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Bill Samuel is an evangelical but not an Evangelical

Sat, 17 May 2008 08:11:19 PDT

Evangelicals also proclaim Christ is Lord, but their emphasis on the written word as the sole determiner of Truth tends to contradict that. I am not an Evangelical because I'm not sure that Evangelicalism is really centered on Jesus Christ. Posted by Martin Kelley / christianity / evangelical

Heather reflects on the meaning of baptism in the Spirit

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:37:57 PDT

'I don't think I changed for once and forever when I answered that altar call. I've come to see it as a practice, a continual need to welcome Spirit into my heart and my life, a continual process of learning to yield myself up to God's service.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker Quakerese

Robin M's Plain Workshop

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:12:25 PDT

How did traditional practices like plain dress or plain speech arise and how did they affect early Friends? What are the postmodern equivalents? Posted by Chris M / plain

Cat's reflections on the article "Are the Quakers Going Pagan?"

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:16:15 PDT

'[Who] can deny that, too often, it is not God who speaks, but all-too human prejudices, fears, and superstitions? How can anyone deny that hate, not love, turns the pages of that book in far too many hands?' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Hystery Witch responds to author Scott Savage and other Friends who would push her out

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:01:46 PDT

'Naive, I know, but although I fully understood that many Friends are Christ-centered, I did not know that there are some who consider those of us who are not as unqualified to share in community with them.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker theological_diversity

A painful story from a Friend wanting meeting help & accountability in homeschooling

Sun, 11 May 2008 19:21:22 PDT

A member said "I oppose K-, her vision, and everything she stands for." I was stunned. The meeting was silent. No one responded, and I said, somewhat choked, that such a response made me want to take my children and never come back. I was in tears when I Posted by Martin Kelley / parenting

Liz is Answering her own questions about her sacred compass

Sat, 10 May 2008 20:03:33 PDT

What was my first experience when I began to have an inkling about having an inner compass? Posted by Robin M religiouswomen

Brent Bill prepares for a Sabbath for Silence

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:18:21 PDT

'In holy silence God begins giving me the power to live my faith. In silence I see God's work in me being slowly realized.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

One reader of CT article things Paganism is official Qr outreach effort

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:00:31 PDT

The Quakers are finding a new strategy for church growth: Merge with paganism! From "Pagans find a sometimes uneasy home among Quakers", referring to "a small but growing movement of Quakers who also identify as pagan. Posted by Martin Kelley / in / outreach

Former Friend talks of Pagans, Quakers and a self-centered Christian identity

Fri, 09 May 2008 08:59:13 PDT

While Quakerism is (still) Christian, it often comes over as a separate religion, a law unto itself in a sense. They talk primarily about the Quaker heritage, while the Christian character is not adequately covered. Posted by Martin Kelley / influences / liberal

A Silly Poor Gospel: A Women's Blog-o-rama

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:39:39 PDT

I am going to post daily until I run out of steam on the topic of Women's empowerment, oppression, invincibility, "modesty and other co-dependent scams" and every other rant and revelation that the Spirit supplies. Posted by C Wess Daniels / uaker

Quakers Engaging Jon signs off (for now?)

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:32:07 PDT

Originally I created this blog to be a non-threatening discussion board for people in the Tacoma community. It turned into a forum for unprogrammed and semi-programmed and programmed Friends to interact, share perspectives, and learn from one another. Posted by Martin Kelley / blogs

Quakers going Pagan? A Firm and Loving "No"

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:48:17 PDT

This may be a somewhat new phenomenon to Streib, but it's not to Evangelical Friends. So how do I answer Streib's question? As Evangelical Quakers in Evangelical Friends Church Southwest, the answer is a firm and loving "No". Posted by Martin Kelley / evangelical

Barclay Press Wess on The Temptation to Surrender

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:59:56 PDT

So then what about Friends? What are our political options? From Wess Daniels' new column at BP. Posted by Chris M / witness

