Friends Bulletin

Friends Bulletin
‘ACIFIC, NORTH PACIFIC AND INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETINGS
OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
lumber 3
NOVEMBER, 1985
Clerk of
Intermountain
Yearly
Meeting,
Frances
McAllister
Intermountain Yearly Meeting
Religious Society of Friends
EPISTLE
‘erywhere:
eleventh session of Intermountain Yearly Meeting. We have met again at Ghost Ranch,
Mexico. We are overlooked by a magnificence, physically expressed in the bold mesas,
J skies. Sunlight and shadow are strong in the Friendly greeting our 492 attenders send
is diverse, with members from all 23 Monthly Meetings, several Worship Groups, plus visi
n Yearly Meetings. Nearly 30% of our participants are under the age of 12. They played
earned in creative children’s programs.
F us are Young Friends who designed their own program and shared intergenerational activi
iore than 300 adults remaining, 40 are more than 65 years old.
lote address, “Strangers in Egypt,” Elizabeth Watson interpreted the Exodus theologically
y. Finally she charged us to nurture all strangers who come among us, especially those es
sion and the terror of war.
(Continued on page 47)
—
NOVEMBER, 1985
FRIENDS BULLETIN
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Shirley Ruth, Editor
Jeanne Lohmann, Associate Editor
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<arlstrom, IMYM, 2305 W. Hogan Rd., Box 9,
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
:kie Aldrich, IMYM, 2562 Del Norte, S.W.,
Albuquerque, NM 87105
Massey, IMYM, 785 Jersey St., Denver, CO 80220
:ial organ of news and opinion of Pacific, North
sd Intermountain Yearly Meetings of the
Society of Friends.
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YEARLY MEETING OFFICERS
p Clerk: Stratton Jaquette, 258 Cherry Ave., Los
Altos, CA 94022
Clerk: Micki Graham-Newlin, 840 Gooding Dr.,
Number 102, Albany, CA 94706
rs: Virginia Croninger and Walter Klein, 4509
Pavlov Ave., San Diego, CA 92122
PACIFIC YEARLY MEETING OFFICERS
Clerk: Paul Davis, 227 N.W. 29 St.,
Corvallis, OR 97330
Committee Clerk: Susan Dimitrotf, 503 East W St.,
Tumwater,WA 98501
Bob Brown, 35401 Row River Rd., Cottage
Grove, OR 97424
‘OUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OFFICERS
Clerk: Anne U. White, Sunshine Canyon,
Boulder, CO 80303
ng Committee Clerk: Dick Counihan, 1559 Bradley,
Boulder, CO 80303
-: Dorothy Aldrich, 465 Garland St., Lakewood,
CO 80226
FRIENDS BULLETIN
“Can we forget our theological differences, our
petty concerns and get our act together? Can we
mobilize ourselves to support those called to risk
their lives in this work (of sanctuary) with money
for legal defense, with help in caring for their
families, as well as offering our time and our know
ledge to the refugees? Above all, can we deepen
our lives, strengthen our spiritual resources so that
we can act with clarity and courage, and ‘having
done all, to stand’ witnessing to the holiness of all
lives and all places?”
Elizabeth Watson
from “Strangers in Egypt,”
an address to IMYM
write these words on the eve of the trial of
indicted Sanctuary leaders which begins October
22, 1985. Since the trial will be held in Phoenix,
AZ, the new trial Hotline number has been changed
to 1-800-LEV-1933 (taken from Leviticus 18:3334: “And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your
land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that
dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born
among you, and thou shalt love him as yourself;
for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am
the Lord your God.”).
Friends Jim Corbett and Nena MacDonald and
all those standing trial for having aided Central
American refugees fleeing for their lives to our
country are upheld by our prayers, our love, and
by whatever material support we can provide.
Elizabeth Watson’s address to Intermountain
Yearly Meeting calls us as Friends to faithful wit
ness for love and justice toward the strangers
among us.
Friend Jim Corbett has provided leadership in
the Sanctuary Movement since he helped to found
it in 1981, in response to the suffering of refugees
crossing the border into Arizona. Jim and the
other eleven indicted ministers, priests, nuns and
lay workers face possible prison sentences of up to
five years on each of the 67 felony counts with
which the government has charged them.
“The protection of people threatened by mur
der and torture is fundamental to the faith of many
denominations,” Jim said recently in an interview
in Tucson.
(Continued on page 63)
NOVEMBER, 1985
BULLETIN
—
PAGE 47
stie: Cont. from coier)
years the Yearly Meeting has reflected on our call to provide aid to Central Americans fleeing
and violence in their homeland. We have now approved a minute on Central American
This minute urges Monthly Meeting action on refugee needs, calls for an end to forced repatri
establishes a Committee for Sufferings. It also affirms that Friends providing aid to refugees
out the will of the meeting.
Natson, formerly President of Friends World College, addressed Young Friends about “imaging”
:hout weapons.
Browne, our special visitor, from the American Section of the Friends World Committee,
rmountain Yearly Meeting highly for our participation in FWCC activities.
)rtant part of our gathering is the opportunity to nurture ourselves and each other. Two inter
d discussions were well attended, moving, and fruitful. We held daily meetings for worship and
ily worship sharing groups heard reports from AFSC, FCNL and FWCC, held interest groups
rent topics, joined in folk dancing, swimming, hiking, campfires, extended conversations, and
urroundings.
that all Friends may feel the working of the Spirit for Peace and Unity as we lived it here.
i
Frances McAllister, Clerk
Signed for
Intermountain Yearly Meeting June 12-16, 1985
Young Friends, IM YM ‘85
-
NOVEMBER, 1985
FRIENDS BULLETIN
I
George and Elizabeth Watson, IM YM ‘85
Strangers in Egypt
by Elizabeth G. Watson, North Easton, Mass.
him the Ten Commandments, but elaborated
Vioses went up on Mount Sinai, God not only gave
chapters in the book of Exodus. No wonder
iow the people were to live. This takes up eleven
g other things, God said:
e despaired that Moses would ever return! Amon
rs feel, for you were strangers in the
shall not oppress strangers; you know how strange
(Ex. 23:9)
:1 of Egypt
it is spelled out further:
no wrong. They shall be as those born
en strangers sojourn with you, you shall do them
(Lev. 19:33)
you were strangers in Egypt.
for
lves,
yourse
ong you, and you shall love theni as
d an extraordinarily warm welcome. Shortly
a and I were strangers in Egypt in 1979, and receive
spend an evening with her Egyptian husband
a left home, a Friend in New York invited us to
al matters and offered to have his brother
practic
had not met before. He briefed us on many
week in Egypt was coming at the end of
eserve a room for us at a moderate-priced hotel. Our
us to call his brother when we arrived in
nth journey and our departure was imminent. He told
see what he had arranged.
3ULLETIN
NOVEMBER, 1985
—
PAGE 49
1 not foresee that our plane would be eleven hours late, so that instead of arriving in the after
nded at 4 a.m., bedraggled and exhausted. As we waited in customs, we wondered how early
ecently call our friend’s brother. At last we cleared customs and emerged into the central
m. We stood there, trying to decide what to do. Presently a man approached us and asked if
Watsons. We nodded, and he smiled broadly, flung his arms out and said, “Welcome to my
I have often asked myself if the situation were reversed, would I have waited all night at the
a stranger from Egypt?
e Israelites went to Egypt in a time of famine, they too were made welcome. We only stayed
didn’t settle down for four hundred years and increase and multiply, so we did not wear out
e. In the Bible Egypt has always had two faces: a welcoming one for strangers—particularly
;uffer from hunger—and an oppressive one. It was the large dominant power and it could be
dealing with smaller nations nearby.
l our friend found for us was just off Ramses II Square. Each time we came or went, that
igent face looked down on us from a tall column, a landmark in a city with Street signs in
mses II had a long life and actually ruled for Sixty-seven years. He was the Pharaoh whose
lopted Moses, and he was also the Pharaoh against whom Moses later led a rebellion. I began
he Exodus story from his standpoint. He had let his daughter bring this Hebrew child (who
been drowned in infancy) into the palace to be brought up as a prince. Moses undoubtedly
t education to be had anywhere. Then the ungrateful young man not only incited Pharaoh’s
to rebel, but called down numerous disasters on the country and its ruler.
h writing skills were highly developed in Egypt and this is a well-documented time, it is curious
no mention in Egyptian history of this whole episode. There is nothing about all those
the death of Pharaoh’s eldest son, or the rout at the Red Sea. Yet for three thousand years
as been a powerful force leading oppressed people in other times and places to risk their lives
of liberation. I want to look at the story now from three angles: Truth, Suffering, and
Truth
or not the story took place exactly as we have it in Exodus does not matter. It has the ring
is a powerful myth. I once heard Joseph Campbell, an authority on mythology, say that
things that never happened, but always are.” I am inclined to think that something happened
it probably not as simply and as one-sidedly as it has come down to us. Contemporary poet
fford, in a poem called “Bi-focal,” speaks of myths:
So the world happens twice—
Once what we see it as;
second it legends itself
deep, the way it is.
)eople need this story. It gives them hope and encourages them to act. They see several things
First, they are not alone; other people have been in bondage. They can identify with the
es toiling long hours in the hot sun to build roads and great buildings for the hard-hearted
they complain, things are worse: they must now make bricks without straw.
they see God acting in human history, not on the side of kings and oppressors, but on the side
?ssed. God calls forth leaders, who politicize the people, so they understand their bondage
issues clearly. Understanding leads to action. “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall
ree.”
(John 8:32)
ie digress a moment. I purposely used the plural word “leaders.” Much credit must, of course,
(Continued on page 50)
—
NOVEMBER, 1985
FRIENDS BULLETIN
in Egypt: Cant, from page 49)
later, speaking through
es, but he did not bring off the exodus alone. Some five hundred years
et Micah, God reminds the Israelites:
house of bondage; and
ught you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the
6:4)
(Micah
.
t before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam
fluent, golden-tongued Aaron to
ded his siblings. He had a speech impediment and needed
according to Jewish tradition, she had
him. Miriam, their sister, had the gift of prophecy. And
crops and what herbs were healing.
plant
to
:inding water in the desert. She also knew when
as when, on the far shore of the Red
level,
deep
a
er
at
togeth
she could gather the community
deliverance and led them in dancing to the
ontaneously created a song in celebration of their
er tamborine.
