. I favor some mechanism ofcommunication Douglas Gwyn, pastor at Berkeley Friends Church, gave the andconsultationtofendoffthestereotypesandtodeepenus keynoteaddresswhich BobVogelhassummarized: inourknowledgeandlove. DouglasGwyn reviewed thestruggleoftheearlyChris- ... tian church between Jewish and Gentile Christians who YEARLY MEETING OFFICERS achieved a bi-polar unity as theyconvenanted around their PACIFIC disagreements. Gwyn called for a similar kind ofcovenant PresidingClerk: Ellie Huffman (916) 626-1524 renewal among Friends. Such a covenant would acknowl- PO Box 136 edge that we have different experiences, based in personal Rescue,CA 95672 historyanddifferentsub-culturalbackgrounds;butitwould AssistantClerk: Jane Mills (707) 539-6517 work to bind us together in the care ofa transcendent God 7899 St HeleCnaARd Santa Rosa, 95404 whoismorethanthesumofourparts,whoseloveisgreater Treasurer: PhyllisJones (619) 469-7627 thanourimperfectloves,andwhoseinterestisinallcreation, 8545 Renown Dr notourself-centered hopesand desires. San Diego, CA92119 NORTH PACIFIC Gwyn called on all Friends to recognize and honor each PresidingClerk: JohnSullivan (206) 463-3017 other'ssenseofthesacred.Tohelpbridgegulfsofmisunder- 19401 - 131stAve SW WA standing,heurgedliberalFriendstorediscovertheBibleand Vashon, 98070 thepropheticvisionthatinformedQuakerismandtakeseri- SteeringCommittee Clerk: ouslyandhonorthedeepevangelicalconcernfortraditional P1a4u3l4a9 B1u8t9ztihWayNE (206) 869-2810 family relations and values. Evangelical Friends were chal- Woodinville,WA 98072 lenged to understand and respect the liberal reverence for Treasurer: Charles Kimball (503) 997-4237 nature,bothhumannatureandtheenvironment,joinQuaker 04862Oceana Dr groups that are finding new ways to hallow the earth, and FlIorNenTceE,ROMRO9U74N39TAIN simplyaccept thatsomeliberalMeetingsblesssame-gender unionswhenthecoupleiswillingtoliveouttheirrelationship PresidingClerk1:720MaLritnidnenCoAbvien, Boul(d3e0r3,)C44O2-850034074 underthenurtureand guidanceoftheirhomemeeting. ContinuingCommitteeClerk: After the Gathering I asked Friends, "As you reflect on your 5R0a1ndEyFiHresrtrAivcek,-SDteanrever(,30C3)O77870-2201305 experiences at the Western Gathering of Friends, do you have a Treasurer: JimHWoffman (303) 989-6454 specialmemoryofapersonalinteractionwithamemberofanother 9300 Tennessee Ave yearlymeeting?"Ihaveenjoyedtheresponses.Ithinkyouwill,too. Lakewood,CO 80226 NancyYamall — FRIENDS BULLETIN OCTOBER 1992 PAGE 19 Friends Bulletin Table Of Contents Theofficialpublication ofPacific, North Pacific,andIntermountain A Blessing byJohn Sullivan 18 YearlyMeetingoftheReligious SocietyofFriends The Western Gathering of Friends 1620 NW Menlo Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330-2055 by Paul Niebanck — 20 Telephone: (503) 757-7143 A Vital Reason for Dialogue byJohn Punshon 21 — Editor, Nancy Yarnall Queries Intermountain Yearly Meeting 22 Book Review Editor The Greatest ofThese is Love by Kjell Benson 22 Molly Bishop, PO Box 169, Duncans Mills, CA95430 The Children's Program byJane Sn—yde—r-— 23 Worship Sharing by Sheila Smith - - 23 (707) 865-2469 IMYM Corresponding Editors The Sacred in Others by Robert S. Vogel 23 Mountain Top Experience by Michael Moore 24 Jim Ray, 2520S Ivanhoe PI, Denver, CO80222 — Fragile Beginning by Polly Pool 24 MelodyInchmuk, 1740GilmerHeights, Prescott, AZ86301 A Terrifying Idea by Margaret Gottlieb 24 MarieGodfrey, 523ValleyViewDr, Richfield, UT84701 Phyllis Hoge, 213 Dartmouth DrSE, Albuquerque, NM87106 Spiritual Centerby Harold Carson —24 NPYM Corresponding Editors True Meaning of the Story by Monette Thatcher 25 The Reunion by Tom King 25 MadeleineCadburyBrown, 1412FarrellLn, Richland,WA99352 Jim Johnson, 715 Lexington Ave, Butte, MT59701 Family of Friends by Chris Cradler 26 PYM Corresponding Editors After the Gathering by Gloria Kershn—er 26 New Mexico Region by Phyllis Hoge 27 BetsyKahn,4636Morro Dr,Woodland Hills, CA91364 PattySilva, 16557S HighlandAve, Selma, CA93662 Southern California Quarterby Betsy Kahn 27 Memorial Minutes — 28 Friends Bulletin Committee Announcements ---29 Clerk: Grace Buzaljko, 612Albermarle, ElCerrito, CA94530 Discovering or Rediscovering the Psalms (510) 527-8558 by Leonard S. Kenworthy CMhoalrllyiBeiKsihmobpa,llP,O04B8o6x21O69c,eaDnuancDar,nsFlMoirllesn,cCeA,O9R549370439 ThReevPisealwmssbSypLeiadkiebMyiGlle—eorrge T. Pe—c-k———— 30 GAlearnryStMraayinn,ar1d2,72R9a4t1hbNourmtWhawyo,odSaDrn,taAlCarmuezd,aC,AC9A590465201 ALedtvteerrtsisements—-——————-—— —3301 LowellTozer, 14842 PenasquitosCt, San Diego, CA92129 Faith and Practice (PYM) Revision Committee Rob RoyWoodman, 2532Westernessee Rd, Davis, CA95616 Jean Walton, Clerk- — —-—-31 — AllcorrespondenceshouldbedirectedtotheCorvallisaddress.Deadlinefor Vital Statistics __—____—___—___—_ —— ———31 copyisthefirstofthemonthprecedingthemonthofissue.Wegladlyaccept Orthodoxy by Marge Abbott 32 copyon3 1/2”PCorMACfloppydisksinanywell-knownword-processor format. CoverdrawingbyRickDanielson, Walla Walla, WA. RickisamemberofWiderQuakerFellowship. Printed by Corvallis Web Press, Corvallis, OR • FRIENDSBULLETIN (USPS859-220)ispublished monthlyexcept February and August by Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Photo Society of Friends at 1620 NW Menlo Drive, Corvallis, Oregon by 97330-2055. Telephone (503) 757-7143. Second-class postage paidatCorvallis, Oregon. Anne • SubscriptionRates: $20.00peryearforindividuals,$16.00peryear Friend for group subscriptions through Meetings. $14.00 per year for a student/low income subscription. First class postage $5.20 addi- (PYM). tional. Foreignpostagevaries. Individualcopies$2.00each. • Postmaster: Send address changes to FRIENDS BULLETIN, 1620 NW Menlo Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330-2055. PaulNiebanck(PYM). — PAGE 20 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN The Western Gathering of Friends Lewis and Clark College, July 6-10, 1992 by Paul Niebanck, Santa Cruz TheWesternGatheringwasafirst-timeevent.Sixyearlymeetings,representingboththeevangelicalandliberaltraditions ofFriends,cooperatedinbringingabouttheGathering.Asstatedbythe1989consultationthatgavebirthtotheGathering,the r r ® To provide for face to face meetmgs. ® To arrive at a better understanding. • To dispel misconceptions and fears. Theconsultationaffirmed thatFriendshaveacommonancestor, and thateachofthetraditions isgrapplingwithwhatit meanstobea Friend. TheWesternGatheringwasconceived,notasawaytoseekanswersortomakeagreements,butasan opportunitytocome toaclearersenseofouridentitiesas Friendsand to gain insightfor ourrole in today'sworld. Twohundredand fifty Friends,ofallagesand fromallovertheWest,attended theGathering. Eachyearlymeeting,plus FriendsfromMexicoandAlaska,presenteditselfinitsownuniquewaytotherestoftheGathering.WorshipGroupswereheld everyday,and thematicgroupsmettoconsiderquestionsoffaith andwitness. Achildren'sprogramofhighqualityhelped toroundouttheGathering.Wewereaidedinoureffortsbythreespecialguests:DouglasGwyn,ministertoBerkeleyFriends Church;AsiaBennett,executivesecretaryofFriendsWorldCommittee,SectionoftheAmericas;andJohnPunshon,professor ofQuakerstudiesat theEarlhamSchool ofReligion. Doug's openingset the tone, anda panelofall threeurged us onatthe lastplenary. TheGathering wasboth an event in itselfand an indicator ofwork thatlies ahead. Attenders remarked onthe faith that brought so many Friends together, the earnest intensity of the Gathering, the powerful diversity in Friends who came, the opportunities for learning and personal connection that were provided, and the promise ofdeeper searching and stronger sharing thatwillsurelyfollow. "I listened and was listened to," said one Friend. Another remarked tenderly on "the halting expressions of trust and intimacy,"andyetanotherexclaimed,"Quakerseverywhereareagreatbunchofpeople!"Stillanotherspokeformanywhen sheaccountedforherexperience: "Godisstirringusdeeplytowardamorehelpfulministrytoeachotherandallofcreation." Manywhoattendedwouldwelcomeanothersuchgatheringwithinafewyears.AsecondWesternGatheringmightfocus on specific issues ofbeliefand practice, and perhaps evangelical Friends could be encouraged to attend in larger numbers. Attenders also felt the need for personal inter-visitation, dialogues among meetings and churches in the same vicinity, and opennesstojointprojectsandoutreachefforts.Severalfollow-upevents,atboththemonthlymeetingandregionallevel,have actuallyoccurred since theGathering. PerhapsthemostpowerfuloutcomeoftheWesternGatheringwillbethemovementofFriendsintheWesttowardssharper definition and more powerful presence in the wider society. Ourbeliefs and commitments are congruent with the deepest yearningsofhumanity,andourformsofworship,community,andservicearemirroredinmanyplacesallovertheworld.Yet, withexceptions,wehavetended tohold tighttowhatweknowanddo. Weareasaneggthatispreparingtohatchoraseed thatispreparing toburst. At the Gathering: As with the seed, we arebegin- Volunteer Staff and ningtoawakentoourfullpotential. Planning Committee: CentralAlaskaFriendsConference The WesternGathering mayprove CanadianYearlyMeeting to have been a precursor, a hint of MargeryPostAbbott,registrar NorthwestYearlyMeeting our readiness tobreak forth newly Annis Bleeke,arrangements FWCC NorthPacificYearlyMeeting as a religious society. Like every CildeGrover, liaison IntermountainYearlyMeeting other life form, we cannot grow to AnnStever,coordinator RockyMountainYearlyMeeting maturityor yield ourharvestuntil OlenEllis, RockyMountain FriendsChurch- wefirsttrustthatwearereadyand Rob Hughes,Canadian SouthwestYearlyMeeting worthy to come out into the envi- Greg Lamm,Northwest PacificYearlyMeeting ronmentthatwearegiven.Thetime PaulNiebanck,Pacific GeneralReunionofFriends in fortrustmaybe uponus. JaneSnyder, North Pacific Mexico NancyTaylor, Intermountain — FRIENDS BULLETIN OCTOBER 1992 PAGE 21 A Vital Reason for Dialogue* andtheotheristheecumenicalmovementamongliberalsinthe byJohn Punshon, Earlham School of Religion churches.Bothofthesemovementsworkintheirdifferentways toplanedowndenominationaldifferences. Itseems tome the EmanuelKantbequeathedthreequestionstothechildrenof Religious Society of Friends stands for