LizOpp on the different kinds of pride

Mon, 05 May 2008 17:37:30 PDT

That said, there is a quiet pride that lends itself to being low, and then there is another sort of pride that lends itself to being high, to pushing God out of our lives because we mistakenly take up the belief that there is no more room. Posted by Martin Kelley / ministry

Paul L thinks Orwell's got us pegged

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:38:39 PDT

"Socialism" draws with magnetic force every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sandal-wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, 'Nature Cure' quack, pacifist and feminist in England." Posted by Martin Kelley / liberal

Will T describes My visit to Quip

Mon, 05 May 2008 10:25:14 PDT

As is often the case, the best part of the meeting was not the formal program but the opportunities to speak with a variety of Friends from different backgrounds and to get to know them a little better. Posted by Robin M / quiprobinmsf

cubbie reflects on moving when the Spirit says move

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:26:07 PDT

'do we move when the spirit says move? can we even hear, respect, and heed it when the spirit says to stay right here?' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Through A Glass Dimly: But How Can You Talk With a Person if They Always Say the Same Thing?

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:50:37 PDT

Constructing "infallibility" in the church, and thinking you can get away with it just because you're Protestant. (My summary, not Skybalon's.) Caution: his blog is addictive. Posted by Johan Maurer qq

Are the Quakers Going Pagan? | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:16:28 PDT

The liberal end of the Society of Friends has long had members who denied God's existence or Jesus' divinity. Now hundreds of pagans call Quakerism home. Posted by C Wess Daniels / uaker

YouTube: Quakers: Woolly-minded liberals?

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:28:36 PDT

A British Friend gives a video response to a recent editorial. Posted by Martin Kelley / conservative / videos

Video on Christian Quaker outreach

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:13:38 PDT

A short video about the CQIM (Christian Quaker Internet Mission). Posted by Martin Kelley / christian / videos

Shawna explores The Ways Which Lead to Peace

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:35:35 PDT

With the FWCC, I have the opportunity to explore for myself what is essential to my faith, and what is only useful within context, and what is actually a stumbling block to my faith. Posted by Robin M / fwcc

Martin K answers a frequent question about meetings that are too silent

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:16:32 PDT

'Dear Martin: I have read that Meetings that are silent for long periods of time often wither away. But I can't remember where I read that, or if the observation has facts to back it up....' Feel free to add your own response to Martin's. Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

bob.blog: This week...

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:59:06 PDT

Bob Hyatt recounts his time with us at last week's Northwest Yearly Meeting pastors' conference. '...I have a feeling that the emerging church has been ripping off the Quakers for some years now....' Posted by Johan Maurer qq

Allison on Friends of Color: why she wants friends among Friends

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:34:05 PDT

'I resist making my life only about Friends for a reason. I'm learning so much from the rest of the world, things that I think will be useful to Friends.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

What Meeting for Worship Costs « among Friends

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:16:59 PDT

Not a spiritualized answer: a cool thousand! Posted by Johan Maurer qq

The Limits of History, II - Light and Silence

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:29:54 PDT

Quaker history also presents a challenge to all of its modern tellers. Like the early Christians, early Quakers laid down their history after the initial flames had cooled, and re-told the stories in ways that reflected their comunity. Posted by Martin Kelley / history

ComfortZone Mike on Newberg Friends Church

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:17:38 PDT

I have sat in silent open worship well over 1500 times there, and gazed at the beams, the stain glass windows, and the woodwork, as I listened to Christ… or just sat… and waited. Posted by Chris M / community / friendschurch

Hystery Witch answers her question, Do Liberal Quakers Quake?