Aaron’s and Miriam’s leadership in a
i the end of the wilderness journey, Moses repudiates
much worse for everyone, if Aaron and
gone
have
would
ory in Numbers 12. However, things
d not been involved in the leadership.
presence on the long journey—a pillar of
latever the human leadership, God is a continuing
nor sleeps.
not,
day and a pillar of fire by night. God slumbers
road to freedom is long and hard. The
The
story.
this
ssed people see something further in
hip, did not make it to the Promised Land. But
t generation, including the triumvirate leaders
for them, for their children. Our individual
ised Land is there at the end of the story, if not
justice.
and
m
ot matter if our children will know freedo
As a child I visualized the Promised Land as
ess I have a hard time with the story at this point.
—full of blooming fruit and almond trees, and
g like the Central Valley in California in Spring
es, with milk and honey flowing copiously. It was
bs and calves tottering around on green hillsid
settle down. Then I learned that there were
aiting for the Children of Israel to move in and
press the Canaanites have in our Bible, they
ding there, whose land it was. In spite of the bad
to the earth, and who welcomed strangers.
eems, a gentle, peace-loving people who lived close
down. The Promised Land had to be taken
falling
arned about Joshua and the walls of Jericho
including women and children. “Thou
ne,
everyo
out
y battles in which the Israelites wiped
kill” did not apply to Canaanites.
in the light of the teachings of Jesus.
of the Old Testament myths need to be re-mythologized
who are not chosen. But surely,
people
some
re chosen people, it must follow that there are
people’s homelands by violence
other
taking
and
in
Going
.
e human race is God’s chosen people
not the will of the God we worship.
of welcome and refuge.
es of our story today, let the Promised Land be a place
ver, for purpos
in their Seder, to which strangers are inI celebrate their deliverance from bondage each Spring
on the night before he was crucified
nd the “last supper” that Jesus celebrated with his friends
:ourse, the Passover meal.
h from the Exodus story:
s in our own country in the last century drew strengt
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land;
Tell old Pharaoh, “Let my people go!”
s story for hope, and God is calling
wn day, people on many continents are looking to the Exodu
, Chief Albert Luthuli, Bishop
Africa
South
In
:
iders for them. We know some of their names
Han, and in Korea, our own
Nat
Thich
m,
In
Vietna
others.
many
d Tutu, Stephen Biko, and
Malcolm X, and Caesar Chavez.
k Han. In our country, we remember Martin Luther King, Jr.,
identify with Miriam. A wo
ment,
Amend
• too, in this land that does not have the Equal Rights
around the Exodus story. The
now, ordained at Union Seminary, built the ordination service
LLETIN
NOVEMBER, 1985
—
PAGE 51
-ned so that they faced toward the back of the room, and the red-lighted “exit” signs became
nbol in the service.
ow I want to focus on Latin America. Because of its proximity, it is of major concern to
•e are many leaders here, and saints and martyrs the equal of those of any time or place.
our day the movement for liberation began in Latin America, the spark was ignited in
itle old man, Pope John XXIII, one of the great men of our century. He wrote two major
social problems, linking peace with justice. He urged people to “hear the voice of God in
ir times,” not just in the voice of church tradition. He opened the windows of the Roman
the winds of the Spirit blow through. In 1962 he called the Second Vatican Council to
;t inequities in wealth in the world. After returning home from Vatican II, Latin American
veral conferences and were led to confront the role of the church in the oppression and ab
the native people of their continent.
s came out of this. One of the most important was a literacy campaign, for reading is a tool
nt. Paulo Freire of Brazil developed the idea of the learning community and education as
)uilt reading vocabulary out of words peasants told him were what they most wanted to read.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed, is not easy reading, but is full of exciting ideas.
itierrez of Peru wrote the first book in a new field in 1974, called A Theology of Liberation.
eading either. Let me summarize liberation theology in six short statements. First, it is
ntext of people’s lives; it is not ivory tower. Second, it results in action. It is a process of
ction, and acting on reflection. Third, it is done in community, with everyone’s views ex
i’t be done alone. Fourth, it is ecumenical. In Asia, for instance, it has included Buddhists
well as Christmas. Fifth, the Bible is normative, but not the sole Word of God. We conthe Word of God today. Liberation theology, like Quakerism, believes in continuing revela
ily, and most important, it is by, from, for, and with the poor and oppressed.
-nple of how liberation theology works comes from Nicaragua. In 1965, during the infamous
Father Ernesto Cardenal became priest of a congregation of peasants in Solentiname, a
lago on Lake Nicaragua. Instead of preaching each Sunday, he passed out copies of the
Se who could read, and someone, often a boy or girl, read the day’s lesson. Then the group
i the passage verse by verse. Eventually Cardenal began taping these commentaries, and we
i in four fascinating volumes, full of earthy language and astute insights.
believable in the light of what we hear from Washington that a revolution began in Bible
is not far from what happened in Nicaragua. Cardenal writes:
,
pel was what most radicalized us politically. With admirable simplicity and profound
they (the peasants) began to understand the core of the Gospel: the announcement
ingdom of God, that is, the establishment on this earth of a just society, without ex
r exploited, with all goods in common, like the society in which the first Christians
bove all else, the Gospel taught us that the Word of God is not only to be heard, but
practice.
(The Gospel in Solentiname, Vol. I, p. 268.)
eriod of countrywide upheaval, the National Guard of the Somoza government destroyed
ie community, burning the huts, killing off those who could not escape, raping women and
young people did get out and took up arms, joining the Sandinista revolution. Cardenal
revolution would be non-violent, but it did not turn out that way. On July 19, 1979, the
re victorious. Father Cardenal is now Minister of Culture in the new government.
iterally God-talk, is as old as history. Primitive people sat around their fires at night, looked
and wondered about the universe, about life and death. Life was hard, and there must be
ions. Although the earliest representations of deity are female, there is evidence that by
(Continued on page 52)
.
,
.
2
—
NOVEMBER, 1985
FRIENDS BULLETIN
‘rsin Egypt: Coat, from pageS!)
two deities—an earth mother, called by van
lithic age, some four thousand years ago, there were
a storm god.
Baal,
called
ii the name Astarte, and her consort, usually
g to ride them that first separated
learnin
and
horses
of
taming
the
it, as some historians suggest,
ally to the worship of just one god, a
rn the earth and led to the rise of patriarchy, and eventu
ce, and perhaps because men enjoy intellec
ity? However it was, theology became a male provin
ge. Theology remained a male sphere
langua
ticated
,es, it became a scholarly field, with a sophis
ian theology has, moreover, been
Chnist
Judeo.
century
20th
the
ivory tower occupation well into
patriarchal, but upper class and white.
a European, or Western discipline, Its bias is not only
sed on every continent are taking back
all that is changing. People of color, the poor, the oppres
God is on their side. Liberation
that
ls,
Gospe
the
y, knowing from their experience and from
to size, may well be as far-reaching a
y, despite the efforts of the present Pope to cut it down
in Christianity as the Protestant reformation.
Suffering
and over Pharaoh agreed to let the people
the old order dies hard, as the Israelites found out. Over
his magic tricks: the fish died, the cattle got
then changed his mind. Moses had to keep doing
came the last plague—the death of the first
e frogs, gnats, flies, locusts all came in turn. Finally
Death passed over the homes of the Israelites.
of
every house, including Pharaoh’s. But the Angel
ened, and were on their way.
unleav
bread
with
they ate their hasty Passover meal,
the shore of the Red Sea. There God
to
them
d
pursue
and
mind
his
d
a again Pharaoh change
dry ground, but then the water rushed
on
ned. The Red Sea parted to let the Israelites cross over
lain.
O Mary, don’t you weep, don’t you mourn;
Old Pharaoh’s army got drownded,
O Mary, don’t you weep.
years and was full of hardship. Food was
jrney to freedom, however, had just begun. It took forty
Water too was scarce, and often bitter when
so God provided it, but manna grew monotonous.
and wished they were back. Moses took
iund it. At times they remembered the fertile Nile valley
would ever return. George and I flew
if
he
red
wonde
long periods to talk with God, and people
ainous, desolate maze I began to
ie Sinai peninsula in 1982. Looking down at that arid, mount
e.
tand why it took forty years to go a relatively short distanc
t before they act. In our day, with
se who become politicized must take suffering into accoun
torture, it is no light thing to place oneself
n weapons, psychological warfare, fiendish methods of
at risk, and in macho Latin
te’s loved ones in danger. Children, the old and the sick are all
oppression in Latin America are not new.
ca, women are particularly vulnerable. The suffering and
Thinking
and its inhabitants for Spain.
egan with the arrival of Columbus, who claimed the land
ing to learn of their rich history and
bother
never
s,
Indian
I reached India, he misnamed the people
e Christians for the glory of God and the
Ded civilization. At gunpoint they were forced to becom
American natives, the United States
:er, further north, while conquering and dispossessing the North
can governments to protect our
Ameri
Latin
l
contro
to
sought
have
I its attention southward. We
s and thwart legitimate revolutions,
rnents there. Today we prop up corrupt and oppressive regime
ting our own revolutionary origin as a nation.
ty, an oligarchy, who live in great
o are the Pharaohs today? In many countries it is a small minori
often cheated in what they get.
while most of the people toil long hours for low pay and are
who
by our votes and taxes support
we
regimes are maintained by torture and death squads. And
,
NOVEMBER, 1985
ULLETIN
—
PAGE 53
ent in its activities in Latin America are not unlike the servants in Pharaoh’s palace. It is, in
th American and other multinational businesses who exploit the land and people, and we as
re part of that exploitation.
ee, for example. Much of the land that ought to grow food for the people of Central America
th coffee, most of it for export. The large coffee planations are largely owned by North
d European companies. Harvesting coffee is backbreaking work, and the profits go to others.