something unique in theEnlightenment.Hesaid,Iwanttoknowtheanswertothree both its branches, and toexplore thatdenominationalismand questions: WhatcanIknow?WhatmayIbelieve?Whatought strengthenitagainsttheforceserodingitistheprimaryreason Itodo?ThesearethequestionsoftheEnlightenment,and they Iseeforthedifferentbranches tocometogether. arequestions thatexercise theliberalbranchofQuakerism. AsBenFranklinsaid,ifwedon'tallhangtogether,wewill But Evangelical Friends tend to start at a different point. allhangseparately.IthinkQuakerismismuchtooimportantfor They ask: Where will I spend eternity? Underlying this is the ustoallowthistohappen.Thereisenoughstrengthoffeelingin conviction thatweshallallcome face tofacewith theTruthin the Evangelical tradition to balance the concern in the liberal Christandbecalled upontogiveanaccountofwhetherornot tradition.Whatweneedisajointexerciseofexplorationabout we have lived our lives according to that Truth all our lives. common interests. Before that can happen, there has to be Therefore, the impulse is different, and it leads to a different equality. Aswe look to the future,wehavetopayattentionto characterand a differentspirituality. evangelical concerns. We liberal Friends have certain Liberal Friends arenot altogethersure that they areChris- presuppositionsweneed toexamine. tians, and so they spend a fair amount of their time going to meetings,atwhichtheysearchforanauthenticQuakerism,itis sometimes strange to grasp that Evangelical Friends are quite suretheyareChristians,andthereforethequestforanauthentic Quakerismisofconsiderablylessurgencyintheirlives.Because Photo ofthis,someoftheFriendswhomwewoulddearlyhaveloved by to have sit at places at this table are teaching vacation Bible school or are in summer camps or perhaps are in Central or Jeanette South America doing mission work. They prefer that kind of action to the more introspective activity that concerns liberal Friends. Norton ThatraisesaquestionthathasbeeninChristianhistoryfrom theverybeginning.AsTertullianaskedinthethirdcentury:Can (PYM). AthensspeaktoJerusalem?Whataretheprospectsfordialogue betweenthechildrenoftheEnlightenmentand thechildrenof Intermountain YearlyMeetingFriends thegreatawakening? at the Western Gathering. Itseemstometherearetwowaystoapproachthisquestion. Thefirstistosimplygettoknowtheothergroup,toexperience The first presupposition is that diversity is desirable, that thesimilaritiesanddifferences.Thisisanimportantthingtodo, diversityisbeneficial.Thecounterargumentisthatyouspend butofitselfisastrongerreason,amorefundamentalreason,a all your time talking among y—ourselves and can never tell us morevitalreasonfordialoguebetweenthetwobranchesofthe what you corporately think or whether you can have a ReligiousSocietyofFriends. corporateviewbeyond limited diversity.Thatisanimportant It is conceivable that the crossroads of question arising from this conference, which liberal Friends world Quakerism is on the West Coastof have toaskthemselves. The second is an instinctive attitude that if there are two this continent. opposing theological views, there must be a third that tran- My conviction comes from two considerations. First, the scendsandreconcilesthem.However,theinstinctofEvangelicals center of Quakerism was once London, England. Then the istoquotetheBiblicalcommand:"Ihavesetbeforeyoulifeand centershifted toPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania,and thentoRich- death. . . therefore, choose life" (Deut. 30:19). That is a call for mond, Indiana. Now, with growth of Evangelical Quakers existentialcommitment,notacallforintellectualreconciliation. outsidetheUnitedStatesandstimulatedbygrowthofmissions We have to think, ifwe are liberal Friends, about the waywe bySouthwestYearlyMeetingandNorthwestYearlyMeeting,it thinkbefore we cancome to termswith the wayourbrothers isconceivablethatthecrossroadsofworldQuakerismisonthe andsistersthinkintheothertradition.Ifwecangetbeyondthat WestCoastofthiscontinent.Therefore,thefutureoftheSociety thenthewayisclearfordialogue. lies in the hands of those who are active in Western yearly WealsohavetobeclearaboutpreoccupationsofEvangelical meetings, thosemeetingsthatwereinvolved inconveningthe Friends.Thefirstisthequestionofmissions,bothtoothershores WesternGathering. That, in fact, maybe thehistorical signifi- and to the marginal, the alienated, and the unchurched in canceofwhatwearedoing. UnitedStatessociety.Thesecondpreoccupationisthequestion Thesecond reason is thatthereare two forcesatwork that of how Christ is experienced in the church, the order and may be inimical to the Society of Friends. They are, on the government,andourdisciplineinthetraditionalQuakersense Evangelical side, the movement called the new Evangelism, ofthatword.Third,whatisthebasisofourcommitment?Have — PAGE 22 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN wehadaconversionexperience,oronlyanadjustmentexperi- The Greatest of These is Love ence?Doesitmatter?Whatisthebasisforholinessandthequest by Kjell Benson, Multnomah forperfectionthatrelieson thatexperience? In the field of youth and children, how can we enable our Ihadnotbeen toa Friends' gatheringontheWestCoastfor childrentocopewithsocietyandtostandoutagainstdestructive at least five years; school, travel, and work had combined to and harmful influencescoming to them fromall directions? insure that I was always somewhere else. Yet, on arriving at These are evangelical preoccupations, but in form and vo- Lewis and Clark College I discovered that my Quaker connec- cabulary,thesearemattersonwhichwecancomeintodialogue tionswerestillstrong.Iwassurroundedbyfriendsofmyparents with a common history, based on common vocabulary and and people I had grown up with: Jean Roberts, theJamses, the experience. Yamalls, Ann Stever, Norm Fasche, the Carsons, and many Thereisacontroversyamongoneoftheyearlymeetingsthat others. My sister Megan married MarkThygesen in the chapel is part of this gathering. It is about introducing the outward wherethesessionswereheld.FormethiswasaWesternGather- elementsofbaptismandholycommunion,permittingFriendsto ingoffamilyfriends. usewaterandwineandbread.Thisseemstometosymbolizethe TwoweekslateratthetwentiethanniversarysessionofNorth erosionoftheQuakerprincipleofinwardness,whichisthebasis Pacific Yearly Meeting (NPYM) in Dillon, Montana, I realized of our denominational independence. This is the basis of our something special about these long-time Quakerconnections. I wholelife,ourformofministry,ourcommitmenttoequality,our grewupinNPYM.Myearliestmemoriesdatebackto1974atFort churchgovernance, and ourpeace testimony. Worden.Iexperiencedchildcare,juniorfriends,andfinallyadult There is much wehave in common. What wehave to do is meetingsatNPYM;Ihavespent myentirelifeunderitswing. I uncoverthepresuppositionsthatstandinthewayofunderstand- ampartofthefirstgenerationofNPYMoffspring,baptizedinto ingeachother.Ihopewewillfindwaystocontinue,notnecessar- Quakerism throughitsSpirit. TheWesternGathering, followed ilyinaformalway,theprocessthatbeganherethisweek.Ipray byYearlyMeeting, mademeseeQuakerisminmylifeinanew toGod thatwedo. a light, a light thatrevealed muchaboutFriends. John Punshon, a Friendfront Britain, is a professor at Earlham Understanding that I am among the first NPYM kids to School ofReligion. Hepreviously was a visitingprofessorforone experience all facets of its community led me to reflect on re- yearatGeorgeFoxCollege,andbeforethat taughtat Woodbrooke, alignment and the discussions that took place at the Western Gathering.Quakersofdiversetraditionshadcometogether,and a Quakerstudycenterin England. Ihadscarcelynoticed,beingtoooccupiedwitholdfriends.Faith ^ReprintedfromFriendsJournal, October, 1992. — and practicewere discussed, and IassentedbecauseTruthwas Queries surelypresent.IcouldbeanevangelicalQuaker,orauniversalist Quaker, but nothing seemed tobe as important as my connec- Intermountain Yearly Meeting tionswiththepeoplegathered.Whatwesaywebelieveandhow IntermountainYearlyMeetingattendersattheWesternGath- we put faith into practice are not as importantas the qualityof eringofFriendsdecidedtofocusonconcernsaschallenges.The love that we show and are shown. I was transfixed and trans- followingquerieswerereadbydifferentmembersofthegroup, formedbytheloveatNPYM thisyear,asIameveryyearthatI and, after a period of silence, another person responded with actually make it to Yearly Meeting. I think this fact is the only someexamplesdrawnfromoneofourmeetingsorfromyearly reason thatIbelievewhatIbelieve. meeting sessions. Then the entire Gathering was invited to Each one of us holds certain beliefs very dearly. They give respond. meaning toourlivesand theyarenotonlytrueforus,butTrue 1.Dowehaveadequateprocessestohelpnewmembersleam in a larger sense. Is it possible that we defend these creeds the roots, the spirit, and the good order of the Religious essentiallybecauseoftheloveproducedanddisplayedthrough SocietyofFriends? them?Idonotmeanourbeliefsareentirelyrelativeandarbitrary; 2. Are adults prepared to support educational programs for they are the opposite, essential, and profound. Even so, how ourchildrenandyouthsothattheycangrowupaspartici- much ofmy personal theology is a product of my tradition? If patingmembersoftheQuakercommunity? faithisgivenbythegraceofGod,doesitnotneedpeople,God's 3. Areweunafraid tofaceconflictand tension, knowingthat, agents,onthisearth?PerhapsIwouldhavebeenabletoprofess undertheguidanceoftheHolySpirit,creativesolutionsmay anythingas longas through childhoodthelovewashonest, long- emergeorwemayagree that therecanbenounity? lasting, and strong. 4.Arewewillingtoriskwitnessingtoourspiritualtestimonies, TheWesternGatheringofFriendswasafirststepinbuilding a familyofcaring thatin twentyyearscould produceoffspring regardlessofwhetherourwitnessiseffectiveorsuccessfulin theeyesoftheworld? dedicated to its ideals and without irreconcilable differences. 