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:39:13 PDT

'...as I was in a strong non-theist mode at the time, you can imagine my surprise when, in the midst of my not-believing, I received a message to share with the meeting.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker vocal_ministry

Qr Ranter Martin on Burnt Ubers and Reluctant Ranters

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:31:38 PDT

If we could pull together all of the dropouts together and start meetings that focused on worship, religious education and deep-community activities, I think we'd see something interesting. Posted by Chris M / youth

quaker oats live: black robe

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:20:18 PDT

Would it have been better if Native Americans had never heard the Christian message? Posted by Johan Maurer qq

Anj explores plain speaking and deep listening

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:22:00 PDT

now we have more attenders who are new to Quakerism, and drawn for various reasons. One of the misconceptions that newcomers seem to bring is that Quakerism is a faith expression where anything goes. I think we dilute the beauty of Friends when we acquies Posted by Robin M education quaker

Liz appreciates Companions and encouragement

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:42:34 PDT

Even if at times we have to trudge through the emotional and spiritual slush of our lives on our own, we can be glad for the encouragement of our fFriends. Posted by Robin M robinmsf

Aj Schwanz wonders about Quakers & Authority

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:48:06 PDT

I hear that the message our denomination contains is refreshing and freeing and life-giving: so why are our meetings dying? Is it because we can't submit - to one another, to leadership, to the Spirit, to God? Posted by Robin M discipline leadings newberg / culturerobinmsf

Doug Gwyn on class & Quaker worship via Chris M

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:45:45 PDT

There is a popular notion, even among some Friends, that the Quaker "brand" of worship is not for everyone; that it requires a cool, detached, middle- to upper-middle class Anglo-American temperament. [This notion] constitutes a terrible misunderstanding Posted by Martin Kelley / diversity

Quakerism and Structure

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:36:19 PDT

One of the key parts of George Fox's revelation was that religious structures can kill the free movement of the Spirit. My Ffriend R has advocated the practice of disbanding the Religious Society of Friends every 50 years. Posted by Martin Kelley / convergent

Johan on vision and focusing committee work outward

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:42:27 PDT

But who will see and proclaim these things to new audiences if we are so busy trying to sort out our structures, nomination processes, and interpersonal animosities that we don't take the time to discern and honor leadings? Posted by Martin Kelley / clearness

Wess highlights the Quakers in Zits the Comic Strip

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:35:43 PDT

Dude, Quakers have wilder weekends than I do. Posted by Robin M quaker

Mary Linda admits I Didn't Know Summer could be a Verb

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:41:55 PDT

How do I suggest to all these people whom I love and esteem that they are so mired in the comfort and privilege which they've always known and taken for granted that they seem to show little true compassion for the lives of individual people who come from Posted by Robin M / diversityrobinmsf

New'ish blog: A Friendly Hesychast

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:10:39 PDT

I am a member of the Ohio Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends; that is, I am a Conservative Quaker. Although the Peace Testimony of the Friends is what drew me to the Society, it is actually their worship that "convinced" me. Posted by Martin Kelley / blogs

Robin M surveys renewal and outreach at her meeting

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:09:52 PDT

The line that seems to be working is this: 'We're not trying to convert anybody who's not interested. We’re just trying to make it easier for the people who are looking for a faith community to find us.' Posted by Martin Kelley / convergent / outreach

27 Wishes' Chad on a Young Friends conversation

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:55:27 PDT

The meeting was enlivened by the dissection and exploration of what faith means to the modern seeker. It was a lot of ground to cover in only 2 hours... a time in which Quakerism could be explored at many levels [even via Skype]. Posted by Chris M quaker

A New Kind of Quaker: New Kind of Quakerism and Convergent Friends - Mutations of Hope

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:00:27 PDT

"It is not often that something wholly new comes to our world. We can probably say that something absolutely new never happens. The newest form always bears some marks of the old out of which it sprung." - Rufus Jones Posted by C Wess Daniels / convergent / uaker

Shane Claiborne: A Quaker

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:40:08 PDT

I've finished Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution. Claiborne's Christianity looks almost identical to Christ-centered Quakerism. He embodies the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, equality, community and integrity. Posted by C Wess Daniels / uaker

The Vocation and Soul of an Educator: An Interview with Parker J. Palmer (QuakerBooks)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:42:58 PDT

Chel Avery interviews with Parker Palmer about his life and work. Posted by C Wess Daniels / uaker

