Pipes Output http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:00:22 -0800 http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/ http://sheffieldquakers.blogspot.com/2009/11/city-of-sanctuary-film.html Many Quaker Meetings around the country are involved in their local City of Sanctuary groups, and we are keen to encourage new initiatives in towns and cities all over the UK. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_11165db3a9e78e5b1d08378c759cfb72 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:18:03 -0800 http://sandhillcsa.blogspot.com/ ...The second type of folks we are hoping will enjoy this blog are those people who just want to keep up with how our family is doing, as we will probably include a lot of info about who we are as a family, who we are as Quakers, and who we are in relationship to farming and servanthood in the midst of community. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_27007e4f54609768ec616b70f93c74c1 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:52:56 -0800 http://maphead.blogspot.com/2009/11/all-in-favor.html We have a standing statement asking people to not wear fragrance into the meetinghouse. So what is that makes codifying, issuing a minute to this effect, so hard? Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_3756e681ad0d2139876c7baaf2c7e65d Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:53:42 -0800 http://johanpdx.blogspot.com/2009/11/eternal-now.html Kelly wants neither the escapism of other-worldly piety nor the obsession with here-and-now effectiveness of church-as-social-agency. It is the constant awareness (fading inevitably from foreground to background, and back again) of Divine Presence that gives us both endurance and perspective. As I contemplate how life is not a chess game where we have unlimited time to construct a perfect strategy, it's a great comfort to me to consider that my only real task at any given moment is to remain in that Presence. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_6ae2e62c46f1a19ef62ddbe1be378e48 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:22:01 -0800 http://maphead.blogspot.com/2009/11/we-have-met-them-and-they-are-us.html But there's a couple members of the old guard who, in fact, don't believe [that a certain reason for exile] exists... Are these people the enemy? No, they are part of the community—in fact, they were members of the community before you were born. They are deeply learned in the heritage of this community—your community... Or is it your community? What makes it your community? Are they wrong? Are you wrong? Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_e9308a07dcbecdf87499a8ac88a8e5ac Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:21:39 -0800 http://qqqqanda.blogspot.com/2009/11/spontaneous-worship-and-problem-of.html But belief, per se, is not what makes a Quaker a Quaker. It's not that we don't have beliefs, but that we don't put them at the center of what we are. Our beliefs have to do with the idea that God is alive and present among us and continues to reveal godself to those who have ears to hear, and that seeking that personal encounter, following that continuing revelation, both individually and as a community, is central. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_e5420823ec972efc42ac23595f210d9f Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:51:43 -0800 http://jacksonville.com/lifestyles/2009-11-16/story/jacksonville_quakers_life_is_a_peaceful_journey 'In her own quiet way, and through her work with the American Friends Service Committee - a Nobel-prize winning organization founded by the Quakers to help victims of war and to promote peace and justice - [Wendy Clarissa] Geiger persists in pushing respect for individuals and cultures as an attainable, rather than an unrealistic, goal.' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_26730c1bae1550abd28674131efbfd80 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:49:17 -0800 http://gatheringinlight.com/2009/11/16/old-quaker-discipline-on-the-poor/ While I was researching for a recent sermon I came across some great quotes on poverty from 18th Century Quakers. One thing I loved was that the section on plainness and living an unfettered life is right next to the section about caring for the poor. These two things, how we live and what we produce and consume, and interrelated to whether others have enough or not. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_b6ee5c75a2603dd5dde322048ad3226d Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:08:00 -0800 http://www.quakerranter.org/max_carter_talk_on_introducing_the_bible_to_younger_friends.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+QuakerRanter+%28Quaker+Ranter%29 Martin reviews Max Carter's discussion on the Bible, reminds readers that "convergent" is an attitude not an age demographic, and gives some tips on teaching the Bible in a Quaker context. "'Quaker' is a specific group of friends and a set of guidelines about how to live in this subculture. Knowing the rules to Wink and being able to craft a suggestive question for Great Wind Blows is more important than even rudimentary Bible literacy, let alone Barclay's Catechism." Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_9db366e78a6b5d680122b8403903c654 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:26:38 -0800 http://robinmsf.blogspot.com/2009/11/convergent-continues.html Robin looks at the emergence of Convergent Friends and how it has taken on its own life. "But is it a movement? Is there a common thread? Is there a leadership cadre? Are there just humble servants of the Lord taking it day by day? I don't know...But it's not all up to me. It's not about me. I’m not in control. I’m not alone. I’ve said this before and it is a good reminder." Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_3dc320c2c3c93a7d26c7e7f4d3c2fba8 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:05:04 -0800 http://thingsosmall.blogspot.com/2009/11/why-i-dont-care-for-wearing-name-tags.html Perhaps, instead of wearing name tags, we could make a greater effort to reach out to one another. Perhaps, instead of huddling with our particular friends after Meeting (and I'm guilty of this one, too!) we could approach someone we don't know as well. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_33ab68b2efdc560faaa1b7982a0f0460 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:53:39 -0800 http://bestandworst.typepad.com/bestandworst/2009/11/partnering-in-co-creation.html She often told me that she did not know God; that she could not quite wrap her head or heart around a personal God, present to our every day. I would listen, and then continue to speak about the personal Divine I had experienced. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_ecad6d397ee4080e4458c606ac5308a2 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:42:30 -0800 http://robinmsf.blogspot.com/2009/11/annual-report-to-business-meeting.html Reporting to San Francisco Friends on her travels and writing, Robin describes the task of discerning a balance: 'I have a "competency" as Friends have traditionally called it, and I am figuring out how to balance my household chores/family responsibilities, my paid employment and my religious vocation.' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_278f393253aec66ae30a617637e4d4b3 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:02:27 -0800 http://gatheringinlight.com/2009/11/15/confession-the-prayer-of-vulnerability-matthew-612-13/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GatheringInLight+%28gathering+in+light%29 'Confession creates an openness we need in the church. ... Our pat answers can be a coping mechanism for a lack of faith. After all, is faith a belief in something that is truly unknown?' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_29cabb11400c422f9dd2545412aebebe Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:54:49 -0800 http://dannycoleman.blogspot.com/2009/11/on-gossip-slander-and-internet.html I often receive emails from friends, or see Facebook postings, which contain patently false information. The content has usually been copied & pasted or forwarded from elsewhere and is usually from a Conservative perspective. What particularly troubles me about these messages is that they almost always come from people who profess to be Christians. I've developed a standard reply to them, which is to point out the falsehood along with a reminder that Christians are supposed to be people of the Truth, not people of half-truths and Internet rumors. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_077503163196ec9974e07180b11a2080 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:54:55 -0800 http://johanpdx.blogspot.com/2009/11/when-do-we-shift-from-neutrality-to.html The question of whether it is ever right for Friends to support (or appear to support) one side over another in a conflict is not new. There is a difference between conscientious neutrality, confirmed by a searching process of prayer and study, and the neutrality that is adopted from indifference or fear. Friends may at times be as likely as other groups to find reasons for avoiding the costly implications of our Christian faith. Does ignorance, fear or apathy play a role in Friends' decisions concerning advocacy for Israel or Palestine? Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_7cec3b906811b2c4df35b4ba1dda8f8c Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:06:54 -0800 http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com/2009/11/visibility-of-established-friends.html Not only is the online community of Quaker bloggers and blog-readers missing out on the voices and perspectives of those long-time established Friends--whether "institutional" or not--but as the number of Quaker blogs grows, it seems that we, as Quaker bloggers, have been falling away from what had been a bit of online etiquette--that of using our name when first introducing the blog or when leaving a comment. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_4149c014e41450472bfcbd06a138ab2c Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:44:28 -0800 http://www.readthespirit.com/explore/2009/11/557-eileen-flanagan-interview-wisdom-to-know-the-difference.html When I started interviewing people for my book, I didn't particularly ask about this—but many people began telling me that a crucial turning point in their lives came when they changed their concept of God. Either they had believed in a judgmental God—and turning away from that image of God was important to them—or they didn't believe in God particularly. Then, they began to see a kind of higher power out there and began trusting in this greater good, this higher power. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_444ae76b68fa83e1b15667fd6117f0d0 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:03:39 -0800 http://emergingquaker.blogspot.com/2009/11/east-richland-friends-church.html It was a contrast to Stillwater, where the demographic skews much older and where a sense of sacred quietness prevails. My first thought : East Richland seems more "alive,"more a-crackle with energy, and I pondered, longingly, how can we capture this vitality and export it to our silent meetings? Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_73ec74521044433a8185f7eac4b4fdf8 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:50:35 -0800 http://obedienttothelight.blogspot.com/2009/11/gossip-as-dark-side-of-community.html When people start to gossip, tell them you would rather not have this information, I say. Even if it's about you, trust me, you don't want to know it. In AA they have a saying, "what other people think about me is none of my business." It's true, and it is good advice Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_c9d0c49e817966f0ebfb9357c1864a69 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:48:36 -0800 http://heather-still-life.blogspot.com/2009/11/quaker-quest-quaker-worship.html We three speakers had to speak twice during the evening, once on Faith and once on Practice - broadly, what we believe and what we do. In the Faith section, I started by saying I love Quaker worship because it is unique... Another reason I appreciate the Quaker way of worship is that I am rabbiting on to God all day in my head, and it gives me a chance to sit and listen for a change! Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_d388e974b1bc33f5218c102a107ba834 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:52:13 -0800 http://holyordinary.blogspot.com/2009/11/see-goodness-of-lord-days-18-20.html I ventured back to Friends Memorial Church in Muncie where I used to be the pastor. It was their annual simple gifts holiday bazaar and I was invited to offer some of the simple gifts in the form of selling my books. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_f9288f62eb558fcf8e5150d803b7d0fa Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:37:18 -0800 http://www.quakerranter.org/gossip_and_ownward_spirals.php Friends (and Christians more generally) are officially against gossip, though of course we're not immune and I've seen it act as almost a kind of currency in some settings. But what are the classic Quaker tools for deflecting this natural human tendency and keeping our communities from the downward spirals of camp building? Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_35e6a7acb21d344dd5fbff45ba4b197b Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:58:56 -0800 http://earofthesoul.blogspot.com/2009/10/friendly-bible-study-in-woodland-nc.html At times I felt almost giddy during the bible study because it felt so special to have this communal sharing of bible study, and at many different levels. Some Friends were very familiar with the bible, others were not. Some had insights into the particular historical and cultural context of the readings, while others offered real life experiences that reflected on the text. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_ea88df73f19a5e178956c9c77b0f3bfb Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:05:27 -0800 http://obedienttothelight.blogspot.com/2009/11/quakers-live-their-principles-friends.html I've been alarmed by some of the posts that I've found on sites like wikipedia and expert.com that stated that Friends follow individualistic spiritual paths. This is a gross misstatement of our manner of being. While Friends may welcome others, wherever they are on their spiritual path, the path is neither an individualistic or solitary one. For the path of being a Quaker is one that can not be defined in a vacuum; it must be experienced as a part of the whole. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_a70f5fce85bc36d203f027fef0d3610d Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:02:08 -0800 http://www.nyym.org/spark/2009.11.html Lots of thoughtful articles by in this issue of New York Yearly Meeting's magazine. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_e6198eff11dde8937054cacdc9ba9276 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:43:36 -0800 http://emergingquaker.blogspot.com/2009/11/gossip-and-quakers.html Factionalism, favoritism, in-groups and gossip do immense, and I would say, often unacknowledged, damage to Quaker institutions and meetings, as well as in the wider world. I've seen the "mischief making" and I've seen people more often than I'd like to have leave meetings because of it. Mostly, they don't care about the quarrel, whatever it may be, but they do care about the way people act and they are appalled at what they see. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_8d20d0b0774d7fc308a213c2c73f8833 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:04:46 -0800 http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com/2009/11/pride-and-privilege.html I know this because I am getting lessons about pride and privilege nearly every day it seems, from different people, over and over and over again. So it must be important and I need to pay closer attention. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_bdff32d3556a1426d893b17d5e78e13f Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:02:02 -0800 http://www.quakerweb.org.uk/blog/uncategorized/against-being-positive/ I feel we need to return to those earlier Quaker values it's a hard road and there are no guarantees but being dreamily positive is no substitute for a realistic understanding of the problems we face. Too much positive thinking and looking inside ourselves for answers lets those who have created this mess escape their responsibility and disarms us from holding them to account. Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_92b63226f8762c746c1de2b9f38836e3 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:24:11 -0800 http://robinmsf.blogspot.com/2009/11/essentials-of-quaker-practice.html 'Last month I was asked by the clerk of my Quarterly Meeting to say a few words about the essentials of Quaker practice. In preparation I asked a few Friends what they thought were the essentials.' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_180d47db2e8a27d23b13354e0a1f3f07 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:51:37 -0800 http://www.quakerquaker.org/profiles/blogs/jesus-loves-you-not-to-be-used Over at Facebook we have had long discussions about certiain ones. Sometimes people get tickled, offended or downright inspired. Some in the series are ironic, some silly, some serious. I will let you decide which is which Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_0bca4286b3bbbc620bce943e08317018 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:57:27 -0800 http://www.quakerquaker.org/profiles/blogs/sustainable-economy-for-the If we experience such a leading and gathering, can our communities reach out to convince others of the joy and liberation that comes from living God's way, in such numbers that we can choose life for the future, avoiding the worst kind of global warming, welcoming God's kingdom worldwide, where justice and peace break out? Posted by Martin Kelley DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_f0aea47387ed348beb44bbc26dd1c0b6 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:23:55 -0700 http://valiantforthetruth.blogspot.com/2009/10/micahs-ministry-newsletter-12-new-hope.html 'There were some important affirmations made at Stony Point, that were re-stated at our meetings this October. The first, and most foundational, is that we are convinced that God still has a purpose for FUM.' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_258e963fe6e97d17a7fa6377931d7135 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:39:21 -0700 http://notfrisco2.com/leones/?p=4643 and other things you can learn about in a First Day School lesson in the meeting archives Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_227b27894a155c60abf7e32126588cdf Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:52:32 -0700 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6206864.ece Ben P. Dandelion summarizes the theological development of liberal Quakers: "The radical liturgy of silence continues in the Quaker tradition now sitting alongside a radical theology of the authenticity of uncertainty and the joy of continual discovery. It is a wonderful place to be." Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_c3630cde42c3b418375fa470a3e86e22 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:39:44 -0700 http://infiniteoceanoflightandlove.blogspot.com/2009/10/sources-of-truth-from-whence.html I would like to invite all you blog readers out there to "call in" and give us your view in the comment box on how humans can come to the Truth. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_dc629f2bf8fcc3be9ca19cbc0b92550a Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:13:04 -0700 http://chrismsf.blogspot.com/2009/10/intro-to-quakerism-at-sf-friends-school.html Notes on Quaker theology, the Testimonies, Quakers' social justice/social change work over the years, and impact on Quaker schools Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_d6e2a616498fbe3cdcff5f548ee2cbfc Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:11:20 -0700 http://hystery.blogspot.com/2009/10/o-canada-on-gay-rights-and-fum.html Is it possible that my reaction to FUM is different than other liberals within the Quaker fold because I am so new? I honestly did not know that NY had affiliations with a religious organization that had anti-gay language. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_38e9e62b1c4f95a3cd17f03bef6f5d20 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:11:20 -0700 http://robinmsf.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-action-day-climate-change.html I went to the Quaker Vigil for Peace and Justice at noon in front of the Federal Building in San Francisco. The same vigil I've been to before. The same vigil that's been meeting there every Thursday for eight years. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_35dc26e3248a8616a1d1bd79771341cc Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:48:38 -0700 http://rscotmiller.blogspot.com/2009/10/some-thoughts-on-continuing-revelation.html Truth is not only found in the biblical text or Christ-centered faith. I believe that truth is represented in numerous places and in many faiths. But for the most part, if we are to stay comprehensible to one another and maintain any integrity in our ability to claim truths, they must be part of a larger context that anchors our worldview, but particular enough so that we maintain the diversity of faiths that make for a better world. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_4a655f1b5b71f6aca9fae97b50ee16dc Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:51:45 -0700 http://hystery.blogspot.com/2009/09/quakers-and-homosexuality.html When asked to choose between the rights of LGBT people and the religious sensibilities of homophobic Friends, I'll turn my back on conservative Quakers every single time. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_56ea72e794ac8504900a0e0a743e85c0 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:24:52 -0700 http://earofthesoul.blogspot.com/2009/09/love-freely-received-love-freely-given.html When we read about Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, do we tend to see ourselves in Jesus' place, or in the disciples place? It seems hard to put ourselves in a position to receive love freely, without any obligation. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_fc92e0a06aa28403e6d1b64504a70120 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:24:52 -0700 http://johanpdx.blogspot.com/ Within and beyond his ministry at FWCC, Gordon never abandoned the high ideals that first led him to worship and serve with Friends. I think he had a zeal deep in his bones for the essentials of prophetic Christian discipleship. It was obvious to him that Friends should urgently, persistently stand up for racial justice, including in our own institutions... Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_8041b37f0a1861a8dfdc53fcafeb6ebb Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:24:52 -0700 http://27wishes.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/a-movable-feast-quakers-in-a-mobile-society/ In this modern world, as people begin to marry and move due to work or calling, I find it compelling to look at how Quakerism is working with those less geographically rooted members in terms of membership to local meetings; members who join a local meeting but find a calling beyond the geographic reach of either their local meeting or even the reach of Friends meetings currently serving local communities around the world. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_275c8eb45f8a695256e25bc8986b156e Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:43:26 -0700 http://quakerpoet.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/dance-party-reflections-three-months-later/ Unprepared as I was, I was tossed about like a ship in a storm… responding to a gushingly positive, enthusiastic email in one moment, absorbing a scathing criticism the next. I was away from home, community and support and – ungrounded as I was – easily fluctuated between knowing that I have done something powerfully alive and full of Spirit and wholeheartedly agreeing that I somehow represent the downfall of Quakerism (as was alluded to in more than one reaction). Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_34ca75b6b7347ff192f72edf543ea203 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:27:47 -0700 http://weedragon.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/self-pitying-blog-post-friend-raye-comes-to-the-rescue/ A post about visitation among Friends. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_167fbdd73314ee42e5658a052d99ca55 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:44:26 -0700 http://qqqqanda.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-is-it-about-quakers-and-music.html Please explain -- what is the deal about Quakers and music? Is it true that music is considered sinful? Why? Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_5064313cfa22f5fbbf734b28d07b7979 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:17:57 -0700 http://questforadequacy.blogspot.com/2009/10/visitor-report.html The meeting had music and silence at different times each day. I felt that the music and silence were integrated into the business well and were not a formality, and I could feel the presence of God in the silence. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_8daca6185c4fb85bc39bcd94b9f7d541 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:48:25 -0700 http://laquaker.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-how-brinton-invented-spice-quaker.html Howard "discovered" these testimonies in the same way that a scientist discovers a "law" or recurrent pattern in the physical universe. He looked back at the advices and behavior of Friends and saw patterns of behavior springing out of a distinctive way of life and worship. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_a4eca1b946719fd7e94c4c9bb05c083d Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:15:01 -0700 http://quakeroatslive.blogspot.com/2009/09/on-importance-of-inclusive-language.html 'Inclusive language is something that's been important to me for a long time, but it's hard to know how to address it in a community in a way that will be truly heard. So, rather than address it in a community, I guess I'm choosing to just throw it out into cyberspace....' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_01ec82e15a80f13e78ef8334c1ea0a7c Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:02:50 -0700 http://friend-in-need.blogspot.com/2009/09/doing-work-of-meeting.html I can't pretend to be in control. I can't pretend that I know what I'm doing when I don't. All I can do is prepare the best I can, and show up open to whatever happens. Posted by LizOpp DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_6f56fbd944b4ea0fd8889518e274a826 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:01:29 -0700 http://emergingquaker.blogspot.com/2009/09/faith-and-micahs-wedding.html I do think the world would be less harried--and impoverished-- if more couples adopted the simplicity of the Quaker wedding. This is a place where less is more. Where simplicity is beautiful. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_8e89a709d209329ace1d95742c1888d0 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:48:56 -0700 http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com/2009/09/past-due-reflections-on-book-reading-at.html I decided not to read anything from the book directly, though I spoke about topics that were in the introduction and where the idea for the Quaker blog reader came from. Then I opened it up for questions, and at times I turned to my fellow bloggers to respond.... In some ways, it felt like an online conversation, with Friends chipping in to speak to pieces I had overlooked, or to expand on something that had caught the attention of someone else. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_9ae4d0daf4616d1d3a17f6bb806261ba Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:10:32 -0700 http://practicalmysticmusings.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/let-your-light-shine/ The Quaker meeting I attend, there is a children's meeting and parents take turns to staff the meeting. It is one of the main reasons I think I started to go back to meeting – was the chance to pass along this tradition to my own son. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_570127b9081794966138e44b2ca95fb2 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:38:41 -0700 http://undertheoverturnedlute.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/while-others-pray/ I count. ...Because I know that folks with no experience of silent worship can come to God's presence in it. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_00d11a9229540ddc7e6c24f1ada53c41 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:32:07 -0700 http://mysticspoetsandfools.blogspot.com/2009/09/im-coming-out-of-closet.html and applying for a clearness committee in Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative) Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_34dcf9c3702bdd0ae82e266e13ec5872 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:23:22 -0700 http://www.quakerquaker.org/profiles/blogs/prepare-for-gods-arrival 'I have perceived God working in our Meeting, these past few years. I was recently reminded of how miserable I was about not having local Friends I could relate to when I went to the World Gathering of Young Friends in 2005. I have been working and praying, and I see change happening.' Post ends with a crucial question. Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_5c6e53c97c735af2e1e5a69a07e9d388 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:06:01 -0700 http://raisedinthelight.blogspot.com/2009/09/role-of-reclaiming-in-coming-of-blessed.html Reclaiming is particularly important for Quakers, especially Liberal Friends because as Liberal Friends we have grown very used to throwing things away. We have gotten rid of beliefs, Church structures, theology and traditions. Yet as Christians and as Friends what we should be doing is reclaiming. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_ff241cb9797ee95ae25a4dd146ffe589 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:24:47 -0700 http://nancyjthomas.blogspot.com/2009/09/andean-travelogue.html Nancy Thomas: 'We're encouraging Andean Friends to remember and write down the stories that give insight into their faith and life, both on the personal and communal levels.' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_d0938e40af01f68f528772ecf48643d9 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:11:09 -0700 http://bestandworst.typepad.com/bestandworst/2009/09/a-good-time-was-had-by-the-clerk.html I felt led not to bring an elder, and as I held that in the Light, I decided to explore, with the committee, what it looks like to elder ourselves. And as I rode the train the weekend, reading Elizabeth's Boardman's Where do I Stand? and the notes from my clerking weekend with Arthur Larrabee, clarity came. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_0d2bba16ba214ccadd280edc9ff41204 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:47:17 -0700 http://liberatasblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/quaker-and-virtuoso.html the first question Justin asked me was about the place of the Bible in Quaker faith. I wish one of those bad Quakers from the Bad Quaker Bible Blog had been there to answer that one in my place! ... How concrete, how rock-solid was all that he said...and how airy and undefined my explanations must have sounded! But how does one explain what it's like to sit in the silence and breathe in the Spirit and the unmistakable joy when the heart recognizes the voice of the Master and Teacher? Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_4f125fd6ae060a1b802bf03cddcdf1ef Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:37:17 -0700 http://raisedinthelight.blogspot.com/2009/09/come-new-jerusalem-yafir-and-new.html It's been a week since I moved into the house donated to the YAFIR (Young Adult Friends in Residence) program. The house was in bad shape when we got it but half a dozen F(f)riends have worked very hard for the last three weeks and it now feels more like a home. Posted by Chris M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_1a7b6f3d3f67a91c81949b1487cf2e42 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:05:06 -0700 http://www.quakerquaker.org/profiles/blogs/corporate-faith-our 'Look at this sentence fragment: " ... the consequences of our testimony on ..." I'm pretty clear that in the context as it was written, the thing that had consequences was "our testimony".' Alice asks whether we can still say "our testimony" without qualification. Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_ffd7d8390a8653c09e45b98d7ae8d93e Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:52:13 -0700 http://speakinglife.blogspot.com/2009/09/keeping-sabbath.html In addition to Saturday being more intentional, my movements about the house on First Day were more intentional as well. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_920dbcc91210586afecf98b55318efe6 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:40:32 -0700 http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com/2009/08/two-tips-for-clerks.html These are specific items that, as I've grown into my service as clerk, have helped me test the sense of the group while also paying attention to the practicalities of committee work. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_26431d0912e60bfc4fb267deb8396b95 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:35:44 -0700 http://holyordinary.blogspot.com/2009/08/quaker-wisdom-for-today.html a prayer from Inazo Nitobe, Japanese Quaker, 1909 Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_44cccc30f81ec15e1a6a4ce2bb318a00 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:04:50 -0700 http://pilgrimstranger.