5.InourMeetingsforWorshipforBusinessdowefollowgood WthhatenthFeryiseenedsFraillenodvserinthteheWiersotwsneeyeeaarclhyomteheetrining,thtehesnampeershpairpist orderwithnopressuringforsupportandforapositionand we have built a holistic community of Friends in faith and with members willing to delay decision until the Spirit is practice.Thisistheonlypaththatwillleadeachofustoviewour heard? beliefs in a largercontext, m — FRIENDS BULLETIN OCTOBER 1992 PAGE 23 The Children's Program Worship Sharing byJane Snyder, Multnomah by Sheila Smith, Corvallis Assistedby35volunteers,astaffoffivecaredfor33children, I found Quakerism in all its glory reflected in the worship ages0-17. Wewerein session forthesame22 1/2hoursas the sharinggroupthatIfacilitated. Ivolunteeredtofacilitateagroup adults.MostofthechildrenwerefromPacificandNorthPacific because itwas either that orbaby-sit. After I arrived, I realized Yearly Meetings; some were from Intermountain, Southwest, thateveryonewhoattendsQuakerconferencessaystheWorship and NorthwestYearlyMeetings. Sharingisthebestpart,soIwouldberesponsibleforproviding Lewis and Clark College is built around the Frank estate, a memorableexperience forthe members ofmygroup. I forgot which has vast gardens, fountains, a reflecting pool, and an thatIwouldbesharingthatresponsibilitywithmyco-facilitator, outdoor swimming pool. During the Western Gathering, the WaltKersey (PYM), thegroup, and God. homebase for the children was Tamarack Lounge, a two-story Theworshipsharinggroupwasahighpointinmyexperience building which serves as a social center. Immediately around attheGathering.Iattributeitssuccesstoseveralfactors:therewas Tamarack,therearemanylargepavedareas,lotsoftrees,lawns both structure and democracy in choosing the questions; the and bushes, a sandlot volleyball court, and a basketball court. questions were graded for deeper sharing each day; my co- Tryon CreekStateParkisa shortwalkaway. facilitator acted as the group process watcher; and the group Whentheadultswereinworship groups, thechildrenhad members had spent years in study and reflection and so had worship sharing, Bible study, and journal writing. Each age much tocontribute. group considered theconference themes at a differentlevelof The first day's questions were, "Tell us your name and complexity. somethingaboutyourhomemeeting"and,"Whatareyourhopes and fearsforthisGathering?" Thesecondday'squestiontookanentirehourandahalf.We said, "Repeatyournameforus slow learnersand tell usabout your role, notnecessarily yourcommittee assignment, inyour homemeeting."Wefoundthatmanyofusweresomehowonthe photo. fringesofthathomemeeting. Asagroupwechosethethirdday'squestion,"Wheredoyou Staff fit on the Universalist-Christocentric spectrum of Quaker be- lief?"Afterwehadansweredthequestion,IdistributedtheFGC chart by Frances Irene Taber (Friends Journal, July 1992). The answers to this question led the participants to be comfortable withsharingprofoundrepliestothelastday'squestion,"Name theSourceorPowerthatdrewyoutoFriendsandsustainsyour life." Chris Cradler(NPYM) greetingthechildren. BythatlastdayIcouldfeelthatPowerrightthereinthedorm lounge with us. I had an experience of a gathered meeting. During themorning plenarysessions,a varietyofarts and "Wheretwoorthreearegatheredtogetherinmyname,theream craftsactivitieswereavailable,aswellastheongoingFriendly Iinthemidstofthem"(Matthew18:20).Eachparticipant'sSource foursquare tournament, “Twister," volleyball, billiards (with orPowerwasdifferent,yetreflectedanotherfacetoftheDivine. cues and balls borrowed from Portland Mennonite Church), H andfortsinthebushes.Wedidfingerpainting,watercolor,leaf printT-shirts, and anklebracelets. The Sacred in Others Wehadaskedthecollegetoprovidesnacks,expectingabowlof by Robert S. Vogel, Orange Grove applesandcrackers.Theygaveusbeautifullyarrangedfruitplatters andtraysofcroissantsandpastriesondoilies. Ithasbeentooeasyformetodismissthebeliefsofevangelical Everyafternoonwewalkedthroughtheestateandgardenstothe FriendsassomehowbeingoutsideoftheQuakermovement.Jan outdoor pool. It was easier getting the children there than it was Woodhelpedmetogaingreaterrespectforthesacredinothers. gettingthemback.Duringeveningplenarysessions,wehadgames Janseeshumanbeingsasbrokeninabrokenworld.Wearebom andcraftsandavisitfromSandyandTomFarley,storytellers. withpainandbytheveryactofwantingtoprotectourselves,we Onegreatjoywasthesupportofadultvolunteers.Theywalked alienateourselvesfromothers.ItisonlythroughGodthatwecan babies,swaminthepool,playedball,sharedtheirspiritualjourneys, againbewholeand withoutguilt. readstories,sangsongs,playedguitars,andtaughtcrafts.Another Fox was a disturbed and broken man who discovered that greatjoywasthedepthofthechildren'sunderstandingandsharing Christ Jesus could speak to his condition. Jan senses that it is oftheconferencethemes.Thechildrenencouragedeachother,and throughthegraceofGodandGod'sunconditionallovethatwe theadultsfounddelightingettingtoknowthechildren. are madewhole.* — PAGE 24 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN Mountain Top Experience Fragile Beginning W by Michael Moore, Agate Passage G by Polly Pool, Honolulu MyexperiencewithapersonfromanotherYearlyMeet- Back home in Hawaii, I thought about the Western ingwasalsomyfocusedspiritualexperienceoftheWestern Gathering ofFriends as I unpacked my suitcase ... of the GatheringofFriends. BobSegalmanofSacramentoMeeting fragilebeginningofoursearchforPe—aceWithin.Iwon—dered hascerebralpalsy. Heisconfinedtoawheelchairandneeds how we, individually, could hear understand each an amplifier to be heard by other people. At the Western other. How dowebegin? Gatheringthespeakercablebroke.Whenwewereonthetour Later, I found in my waiting mail, a letter from an of George Fox College I was asked by Terry Linkletter of EvangelicalFriendwhoattendedourGatheringsmallgroup. TacomaMeetingtonavigateBobtoRadioShack,tohelphim Itwasaletterofconcernandcaring,writteninresponseto buy needed parts, then to help him assemble these parts so a spiritualsadness I'd expressed in our group. It wasvery thatthe amplifierwould work. cleartomethathehadtrulylistenedtome,andhehadheard I admit my reluctance to "get involved." While I have "wheremywordscomefrom."Thisisaveryspecialkindof done some visiting in nursing homes and have spent some listening. timehelpingdisabledpeople, thisexperiencewasdifferent. Perhapsthis is a waytobegin. Bob drove his own specially equipped van. I admired that "they" gavehimcruisecontrol. Bob replied that “they" did A Terrifying Idea notgivehimanything;hehad topayforitall. by Margaret Gottlieb, University Bobdrovethevanwell.Ihadtolearntolistencarefullyto hisvoiceaswell astogivedirections morein advance than NorthPacificYearlyMeeting'sPlenarysessionincluded usual.BobinsistedongoingintoRadioShackandthenbeing a clear description of our current work on the Marriage part ofeach decision. I grew to admire his persistence and chapterofourFaithandPractice.Mymostmemorableconver- integrity. sationoccurred afterthatpresentation. Upon returning to Lewis and Clark college, we set up In thehall ofthe dormitory afterwe had left the women's shoponthetableattheentrancetothedininghall.There,as bathroom,twowomen,roughlymyage, frompastoralSouth- Ipreparedthewiresandappliedthesolder,peoplegathered westYearlyMeeting,saidtheywishedthesubjectofmarriage togiveadviceand to talk. Richcommunionpassed among hadnotbeenraised.Idescribedthejoyandpowerwhichweat us. Terry Linkletter (Tacoma), Wayne Yamall (Corvallis), University Meeting felt when we came to unity on marriage andItalkedaboutpersonalcomputersandvariousapplica- afterovertenyearsoflabor,strife,andpain.Ithensaidthatafter tionprograms. When Iplugged thespeakerin, then turned alonglifeIhaveconcludedthatmostofus,whetherweknow on the power switch, we heard Bob's voice through the itornot,andwhetherwehaveacted onitornot, arebisexual. speaker. Weallshared a commonecstasy. The response was: "Exactly. And that is a terrifying idea to Iwalktodaystillinaweandwonderment.IadmireBob's manyus.Itisthatfearthatmakesthetopicsohardtodealwith." determina—tionandcourage.Iadmirefriendshipwhichspans Wethereupon trundledhappilyofftobed. b the years Terry and Bob had not seen one another since college some twenty years ago. I admire friendship which Spiritual Center gathers around even the electronic technician's table. I ad- by Harold Carson, Olympia mire theSpirit whichcame unbidden to make thecommon elementsofthisuncommondayintoa "mountaintopexpe- Beingdifferentfromone'senvironmentisdifficult,butis rience." s possible. OurworshipdiscussiongroupattheWesternGathering ofFriendsinPortlandinJulywastrulyarichandrewarding experience forme. Oneofthe facilitatorsofthegroupwasa member of a church in Southern California. I soon learned thathewasabletobehisowntypeofFriendwhoreallycared for others ofdifferent associations and helped me to feel at photo. homein the group. — That day I saw a vision manyFriends werewalking Staff fromthecircumferenceofalargecircleinthedeserttowards the center where they hoped to find their Spiritual Center. Theywere freeoftheirreligiousmembership andwerejust human in their search for the life oflove thatwould enable them to acceptothers as theyare. My friend fromSouthern John Sullivan (NPYM), Bob Vogel(PYM). California said, "Thatisit." a — FRIENDS BULLETIN OCTOBER 1992 PAGE 25 True Meaning of the Story missions and at home, including a hospice for those with by Monette Thatcher, Eugene AIDS.Inherintroductionsheplayedthepianoandsangwith Sometimes when I experience some important event in greatfeeling, "How GreatThou Art." mylife,Igetaninsightintothetruemeaningofa Biblestory "How great thou art, indeed," I thought, "to include us Ihaveknownsuperficiallysincechildhood.Ithinktomyself, both, to include usall." "That's what those writers were talking about when they Contemplating this back home in my own meeting for wrotethatstory!"Whenmyfirstchildwasbom,Iunderstood worship,Irealizedtheconnectionbetweenmyexperienceat the Christmas story. When my first grandchild was bom, I the Gathering and the story of the Tower of Babel. When realized the meaning ofbaptism. Though I didn't realize it peoplewereworkingonthetowertheythoughttheywould until later, the Western Gathering ofFriends taught me the liveinthatplaceforever,butGodthoughttheyweregetting meaning of the story of the Tower of Babel and the subse- tooprovincial,maybetooself-sufficient,soHeconfusedtheir quentunderstandingachieved much lateratPentecost. languagesothattheycouldnolongerunderstandeachother, My roommate