Gathering Wess interviews Brent Bil on his book & religion in Americal

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:33:18 PDT

Fifty years ago the pastor was an authority figure. Today the pastor is one authority figure, alongside the latest book I just read, or speaker I heard, or… I'm not sure we're more spiritual, but I do think we’re less religious. Posted by Martin Kelley / books

West Rindge Frederick on quaking then and now

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:33:26 PDT

We look back at that age , and say they received spiritual gifts a hundredfold, an outpouring unstoppable of the water of life. We think they had some secret. Did we not both quake? Were we not both smitten to the ground, and despairing? Posted by Martin Kelley / christianity / liberal

Aj Schwanz » Here I am to Worship

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:41:45 PDT

Aj dialogues with Evelyn Underhill and Vincent Miller on the essence of worship--and the puzzles of Quaker experience. Underhill says 'Habit is a ritualist. Attention is a pietist.' Do we have to choose? Posted by Johan Maurer qq

Friendly Mama's vision of SPICEland

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:35:52 PDT

I want to build an intentional community in the city on reclaimed land that is as low-impact as is possible to create and to name it SPICEland after the Quaker testimonies. Posted by Chris M / testimonies

Martin sets up More ways to QuakeQuake in the socialscape

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:11:56 PDT

and analyzes trends among Quakers online "For any bleeding edge Web 2.0 Quakers out there, there's now a QuakerQuaker FriendFeed account to go along with its Twitter account." Posted by Robin M / blogsrobinmsf

Light & Silence Simon on Hauerwas and early Friends on Jesus

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:30:01 PDT

Theologically, this is a powerful statement, but seen from a modern historical perspective, it's earth-shattering. This telling moves well beyond practices that acknowledge bias to what many would argue is sheer propaganda. Posted by Martin Kelley / christianity

Quaker Agitator Dave on bringing Quaker education principles to public school

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:27:06 PDT

It means changing the school culture in a lot of different ways. It means more parental involvement, and not everybody likes that. It means bringing the kids in as more active participants in the system. Posted by Martin Kelley / education

Liberata on squemishness around political acts

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:21:56 PDT

Even Friends are squeamish these days about topics that are too controversial or --heaven forefend!-- "political." I guess there's historical precedent. Many 19th-century Fds thought that activism for the abolition of slavery was too "worldly" a pursuit. Posted by Martin Kelley / witness

Wess on breaking the cycle of listening to God just so He listens back

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:18:52 PDT

We keep things safe by keeping up the appearance of listening when in fact we're really just investing in currency. This may be why Quakers silence is still a very radical practice, there is always the chance that the cycle will be broken Posted by Martin Kelley / ministry

Glenn R on some generational advise to young Friends

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:14:32 PDT

Our immediate graying elders - the weighty and influential in our Quaker Society - are what we might call ‘Aquarians'. The Aquarians came of age (were mostly 12 – 29* years old) that consciousness-raising Summer of Love, 1967. Posted by Martin Kelley / youth

Scott W on functional atheism in Friends decision-making

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:09:31 PDT

Part of what the emerging church can teach us and remind us is that we easily fall into the trap of "functional atheism" [where] we give lip service to God and to the guidance and power of God but we function as if we are doing it all ourselves. Posted by Martin Kelley / christianity quaker.emergentquaker.process/">emergent/">christianity quaker.emergentquaker.process

SF Civic Center Mike: Nonviolent Saints

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:14:07 PDT

With lots of great photos of the San Francisco Vigil for Peace and Justice, sponsored by Quakers, Episcopalians, and Buddhists. Posted by Chris M / witness

Skybalon says: It's Bigger Than Hip Hop

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:41:14 PDT

Quakerism offers the means to challenge the dominating idolatrous tendencies of Christianity as a religion. In that sense it can help keep Christianity Christian. Posted by Chris M / christianity

Anna seeing the path through the disunity

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:43:28 PDT

There will be a time when we can say God is with our Friends who struggle in Kenya, with our Friends we worship in Indiana, with our Friends all across NY, with our LGBTQ Friends. If our relationship with FUM has done nothing else it has shown us this. Posted by Martin Kelley / fum quaker.liberalquaker.youth/">liberal/">fum quaker.liberalquaker.youth