:tion to coffee keeps people hungry, underpaid, and grossly exploited, with dissent suppressed
ons, often in U.S.-trained hands.
)lman would tell us we need to examine our standard of living, our food habits, but also our
ir digital watches, pocket computers and transistor radios, to see how the seeds of war are
our possessions.
ion theology sin equals injustice. All our traditional emphasis on personal righteousness
rig if we do not practice justice. The message is not new. The Hebrew prophets all said it.
as one example:
s showed you, 0 people, what is good. And what does God require of you but to do
(Micah 6:8)
and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your god?
as equally clear:
iungry and you gave me no food; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger
iu did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did
it me...
(Matt. 25:42-43)
untry in Central America called El Salvador, which means “The Savior,” where Christ is beday after day after day. What are we doing about it?
Sanctuary
to speak to you here about Sanctuary. You are already
me
for
r example of Quaker c/lutzpa
ved, far more than I, and some of you are risking your lives, security, and freedom. Truly I
o learn from you.
Israelites finally crossed over into the Promised Land, they divided it among the twelve
in Numbers 35, we read:
ie Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the people, When you cross into Canaan, then you shall
These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel,
cities to be cities of refuge.
r the strangers and sojourners among them.’
e also have cities of refuge—cities that have declared themselves to be sanctuaries. I know of
ley, St. Paul, Chicago, and my neighbor, Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Cambridge has also de
.
.
a nuclear free zone.)
human history certain places have been thought to be holy, and there people were safe,
y had done. Their accusers could not touch them in a sanctuary. In Isaiah 11:9, God de
y shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountin.”
ious thing to violate sanctuary, a sin against God. In England we visited Canterbury Cathedral
r a time before the altar where Thomas Becket was murdered at the behest of King Henry
vas Archbishop of Canterbury, and we stood there remembering another archbishop, Oscar
irdered at the altar of his church in San Salvador in 1980, as he was saying mass. Each Sunday
aloud the names of those who had disappeared or been abducted, tortured, or killed during
iien, women, children. He called on the government to stop the killing and the oppression in
God.
(Continued on page 54)
)Ut
—
FRIENDS BULLETIN
NOVEMBER, 1985
s in Egypt: Cant. from page 53)
y provided sanctuary in their homes for runaway
uaker ancestors in the last century in this countr
They were helping them on to the border of their
art of the so-called underground railroad.
land of freedom—Canada.
for the “tired and the poor, the huddled masses
)untry has a long tradition of being a refuge
asylum for refugees from
Even in our own day we have provided political
to breathe free
Like Egypt, our governary.
sanctu
for
ask
border
an countries. Now refugees from south of our
one. It insists that these refugees are economic
two faces—a welcoming one and an oppressive
many of us here had ancestors who were economic
political ones, and denies them entrance. Yet
ago, in a time of famine and crop failure.
Mine came from Germany a century and a quarter
and peace must choose sides, to consider
nd a new home here. Now we who believe in justice
enter our country illegally, by being “coyotes,”
to defy the government, whether to help people
houses. It is not a choice to be made lightly.
to give them shelter in our homes and meeting
g, neighbor to my small Meeting, is a sanc
when all goes well, it is not easy. Cambridge Meetin
were helped to find jobs, learn English
has had a good experience: two young Salvadorans
harder to deal with and was a real burden
much
was
alan
legal aid. But a morose, angry Guatem
who have come out of great tribulation, made
mily who sheltered him. We cannot expect people
l, cooperative, and saintly.
v north with fear and danger, all to be cheerfu
he was quoting), that religions are born
e heard Rufus Jones say (and I am not sure now who
g-class origins of Quakerism, I ponder
workin
the
bering
he poor and die among the rich. Remem
s living, and wonder if on the whole we
ent upper-middle-classness, our whiteness, our graciou
ge.
guts, as well as the spiritual depth, to rise to this challen
and get our act together? Can we mobi
ns
e forget our theological differences, our petty concer
with money for legal defense, with
elves to support those called to risk their lives in this work
and our knowledge to the refugees? Above
aring for their families, as well as offering our time
es so that we can act with clarity and courage,
e deepen our lives, strengthen our spiritual resourc
all lives and all places?
of
ss
ving done all, to stand” witnessing to the holine
of sanctuary, the Episcopal bishop of
tion
declara
’s
church
a
i ecumenical service celebrating
ta, Robert M. Anderson, said:
ed Moses across the Red Sea, those who
e are Egypt.... Like the ancient people who follow
go into the wilderness—into an unknown
must
ala
Guatem
ae Pharaoh’s army in El Salvador and
refugees by the policy of our government.
nd, an uncertain future. They are forced to become
e are Egypt.
It is the land of plenty which sheltered Joseph and his
ut Egypt has another significance.
is blessed forever for the hospitality
rothers in the time of famine. And the name of Egypt
f had to flee for his life.
himsel
Christ
offered a later Joseph and his family, when
oppression and persecution; it is
of
It is the source
nd so Egypt has a double significance.
the people of Central America.
for
today
Egypt
are
we
so the place of refuge and safety. And
(from The Witness, Dec. 1984, p. 17)
is up to us to decide which Egypt we shall be.
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
the wilderness. He married and herded his
young man, Moses fled from Egypt and went into
to Egypt to lead his people out of bond
back
sent him
n-law’s sheep. Here God called him and
to him out of the bush, saying
oses saw a bush burning and not being consumed. God spoke
.” From that holy place came
ground
holy
is
g
standin
are
you
Dff your shoes. The place where
ground. The earth is the Lord’s—the
calls us where we are. Wherever we are standing is holy
whole earth a holy place where
the
make
to
God,
arth. Our task is to reclaim the earth for
PLLETIN
NOVEMBER, 1985
—
PAGE 55
dwell in safety and justice and peace. It is a herculean task to which we are called, but on
future of everything we love.
rt with sanctifying specific places—our homes, our meeting houses, making them as safe as
hose driven from their homes by oppression and poverty. But we must not rest until the
a sanctuary, not only for God’s people, but for God’s other chosen creatures, God’s green
things, and all the natural ecological balances set in motion by God’s creation.
iina, Teilhard de Chardin, priest and anthropologist, found himself without bread or wine
wrote his beautiful Mass of the World. It begins:
d, I, your priest, will make the whole earth my altar and on it will offer you all the
nd sufferings of the world.
d, our labor, and make us worthy of the suffering of our sisters and brothers. Keep us from
ye have made the whole earth thy sanctuary. And “grant us wisdom, grant us courage for
hese days.”
Amen.
Summary of Minutes
ermountain Yearly Meeting
Annual Gathering 1985
ite on Sanctuary
kers have long been called to respond
ngs of others. We believe that we are
oday to provide aid to Central
ugees fleeing persecution and violence
lands.
:annot plead ignorance of the plight
ors, particularly those from Guatemala
or, where extreme levels of violence
in have been well documented. Under
ieva Convention and the 1980 Refugee
an and Guatemalan refugees have the
n in safety in this country. Our govern
r, does not apply these statutes fairly,
ng these refugees at even greater risk
e they fear.
reater importance to Quakers than
iderations is our spiritual basis for
the fundamental belief in that of God
ye cannot turn our backs on our
sisters who seek safety from oppres
nce in their own country.
r two years of reflections on this issue,
action must be taken and Inter
rIy Meeting therefore makes these
and recommendations:
1) Monthly Meetings and Worship Groups
are urged to learn the needs of and support refugees
in sanctuary, in detention centers, and out on bond
awaiting hearings.
Support can include raising bond money
and providing legal representation for those in de
tention centers; providing housing, food, legal
assistance, clothing, transportation, educational,
emotional and medical aid for those in sanctuary,
or out on bond awaiting hearings.
2) Intermountain Yearly Meeting urges
our Government to pursue a plan for peace in
Central America which would promote the resump
tion of bilateral and multilateral talks. We ask our
Government to actively support the Contadora
process.
Here in the United States we support the
passage of legislation such as a strengthened Moakley
Deconcini Bill (HR81 1, SB377), which would end
forced repatriation of Salvadoran refugees in accor
dance with the findings of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees. In addition we urge the
bill be amended to include Guatemalan Refugees.
3) Because of Friends’ increasing involve
ment in providing assistance to refugees, Intermoun
tam Yearly Meeting affirms that Friends providing
such aid are acting within the tradition of the Society
of Friends and are carrying out the will of the Yearly
Meeting with our loving support.
(Continued on page 56)
3
—
NOVEMBER, 1985
-y of Mintites: Cont. fron7 page 55)
To carry out our responsibility, Intermoun
ny Meeting approves the formation of a
tee for Sufferings for members and faithful
of our member Meetings who are or may
legal prosecution or other personal pres
:ause of their sanctuary ministry to refugees.
assistance of Monthly Meetings, the Com
ppointed by the Clerk of Intermountain
leeting, will take the initiative to identify
ieeding assistance, keep Monthly Meetings
J of the needs within the Yearly Meeting,
iid, and make available to Monthly Meetings
ion about resources for aid.
Minute of support for the U.N. Convention
Against Torture
IMYM supports the United Nations Con
gainst Torture. In doing so, IMYM recom
lat Monthly Meetings and Worship Groups
familiar with the Convention Against
(U.N. Doc. A/39/608); and that they take
ate action in support of this convention
uraging its ratification by the United
vernment.
Minute of Support for Pima Meeting
IMYM affirms that Pima Monthly Meeting
in the best tradition of Friends and we
-n in our loving care, urging that other
Meetings in IMYM give serious considera
ndertaking corporate responsibility for its
acting in assisting refugees.
FRIENDS BULLETIN
The New Mexico Women’s Retreat
by Vickie Aldrich, Albuquerque Meeting
It’s difficult to describe the New Mexico
Women’s retreats. For me they have become a
spiritual ground, a place of magic, of joy and of
growth. When we arrive at retreat, we are tired,
worn out, troubled or weary. When we leave we
are renewed and energized.