at the Gathering turned out to be an andtheybecamescatteredovertheworld. Whentheycame unexpected blessing. When I learned that she was from togetherlateratthetimeofPentecost,theHolySpiritvisited RockyMountainYearlyMeeting,themostevangelicalofall them, and theycould hearwhatwas said as though itwere theYearlyMeetingsrepresented,Iwassomewhatapprehen- beingspoken in theirownlanguage. sive. We were about as far apart in our religious beliefs, I "ThatiswhathappenedtoFriends,"Ithought."Webroke thought, as twoQuakerscould get. intodifferentfactionsbecauseweweren'tspeakingthesame Thefirsteveningrevealedhowmuch wehadincommon. language, but ifwe allow ourselves tobe influencedby the IdiscoveredshehadspentherchildhoodinGate,Oklahoma. HolySpirit, wecanheareachotheragain." AlmosthalfoftheCPScamp where Ed and Ispent the first Irealizethatitmaybealongtimebeforewecometosee yearsofourmarriedlifewasmadeupofmenfromGate,"the eye-to-eyeonsuchemotionalissuesassexuality,butifweare Oakies,"wecalled them.Thatfirstnightmyroommateand listeningtoeachother,wearemorelikelytoarriveatthetruth Iwenttosleep, comparingnotesonall thepeopleweknew thanifweareshoutingourownversionoftruthsoloudlywe incommon. drown out thespiritoflove. As we were both of the same generation, we had faced — similarproblems duringour lives being pacifists during World War II, raising children who were teenagers during theearlystagesofthesexualrevolution,havingbeenschool The Reunion teachers. Itis nowonderwebecamegood friends. by Tom King, SanJose Ourwaysofcopingwiththesesimilarlifeproblemswere quitedifferent. Whenmyroommatewasfacedwitharebel- I arrived in Portland, Oregon, knowing many attenders liousteenagechildandbecameobsessedandalmostimmo- from my own Pacific Yearly Meeting. Most ofmy time was bilizedwithself-blame,shecalled herobsessiona sin. Ihad spent in a "reunion-like" atmosphere with other PYMers. just called it unproductive behavior. She believed homo- Andsoitwent,fromMondayuntilThursdayat9p.m.,when sexualbehaviortobeasin. Ibelieved ittobejustadifferent John Punshon began his presentation and discussion on life-style.Wedidn'tcoverupourdifferingviews;welistened Evangelical and LiberalQuakerism. toeachother. The man sitting beside me in this crowded and excited Wewereeachpreparingforourrespectivepresentations roomfullofQuakers turned tomebeforePunshonbeganto at the Gathering. I had only a small part of my Yearly speak and said, "I used to have a roommate in college who Meeting's offering, but the entire presentation of Rocky looked likeyou." Mountain Yearly Meeting was in her hands. I found her Indeed he did.Joewasmyroommateat Deutsch Hall at wonderfullysupportiveofmypreparations,givingmealter- Berkeleyin1962.1had—notseenhimsince1965orheardfrom natelyencouragementand quiettime. Itried todothesame him sinceabout 1970 over twentyyears ago. forher.Justbeforewelefttheroomfortheplenarysessionat Asapsychologystudentfrom Pasadena withaCatholic which she was to present her Yearly Meeting to the whole family, his one comment on religion that I remember was, group,sheaskedmetoholdherwhilesheprayedforsupport. "The Vatican is rushing headlong into the thirteenth cen- Ithinkshesensed thatIwouldn'tbelikelytoprayoutloud; tury." so she recited her prayer orally while I very willingly held TodayJoeattendsSantaMonicaMonthlyMeeting.Hehas her.Godmusthaveheardherbecauseshestoodbeforethis beenaround Friendssincethe 1970's,justasIhavebeen.Yet largegroup ofFriends (whoallcame fromYearlyMeetings we never mentioned Quakers when we were students and vastly more liberal than hers) and talked with confident friendsinthe1960's.Iwasassociatingwith Friendsformany fluencyaboutwhatherYearlyMeetingwasdoinginforeign yearsbeforeI knew it. — PAGE 26 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN Family of Friends lines.IntroducinglocalchurchFriendstotheircounterpartsin by Chris Cradler, Multnomah California gavemeasenseofbridgingmyowndivisions. My yearlymeeting friendslovinglycared formyparents, evenin It became a family reunion - my great-aunt and cousins the unfamiliar practice of worship-sharing. Unbeknownst to travelledsouthfromSeattle(UniversityMeeting),myparents theplanners,theypairedmyfatherwithhiscousinasworship- Journeyed north from Whittier in Southern California (First sharingleaders fromdifferenttraditions. Witha specialsense FriendsChurch,FriendsChurch-SouthwestYearlyMeeting), ofgladnessIreunitedwithamemberofmyHonduranworship and I drove crosstown to Lewis and Clark College from my group from last summer as well as other World Conference Portlandhome(MultnomahMeeting). participants.IfoundconnectionswithFriendsthroughsinging GrowingupinCaliforniawithFriendsoftheprogrammed and clerking interests. In my workwith the children we pre- tradition, I felt theestrangementbetween mychurch and the sented a Bible-based program thateven parents inmyyearly churches in the yearly meeting who literally interpreted the meetingappreciated. Bibleandprimarilyconcernedthemselveswithpersonalsalva- HonduranFriendsreferredtoallofusworkprojectpartici- tion. My family seldom attended Yearly Meeting annual ses- pantsas"Hermanos,"sistersandbrothers,inputtingourfaith sions. Nor did I join youth camp activities in the Sierras at into action. This incredible experience of feeling so many QuakerMeadow,fearingthechapel "altarcalls"aboutwhich connectionswithplace,family,andoldandnewFriendsatthe Ihadheard.Friendsfromneighboringcommunitieswhowit- WesternGatheringofFriendsgavemeasenseofbelongingto nessedonthestreetcomersseemedtobeverydifferentsortsof allofQuakerdom. Friendspresentfeltarelatednesswitheach QuakersfromthoseIknew.Thepeacetestimonycalledyoung other and a desire to strengthen the family ties among all meninmychurchtoalternativeserviceasconscientiousobjec- Friends. Clearly theSpiritofGod is movinginourlives! torstotheVietnamWar.Wesupported theAmericanFriends Service Committee work and otherjustice ministries, such as My thechurch'sprisonvisitationcommittee. parents'Indiana Quaker family ties invited us to a connection with Friends Photo UnitedMeetinginRichmond,Indiana,thatfeltclosertousthan by our own yearly meeting. The church's Christ-centered theol- ogyfitwellwithteachingsaboutalovingGodthatIlearnedin Anne SundaySchooland onWhommy faithisbuilt. Asa young adult I felt the need to reconnectwith Friends Friend. after some years of spiritual inactivity. My great-aunt and cousins encouraged me to meet Friends from the unpro- grammedtraditioninPortland,andtheoft-describedfeelingof KittyBarragato(PYM), Barbara Graves (PYM), DulaneyBennett(NPYM),JimAnderson (PYM). homecomingdescendeduponme.Ircognizethedifferencesin styleofworship,breadthofbeliefamongtheMeetingcommu- After the Gathering nity,andgeneraluneasewithChristianthoughtandlanguage, by Gloria Kershner, Grass Valley butthebasic foundation ofQuaker testimonies and decision- makingunifymyvaried Friendsexperiences. Ithappened!Adream,hesitantlyexploredbyafewFriends FriendsWorldCommitteeforConsultationregionalactivi- fromwidelydifferingbackgroundsexplodedintoenthusiastic tiesnaturallyattractmeandallowmytwoworshiptraditions commitmentanda devotedeffortthatmadeitreallyhappen! to interact. After nine years of participation in my monthly, Thethingthatmadethisg—atheringspecialwastheattitude quarterly,andyearlymeetings,Iamstillamazedatthelackof withwhichmostofuswent ofreallywantingtohearwhat awareness and understanding between the two branches of anotherwassaying. Sincereturninghome,Ihavebecomemore FriendsintheNorthwest.WhilepreparingfortheFifthWorld aware ofapplying this in everyday situations. Lester, a dairy ConferenceofFriendslastsummer,Irealizedforthefirsttime farmerfriendofmine,camehomefromameetingandnarrated howthepainfulfeelingsofdivisionanddissensionwithinmy enthusiasticallyaboutthevalueofgettingtogetherwithother original yearly meeting still disturb and unsettle me. The farmers.Pete,hisson,whohadnotbeenthere,commentedthat unabashed love,joy, and thanksgivingexpressed attheHon- he thought it was a waste of time, implying that his father durasgatheringamongsuchdiverseworldwideFriendsfrom shouldnothavegone. Icouldseethatanargumentwasheating allbranchesandworshiptraditionsbeganmyneededhealing up. Obviously, Pete did not understand whyjust getting to- process. getherto"chatwithabunchoffarmers"couldhaveanyvalue. IarrivedatthisWesternGatheringofFriendswithasense I asked Lester to tell us what was important about it to him. of "coming home." Twenty years earlier I had completed an After Lester told of some specific ideas he had gotten and undergraduate degree on this campus, and the grounds and practicalsuggestionswhichwouldhelpthemonthefarm,Pete buildings seemed very familiar. I recognized with joy the understood. names and faces from my childhood Meeting and especially Whatisthemotivationneededforustoreallywanttohear appreciatedFriendlysharingwiththemasadultsacrossbranch oneanotherand tospeakourowntruthclearly?