Marshall Massey on cultural values that can substitute for faith

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:34:29 PDT

if you ask around, I think you'll find that a great many at liberal meetings do not experience that ocean [of light]. Much of what draws liberal Friends to one another is their shared affection for the Power that we identify with cultural "liberalism". Posted by Martin Kelley / influences / liberal

Peter from Quaker Pagan Reflections: The Presence in the midst of worship

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:57:40 PDT

Peter builds on other bloggers' thoughts about corporate worship, our reluctance to discuss our faith, the baggage of Christianity, and other important topics. Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker corporate_nature

New blog: Quakemergent from Scott Wagoner

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:13:11 PDT

The North Carolina minister from the old QuakerRenewal blog is back with "a conversation regarding faithfulness, life, emergence, renewal and convergence within the Society of Friends." Posted by Martin Kelley / blog

Quaker writes article on Baltimore emerging church movement

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:49:03 PDT

Reporter is Diane of Emerging Quaker blog. "A lot of the emerging church has grown out of a new emphasis on narrative theology, the story of God and God's people. How does this story connect to God's plan for the people of Baltimore? There is no formula." Posted by Martin Kelley / christianity / emergent

New Blog: Diana of Emerging Quaker

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:44:30 PDT

"I am a Quaker as well as a member of Cedar Ridge Community Church, a freelance journalist." Posted by Martin Kelley / blogs

Showman Ben on being a paid Quaker

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:52:20 PDT

It has also brought to my mind a concern about the way we view paying Friends to do work for Quaker causes. There is a reluctance to pay Friends for work they do in. But I could not do what I have been able to do if I was not paid. Posted by Martin Kelley / outreach

Liz Opp on Two Experiences of Meeting for Worship

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:51:42 PDT

In that deep place, there had been more than a sense of individuals worshiping together, but a true sense of *corporate* worship. Posted by Chris M / worship

Holy Ordinary: Convergent Friends -- Discussion and Dinner

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:43:23 PDT

You're invited to join us this coming Sunday afternoon at Ploughshares Farm for worship and discussion about the Convergent Friends Movement. Posted by Chris M / convergent

Paul on Friends of Color: is the God of our meetings a risk-taking God?

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:17:19 PDT

The UCC is taking a risk because its General Minister believes God is a risk-taker. Paul asks, '[Can] we say, Ours is a risk-taking Monthly Meeting, Quarterly Meeting, Yearly Meeting, because ours is a risk-taking God?' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Tania has a dream for Quakerism

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:44:37 PDT

'I have a dream that one day Quakerism can live up to its testimonies: all of them, not just the Peace testimony... I have a dream that Quakers will take seriously the inward work required of our religion...' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker foundations / ministry

Brad from Quaker Queeries: Baltimore YM, FUM, GLBT Friends, and the younger generation

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:49:20 PDT

'There will be struggles and resistance, but we Quakers can play a role in easing the resistances and minimizing the harm when we can be loving.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Obedient Linda: What say you about the resurrection?

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:06:52 PDT

I, like Fox and so many others, have struggled with the emptiness of the rituals and sacrament of the church. I experience God's presence in such an immediate way. Posted by Chris M / faith

cubbie presents Stephen Matchett's guest epistle: Listen

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:48:06 PDT

To Friends in meeting: Now the time has come for you really to listen to one another, to the messages each brings, with open, tender ears and hearts. Posted by Chris M / faith

Allison's story of Friend

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:26:39 PDT

Turning to the internet, I looked up "mysticism" and was eventually led to a list of mystical religions. I was looking for something that would work with my family's Christian background. So I showed up to San Francisco Meeting one Sunday morning. Posted by Martin Kelley / convincement / outreach

cubbie reflects on three new stages

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:39:41 PDT

Gender transition; Quakerism; and theology: 'how is it that the traits that i'm cultivating in my quaker life have already been socialized into me via the gender i was raised in– listening, caring, smiling at people in the street?' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Commit to Blessing: What are your stories on eldering?