In late September of 1984 a group of forty wo
men settled into worshipful silence in a large barn
in the back yard of Florence and Harry Stammler
in the Mimbres Valley of southwestern New Mexico.
The barn has walls made up of slats and spaces,
giving a feeling of outdoors and a sense of shelter
at the same time. We met on a wooden platform
and sat on cushions and folding chairs borrowed
from the Mimbres Fire Brigade.
We started our retreat with worship-sharing
around the topic of “passages in our lives that we
wish we would have celebrated.” What makes the
women’s retreat special is that when we come to
gether as if thrown from our busy lives and sched
ules like children on a merry-go-round spinning
faster and faster, we begin to slow down, the spin
ning stops, and we become centered, become
gathered. A special sense of trust develops that
sometimes frees one of us to share a deep pain,
need, or fear. From that trust and courage to share
we become spiritually strengthened and healed.
After worship-sharing we broke into smaller
groups: for a visualization exercise, for journal
writing, for creating a ceremony for us to celebrate
the equinox that evening, or for drawing a mandala.
Each group centered around our theme of passages.
In the evening after a lavish potluck dinner, we
gathered outside to participate in the equinox cere
mony. It had rained earlier and the air smelled
fresh. A small fire lighted the garden where we
stood. We came together again outside, not calling
it worship for celebration, but it was. We celebrated
with the three women who had birthdays that week
end and the three or four women who would give
birth before our next retreat. As the pregnant wo
men stood in the center, four others broke from the
CALL TO THE INTERMOUNTAIN RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
YEARLY MEETING XI
GHOST RANCH, ABIQUIU, NEW MEXICO JUNE 12-16, 1985
We come to Yearly Meeting aware of the need for one another which
constitutes of this gathering a continuing fellowship. We recognize the
Light of God as a presence in our lives. It enriches both our commonality
and our uniqueness. We cherish alike our differences and our interdependence.
Thus our Society of Friends is a nurturing and binding freedom. We
mean it when we ask, “What dost thou say?” Out of the silence we hear varied
responses. We open ourselves to see what love can do.
The good order of Friends fosters a spirit of Christian love. It is
a discipline within which families may entrust their children to the care of
meeting during the precious days we have together. It supports and guides
Young Friends in the conduct of an overnight Campfire. It provides directives
to the Clerk, when asked to address the government in our behalf. By
commitments we have made to participate in Friends’ organizations we are
invited to send representatives to a World Gathering, to a Youth Pilgrimage,
or as spokesman to the American Friends Service Committee. The good order
helps us in responding with Christian charity to lonely exiles fleeing from
terroriSm.
Do we come prepared to meeting with assurance of readiness made in
advance for all that is required to worship, to work, to play? This is a
miracle that should be offered to all who answer the call to meetIng
what our strengths, our
This implies that we say what we truly are
do we tell new members,
Kow
hopes, our ways of reaching out to one another.
us, and the towns where
among
remote worship groups, clerks, officers, seekers
the
bonds of trust that
we live: What is the nature of our faith? What are
make of us a Yearly Meeting? What that we do here i)these few days reflects
Light and Love into our Lives?
-
E3y what ways do we make this Light available more widely in Friends
1eetings? In what of these ways are we as a body united throughout Its
member meetings? Are the agreements important to the conduct of Friends
business? How do we protect the right to individuality?.. .There is a need
to state what are the bounds of responsibility and corporate activity for
all to understand and to work with.
Frances McAllister, Clerk.
May, 1985
SPECIAL RESOURCE GUESTS
n Drowne will be our guest
George arid Elizabeth Watson and Gordo
George Watson is a retired political
resource prsons this year.
He was the -first
in race relations.
science rD+esor specializing
Elizabeth Watson is a
rcsident c-f Friends World College.
Now living in
ry.
poet/authors treasured -for her gifted minist
among IMYM Friends as Drinton
Mcssachusetts they are well remembered
as Executive
Gordon Drowne is an educator and now serves
Vi ci torz.
o-f the
Consultation Section
Secretary c-f Friends World Committee for
Amen cas.
GENERAL
*
*
*.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
:
INFORMATION AEIOUT GHOST RANCH AND FACILITIES
altitude c-f 6&)O
Ghost Ranch covers 21. (r)C acres and is at an
-feet.
There is a resi dent nurse on duty.
Lifeguards are
depths.
There are three swimming pools c-f graded
on duty during specified hours.
t articles, films stamps
There isa ranch trading post where toile
etc. can be purchased.
(Supervised riding
rates.
Horseback riding is available at hourly
for children at speci-fnd times.)
will not want to
Gho Ranch has an outstanding museum that you
mi sc.
Do bring a
Please do not bring radios pets cr trailbikes.
sturdy shoes and light coats- -for
-flashlight, swimsuit
canteen
Although it is a dry sunny climcte mountain
cool evenings.
Come prepared.
shoiers occasionally occur.
Call
ranch.
An airstrip for private planes is located near the
Ghost Ranch i-f you wish a ride in -from the airstrip.
Ranch.
Mail should be sent to: “Farticipant c/c IMYM Ghost
Phone 55—6BS—433.
Abi qua Li. NM 67510.”
-for sale.
Books c-f special interest to Friends will be available
unit.
A coin operated laundry -fa’:ility is located in Poplar
e
1
Friends might shai
No babysitting is provided in the evenings.
to
in this responsibility so that young parents can be -freed
participate in evening programs.
yl is
Allergy prone persons should bring antihistimines, and Caladr
suggested -for the “no—see—urns”.
Hundreds
- coordi nate the doll proJect.
Marbi e Elnaul t will c’—
e camps o-f
o-f dolls and stuffed animals have been sent to refuge
Bodies -for the dolls and animals will be
Central America.
s
avail-abe Ghost Ranch but Marble asks that you bring needie
ation.
embroidery thread. trims SCISSORS and your creative imagin
WHILE YOU ARE A GUEST AT GHOST RANCH YOU WILL SEE MANY THINGS OF
PLEASE LEAVE THEM IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT SO
SEALITY AND INTEREST.
THAT OTHERS MAY 1LSO ENJOY.
JUNIOR YEflRLY MEETING
fur,
Those of us planning JYM are lo’:’king forward to sharing
riend1y, arid centered time at Ghost Ranch in June.
with
you
a
jr years
DULT9 arid TEENS: Please share your light with JYM.
either
hour
least
‘:‘ne
at
spend
adults
and
teens
all
east, we ask that
:if the
ore
with
time
unplanned
spending
or
activity
leading a planned
poetry
games,
crafts,
music,
include
ies
ivit
Planned
act
F’:’ur JYM gri:iups.
enj’:y
would
y’:’u
anything
or
history,
writ mg, tal ki rig about Quaker
If yi:’u recently signed up for a planned
sharing with the yi:iung people.
represenitat ive to Cont inuinig
s
act ivity on the fi:irm that your riteet
If you
contact yi:iu si:i:In.
ii:in,
will
we
Committee brought to your attent
below
form
the
out
fill
or
did not si gni up, but wart to, please call us
in
a
group
joining
involve
activities
arid send it ti:i us si:ion.
a
reading
baby,
a
hold
ing
mean
It may
whatever is happening at the t ime&
or
simply
project,
wo’:’d—workinig
stciry, ,jc’ini rig a garie, hel pine with a
uripl annied t irite cr1 the large
Sign up
!:tt ing ti: kricw a young person.
pc.ater board at reg ist rat ii:inl at Ghost Ranch.
ing’
fi:r
YOUNG PEOPLE: There will be four JYM nr’:ups again this year.
0—2 1/2 (the Diaper Crowd) will meet at Corral Block with
ful l—t irile baby—sitters arid Friendly v’:’l unteers.
3—5’ s (thru entering 1st grade) will meet in Piri’:ni.
6—8’ s (entering 2nd tci 4th grade) will meet in Piricin.
5th ti:i 8th grade) will meet t:in the Mesa in
‘—12’ s
the Upper Pavilion.
Please ji:ini the group
These age designiat ions are only guidelines.
year—i:ilds
are cf
Thirteen
where you feel raicist ccirnfi:irtable.
welcome at the Upper Pavilii:ini.
If yi:iu register, yi:iu will receive a welcoming letter around June 1
tell irig abc’ut act ivit ies your age gri:iup c’:’ord inators have planned arid
whether there is anything special that you should bring tci Ghost Ranch.
(entering
course
PRENTS: Preparing y’:’ur children for Yearly Meeting is a great
in the family locks forward to at
Discussion c’f what each
hel p.
Yearly Meet inig should make the experiece mi:ire meaningful fi:ir all.
persi:’n
SCHEDULE: Programs fi:ir JYM will occur Thursday through Sunday
i rigs from 8: 30 unt i 1 r,:ii:in arid Thrusday t hr’:iugh Sat urday aft ernooris
from 2:00 urit i 1 5:30 (except babysitt inig at Ci:irral Bli:ick, which begins
a g a i Yi at 1 : 00 i ni t h e a ft e r ri c i: ri)
morn
We’ re looking
have any quest ii:inis,
V
If you
fc’rward ti:i being with yi:iu at Ghost Ranch.
please contact us.
Tom arid Suzanne Brown, JYM coord i rat ors
1113 Ellis St.
Fi:irt Ccl 1 ins, CD 80524
303—484—4826
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fill
in
to volunteer to
lead a Planned
flctivity
at
JYII
1385
g a group
Pict i vi ty
Name
cddress
Phone 4
Ret r u ni
t ci
T c’ ri
arid S u z a nine B i-i:’ w n
— — —
HOUSING PiT GHOST RPiNCH
Several housing options are available to those attending IMYM.
Please read the following descriptions carefully before choosing
the
facilitY you wish to use.
Keep in mind your physical limitations and
bo sure you indicate these
the registration form.
on
RHCH HOUSING
Facilities include shared cottages on lower levels
mesa units, corral block (young -families are usually assigned here)
and solar units.