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Friends Bulletin PACIFIC, NORTH PACIFIC, AND INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETINGS OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Volume Number 61, 2 October 1992 jvI'1*'*'’ y >vv' The Western Gathering of Friends — PAGE 18 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN A Blessing Editorial byJohn Sullivan, Vashon Island TheWesternGatheringofFriendswasanhistoricevent. Forthose — ofus who were there those Friends—who are willing to act as a AlthoughIbelieve in freedomofreligion,itconcernsme bridgefromonetraditiontotheother theeventwasanunquali- thatFriendsofdifferentperspectivesaresodistantfromeach fied success. other.True,thedifferencesamongusarenotinsignificant,nor Bob Stauffer, Honolulu Meeting, looked at the numbers with a easilybridged.DouglasGwynwarnedthatweQuakersmay differentperspective: beonthethresholdofnewschisms andalienationandthatthe Oftheeightgeneralareasoftheworldwhereunprogrammed polarizing force of the past is pulling at us with renewed Friendsexist, weintheWesthavethesmallestratioinrelation strength. to programmed Friends, something like one to seven. As FortheseveryreasonsitwasablessingtohavetheWestern such, we are perhaps a proving ground for reconciliation Gathering bringing together at least some from all Quaker effortsworldwide,wheretheunprogrammedFriendsexistin wings,probablythemostmoderate,andpermittingtheinvalu- adecliningrelation,currentlysomethinglikeonet6four. On ableexperienceofseeingandhearingforourselveswhatwein the other hand, if material numbers are anyjudge, the first ourdifferentstylesholdsacred,howweworship,whatrolewe Western Gathering fell short of its planners' decent and provideforsocialaction,andsoon.Weallwerelearning. worthy expectation. Unprogrammed Friends were 34 times In the worship group which I co-clerked, a member of more likely to show up than our estranged programmed BerkeleyFriends Churchsharedherbeliefsandpractices,and cousins.Votingwiththeirfeet,bynotcoming,thethundering liberalFriendsdidso,too.Clearlynervousatthestart,wewere silenceoftheirtestimonyspoketomanyofus. drawnbyourinterest,thenbyfeelingsofmutualityatcertain Headds: points,andfinally, Ifelt,trueaffectiongrewamongus.That Beyondsuchweighty(thoughfascinating)matters,Ihada maybethemostwecanhopeforatpresent;thepersonsateach marveloustimewithallthewonderfulattendersattheGath- endoftheQuakerspectrumwerenotinattendance.Butastart ering. The whole event was emotionally and spiritually re- hadbeenmade.PeaceandloveamongQuakersmaybecome warding, and Irecommend sucheventstoeveryone. more thinkable. I favor some mechanism ofcommunication Douglas Gwyn, pastor at Berkeley Friends Church, gave the andconsultationtofendoffthestereotypesandtodeepenus keynoteaddresswhich BobVogelhassummarized: inourknowledgeandlove. DouglasGwyn reviewed thestruggleoftheearlyChris- ... tian church between Jewish and Gentile Christians who YEARLY MEETING OFFICERS achieved a bi-polar unity as theyconvenanted around their PACIFIC disagreements. Gwyn called for a similar kind ofcovenant PresidingClerk: Ellie Huffman (916) 626-1524 renewal among Friends. Such a covenant would acknowl- PO Box 136 edge that we have different experiences, based in personal Rescue,CA 95672 historyanddifferentsub-culturalbackgrounds;butitwould AssistantClerk: Jane Mills (707) 539-6517 work to bind us together in the care ofa transcendent God 7899 St HeleCnaARd Santa Rosa, 95404 whoismorethanthesumofourparts,whoseloveisgreater Treasurer: PhyllisJones (619) 469-7627 thanourimperfectloves,andwhoseinterestisinallcreation, 8545 Renown Dr notourself-centered hopesand desires. San Diego, CA92119 NORTH PACIFIC Gwyn called on all Friends to recognize and honor each PresidingClerk: JohnSullivan (206) 463-3017 other'ssenseofthesacred.Tohelpbridgegulfsofmisunder- 19401 - 131stAve SW WA standing,heurgedliberalFriendstorediscovertheBibleand Vashon, 98070 thepropheticvisionthatinformedQuakerismandtakeseri- SteeringCommittee Clerk: ouslyandhonorthedeepevangelicalconcernfortraditional P1a4u3l4a9 B1u8t9ztihWayNE (206) 869-2810 family relations and values. Evangelical Friends were chal- Woodinville,WA 98072 lenged to understand and respect the liberal reverence for Treasurer: Charles Kimball (503) 997-4237 nature,bothhumannatureandtheenvironment,joinQuaker 04862Oceana Dr groups that are finding new ways to hallow the earth, and FlIorNenTceE,ROMRO9U74N39TAIN simplyaccept thatsomeliberalMeetingsblesssame-gender unionswhenthecoupleiswillingtoliveouttheirrelationship PresidingClerk1:720MaLritnidnenCoAbvien, Boul(d3e0r3,)C44O2-850034074 underthenurtureand guidanceoftheirhomemeeting. ContinuingCommitteeClerk: After the Gathering I asked Friends, "As you reflect on your 5R0a1ndEyFiHresrtrAivcek,-SDteanrever(,30C3)O77870-2201305 experiences at the Western Gathering of Friends, do you have a Treasurer: JimHWoffman (303) 989-6454 specialmemoryofapersonalinteractionwithamemberofanother 9300 Tennessee Ave yearlymeeting?"Ihaveenjoyedtheresponses.Ithinkyouwill,too. Lakewood,CO 80226 NancyYamall — FRIENDS BULLETIN OCTOBER 1992 PAGE 19 Friends Bulletin Table Of Contents Theofficialpublication ofPacific, North Pacific,andIntermountain A Blessing byJohn Sullivan 18 YearlyMeetingoftheReligious SocietyofFriends The Western Gathering of Friends 1620 NW Menlo Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330-2055 by Paul Niebanck — 20 Telephone: (503) 757-7143 A Vital Reason for Dialogue byJohn Punshon 21 — Editor, Nancy Yarnall Queries Intermountain Yearly Meeting 22 Book Review Editor The Greatest ofThese is Love by Kjell Benson 22 Molly Bishop, PO Box 169, Duncans Mills, CA95430 The Children's Program byJane Sn—yde—r-— 23 Worship Sharing by Sheila Smith - - 23 (707) 865-2469 IMYM Corresponding Editors The Sacred in Others by Robert S. Vogel 23 Mountain Top Experience by Michael Moore 24 Jim Ray, 2520S Ivanhoe PI, Denver, CO80222 — Fragile Beginning by Polly Pool 24 MelodyInchmuk, 1740GilmerHeights, Prescott, AZ86301 A Terrifying Idea by Margaret Gottlieb 24 MarieGodfrey, 523ValleyViewDr, Richfield, UT84701 Phyllis Hoge, 213 Dartmouth DrSE, Albuquerque, NM87106 Spiritual Centerby Harold Carson —24 NPYM Corresponding Editors True Meaning of the Story by Monette Thatcher 25 The Reunion by Tom King 25 MadeleineCadburyBrown, 1412FarrellLn, Richland,WA99352 Jim Johnson, 715 Lexington Ave, Butte, MT59701 Family of Friends by Chris Cradler 26 PYM Corresponding Editors After the Gathering by Gloria Kershn—er 26 New Mexico Region by Phyllis Hoge 27 BetsyKahn,4636Morro Dr,Woodland Hills, CA91364 PattySilva, 16557S HighlandAve, Selma, CA93662 Southern California Quarterby Betsy Kahn 27 Memorial Minutes — 28 Friends Bulletin Committee Announcements ---29 Clerk: Grace Buzaljko, 612Albermarle, ElCerrito, CA94530 Discovering or Rediscovering the Psalms (510) 527-8558 by Leonard S. Kenworthy CMhoalrllyiBeiKsihmobpa,llP,O04B8o6x21O69c,eaDnuancDar,nsFlMoirllesn,cCeA,O9R549370439 ThReevPisealwmssbSypLeiadkiebMyiGlle—eorrge T. Pe—c-k———— 30 GAlearnryStMraayinn,ar1d2,72R9a4t1hbNourmtWhawyo,odSaDrn,taAlCarmuezd,aC,AC9A590465201 ALedtvteerrtsisements—-——————-—— —3301 LowellTozer, 14842 PenasquitosCt, San Diego, CA92129 Faith and Practice (PYM) Revision Committee Rob RoyWoodman, 2532Westernessee Rd, Davis, CA95616 Jean Walton, Clerk- — —-—-31 — AllcorrespondenceshouldbedirectedtotheCorvallisaddress.Deadlinefor Vital Statistics __—____—___—___—_ —— ———31 copyisthefirstofthemonthprecedingthemonthofissue.Wegladlyaccept Orthodoxy by Marge Abbott 32 copyon3 1/2”PCorMACfloppydisksinanywell-knownword-processor format. CoverdrawingbyRickDanielson, Walla Walla, WA. RickisamemberofWiderQuakerFellowship. Printed by Corvallis Web Press, Corvallis, OR • FRIENDSBULLETIN (USPS859-220)ispublished monthlyexcept February and August by Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Photo Society of Friends at 1620 NW Menlo Drive, Corvallis, Oregon by 97330-2055. Telephone (503) 757-7143. Second-class postage paidatCorvallis, Oregon. Anne • SubscriptionRates: $20.00peryearforindividuals,$16.00peryear Friend for group subscriptions through Meetings. $14.00 per year for a student/low income subscription. First class postage $5.20 addi- (PYM). tional. Foreignpostagevaries. Individualcopies$2.00each. • Postmaster: Send address changes to FRIENDS BULLETIN, 1620 NW Menlo Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330-2055. PaulNiebanck(PYM). — PAGE 20 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN The Western Gathering of Friends Lewis and Clark College, July 6-10, 1992 by Paul Niebanck, Santa Cruz TheWesternGatheringwasafirst-timeevent.Sixyearlymeetings,representingboththeevangelicalandliberaltraditions ofFriends,cooperatedinbringingabouttheGathering.Asstatedbythe1989consultationthatgavebirthtotheGathering,the r r ® To provide for face to face meetmgs. ® To arrive at a better understanding. • To dispel misconceptions and fears. Theconsultationaffirmed thatFriendshaveacommonancestor, and thateachofthetraditions isgrapplingwithwhatit meanstobea Friend. TheWesternGatheringwasconceived,notasawaytoseekanswersortomakeagreements,butasan opportunitytocome toaclearersenseofouridentitiesas Friendsand to gain insightfor ourrole in today'sworld. Twohundredand fifty Friends,ofallagesand fromallovertheWest,attended theGathering. Eachyearlymeeting,plus FriendsfromMexicoandAlaska,presenteditselfinitsownuniquewaytotherestoftheGathering.WorshipGroupswereheld everyday,and thematicgroupsmettoconsiderquestionsoffaith andwitness. Achildren'sprogramofhighqualityhelped toroundouttheGathering.Wewereaidedinoureffortsbythreespecialguests:DouglasGwyn,ministertoBerkeleyFriends Church;AsiaBennett,executivesecretaryofFriendsWorldCommittee,SectionoftheAmericas;andJohnPunshon,professor ofQuakerstudiesat theEarlhamSchool ofReligion. Doug's openingset the tone, anda panelofall threeurged us onatthe lastplenary. TheGathering wasboth an event in itselfand an indicator ofwork thatlies ahead. Attenders remarked onthe faith that brought so many Friends together, the earnest intensity of the Gathering, the powerful diversity in Friends who came, the opportunities for learning and personal connection that were provided, and the promise ofdeeper searching and stronger sharing thatwillsurelyfollow. "I listened and was listened to," said one Friend. Another remarked tenderly on "the halting expressions of trust and intimacy,"andyetanotherexclaimed,"Quakerseverywhereareagreatbunchofpeople!"Stillanotherspokeformanywhen sheaccountedforherexperience: "Godisstirringusdeeplytowardamorehelpfulministrytoeachotherandallofcreation." Manywhoattendedwouldwelcomeanothersuchgatheringwithinafewyears.AsecondWesternGatheringmightfocus on specific issues ofbeliefand practice, and perhaps evangelical Friends could be encouraged to attend in larger numbers. Attenders also felt the need for personal inter-visitation, dialogues among meetings and churches in the same vicinity, and opennesstojointprojectsandoutreachefforts.Severalfollow-upevents,atboththemonthlymeetingandregionallevel,have actuallyoccurred since theGathering. PerhapsthemostpowerfuloutcomeoftheWesternGatheringwillbethemovementofFriendsintheWesttowardssharper definition and more powerful presence in the wider society. Ourbeliefs and commitments are congruent with the deepest yearningsofhumanity,andourformsofworship,community,andservicearemirroredinmanyplacesallovertheworld.Yet, withexceptions,wehavetended tohold tighttowhatweknowanddo. Weareasaneggthatispreparingtohatchoraseed thatispreparing