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:29:53 PDT

'Don't experienced Friends have a responsibility and obligation to encourage, support, teach people, new to friends in situations of isolation, what Friends practices and discipline are?'--An invitation to exchange experiences. Posted by Johan Maurer qq

Shawna of Mystics, Poets, and Fools: reflections on a retreat with Brian Drayton

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:47:36 PDT

'[We gathered] to explore the role of Christ in our lives and in the life of our meetings.... Part of our calling is to feel where the divine Seed is oppressed... and to be sensitive to opportunities to liberate the Seed.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Heather wrestles with following the call to radical faith

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:59:51 PDT

'I keep getting the message to be a lily of the field. I am not to worry about the outcome of what I am asked to do, just to do it and trust God to handle the rest.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker faithfulness

Will T explores Ministry, humility and community

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:32:55 PDT

The problem is that by no longer naming ministers and elders, we have removed the structures that would have provided a check or a guide to those who, for whatever reason, are not being sensitive to their inward guide. Posted by Robin M discipline / ministryvocalministry

Shawna learns about being faithful from Jack

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:57:35 PDT

When I say Jack was a faithful dog, what do I mean? Certainly not that he was bright.... But he was always willing. Posted by Chris M / faith

Friend Paul on identity-adjectives-charism

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:52:43 PDT

How do we balance the need to speak and yes, work for racial justice in the Society of Friends but not allow this holy work be what defines us as people of faith? Posted by Chris M / diversity

Emergent Village » Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:40:48 PDT

Lisa Samson's novel "Quaker Summer" is one of 10 books awarded the Christianity Today 2008 Book Award. Posted by C Wess Danielsbooks / uaker

New Quaker Notebook: March Madness

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:16:17 PDT

'...The passenger with a comforting arm around the sobbing drunk was demonstrating Aikido, and all martial art, in it highest form.' Quoted from Geoff Thompson; Merle comments on learning about peace from a martial arts instructor. Posted by Johan Maurer qq

Kenya, Three Months Later « among Friends

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:44:10 PDT

Notes on Kenya and the response of FUM staff and New York Yearly Meeting Friends, among others; links to PBS coverage. Posted by Johan Maurer qq

Friends of Color: Good Friday prompts Allison to reflect on radical inclusiveness

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:38:26 PDT

'Love. This is the heart of Quakerism. Not war tax resistance, not protesting, not lobbying the government. These things are all great, but these are not the heart of Quakerism or even Christianity.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Richard at Gaia Voices is cautious to assert what God wants

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:29:19 PDT

'I would never assert that I know what "God" wants, for anyone but myself. Still this dangerous manner of speaking is a reference to something critically important that we have been neglecting.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Heather of A Friend in Need reflects on the meeting's Jubilee Year

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:57:58 PDT

'[There's] a tension between perfectly fulfilling the functions of human structure and following Spirit... We let go of old forms grudgingly... Then we go to worship and the Spirit pours into us: "You are my children, with whom I am well pleased."' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker corporate_nature covenant_community paradox

Very Short Introductions: The Quakers : OUPblog

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:50:50 PDT

This month's Very Short Introduction column comes from Dr. ‘Ben' Pink Dandelion, an Honorary Reader in Quaker Studies at the U. of Birmingham. OUP recently published his book The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction. Via Wess Daniels. Posted by Chris M / history

Timothy on attempting Radical Inclusiveness while writing a book of Faith and Practice

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:30:39 PDT

Friends must see themselves in the book and must accept that they will also see things that are not descriptive of them but are descriptive of others in the yearly meeting. This is how it will be in a "united" meeting based on a radical inclusiveness. Posted by Robin M npym process writing

Liz on Radical inclusion, radical love

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:36:33 PDT

Something in me was stirred once again... that allows me the chance to consider just what does radical love and radical inclusion look like? ...how can I do this inward work faithfully and in love? Posted by Chris M / diversity

April offers Hillel Friends Meeting "A final word before the pastor turns the corner…"