Fee payment includes bad linens, pillows, blankets
and towels.
CPiSITPiS/TEEFEE YILLPiE’E
These facilities are more rustic in nature
and are located about 1/4 mile from ranch headquarters.
No bedding or
towels are provided.
Young Friends will occupy Teepee Village.
Cesi tas have two bunks and one single bed in each o-f the eighteen
i.inits.
It probably will not he possible for a family o-f less than
four members to occupy a casita privately.
NDTE
1.
2.
No cooking is allowed in Ranch Housing or Casita/Teepee
Village.
EXTRPi DPi’! PiTTENDERS
Mesa housing or camping are the only
housing available -for the extra day.
CPMPING
There will he two camping
at Ghost Ranch this year.
These will accomodate 125 people.
The -familiar campground will
accomodate 90 persons.
Pi
location near the casitas will provide
camping space -for 35 persons.
There are no “campsites”.
We count the
campers and limit the number to the figures that Ghost Ranch gives us
because of limited sanitation facilities and ecological
considerations.
Registrants who request camping after the 125 maximum
has been reached will be notified that an alternative must be chosen.
areas
new
Camping facilities
available in a Forest Service campground
about five miles north of the Ghost Ranch entrance on HWY 54.
The
Corp of Engi nears maintains a campground at Pibi qui u Dam, about eight
miles south of Ghost Ranch.
are
i)1itu1
i’1L J1
—
June 12
16
Extra day
June 11
Registrtion for housing and meals will not be accepted after June 1.
4
-
NOTE:
85-86 grade (children only
SEX
AGE
NAME
Meeting
address
Phone
Expected day cf arrival at Ghost Ranch:
June
Departure:
June
pedal Requirments:
(Disabi:Lt5s, allerr’ies :.oking or non—smoking, etc.)
Please in3tci if your family would be willing to share accommodations with others.
(Singles usually share accommodations.)
—
:raon Fee
1i Rc
(i:c.luies Thsurance)
iate
Copy of Ninutes of IMYN 1985 Sessions
‘
totals
$10.00
ed between May 15 and June i)
4
.
(if pa
Fee
.
children
ages 12 and under
$4.00
adults
ages 13 & over
$7.00
$2.50
Nost Panch (our payments cover only rt of their costs,
contributions are welcomed.)
Gift -‘v
ounj and all meals
xta-.
-‘.y, June 11
Village & all meals
x’:a
103.0O
$51.50
25.75
12.75
74.00
37.00
y available
Jr tr DampIng, eating only electcd meals or attending only part of the meeting:
Number
Number
children
adults
Circle Days
::eals
reakf.
W
TH
FS
PS
-r
S
@
-I
@
ri
@ $2.25
$4.50
2.00
@
5.00
2.50
T:!
F
S
©
12.25
6.00
Cas±t/T? vilL W
TH
F
S
_@
5.00
2.50
1
TH
F
S
::‘i1 Hd
Camp1n
T
T
$6.50 per family per day.
There is a limit of 125 people occupying the
campgrounds. This includes infants and children.
TOTAL:
Jend registration form (checks made payable to Intmountain “ôarly Meing)
pastmarI: by May 15, 1985 to:
LaDonna Wallen, Regisk:. r
525 E. Alameda Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282
PLEASE SEE REVERSE SIDE
Tel: 6C’-967-6040
Medical R.ase Forms are required for all attenders under 18 years
of age not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In such cases
an adult sponsor who is attending Interinountain Yearly Meeting with
should be signed and
This
the child/youth must be designated.
returned with the registration material.
V
form
MEDICAL RELE
The undersIned parent or legal guardians of (give full name of minor(s)
who will attend the 1984 Intermountain Yearly Meeting of the Religious
Society of Fiends at Cost Ranch Conference Center, Abiquiu, New Mexico,
authorized (name of sponsor)
to arrange for emergency medical care or other medical attention deemed
necessary, including admission to a hospital, of above named minor(s) in
the event that such medical attention or care is, in the opinion of the
authorized person(s) or entity, determined to be necessary; and thereby
absolves such authorized person(s) or entity from person liability
arising from the exercise of such authority, including any and. all costs,
expenses, and charges for medical or hospital care provided by or received
from whomsoever, and costs of transportation related thereto.
(Street Address)
(Street Address)
(Siature of Parent or Guardian)
(Signature of Sponsor)
(ci,
ity, State, ZIP)
Phone
te
State, ZIP)
Phone
—
Refund Policy
It is hoped that Fiends will give careful consideration to the
choices they make concerning lodging or campsite and specially meals.
Every day Ghost Ranch staff requires from the registrar a running tally
of the number of people expected for each meal. If you are counted in
the tally and do not attend the meal, a refund is not possible.
1.
2.
:3.
4.
Registration fees are not refundable.
If you cancel your registrationform before Ghost Ranch, all fees
with the exception of number 1 (above) will be refunded.
Meal refunds will be given if the registrar is notified at least
24 hours in advance of the meal.
No
refus
for
lodging
or
campsite
will
be
given
to
F’iends who attend
IMYM and
decide
to
leave
early,
who
or
sign
up
to
attend IMYM and
arrive after
they
specify
unless
an
emerency
situation occurs. In
such an emergency, any refund would
made after IMYM sessions.
-
V
LaD. nna Wallen, Registrar
525 E. Alameda Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282
602-967-6040
EXAMINING BARRIERS TO THE INNER LIGHT — TECHNIQUES FRCH FINDHORN.
Leader: Marbie Brault
Quakers sometimes seem to feel that having concern for their own personalities
is selfish; one should always be led by the lIght 3nd giving to others. “t,
can we change the world if we can’t change ourselves? The hu.an pot.
e 1
movement has been exploring and is developing many techniques to help
at and change themselves and their view of the world In order to be morc In
touch with their spiritual selves of wisdom and love. This group will explore
some of those techniques.
NON—VIOLENT ACTION FOR SOCIAL CHANGE AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
Leader: Bruce Thron—Weber
Discussion of when an action is non—violent, what actions would be most
effective in changing the situations in Central America and Southern Africa
and lov we can encourage the development of a non—violent direct action as an
aspect of U.S. national defense.
DEFINING TIlE “GOOD ORDER”; WHAT IS lilt PRACTICE OF YOUR GROUP MEETING?
Leaders: La Donna Wallen and Ted Church
Are you sufficiently convereant with our Faith and Practice!Diacl.pline to
be able, when difficult go vitons arise, tn cn.sider them with an Inforned
mind as well as a loving and tender spirit? (from Query $8, London Yearly
Meeting, “Church Government”.) Is “good order” necessary? What ie it?
Nov is it defined in current times?
3.
I, •
5.
•
(Also Saturday)
hEALING OF PEOPLE AN!) HEALING O NATIONS.
Leaders: Vincent and Rosemarie Harding
Various models of holistic healing for people and a look at how these can be
applied to the healing of the larger community.
2.
RIC1IT SHARING OF WORLD RESOURCES
Leaders: Tom and Betsy Hoen
To stimulate discussion, we will pass out some questions (see below), nd
In
show some pictures and briefly describe the Water Buffalo Dairy Pr ;o
‘‘
rj
•
T. Kallupstti, South Indfn Ich it f,n,” v F”’”
Do
have an
ltgatln
Some questions to consider: What is right uhariny
to share with the less affluent? What I a the rel:tioani!p hetuorn r r ill
and the poverty of others? Between ar effluenre and ,Ien-e e.g. In Central
America? Is sharing really returning? What iv the rriatlunnh!p ?-etwecn
eimple living and right sharing: Do wa have an obligaLlos to al,ura with
future generations?
HcM CAN WE BE BETTER QUAKER PARENTS?
Leader: Arline hlobson
The group will engage in a seeking and sharing process to help each person
to identify for him/her self what would be the uniquely Quaker challenge
as parents.
-
wHAT IS TUEQpAKER ROLE IN PROBI.TOIS OF AGING?
Leaders: Mary Minor, Bob Hubbard, Ann Deschanel.
Ways in which individuals and Monthly Meetings can assist elderly Friends in
the problems they experience. Results of l.M.Y.M. Questionnaire on Aging;
housing and living arrangements; the Living Will; etc.
1.
Locations are marked by numbered stakes outdoors.
THURS. 2:30—4:30
INTEREST GROUPS
DING nE UNITY THAT MAkES 1)1 1 RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
Leader: Gordon Browt,e
Who among us would the Valiant Sixty recognize?
1
—
INTERGENERATIONAL DISCUSSION GROUPS
Leaders and Topics to be orgnizedby Young Friends.
4.
DOES o: FAITH GUIDE hiS TO CARRY PII1OUGII OUR CONVICTIO’- INTO ACTIONS WHEN
AWl 01 HUMANKIND ARE IN CflhirI1:T WITII DIVINE GRACE?
WetA
-r:
leOct. tn” resistance,
a
-a a
Dtng
lis are dno :fferenh
rLs n.
LatS of areas can be tepreaenta-.d.
:ic.
NATiVE ‘IERTCAM SPIRITUALITY — TIlE CTRCI.P OF LIFE
Lea-Icr: Ne.’e Carter
DiscussIofl of “The Circle of Life” way of being; a few sinple cnremonies will
te taught; diecussion of Earth Awarenesm end healing of the Earth Muther
on perrosal levels.
-
“(RI
HEALING OP PEOPLE AND HEALING OF NATIONS. (Also Thursday)
Leaders: Vincent and Rosemarie Harding
Various sddel. of holistic healing for people and s look at how these can be
applied to the healing of the larger community.
2.
i
lilt DEVELOPMENT OF MORAL THINKING
Leader: Mary Dudley
For my Ph.D. dissertation, 1 have read quite a lot of work focused on under
standing how we think a about moral issues. I want to meet among Friends to
hear what contemporary Quakers say about hi. process in their own experience.
1.
SATURDAY 2:30— 4:00
BIG TRPE
14.
FRIENDS IN TUE SERVICE OF PEACE.
Leader: Larry Scott
Let us consider new possibilities together.