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-is-quakerism.html Kevin Douglas Olive takes a stab at the ever poignant question: What is Quakerism? Quakerism is a living, vibrant faith with several manifestations that are strikingly different. Quakers refer to themselves and each other as "Friends." The terms are used interchangeably. Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_78dfd41b7045c4b56103c53ae1a4eaf6 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:44:07 -0700 http://nancyjthomas.blogspot.com/2009/08/hospitality-virtue-of-paying-attention.html Hospitality as "part of the spirituality of teaching." Notes from Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Brazil. Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_30de8a4323c93847d189e3495b2c95ed Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:15:59 -0700 http://queermergent.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/sermon-on-the-bleeding-woman/ Nadia Bolz-Weber pastor of the church "All Sinners and Saints" writes a proactive piece about loving the 'unclean.' She says, "I love that today' gospel text is about Jesus touching people he shouldn't be touching. Jesus defiling himself and breaking all society’s rules about purity. Making all the wrong people worth to be in the presence of a Holy God." Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_93a80198071ffb5578d40134061bc394 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:50:19 -0700 http://www.barclaypress.com/pamferguson.php/2009/06/26/women-in-ministry 'This issue touches many other concerns: professional ministry vs. released ministry, the recording process itself, true gender equality in Yearly Meeting leadership structures, leadership and authority in monthly meetings, and faith communities as places where nurture and encouragement of universal ministry is second nature.' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_4fa300656672a59051ee7024cbb42f37 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:48:17 -0700 http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bcct/teachers-expand-global-service-program/ About eight educators from 17 schools in 10 states repaired a Quaker church in Cuba damaged by 2008 hurricanes. ... Roughly a dozen of the teachers spent more than three weeks rebuilding a community devastated by a 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province, southwest China... Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_2fd12b62b599ec215e31c187766ffe22 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:23:38 -0700 http://gtitl.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-england-yearly-meeting-and-power-of.html At first glance this mechanism seems to be a crazy contrivance that ends up making no difference. That view does not explain the sweetness that came over the working group as this "contrivance" was taking shape. That sense of sweetness is one of the hallmarks of the work of the Holy Spirit. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_dae2b103b5df2580a0cf24211e789493 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:02:41 -0700 http://quakerpoet.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/friend-speaks-my-mind/ It can be overwhelming to think about "healing" the splits, and perhaps it is not God's intention for Quakerism to return to being one big whole. But certainly we are not meant to simply ignore the discrepancies in our spiritual identity without engaging in dialogue…? Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_e67bb3f6d7bcde2fb04c3ca89d953c11 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:34:32 -0700 http://walkingthesea.blogspot.com/2009/07/lead-child-in-way-she-should-go-part-2.html 'How can we practice religion and entirely miss the whole point of coming to know God? Is that why so many people are spiritual but not religious?' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_968ddd9dcc538115fb87766b23f3fa7b Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:31:37 -0700 http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com/2009/07/fgc-gathering-2009-shane-claiborne.html How accepted would Shane Claiborne be if he were to start ministering to us 21st Century Quakers out of the silence during a meeting for worship...? Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_2216eb0e46bb6c19145ce5b91416e08d Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:05:54 -0700 http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com/2009/07/fgc-gathering-2009-ben-pink-dandelion.html Both men called us to greater faithfulness and greater care to looking at what we possess and what we profess. Posted by Robin M DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_7dd435cacbf1a8207e11cfa8fe24911e Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:10:25 -0700 http://born-to-eat-toast.blogspot.com/2009/07/making-space-for-rabbi.html 'After some soul searching and actual listening, I started the practice of stepping back in every daily encounter to see what Christ was about before I inserted myself into the situation. I began to ask, "What IS Jesus doing?" I tried to hold off on my own inclination to "do something" and just wait until I could see the Rabbi in action.' Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_9d0c65ba2cceb201aa7e663a77f2cb7b Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:08:34 -0700 http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/july/30.42.html?start=1 A new angle on "answering that of God in everyone": Are you answering the image of God in yourself, and consequently "bearing" that image to others? Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_a1f776d7902a8242c23bf311db647a55 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:07:30 -0700 http://nancyjthomas.blogspot.com/2009/07/to-blog-or-not-to-blog-taking-plunge.html One of the newest Friends bloggers--please encourage her! Posted by Johan Maurer DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_e0079630103329bf43a4d265fc58c603 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:02:20 -0700 http://robinmsf.blogspot.com/2008/05/blogging-as-ministry.html Robin M writes about blogging as ministry: "...Quaker blogs are part of an ongoing conversation about what is happening in our spiritual lives, including events we go to, books we read, theological questions we wrestle with, and our everyday joys and concerns. They offer a chance to stay in touch with Friends in a substantive way, between conferences, meetings, without travel costs, and often with photos of mutual Friends." Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_f97c35c7c1114464dbf81f6fbcb6ba6f Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:47:45 -0700 http://www.quakerranter.org/the_peace_of_christ_for_those_with_ears_to_hear.php Friends have a lot of accumulated wisdom about what it means the primitive Christian life, even if we're pretty rusty on its actual practice. What shape would that witness take and who would join us into that unknown but familiar desert? What would our movement even be called? And does it matter? Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_d1072f2f0e64a82d32830e8acb755eda Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:50:17 -0700 http://www.quakerranter.org/margaret_fells_red_dress_2004.php The Quaker Ranter tells the story of Margaret Fell's red dress. The story goes that one day Margaret wore a red dress to Meeting. Another Friend complained that it was gaudy. She shot back in a letter that it was a "silly poor gospel" to question her dress. In my branch of Friends, this story is endlessly repeated out of context to prove that "plain dress" isn't really Quaker. (I haven't looked up to see if I have the actual details correct--I'm telling the apocryphal version of this tale.) Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_d0269ed752437afbf29da9e38a11ad79 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:05:45 -0800 http://www.fgcquaker.org/fgconnections/publishers-of-Truth/bloggers-of-Truth Will T discusses what it means to be "bloggers of truth." "Some of us would like to adopt the name Publishers of Truth. However, before we can be publishers we need to be possessors. We give lip service to following the Inner Guide, but we want to circumscribe the areas where we will do so." Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_847d38bc862b2c55e4734165d6d67fa4 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:10:50 -0800 http://www.fgcquaker.org/fgconnections/publishers-of-Truth/to-teach-his-people Kody discusses the importance of Jesus and truth in our mediated culture. "In this, the first decade of the 21st century, Friends have access to a tremendous range of media for sharing our faith, communicating our convictions, and publishing our understanding of Truth. However, in order to make use of these resources, we must first have a clear sense of our message." Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_1b6b410ef87dd6bd645d1bfa768a1f4c Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:08:41 -0800 http://peacegathering2009.org/audio The audio from the plenary sessions and worship from the peace gathering. Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_c43c83f8b4dd83872fa48a8b14f0df3d Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:25:18 -0800 http://beautiful-mundane.tumblr.com/post/60020581/thoughts-on-a-new-kind-of-quakerism-conference-in Betsy writes -- ...I guess I realized this weekend at the Quaker conference in Greensboro, that we want change and we imagine how alive we would feel, and how radical the world could be—these high visions—but when it comes to the point of sacrifice, possible surrender to the unknown or certain discomfort—we stop short. Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_9443df1a0a90bf0d8910d96b516191c8 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:12:31 -0800 http://chrismsf.blogspot.com/2008/10/convergent-october-kind-of-ryan-bolger.html Chris asks - How can we better see the conventional wisdom of whichever branch of Friends we're part of, and move the conversation? Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_d61f2b984ae3d03e44bc5f2c07c80433 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:04:46 -0700 http://holyordinary.blogspot.com/2008/10/final-thought-for-convergent-friends.html Can convergent Friends be a movement around relationships and "a place where thoughtful, caring dialogue can continue?" Brent sure hopes so! Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_0abda8ae448f9825cd3ea94656cf1545 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:43:42 -0700 http://www.greggsgambles.com/2008/10/06/convergent-friends-1/ ne of the biggest reasons I was originally drawn to Friends is also the bedrock for convergence. We've begun a series on the book of Galatians, and the life-changing power of that letter from Paul is to refuse to let relationship with God devolve into religion. An active life in the Spirit, refusing to be codified, separated, parceled out or ritualized…this is the heart of our faith. A group of people, a community, a body, that refuses to draw boundary lines and separate into "acceptable" and "unacceptable." Posted by C Wess Daniels DLpZLePx2xGKY43BlPXiAA_25c835efce2a8a8737274c1fa112e008 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:56:11 -0700