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:54:37 PDT

Hillel's future depends on commitment in a variety of ways—attendance at worship and other Hillel functions, financial responsibility, making relationships with Hillel members a priority in one's social life, and of course, committing to individual Posted by Robin M emergent pastors quaker

Mary Linda considers organizing a class on classism

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:21:18 PDT

'We talked a lot about classism and lack of diversity in our meeting. I told her that I feel really called to bring more Light to this....' Mary Linda includes some ideas in her post. Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker isms

Robin M looks at Quakerism and four strands of the religious renewal movement

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:09:45 PDT

Emerging. Mosaic. Missional. Monastic. 'I keep saying that Quakers are in the midst of a wider renewal movement. If so, which strand are we in?' Robin shares her 'disjointed thinking about how we are and are not part of these four streams.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Marcus Shelby Orchestra inspired by Edward Hicks Painting

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:10:15 PDT

From the SF Fine Arts Museum's Thinker Blog Posted by Robin M music quaker

Born To Eat Toast: A Conversation before Easter

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:08:29 PDT

'I'm serious guys, it's curtains for me in just about a week and then it’s all up to you.' (Thanks to Stan Thornburg for the referral.) Posted by Johan Maurer qq

Friendly Mama's experience of speaking and listening for God's will

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:57:04 PDT

Mary Linda briefly reviews Mariellen Gilpin's PH pamphlet about the author's journey with 'mental and spiritual illness,' then explains how the pamphlet has guided her in companioning a non-Quaker friend through similar difficulties. Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Shawna on Myteries of Transformation

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:00:42 PDT

This perspective feels generous, and open, and positive. It feels like an invitation. I have always felt that talking about Christ should feel more like an invitation to a party than like a summons to a court. Posted by Chris M / christianity

Allison on the Friends of Color blog: Why diversity in our meetings matters

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:32:40 PDT

'Because if you can't represent a diverse group of people, then there is less credibility to the rest of the world. ...Only in diversity do we have integrity.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Martin Kelley on The Scent of Communal Religion

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:42:32 PDT

On expanding one's vocabulary and experience simultaneously. And the conundrum of how to find the best ways to share that experience with others. Posted by Chris M / ministry / outreach

Liz Opp on The Birth of an Epistle

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:39:19 PDT

Suddenly, I understood epistles to be a way to lift up matters of the Spirit that reflected, articulated, or otherwise identified a Truth newly revealed to a group of Friends that also needed to be shared with others. Posted by Chris M / ministry

Tania of Friendly Funnel finds clearness around God's call

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:38:02 PDT

'I am, quite simply, being called to speak. I am being called to break the silence... with regards to non-heterosexual people, loves, sexuality, and even faith. I am being called to stand up and challenge heterosexism' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker faithfulness

Tania considers Jesus’s teachings about taxes

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:31:22 PDT

'If Friends feel called to withhold some of their taxes, then they should do so. But don't try to convince others to do so by saying it's what Jesus would have wanted.' Posted by LizOpp QuakerQuaker

Gregg's Been blogging in my head and leading on the ground

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:05:06 PDT

We are not people who want to go through the motions, who want just the forms of religion. We want God to guide us to living with justice, joyfully worshipping our Savior, free to live and love and celebrate! - READ THE LINKS Posted by Robin M christian faithfulness leadings newberg / ministry robinmsf torturevision

News article: Quaker church read out of Yearly Meeting over gay stance

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:00:31 PDT

'As [the pastor] and his church members began to study [Scripture] about the issue... "I found myself feeling like a bigot for Christ," he said. "I came to the conclusion that if I'm wrong, I'd rather be wrong on the side of love."' Posted by LizOpp EvangelicalFriends QuakerQuaker isms witness

Terri Johns, Quaker Life: Finding God in the Midst of our Brokenness

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:48:15 PDT

Divorce, alienation, wholeness--personal and FUM-wide. 'I need the emphasis of a strong biblical foundation that I get from my Midwest Friends; it anchors my life. But I also need the emphasis of a strong spiritual experience with God....' Posted by Johan Maurer qq