EXPLORATIONS
L-amra: (eorge and Elizabeth Watson
liatories and Rell gious Issues.
1.
..
LIVING FROM TiE t.aIDE OUT.
Leader: Ruth Hatcher
The rediscovery of the spiritual taproot of being and doing. “If you build upon
anything or have confidence in anything which stands in time ... your foundation
will be swept away. Return home to within ... and here you will see your
Teacher not removed into a corner, but present when you are upon your beds and
about your labor ... giving peace to all that love and follow lii.”.
Francis hlowgill, 1656,
QUAKERS: CAN WE BE TOO FRIENDLY?
Leader: Nancy Bigbee Jensen
emphasis on being open to and supportive of people in and
Because of
around our meetings and worship groups, it is posaible that some people can
good
will. How can we see and address “that of God” within
abuse
our
use or
everyone and yet not be gullible, naive, or taken unfair advantage of?
QUAKERISM P. HISPANICS.
Leader: Domingo Ricart
Can Quskeriam speak to the condition of Hispanics? Why not? Special approach—
Historical precedents. What can Friends offer specifically appropriate.
OPENNESS, SANCTUARY AND STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE.
Leader: Jim Corbett
Many Quakers must once again decide whether to suffer the consequences of
practicing their faith openly. Is openness essentisl to the practice of the
prophetic faith? Can our covenant to serve the Peaceable Kingdom take the
form of a conspiracy?
11.
9.
8.
11.
10.
9.
PARENT CHILD POWER RELATIONSHIPS: USES AND ABUSES
Leader: Jo Lillis
The reticence of Friends to engage themselves with the issues of
hvical an,!
sexual abuse may arise in part fros our discomfort with
FOLLOWING TIlE LIGHT IN OUTERSPACE
Leaders: Maggie Gould and Vickie Aldrich
A light hearted intergenerational discussion of religious
values portrayed in
recent science—fiction/fsntasy movies. i.e. ‘images of God’.
‘good sod evil’,
messiahs’, ‘creation stories’, etc. Suggested
viewing: Star
Wars trilogy, 2001, 2010, ET, The Dark Crystal, Dune, Star
Trek trilogy.
RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP IN QUAKER MEETINGS SHARING APPROACHES AND
PROBLENS,
Leader: Bobbie Counihan
Those Interested in the “workings” of the meetings will gather
to share experiences.
Depending on interests we might share how to involve more people
in the childrens
program; fund raivare hvt work; welcoming and involving newcomers;
the meeting’s
place in Ite cons-anIle;
eucceas from your meeting. Come and learn what
other
meeting, and worship roupa are doing.
ThE DEFENSE OF JUST LAWS BY COVENANT CO1*IIJNITIES
Leader: Jim Gorbett
International law concerning war end war victims will apply only
to conquered
governments u”i1 base communities (for example, Quaker Meetings)
assume full
responsibility for compliance. Direct action to prevent the
commission of State
crimes might be considered civil disobedience, but Confusing
it with civil
disobedience against unjust laws could lead to the eroision
of the laws we wish
to defend.
8.
7.
TUE MEANING OF CHRIST IN QUAKERISM.
Leader: Mary Lou Coppock
Let us consider statements such as these two by George Fox
and the final one
by John Punahon:
a) “I heard a voice which said ‘there is one, even Christ Jesus,
that can speak
to thy condition,’.., and my heart did leap for joy.”
b) “Christ is come and doth dwell in the hearts of hie people.”
c) “. . .Friends as a whole have never believed that the only way
to Cod is by
conscious adherence to the Christian faith. They preached
that Christ was
in some way active in all people, working for their
salvation regardless of
their outward religious affilistion.” (Portrait in Grey,
260)
This group will seek the meaning of Christ in Quakerism, so p.
that our hearts might
leap for Joy as we unite in a Christian Faith and practice
it.
ON BEING WOUNDED.
Leader: Ed Wood
Ed has written a book by this title. This interest group
will look at the
personal transition from violence to peace.
TIlE ARTS AS A FOR!! OF WORShIP
Leaders: Buhbie Dyer and CAthsrine Fda
We will use John Ormerod Greenwood’s Signs of Life, Art and
Religious Experienee
(1978 Swarthmore Lecture) as a basis for discussion. “How God
Can be discovered
thru the Arts, he says.
6.
5.
5:45
-
Dinner
—
Registration
2:00 “Extra” day
begins
Tl7SDAY
-
-
Lunch
-.
Breakfast
-
DINNER
8:00
-
(Long House)
-
-
LUNCH
11:45 Keynote
speaker and
Meeting for
Worship
-
10:00 WorshipSharing
Breakfast
Meetiflg for Worship
THURSDAY
DINNER
(Convocation Hall)
8:00 Meeting for Worship
7 :00 Folkdancing
‘
Intergenerational
Di. sion
(yr) Interst Group
415 - 5:15 FJNL Report
1:00 - 2:00 Swimming
Worship-Sharing
Leaders Mtg.
(Cottonwood Lounge)
2:30 - 4:00 Interest
Gups
10:15
8:45
—)
7100
Meeting for
Worship
8:00 - (YE’) Get Acquainted
Singing
7:30 - Welcome
7 :00
—>
Mtg. (Cottonwood
game
5:30
worship
4:30 Sharing leaders
2:00 - 4:00 Continuing
Committee
Volleyball
(Y’)
2:00 - Registration
12:00
-
7:30
WEDNESDAY
-
-
-
LUNCH
Young Friends &
9 - 12’s Storytelling and
YE’ discussion
11:45 Meeting
for Business I
Sharing
10:00 Worship-
-
-
Folkdancing
DINNER
YE’ and
JYM Campfire
Meeting for Worship
(Convocation Hall)
Singing
8:30 - Campfire and
7:30
7:00
—>
Skit
Business j
4:15 - 5:15 (YE’) Meeting
for Business &
2:30 - 4:00 (y) ond
War - Discussion
with George Watson
3:15 - 5:30 Meeting for
1100 - 2:00 SWimming
2:00 - 3:00 A1TSC Report
7
10:15
10:15
8:4.5
Breakfast
Ieeting forWorship
FRIDAY
Sharing
10:00 Worship—
Brç.Jcfast
11:45 Meeting for
LUNCH
Business III
-
9 :30
(YE’) Hike to Chimney
Rock
8:00 - Worship
(Convocation Hall)
7:00 - 9:00 Creativity
Night
DINNER
Intergenerational
Discussion
Report by
Cordon Browne
2:30 - 4:00 (YE’) Interst
Group
41.5 - 5:15 Special E’.CC
2:30 - 4:00 Interest
Groups
1:00 - 2:00 Swimming
—>
10:15
10:15 (IF) Meeting for
Business & Skit
8:45 -
,
Meeting for Wdrj
FTflT?flhY
LUNCH
Watching Corn
Report, Meeting
for Worship
11:45 Young
Friends Report,
-
10:00 WorshipSharin
Check out by 1:00 p.rr
—>
-
:Breakfast
10:15
8:45
—,
S11iff)AY
IM1OUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING
June 12
June 11
-
-
-
1985
16
Extra Day
Ranch Fees:
Adults
Children (12 & under)
Housing and all meals
$103.00
$51’.50
25.75
12.75
74.00
37.00
1O.)U
9.23
Extra day, June 11
Teepee Village and all meals
Extra. day, June 11
For those who are camping, eating select meals or attending only rt
of the Yearly Meeting sessions:
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Housing
Teepee Vill&e
Camping
Note:
$4.50
4.00
5.00
$2.25
2.00
2.50
12.25
6.00
5.00
2.50
6.50 per family or group er day.
There is a limit of 90 people occupying the campgrounds.
This includes infants arid children. A new small camping
area will be available near teepee village that will
accomodate about 35 people.
IMYM Fees:
Registration (includes insuiance) $7.00
Copy of INYM minutes
$4.00
2.50
Late Registration fee
(Postmarked between May 15 and June 1)
$O.00
Housing notes:
Teepee Village will be in use by another group through the
morning of June 12.
There will be no extra day facilities
for our use.
People who sign up for ranch housing will be placed on the
mesa for the extra day.
We will not have full use of the
housing facilities until after 1:00 p.m. on June 12.
A new building is under construction on the site where Lower
villion was located.
Hopefully it will be ready for use by
June 1 (depending on the weather). This will seat almost 1400
and will have a stage and other amenities for group use.
It
will be possible to divide this room into small meeting rooms
with partitions.
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS XI
JUNE 12,\ O\
5’
7:00 SINGING
7:30 A MOMENT OF SILENCE
RECOGNITION OF OUR BEING HERE FROM MANY PLACES, JOINED TOGETHER FOR
FIVE PRECIOUS DAYS.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
8:00 MEETING FOR WORSHIP
READING OF EPISTLE
-
)
/
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS XI
10:15 a.m. THURSDAY JUNE 13, 1985
OPENING SESSION 10:15-11:45
GATHER IN SILENCE
READING FROM EPISTLES
SJ
PRESENTATION OF VISITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE LOCATION OF BULLETIN BOARDS AND STATEMENT THAT THERE
ARE NOT TO BE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE DINING HALL.
THE CLERK WILL READ AN EXCERPT FROM LONDON YEARLY MEETING FAITH AND PRACTICE
ON SPEAKING IN YEARLY MEETING”
INTRODUCTIONS OF GEORGE AND ELIZABETH WATSON
ADDRESS BY ELIZABETH WATSON
WORSHIP
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS XI
FRIDAY JUNE 14, 10:15-11:45
MEETING FOR WORSHIP FOR BUSINESS
I
GATHER IN SILENCE, READING FROM EPISTLES z6i
REPORT FROM CONTINUING C
£TEE
CONCERNS FROM MONTHLY MEETINGS AND OTHER FRIENDS ORGANIZATIONS
BUSINESS CARRIED FORWARD FROM 1984
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON AGING
COMMITTEE TO REVISE THE SUGGESTIONS
APPOINTMENTS TO BE MADE
WORSHIP
—
(
GUIDE)
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS XI
FRIDAY JUNE 14, 3:15-5:30
MEETING FOR WORSHIP FOR BUSINESS II
GATHER IN SILENCE, READING FROM EPISTLES
lLQ
.Q&L1(”
REPORT TO PLENARY SESSION OF REPRESENTATIVES TO AFSC CORPORATION,
FCNL GENERAL COMMITTEE, FWCC
-44
8
tj q
CONTINUE WITH CONSIDERATION OF CONCERNS
WORSHIP
9
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS XI
JUNE 14, 8:30 p.m.