toburst. At the Gathering: As with the seed, we arebegin- Volunteer Staff and ningtoawakentoourfullpotential. Planning Committee: CentralAlaskaFriendsConference The WesternGathering mayprove CanadianYearlyMeeting to have been a precursor, a hint of MargeryPostAbbott,registrar NorthwestYearlyMeeting our readiness tobreak forth newly Annis Bleeke,arrangements FWCC NorthPacificYearlyMeeting as a religious society. Like every CildeGrover, liaison IntermountainYearlyMeeting other life form, we cannot grow to AnnStever,coordinator RockyMountainYearlyMeeting maturityor yield ourharvestuntil OlenEllis, RockyMountain FriendsChurch- wefirsttrustthatwearereadyand Rob Hughes,Canadian SouthwestYearlyMeeting worthy to come out into the envi- Greg Lamm,Northwest PacificYearlyMeeting ronmentthatwearegiven.Thetime PaulNiebanck,Pacific GeneralReunionofFriends in fortrustmaybe uponus. JaneSnyder, North Pacific Mexico NancyTaylor, Intermountain — FRIENDS BULLETIN OCTOBER 1992 PAGE 21 A Vital Reason for Dialogue* andtheotheristheecumenicalmovementamongliberalsinthe byJohn Punshon, Earlham School of Religion churches.Bothofthesemovementsworkintheirdifferentways toplanedowndenominationaldifferences. Itseems tome the EmanuelKantbequeathedthreequestionstothechildrenof Religious Society of Friends stands for something unique in theEnlightenment.Hesaid,Iwanttoknowtheanswertothree both its branches, and toexplore thatdenominationalismand questions: WhatcanIknow?WhatmayIbelieve?Whatought strengthenitagainsttheforceserodingitistheprimaryreason Itodo?ThesearethequestionsoftheEnlightenment,and they Iseeforthedifferentbranches tocometogether. arequestions thatexercise theliberalbranchofQuakerism. AsBenFranklinsaid,ifwedon'tallhangtogether,wewill But Evangelical Friends tend to start at a different point. allhangseparately.IthinkQuakerismismuchtooimportantfor They ask: Where will I spend eternity? Underlying this is the ustoallowthistohappen.Thereisenoughstrengthoffeelingin conviction thatweshallallcome face tofacewith theTruthin the Evangelical tradition to balance the concern in the liberal Christandbecalled upontogiveanaccountofwhetherornot tradition.Whatweneedisajointexerciseofexplorationabout we have lived our lives according to that Truth all our lives. common interests. Before that can happen, there has to be Therefore, the impulse is different, and it leads to a different equality. Aswe look to the future,wehavetopayattentionto characterand a differentspirituality. evangelical concerns. We liberal Friends have certain Liberal Friends arenot altogethersure that they areChris- presuppositionsweneed toexamine. tians, and so they spend a fair amount of their time going to meetings,atwhichtheysearchforanauthenticQuakerism,itis sometimes strange to grasp that Evangelical Friends are quite suretheyareChristians,andthereforethequestforanauthentic Quakerismisofconsiderablylessurgencyintheirlives.Because Photo ofthis,someoftheFriendswhomwewoulddearlyhaveloved by to have sit at places at this table are teaching vacation Bible school or are in summer camps or perhaps are in Central or Jeanette South America doing mission work. They prefer that kind of action to the more introspective activity that concerns liberal Friends. Norton ThatraisesaquestionthathasbeeninChristianhistoryfrom theverybeginning.AsTertullianaskedinthethirdcentury:Can (PYM). AthensspeaktoJerusalem?Whataretheprospectsfordialogue betweenthechildrenoftheEnlightenmentand thechildrenof Intermountain YearlyMeetingFriends thegreatawakening? at the Western Gathering. Itseemstometherearetwowaystoapproachthisquestion. Thefirstistosimplygettoknowtheothergroup,toexperience The first presupposition is that diversity is desirable, that thesimilaritiesanddifferences.Thisisanimportantthingtodo, diversityisbeneficial.Thecounterargumentisthatyouspend butofitselfisastrongerreason,amorefundamentalreason,a all your time talking among y—ourselves and can never tell us morevitalreasonfordialoguebetweenthetwobranchesofthe what you corporately think or whether you can have a ReligiousSocietyofFriends. corporateviewbeyond limited diversity.Thatisanimportant It is conceivable that the crossroads of question arising from this conference, which liberal Friends world Quakerism is on the West Coastof have toaskthemselves. The second is an instinctive attitude that if there are two this continent. opposing theological views, there must be a third that tran- My conviction comes from two considerations. First, the scendsandreconcilesthem.However,theinstinctofEvangelicals center of Quakerism was once London, England. Then the istoquotetheBiblicalcommand:"Ihavesetbeforeyoulifeand centershifted toPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania,and thentoRich- death. . . therefore, choose life" (Deut. 30:19). That is a call for mond, Indiana. Now, with growth of Evangelical Quakers existentialcommitment,notacallforintellectualreconciliation. outsidetheUnitedStatesandstimulatedbygrowthofmissions We have to think, ifwe are liberal Friends, about the waywe bySouthwestYearlyMeetingandNorthwestYearlyMeeting,it thinkbefore we cancome to termswith the wayourbrothers isconceivablethatthecrossroadsofworldQuakerismisonthe andsistersthinkintheothertradition.Ifwecangetbeyondthat WestCoastofthiscontinent.Therefore,thefutureoftheSociety thenthewayisclearfordialogue. lies in the hands of those who are active in Western yearly WealsohavetobeclearaboutpreoccupationsofEvangelical meetings, thosemeetingsthatwereinvolved inconveningthe Friends.Thefirstisthequestionofmissions,bothtoothershores WesternGathering. That, in fact, maybe thehistorical signifi- and to the marginal, the alienated, and the unchurched in canceofwhatwearedoing. UnitedStatessociety.Thesecondpreoccupationisthequestion Thesecond reason is thatthereare two forcesatwork that of how Christ is experienced in the church, the order and may be inimical to the Society of Friends. They are, on the government,andourdisciplineinthetraditionalQuakersense Evangelical side, the movement called the new Evangelism, ofthatword.Third,whatisthebasisofourcommitment?Have — PAGE 22 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN wehadaconversionexperience,oronlyanadjustmentexperi- The Greatest of These is Love ence?Doesitmatter?Whatisthebasisforholinessandthequest by Kjell Benson, Multnomah forperfectionthatrelieson thatexperience? In the field of youth and children, how can we enable our Ihadnotbeen toa Friends' gatheringontheWestCoastfor childrentocopewithsocietyandtostandoutagainstdestructive at least five years; school, travel, and work had combined to and harmful influencescoming to them fromall directions? insure that I was always somewhere else. Yet, on arriving at These are evangelical preoccupations, but in form and vo- Lewis and Clark College I discovered that my Quaker connec- cabulary,thesearemattersonwhichwecancomeintodialogue tionswerestillstrong.Iwassurroundedbyfriendsofmyparents with a common history, based on common vocabulary and and people I had grown up with: Jean Roberts, theJamses, the experience. Yamalls, Ann Stever, Norm Fasche, the Carsons, and many Thereisacontroversyamongoneoftheyearlymeetingsthat others. My sister Megan married MarkThygesen in the chapel is part of this gathering. It is about introducing the outward wherethesessionswereheld.FormethiswasaWesternGather- elementsofbaptismandholycommunion,permittingFriendsto ingoffamilyfriends. usewaterandwineandbread.Thisseemstometosymbolizethe TwoweekslateratthetwentiethanniversarysessionofNorth erosionoftheQuakerprincipleofinwardness,whichisthebasis Pacific Yearly Meeting (NPYM) in Dillon, Montana, I realized of our denominational independence. This is the basis of our something special about these long-time Quakerconnections. I wholelife,ourformofministry,ourcommitmenttoequality,our grewupinNPYM.Myearliestmemoriesdatebackto1974atFort churchgovernance, and ourpeace testimony. Worden.Iexperiencedchildcare,juniorfriends,andfinallyadult There is much wehave in common. What wehave to do is meetingsatNPYM;Ihavespent myentirelifeunderitswing. I uncoverthepresuppositionsthatstandinthewayofunderstand- ampartofthefirstgenerationofNPYMoffspring,baptizedinto ingeachother.Ihopewewillfindwaystocontinue,notnecessar- Quakerism throughitsSpirit. TheWesternGathering, followed ilyinaformalway,theprocessthatbeganherethisweek.Ipray byYearlyMeeting, mademeseeQuakerisminmylifeinanew toGod thatwedo. a light, a light thatrevealed muchaboutFriends. John Punshon, a Friendfront Britain, is a professor at Earlham Understanding that I am among the first NPYM kids to School ofReligion. Hepreviously was a visitingprofessorforone experience all facets of its community led me to reflect on re- yearatGeorgeFoxCollege,andbeforethat taughtat Woodbrooke, alignment and the discussions that took place at the Western Gathering.Quakersofdiversetraditionshadcometogether,and a Quakerstudycenterin England. Ihadscarcelynoticed,beingtoooccupiedwitholdfriends.Faith ^ReprintedfromFriendsJournal, October, 1992. — and practicewere discussed, and IassentedbecauseTruthwas Queries surelypresent.IcouldbeanevangelicalQuaker,orauniversalist Quaker, but nothing seemed tobe as important as my connec- Intermountain Yearly Meeting tionswiththepeoplegathered.Whatwesaywebelieveandhow IntermountainYearlyMeetingattendersattheWesternGath- we put faith into practice are not as importantas the qualityof eringofFriendsdecidedtofocusonconcernsaschallenges.The love that we show and are shown. I was transfixed and trans- followingquerieswerereadbydifferentmembersofthegroup, formedbytheloveatNPYM thisyear,asIameveryyearthatI and, after a period of silence, another person responded with actually make it to Yearly Meeting. I think this fact is the only someexamplesdrawnfromoneofourmeetingsorfromyearly reason thatIbelievewhatIbelieve. meeting sessions. Then the entire Gathering was invited to Each one of us holds certain beliefs very dearly. They give respond. meaning toourlivesand theyarenotonlytrueforus,butTrue 1.Dowehaveadequateprocessestohelpnewmembersleam in a larger sense. Is it possible that we defend these creeds the roots, the spirit, and the good order of the Religious essentiallybecauseoftheloveproducedanddisplayedthrough SocietyofFriends? them?Idonotmeanourbeliefsareentirelyrelativeandarbitrary; 2. Are adults prepared to support educational programs for they are the opposite, essential, and profound. Even so, how ourchildrenandyouthsothattheycangrowupaspartici- much ofmy personal theology is a product of my tradition? If patingmembersoftheQuakercommunity? faithisgivenbythegraceofGod,doesitnotneedpeople,God's 3. Areweunafraid tofaceconflictand tension, knowingthat, agents,onthisearth?PerhapsIwouldhavebeenabletoprofess undertheguidanceoftheHolySpirit,creativesolutionsmay anythingas longas through childhoodthelovewashonest, long- emergeorwemayagree that therecanbenounity? lasting, and strong. 