NEETING FOR WORSHIP
V
/0
/2
(
‘
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS XI
dUNE 15, 10:15—11:45
MEETING FOR WORSHIP FOR BUSINESS
III
GATHER IN SILENCE, READING FROM EPISTLES
(
—
FINAL CONSIDERATION
OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CONTINUING COMMITTEE
er
—
—
—
;4j-t
LISTING OF APPOINTMENTS BY REGIONAL AND YEARLY MEETING NOMINATIONS
PRESENTATION OF FINANCE REPORT
RECOMMENDATION OF BUDGET 1986
CLOSING WORSHIP
7
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS XI
JUNE 15, 4:15—5:15
SPECIAL SESSION
SPECIAL FWCC REPORT BY GORDON BROWNE
8:00 p.m. IN CONVOCATION HALL
WORSHIP
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS XI
JUNE 16, 10:15-11:45
CLOSING SESSION
GATHER IN SILENCE, READING FROM EPISTLES))?t Q
YOUNG FRIENDS REPORT
(OTHER CLOSING REPORTS MAY BE READ)
WATCHING COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING FOR WORSHIP
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
ALL ROOMS MUST BE VACATED BEFORE 12:00
\/
.
/
June 16, 1985
INTERNOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING
PROPOSED MINUTE ON CENTRAL AMERICAN REFUGEES
Quakers have long been called to respond to the sufferings of
others.
We believe that we are called again today to provide aid to
Central American refugees fleeing persecution and violence in their
homelands.
We cannot plead ignorance of the plight of our neighbors, particularly
those from Guatemala and El Salvador, where extreme levels of violence
and oppression have been well documented.
Under the 1949 Geneva Conventions
and the 1980 Refugee Act, the majority of Salvadoran and Guatemalan
refugees have the right to remain in safety in this country.
Our
government, however, does not apply these statutes fairly, and is returning
these refugees at even greater risk to the violence they fear.
Of greater importance to Quakers than the legal considerations is
out spiritual basis for action. With the fundamental belief in that of
God in everyone, we cannot turn our backs on our brothers and sisters
who seek safety in this country.
After two years of reflection on this issue, it is clear that action
must be taken and Intermountain Yearly Meeting therefore makes these
commitments and recommendations:
1. Monthly Meetings and Worship Groups are urged to learn the needs
of and support refugees in sanctuary, in detention centers, and out on
bond awaiting hearings.
Support can include raising bond money and providing legal representa
tion for those in detention centers; providing housing, food, legal
assistance, clothing, transportation, educational, emotional and medical
aid for those in sanctuary or out on bond awaiting hearings.
IMYM
June 16, 1985
Minute—Refugees
Page 2
2. Intermountain Yearly Meeting urges our Government to pursue
a plan for peace in Central America which would promote the resumption
of bilateral and multilateral talks.
We ask our Government to actively
support the Contadora process.
Here in the United States we support the passage of legislation
such as a strengthened Moakley—DiConcini Bill (HR—822, SB—377), which
would end forced repatriation of Salvadoran refugees in accordance with
the findings of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In
addition we urge that the bill be amended to include Guatemalan refugees.
3. Because of Friends’ increasing involvement in providing assistance
to refugees, Intermountain Yearly Meeting affirms that Friends providing
such aid are acting within the tradition
of the Society of Friends and
are carrying out the will of the Yearly Meeting with our loving support.
To carry out our responsibility, Intermountain Yearly Meeting
approves the formation of a Committee for Sufferings for members and
faithful attenders of our member Meetings who are or may be facing legal
prosecutions or other personal pressures because of their sanctuary
ministry to refugees.
With the assistance of Monthly Meetings,
the
Committee, appointed by the Clerk of Intermountain Yearly Meeting, will
take the initiative to identify persons needing assistance, keep Monthly
Meetings informed of the needs within the Yearly Meeting, request aid, and
make available to Monthly Meetings information about resources for aid.
LOGAN MEETING
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
June 2,
1985
MINUTE
This minute is from Logan, Utah Monthly Meeting to
Intermountain Yearly Meeting regarding travel expenses for Jo
Lillis to Friends General Conference, 1985, at Slippery Rock,
Pennsylvania.
Jo Lillis is a member of Logan Monthly Meeting. He has
served the meeting in various capacities over the past half—dozen
years and is currently assistant clerk.
Jo seeks to engage Friends throughout the United States in
his concern over issues of physical and sexual abuse both within
and without the Society, beginning with consideration of Friends’
communication skills. He brings to this endeavor six years’
experience in victim assistance and public education relative to
rape, battering, incest, depression and suicide. He has visited
Friends groups from Missoula to Santa Fe and San Francisco to New
York City seeking an overview of conditions within the Society.
Logan Meeting has allocated $100 to help defray Jo’s travel
expenses for the 1985 Gathering of Friends
registration
and
where he plans to discuss his concerns.
Conference
General
We would like to request that Intermountain Yearly Meeting
consider expending a like amount of its funds for the same
purpose.
Bryan Welch
Acting Clerk
Minute in connection with Central American Refugees(CC85—3)
A our awareness of the problems of Central
American Refugees has increased, so has Friends involvement
in providing assistance to them.
Interrnountain Yearly ?4eeting of the Religious
Society of Friends affirms that Friends providing aid
to Central American Refugees under those circumstances
within the tradition of the Society of Friends are
carrying out the will of the Yearly Meeting and. have
our loving support.
Speaking from our moral and religious perspective, the
Albuquerque Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
is seriously concerned about the escalalation of hostile words
and actions of our government which we feel can only lead to
further tension and animosity in Central America and make
negotiations more difficult.
We wish to urge pursuit of a plan
for peace which could form the basis for an alternative U.S.
policy in Central America and promote the resumption of bilateral
and multilateral talks and the renewal of the Contradora process.
PIMA MONTHLY MEETING MINUTE
APPROVED IN MEETING FOR BUSINESS OF 5/12/85
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
THE ATTACHED LETTER CARRIED BY JAMES CORBETT, NENA MAC DONALD,
SHARON PFEIL, AND CLIFFORD PFEIL TESTIFIES TO THE FACT THAT IN THEIR MINISTRY
TO CENTRAL AMERICAN REFUGEES THEY ARE SI1’IPLY CARRYING OUT THE WILL OF
PIMA MONTHLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS).
QUAKER MINISTRY IS NOT A MATTER OF ORDINATION BUT IS AT ITS BEST
THE CORPORATE ACT OF A SPIRITUAL WORSHIPPING GROUP AND THEREFORE IT IS
INAPPROPRIATE FOR GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES TO SINGLE OUT THE INDIVIDUALS NAMED
ABOVE: RATHER, THE ENTIRE MEETING SHOULD BE CALLED TO TRIAL OR TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS, AS THE ENTIRE MEETING IS THE MINISTERING BODY AND IS PROUD AND
COMMITTED TO STAND WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS.
WE INSIST THAT WE BE PROPERLY
RECOGNIZED AS THE RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE BODY IN LIEU OF OUR THREE MEMBERS,
JAMES CORBETT, SHARON PFEIL, AND CLIFFORD PFEIL.
AA
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FROPOSAL
FROM BOULDER MEETING TO COLORADO GENERAL MEETING
FOR A MOTION REGARDING REFUGEES
TO DE MADE TO THE IMYM CONTINUING COMMITTEE
E’oulder Meeting wishes to place on the agenda of the IFIYN business
meeting a discussion o-f how Quakers, and the IMYM in particular,
might respond to the current US refugee policy
which does not
those who have -fled countries such as El Salvador and
allow
Guatemala to remain in the US as political refugees. We know that
only a few of those who do manage to get into the uS are given
legal resident status.
Many others, following arrest and
imprisonment in this country, are sent home and many of these are
killed, imprisoned, and tortured,
The rest remain in this country
marginal figures and always in fear of being discovered.
always
Actions that IMYM and member Meetings could take include:
Declaration of Sanctuary
Raising bond -for those in detention
Active support for the Moakley—DeConcini bill (HR—E322, B—
377) , which would end -forced repatriation of Salvadorian and
Guatemalan refugees
in accordance with the recommendation of
the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
it
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New Mexico Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
April 6
—
7, 1985
—
Albuquerque Friends Meeting House, Albuquerque, NM
Minute 2:85
New Mexico Quarterly Meeting supports the
United Nations’ Convention Against Torture.
In doing so, we recommend that other meetings
and worship groups within Intermountain
Yearly Meeting become familiar with the Con
vention Against Torture (U.N. Document
A/39/708); and that they take appropriate
action in support of this Convention and
encourage its ratification by the United States
Government.
Minute 3:85
Gila Valley Worship Group, now a lively
group of seekers, with several seasoned
Friends among them in Mimbres, Cliff,
San Lorenzo, Silver City and surroundings,
functioning as a Friends meeting under the
care of Las Cruces Monthly Meeting,
applied to New Mexico Quarterly Meeting
to be recognized as a Monthly Meeting.
The Quarterly Meeting approved, joyfully,
welcoming Gila Valley Friends and attenders
as its sixth monthly meeting.
Las Cruces Meeting was
oversight on behalf of
as Gila Valley Meeting
to the good order used
asked to extend its
the Quarterly Meeting
becomes accustomed
among Friends.
From Marjorie Cavin
Recording Clerk
New Mexico Quarterly Meeting
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING
Religious Society of Friends
526 N. Bertrand
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Continuing Committee 1985-3 approved the minute in connection with
Central American Refugees stating: As our awareness of the problems of
Central American Refugees has inc?’eased, so has Friends
1 involvement in
providing assistance to them.
Intermountain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
affirms that Friends providing aid to Central American Refugees under
those circumstances within the tradition of the Society of Friends are
carrying out the will of the Yearly Meeting and have our loving support.
Minute approved by Continuing Committee of Intermountain Yearly Meeting
on February 16, 1985.
lOui &1 bO
Frances McAllister
Clerk, Intermountain Yearly Meeting
Albuquerque Monthly Meeting
OF TH
Religious Society of Friends
November 27, 1984.
PRESS RELEASE
For the last several years, members and attenders of the
Albuquerque Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
(Quakers) have joined other concerned individuals and churches
across the country in an effort to provide transportation and
safe haven for persons fleeing danger in Central America,
especially Guatemala and El Salvador.
Our role in this effort has centered primarily on
providing transportation for what has been called the “under
ground railroad”.
Out of concern for the safety of the
refugees, often families with young children, this transpor
tation has usually been carried out as unobtrusively as possi
ble. However, a recent caravan with a refugee family came
through Albuquerque and the event was made public to dramatize
the Central American issue and raise public awareness.
This nationwide effort has come to be known as the
“Sanctuary Movement”.
It is an informal network of individuals
and churches that helps transport and provide hospitality for
refugees who we have reason to believe would face intolerable
consequences if deported.
We also help provide a forum from
which this issue can be publicized.
In May 1983 our Meeting made public a statement, the
Minute on Central American Refugees, offering spiritual and
material support to those among us assisting Central American
refugees. The text is enclosed.
The Meeting is now ready to offer shelter and hospitality
in Albuquerque to a refugee or a refugee family, and is making
public the enclosed statement, the Minute on Sanctuary.
ALBUQUERQUE MONTHLY Mi.irING
OFTHK
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
Minute on Central American Refugees
May. 1983
•
•
•
We encourage Friends who are so moved
to lovingly confront employees of
agencies such as the Immigration and Natu
Depai.ment, and the Department of Justi ralization Service, the State
ce;
We commend and offer our spiritual and
material resources as a meeting to those
among us who assist Central American
refugees:
We are committed to redirecting U.S. polic
ies that lead to the creation of refugees.
We invite others to loin in these efforts
and hold no malice toward persons who
disagree.
Minute on Sanctuary
November 11. 1984
The Albuquerque Friends Meeting publicly offer
s
fellowship to refugees fleeing violence in Cent the sanctuary of our religious
ral America. We do this by
extending hospitality to people in danger far from
refugees the opportunity to relate their experienc their homeland and by giving
es
participation in our democracy demands such know to U.S. citizens whose
among us until they can return home with safety. ledge. We invite them to live
government to act more wisely in its policies towa We also challenge our
rds
recognize human needs in that region, and to welc Central America. to
ome those refugees within our
borders.
We recognize that in Guatemala and El Salvador death
is a common result of
speaking up for justice, and we are thankful that
challenging our own
government’s policies carries far lesser risks. We defy
cooperation with other religious groups take this smal no authority, but in
ourselves and our country. In walking closer to the l step towards healing
closer to people who have helped them throughou refugees themselves, we walk
t Central America, Mexico, and
the United States, closer to Immigration and Natu
ralization Service officials in
their work with refugees, closer to U.S. policy mak
ers whose actions we mistrust.
and closer to all in Central America who are caug
ht up in a war in which all must
lose.
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING
Religious Society of Friends
EPISTLE
TO FRIENDS EVERYWHERE:
This is the eleventh session of Intermountain Yearly Meeting. We have met again
at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico. We are overlooked by a magnificence, physically
expressed in the bold mesas, mountains and skies. Sunlight and shadow strong in the
Friendly greeting our 492 attenders send to you.
Our group is diverse, with members from all 23 Monthly Meetings, several Worship
Groups, plus visitors from seven Yearly Meetings. Nearly 30% of our participants
are under the age of 12. They played together and learned in creative children’s
programs.
Fifty six of us are Young Friends who designed their own program and shared
intergenerational activities. Of the more than 300 adults remaining 40 are more
than 65 years old.
In her keynote address, Strangers in Egypt, Elizabeth Watson interpreted the
Exodus theologically and historically. Finally she charged us to nurture all
strangers who come among us, especially those escaping oppression and the terror
of war.
For two years the Yearly Meeting has reflected on our call to provide aid to
Central Americans fleeing persecution and violence in their homeland. We have
now approved a minute on Central American Refugees. This minute urges Monthly
Meeting action on refugee needs, calls for an end to forced repatriation, and
establishes a Committee for Sufferings. It also affirms that Friends providing
aid to refugees are carrying out the will of the meeting.
George Watson, formerly President of Friends World College, addressed Young
Friends about “imaging” a world without weapons.
Gordon Browne, our special visitor, from the American Section of the Friends
World Committee, graded Intermountain Yearly Meeting highly for our participation
in FWCC activities.
An important part of our gathering is the opportunity to nurture ourselves and
each other. Two intergenerational discussions were well attended, moving, and
fruitful. We held daily meetings for worship and business, daily worship sharing
groups, heard reports from AFSC, FCNL and FWCC, held interest groups on 29
different topics, folk dancIng, swimming, hiking, campfires, extended conversations,
and joy in our surroundings.
We pray that all Friends may feel the working of the Spirit for Peace and
Unity as we lived it here.
Signed for
Intermountain Yearly Meeting June 12-16, 1985
245 Second St. NE, Washington DC 20002
IENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION
(202)547-6000 Office
(202)547-4343 Update Tape
REPORT TO INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING, 1985
The FCNL, in 19811/85, remains one of that rare breed of religiously—based
lobbies in Washington whose witness emphasizes moral values in addition to the
substantive content of issues.
Last year in following this path, the way opened
for FCNL staff to assume leadership roles on occasions of real concern to
Friends.
Our staff helped the representatives of twenty national denominations to
move in concert toward a more potent peace position on the military portion of
the federal budget.
For the first time in at least twenty years, that
Washington religious community agreed to support the minimum position of no
growth in military spending at a time when the Reagan administration was pro
posing a thirteen percent increase.
The no-growth statement, although much
weaker than FCNL would independently support, was nevertheless important in
terms of its total impact on Capitol Hill.
It was the position officially
presented during hundreds of visits to members of Congress.
Signed by all
twenty representatives, the statement is a significant cooperative attempt to
center the attention of the larger religious community on the need for a peace
position more in keeping with the Judeo—Christian ethic.
Seeking channels for reconciliation, FCNL’s staff concerned with Middle
East issues organized an unusual and particularly fruitful set of personal and
off—the-record dialogues among Jewish, Moslem and Christian participants.
Attenders were unanimous in their desire to continue the interchange, with
universal expressions of support for the FCNL initiative.
In addition,
We seek a world free of war and the threat of war
We seek a society with equity and justice for all
We seek a community where every person’s potential may be fulfilled
We seek an earth restored....
four
Middle East Forums,
religious community,
essentially educational and open to the larger political and
served to explore further the dimensions of peace in the
Middle East.
In November 1 984, FCNL’s General Committee, at its annual meeting,
identified four very broad categories of concern which staff will address during
the 99th Congress:
Working for Global Survival by Building Better U.S./Soviet
Relations, Establishing a Just Social and Economic Order at Home,
Constructive U.S. Involvement in World Affairs,
Promoting
and Supporting the Rights of
Native Americans.
More than one thousand new friends of FCNL were located in 1984, all of
whom made an initial gift to help meet our growing financial needs.
A new staff
position, Legislative Action Coordinator, was created and filled in 1984.
A new
support staff position was added as well.
The FCNL Education Fund received more than ten gift annuity agreements last
year,
with an estimated future value of over $50,000.
The Fund also received
additional trust and endowment arrangements which will help assure income in
future years.
Sonie building renovations designed to add much—needed office
space were begun in late 1984.
No summary of the activities of this Quaker presence in Washington is
adequate to describe the full meaning and impact of our witness.
However,
one
dimension easily understood by all Friends is the essential Quaker flavor of the
FCNL.
Friends from more than twenty yearly meetings are represented in the
crucial volunteer leadership which sets the tone and direction for our work.
more than six hundred Quaker meetings across the country,
In
there is an FCNL
presence in the form of a monthly meeting contact, who encourages letters and
action among Friends in support of staff lobbying in Washington.
As our mailing
list grows,
so grows the FCNL outreach for peace and justice.
Last year, this
growth was reflected in an increase in literature distribution and persons
reading the Washington Newsletter or calling our weekly “hotline” message.
We invite your persona]. involvement in the life and witness of FCNL.
Your
letters to elected officials, your gifts of time and money, and your prayers and
meditations are all equally important channels for service.
Edward F. Snyder
Executive Secretary, FCNL
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
FRIENDS HOUSE
EUSTON ROAD
Recording Clerk Geoffrey Bowes
LONDON NWI 2BJ
Telephone: 01-387 3601
Assistant Recording Clerk Christopher Thomas
May, 1985
To Intermountain Yearly Meeting of Friends
Dear Friends,
Greetings! We thank you for the epistle from your Yearly Meeting
held in June 19814. We are glad that you found John Punshon’s
presence helpful and were inspired by his challenging address.
care for the ageing and dialogue across
Some of your concerns
also exercise us. We were particularly moved by
the generations
your distress at the suffering of refugees from Central Pmerica.
With you we pray and work for a world free from the cruelties which
force people to leave their homes and to become refugees.
—
—
The epistle from our Yearly Meeting in May 1984 is enclosed with
this letter. As we prepare for our 1985 Yearly Meeting we think
of Friends around the world and you will be especially in our
minds in the session when Richard Meredith, retiring general
learning of
secretary of FWCC, speaks to us of Friends worldwide
one another.
—
On behalf of London Yearly Meeting,
A4(U.
s.
BERYL D. HIBBS
Clerk, Meeting for Sufferings
enc