4.Arewewillingtoriskwitnessingtoourspiritualtestimonies, TheWesternGatheringofFriendswasafirststepinbuilding a familyofcaring thatin twentyyearscould produceoffspring regardlessofwhetherourwitnessiseffectiveorsuccessfulin theeyesoftheworld? dedicated to its ideals and without irreconcilable differences. 5.InourMeetingsforWorshipforBusinessdowefollowgood WthhatenthFeryiseenedsFraillenodvserinthteheWiersotwsneeyeeaarclhyomteheetrining,thtehesnampeershpairpist orderwithnopressuringforsupportandforapositionand we have built a holistic community of Friends in faith and with members willing to delay decision until the Spirit is practice.Thisistheonlypaththatwillleadeachofustoviewour heard? beliefs in a largercontext, m — FRIENDS BULLETIN OCTOBER 1992 PAGE 23 The Children's Program Worship Sharing byJane Snyder, Multnomah by Sheila Smith, Corvallis Assistedby35volunteers,astaffoffivecaredfor33children, I found Quakerism in all its glory reflected in the worship ages0-17. Wewerein session forthesame22 1/2hoursas the sharinggroupthatIfacilitated. Ivolunteeredtofacilitateagroup adults.MostofthechildrenwerefromPacificandNorthPacific because itwas either that orbaby-sit. After I arrived, I realized Yearly Meetings; some were from Intermountain, Southwest, thateveryonewhoattendsQuakerconferencessaystheWorship and NorthwestYearlyMeetings. Sharingisthebestpart,soIwouldberesponsibleforproviding Lewis and Clark College is built around the Frank estate, a memorableexperience forthe members ofmygroup. I forgot which has vast gardens, fountains, a reflecting pool, and an thatIwouldbesharingthatresponsibilitywithmyco-facilitator, outdoor swimming pool. During the Western Gathering, the WaltKersey (PYM), thegroup, and God. homebase for the children was Tamarack Lounge, a two-story Theworshipsharinggroupwasahighpointinmyexperience building which serves as a social center. Immediately around attheGathering.Iattributeitssuccesstoseveralfactors:therewas Tamarack,therearemanylargepavedareas,lotsoftrees,lawns both structure and democracy in choosing the questions; the and bushes, a sandlot volleyball court, and a basketball court. questions were graded for deeper sharing each day; my co- Tryon CreekStateParkisa shortwalkaway. facilitator acted as the group process watcher; and the group Whentheadultswereinworship groups, thechildrenhad members had spent years in study and reflection and so had worship sharing, Bible study, and journal writing. Each age much tocontribute. group considered theconference themes at a differentlevelof The first day's questions were, "Tell us your name and complexity. somethingaboutyourhomemeeting"and,"Whatareyourhopes and fearsforthisGathering?" Thesecondday'squestiontookanentirehourandahalf.We said, "Repeatyournameforus slow learnersand tell usabout your role, notnecessarily yourcommittee assignment, inyour homemeeting."Wefoundthatmanyofusweresomehowonthe photo. fringesofthathomemeeting. Asagroupwechosethethirdday'squestion,"Wheredoyou Staff fit on the Universalist-Christocentric spectrum of Quaker be- lief?"Afterwehadansweredthequestion,IdistributedtheFGC chart by Frances Irene Taber (Friends Journal, July 1992). The answers to this question led the participants to be comfortable withsharingprofoundrepliestothelastday'squestion,"Name theSourceorPowerthatdrewyoutoFriendsandsustainsyour life." Chris Cradler(NPYM) greetingthechildren. BythatlastdayIcouldfeelthatPowerrightthereinthedorm lounge with us. I had an experience of a gathered meeting. During themorning plenarysessions,a varietyofarts and "Wheretwoorthreearegatheredtogetherinmyname,theream craftsactivitieswereavailable,aswellastheongoingFriendly Iinthemidstofthem"(Matthew18:20).Eachparticipant'sSource foursquare tournament, “Twister," volleyball, billiards (with orPowerwasdifferent,yetreflectedanotherfacetoftheDivine. cues and balls borrowed from Portland Mennonite Church), H andfortsinthebushes.Wedidfingerpainting,watercolor,leaf printT-shirts, and anklebracelets. The Sacred in Others Wehadaskedthecollegetoprovidesnacks,expectingabowlof by Robert S. Vogel, Orange Grove applesandcrackers.Theygaveusbeautifullyarrangedfruitplatters andtraysofcroissantsandpastriesondoilies. Ithasbeentooeasyformetodismissthebeliefsofevangelical Everyafternoonwewalkedthroughtheestateandgardenstothe FriendsassomehowbeingoutsideoftheQuakermovement.Jan outdoor pool. It was easier getting the children there than it was Woodhelpedmetogaingreaterrespectforthesacredinothers. gettingthemback.Duringeveningplenarysessions,wehadgames Janseeshumanbeingsasbrokeninabrokenworld.Wearebom andcraftsandavisitfromSandyandTomFarley,storytellers. withpainandbytheveryactofwantingtoprotectourselves,we Onegreatjoywasthesupportofadultvolunteers.Theywalked alienateourselvesfromothers.ItisonlythroughGodthatwecan babies,swaminthepool,playedball,sharedtheirspiritualjourneys, againbewholeand withoutguilt. readstories,sangsongs,playedguitars,andtaughtcrafts.Another Fox was a disturbed and broken man who discovered that greatjoywasthedepthofthechildren'sunderstandingandsharing Christ Jesus could speak to his condition. Jan senses that it is oftheconferencethemes.Thechildrenencouragedeachother,and throughthegraceofGodandGod'sunconditionallovethatwe theadultsfounddelightingettingtoknowthechildren. are madewhole.* — PAGE 24 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN Mountain Top Experience Fragile Beginning W by Michael Moore, Agate Passage G by Polly Pool, Honolulu MyexperiencewithapersonfromanotherYearlyMeet- Back home in Hawaii, I thought about the Western ingwasalsomyfocusedspiritualexperienceoftheWestern Gathering ofFriends as I unpacked my suitcase ... of the GatheringofFriends. BobSegalmanofSacramentoMeeting fragilebeginningofoursearchforPe—aceWithin.Iwon—dered hascerebralpalsy. Heisconfinedtoawheelchairandneeds how we, individually, could hear understand each an amplifier to be heard by other people. At the Western other. How dowebegin? Gatheringthespeakercablebroke.Whenwewereonthetour Later, I found in my waiting mail, a letter from an of George Fox College I was asked by Terry Linkletter of EvangelicalFriendwhoattendedourGatheringsmallgroup. TacomaMeetingtonavigateBobtoRadioShack,tohelphim Itwasaletterofconcernandcaring,writteninresponseto buy needed parts, then to help him assemble these parts so a spiritualsadness I'd expressed in our group. It wasvery thatthe amplifierwould work. cleartomethathehadtrulylistenedtome,andhehadheard I admit my reluctance to "get involved." While I have "wheremywordscomefrom."Thisisaveryspecialkindof done some visiting in nursing homes and have spent some listening. timehelpingdisabledpeople, thisexperiencewasdifferent. Perhapsthis is a waytobegin. Bob drove his own specially equipped van. I admired that "they" gavehimcruisecontrol. Bob replied that “they" did A Terrifying Idea notgivehimanything;hehad topayforitall. by Margaret Gottlieb, University Bobdrovethevanwell.Ihadtolearntolistencarefullyto hisvoiceaswell astogivedirections morein advance than NorthPacificYearlyMeeting'sPlenarysessionincluded usual.BobinsistedongoingintoRadioShackandthenbeing a clear description of our current work on the Marriage part ofeach decision. I grew to admire his persistence and chapterofourFaithandPractice.Mymostmemorableconver- integrity. sationoccurred afterthatpresentation. Upon returning to Lewis and Clark college, we set up In thehall ofthe dormitory afterwe had left the women's shoponthetableattheentrancetothedininghall.There,as bathroom,twowomen,roughlymyage, frompastoralSouth- Ipreparedthewiresandappliedthesolder,peoplegathered westYearlyMeeting,saidtheywishedthesubjectofmarriage togiveadviceand to talk. Richcommunionpassed among hadnotbeenraised.Idescribedthejoyandpowerwhichweat us. Terry Linkletter (Tacoma), Wayne Yamall (Corvallis), University Meeting felt when we came to unity on marriage andItalkedaboutpersonalcomputersandvariousapplica- afterovertenyearsoflabor,strife,andpain.Ithensaidthatafter tionprograms. When Iplugged thespeakerin, then turned alonglifeIhaveconcludedthatmostofus,whetherweknow on the power switch, we heard Bob's voice through the itornot,andwhetherwehaveacted onitornot, arebisexual. speaker. Weallshared a commonecstasy. The response was: "Exactly. And that is a terrifying idea to Iwalktodaystillinaweandwonderment.IadmireBob's manyus.Itisthatfearthatmakesthetopicsohardtodealwith." determina—tionandcourage.Iadmirefriendshipwhichspans Wethereupon trundledhappilyofftobed. b the years Terry and Bob had not seen one another since college some twenty years ago. I admire friendship which Spiritual Center gathers around even the electronic technician's table. I ad- by Harold Carson, Olympia mire theSpirit whichcame unbidden to make thecommon elementsofthisuncommondayintoa "mountaintopexpe- Beingdifferentfromone'senvironmentisdifficult,butis rience." s possible. OurworshipdiscussiongroupattheWesternGathering ofFriendsinPortlandinJulywastrulyarichandrewarding experience forme. Oneofthe facilitatorsofthegroupwasa member of a church in Southern California. I soon learned thathewasabletobehisowntypeofFriendwhoreallycared for others ofdifferent associations and helped me to feel at photo. homein the group. — That day I saw a vision manyFriends werewalking Staff fromthecircumferenceofalargecircleinthedeserttowards the center where they hoped to find their Spiritual Center. Theywere freeoftheirreligiousmembership andwerejust human in their search for the life oflove thatwould enable them to acceptothers as theyare. My friend fromSouthern John Sullivan (NPYM), Bob Vogel(PYM). California said, "Thatisit." a — FRIENDS BULLETIN OCTOBER 1992 PAGE 25 True Meaning of the Story missions and at home, including a hospice for those with by Monette Thatcher, Eugene AIDS.Inherintroductionsheplayedthepianoandsangwith Sometimes when I experience some important event in greatfeeling, "How GreatThou Art." mylife,Igetaninsightintothetruemeaningofa Biblestory "How great thou art, indeed," I thought, "to include us Ihaveknownsuperficiallysincechildhood.Ithinktomyself, both, to include usall." "That's what those writers were talking about when they Contemplating this back home in my own meeting for wrotethatstory!"Whenmyfirstchildwasbom,Iunderstood worship,Irealizedtheconnectionbetweenmyexperienceat the Christmas story. When my first grandchild was bom, I the Gathering and the story of the Tower of Babel. When realized the meaning ofbaptism. Though I didn't realize it peoplewereworkingonthetowertheythoughttheywould until later, the Western Gathering ofFriends taught me the liveinthatplaceforever,butGodthoughttheyweregetting meaning of the story of the Tower of Babel and the subse- tooprovincial,maybetooself-sufficient,soHeconfusedtheir quentunderstandingachieved much lateratPentecost. languagesothattheycouldnolongerunderstandeachother, My roommate at the Gathering turned out to be an andtheybecamescatteredovertheworld. Whentheycame unexpected blessing. When I learned that she was from togetherlateratthetimeofPentecost,theHolySpiritvisited RockyMountainYearlyMeeting,themostevangelicalofall them, and theycould hearwhatwas said as though itwere theYearlyMeetingsrepresented,Iwassomewhatapprehen- beingspoken in theirownlanguage. sive. We were about as far apart in our religious beliefs, I "ThatiswhathappenedtoFriends,"Ithought."Webroke thought, as twoQuakerscould get. intodifferentfactionsbecauseweweren'tspeakingthesame Thefirsteveningrevealedhowmuch wehadincommon. language, but ifwe allow ourselves tobe influencedby the IdiscoveredshehadspentherchildhoodinGate,Oklahoma. HolySpirit, wecanheareachotheragain." AlmosthalfoftheCPScamp where Ed and Ispent the first Irealizethatitmaybealongtimebeforewecometosee yearsofourmarriedlifewasmadeupofmenfromGate,"the eye-to-eyeonsuchemotionalissuesassexuality,butifweare Oakies,"wecalled them.Thatfirstnightmyroommateand listeningtoeachother,wearemorelikelytoarriveatthetruth Iwenttosleep, comparingnotesonall thepeopleweknew thanifweareshoutingourownversionoftruthsoloudlywe incommon. drown out thespiritoflove. As we were both of the same generation, we had faced — similarproblems duringour lives being pacifists during World War II, raising children who were teenagers during theearlystagesofthesexualrevolution,havingbeenschool The Reunion teachers. Itis nowonderwebecamegood friends. by Tom King, SanJose Ourwaysofcopingwiththesesimilarlifeproblemswere quitedifferent. Whenmyroommatewasfacedwitharebel- I arrived in Portland, Oregon, knowing many attenders liousteenagechildandbecameobsessedandalmostimmo- from my own Pacific Yearly Meeting. Most ofmy time was bilizedwithself-blame,shecalled herobsessiona sin. Ihad spent in a "reunion-like" atmosphere with other PYMers. just called it unproductive behavior. She believed homo- Andsoitwent,fromMondayuntilThursdayat9p.m.,when sexualbehaviortobeasin. Ibelieved ittobejustadifferent John Punshon began his presentation and discussion on life-style.Wedidn'tcoverupourdifferingviews;welistened Evangelical and LiberalQuakerism. toeachother. The man sitting beside me in this crowded and excited Wewereeachpreparingforourrespectivepresentations roomfullofQuakers turned tomebeforePunshonbeganto at the Gathering. I had only a small part of my Yearly speak and said, "I used to have a roommate in college who Meeting's offering, but the entire presentation of Rocky looked likeyou." Mountain Yearly Meeting was in her hands. I found her Indeed he did.Joewasmyroommateat Deutsch Hall at wonderfullysupportiveofmypreparations,givingmealter- Berkeleyin1962.1had—notseenhimsince1965orheardfrom natelyencouragementand quiettime. Itried todothesame him sinceabout 1970 over twentyyears ago. forher.Justbeforewelefttheroomfortheplenarysessionat Asapsychologystudentfrom Pasadena withaCatholic which she was to present her Yearly Meeting to the whole family, his one comment on religion that I remember was, group,sheaskedmetoholdherwhilesheprayedforsupport. "The Vatican is rushing headlong into the thirteenth cen- Ithinkshesensed thatIwouldn'tbelikelytoprayoutloud; tury." so she recited her prayer orally while I very willingly held TodayJoeattendsSantaMonicaMonthlyMeeting.Hehas her.Godmusthaveheardherbecauseshestoodbeforethis beenaround Friendssincethe 1970's,justasIhavebeen.Yet largegroup ofFriends (whoallcame fromYearlyMeetings we never mentioned Quakers when we were students and vastly more liberal than hers) and talked with confident friendsinthe1960's.Iwasassociatingwith Friendsformany fluencyaboutwhatherYearlyMeetingwasdoinginforeign yearsbeforeI knew it. — PAGE 26 OCTOBER 1992 FRIENDS BULLETIN Family of Friends lines.IntroducinglocalchurchFriendstotheircounterpartsin by Chris Cradler, Multnomah California gavemeasenseofbridgingmyowndivisions. My yearlymeeting friendslovinglycared formyparents, evenin It became a family reunion - my great-aunt and cousins the unfamiliar practice of worship-sharing. Unbeknownst to travelledsouthfromSeattle(UniversityMeeting),myparents theplanners,theypairedmyfatherwithhiscousinasworship- Journeyed north from Whittier in Southern California (First sharingleaders fromdifferenttraditions. Witha specialsense FriendsChurch,FriendsChurch-SouthwestYearlyMeeting), ofgladnessIreunitedwithamemberofmyHonduranworship and I drove crosstown to Lewis and Clark College from my group from last summer as well as other World Conference Portlandhome(MultnomahMeeting). participants.IfoundconnectionswithFriendsthroughsinging GrowingupinCaliforniawithFriendsoftheprogrammed and clerking interests. In my workwith the children we pre- tradition, I felt theestrangementbetween mychurch and the sented a Bible-based program thateven parents inmyyearly churches in the yearly meeting who literally interpreted the meetingappreciated. Bibleandprimarilyconcernedthemselveswithpersonalsalva- HonduranFriendsreferredtoallofusworkprojectpartici- tion. My family seldom attended Yearly Meeting annual ses- pantsas"Hermanos,"sistersandbrothers,inputtingourfaith sions. Nor did I join youth camp activities in the Sierras at into action. This incredible experience of feeling so many QuakerMeadow,fearingthechapel "altarcalls"aboutwhich connectionswithplace,family,andoldandnewFriendsatthe Ihadheard.Friendsfromneighboringcommunitieswhowit- WesternGatheringofFriendsgavemeasenseofbelongingto nessedonthestreetcomersseemedtobeverydifferentsortsof allofQuakerdom. Friendspresentfeltarelatednesswitheach QuakersfromthoseIknew.Thepeacetestimonycalledyoung other and a desire to strengthen the family ties among all meninmychurchtoalternativeserviceasconscientiousobjec- Friends. Clearly theSpiritofGod is movinginourlives! torstotheVietnamWar.Wesupported theAmericanFriends Service Committee work and otherjustice ministries, such as My thechurch'sprisonvisitationcommittee. parents'Indiana Quaker family ties invited us to a connection with Friends Photo UnitedMeetinginRichmond,Indiana,thatfeltclosertousthan by our own yearly meeting. The church's Christ-centered theol- ogyfitwellwithteachingsaboutalovingGodthatIlearnedin Anne SundaySchooland onWhommy faithisbuilt. Asa young adult I felt the need to reconnectwith Friends Friend. after some years of spiritual inactivity. My great-aunt and cousins encouraged me to meet Friends from the unpro- grammedtraditioninPortland,andtheoft-describedfeelingof KittyBarragato(PYM), Barbara Graves (PYM), DulaneyBennett(NPYM),JimAnderson (PYM). homecomingdescendeduponme.Ircognizethedifferencesin styleofworship,breadthofbeliefamongtheMeetingcommu- After the Gathering nity,andgeneraluneasewithChristianthoughtandlanguage, by Gloria Kershner, Grass Valley butthebasic foundation ofQuaker testimonies and decision- makingunifymyvaried Friendsexperiences. Ithappened!Adream,hesitantlyexploredbyafewFriends FriendsWorldCommitteeforConsultationregionalactivi- fromwidelydifferingbackgroundsexplodedintoenthusiastic tiesnaturallyattractmeandallowmytwoworshiptraditions commitmentanda devotedeffortthatmadeitreallyhappen! to interact. After nine years of participation in my monthly, Thethingthatmadethisg—atheringspecialwastheattitude quarterly,andyearlymeetings,Iamstillamazedatthelackof withwhichmostofuswent ofreallywantingtohearwhat awareness and understanding between the two branches of anotherwassaying. Sincereturninghome,Ihavebecomemore FriendsintheNorthwest.WhilepreparingfortheFifthWorld aware ofapplying this in everyday situations. Lester, a dairy ConferenceofFriendslastsummer,Irealizedforthefirsttime farmerfriendofmine,camehomefromameetingandnarrated howthepainfulfeelingsofdivisionanddissensionwithinmy enthusiasticallyaboutthevalueofgettingtogetherwithother original yearly meeting still disturb and unsettle me. The farmers.Pete,hisson,whohadnotbeenthere,commentedthat unabashed love,joy, and thanksgivingexpressed attheHon- he thought it was a waste of time, implying that his father durasgatheringamongsuchdiverseworldwideFriendsfrom shouldnothavegone. Icouldseethatanargumentwasheating allbranchesandworshiptraditionsbeganmyneededhealing up. Obviously, Pete did not understand whyjust getting to- process. getherto"chatwithabunchoffarmers"couldhaveanyvalue. IarrivedatthisWesternGatheringofFriendswithasense I asked Lester to tell us what was important about it to him. of "coming home." Twenty years earlier I had completed an After Lester told of some specific ideas he had gotten and undergraduate degree on this campus, and the grounds and practicalsuggestionswhichwouldhelpthemonthefarm,Pete buildings seemed very familiar. I recognized with joy the understood. names and faces from my childhood Meeting and especially Whatisthemotivationneededforustoreallywanttohear appreciatedFriendlysharingwiththemasadultsacrossbranch oneanotherand tospeakourowntruthclearly?

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