I've belonged to a discussion group for a couple of years now. We meet once a week in a Methodist Church. Usually we read a book together. Sometimes we watch a series of DVDs and discuss. The books chosen by the group have been varied. We've read books by Walter Brueggemann, Amy Jill Levine, Marcus Borg, Diana Butler Bass and others. We just finished watching together the DVDs from last March's emerging church conference. Our next study is a Methodist book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living.
I've been wishing I had a Quaker book to offer the group. I'm the only Friend. Most of the members of the group are Methodist from several local churches. Occasionally we have a Catholic friend join us and often a retired Baptist minister attends.
I've been trying to come up with a Quaker title that would have something to say to this diverse group. Most of my favorite Quaker books would be of little interest to a wider audience I think. We must have something to say to other Christians, but right now I'm drawing a blank!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
hope
I'm a hopeful person. I think I'm realistic, but I see hope as a gift. Most days I think the world is a beautiful place and it's filled with fine folks. There's evil and there's suffering and injustice. There's certainly sin. There are lost people who never live in God's dream for them. But there's also places where we see the Kingdom breaking out.
Evidently a recent blog post hid a nerve with me because it's stayed with me for weeks now. http://emergingquaker.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-age-girls-and-boys-quakers-and.html
I've wondered am I one of those Pollyanna Quakers she's referring to?
My experience is different though. I'm much more likely to run into harsh cynicism. I more often meet folks with an attitude that blinds them to beauty. Folks that distrust all other people and motives. Folks that refuse to accept that people can act in other than self interest (and the worst greedy, uncaring self interest at that). The attitude I see more often assumes that the world is a hard place and that it's on a quick road to destruction. There's nothing much we can do and any action or faith is not only too little too late, but actually stupid and a form of denial. Folks with this attitude often have sense of superiority. " I'm clear sighted and see the world as it is. You are stupid and engaged in pointless action." Some of these folks have experienced hardships and violence that I haven't. But I've run into this attitude in lots of places. In our meetings, in our youth. In privileged folks who seem to use it as an excuse to ignore suffering and a reason to disdain working for change.
So it's a line to walk.
I've been reading a book this week Doing the Truth in Love by Michael Himes (it's quite good I recommend it) and today's reading included some passages that really spoke to me. He makes a distinction between hope and optimism. Optimism is "a pleasant state, nice if you have it, but if it evaporates, it is of no ethical significance." Hope is different. "Hope does not put a rosy glow on reality: hope deals with reality even when it has no particular glow whatever. Hope deals with what is there in the belief that God is at work even when what is there does not make us feel good or raise our spirits. " "It has everything to do with facing the fact that things may be an utter and total mess. . .with the conviction that God is at work in the mess." "Hope recognizes, You will be nailed to the cross but in some way, God will triumph even in that."
That's the resurrection message that I've lived with.
Evidently a recent blog post hid a nerve with me because it's stayed with me for weeks now. http://emergingquaker.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-age-girls-and-boys-quakers-and.html
I've wondered am I one of those Pollyanna Quakers she's referring to?
My experience is different though. I'm much more likely to run into harsh cynicism. I more often meet folks with an attitude that blinds them to beauty. Folks that distrust all other people and motives. Folks that refuse to accept that people can act in other than self interest (and the worst greedy, uncaring self interest at that). The attitude I see more often assumes that the world is a hard place and that it's on a quick road to destruction. There's nothing much we can do and any action or faith is not only too little too late, but actually stupid and a form of denial. Folks with this attitude often have sense of superiority. " I'm clear sighted and see the world as it is. You are stupid and engaged in pointless action." Some of these folks have experienced hardships and violence that I haven't. But I've run into this attitude in lots of places. In our meetings, in our youth. In privileged folks who seem to use it as an excuse to ignore suffering and a reason to disdain working for change.
So it's a line to walk.
I've been reading a book this week Doing the Truth in Love by Michael Himes (it's quite good I recommend it) and today's reading included some passages that really spoke to me. He makes a distinction between hope and optimism. Optimism is "a pleasant state, nice if you have it, but if it evaporates, it is of no ethical significance." Hope is different. "Hope does not put a rosy glow on reality: hope deals with reality even when it has no particular glow whatever. Hope deals with what is there in the belief that God is at work even when what is there does not make us feel good or raise our spirits. " "It has everything to do with facing the fact that things may be an utter and total mess. . .with the conviction that God is at work in the mess." "Hope recognizes, You will be nailed to the cross but in some way, God will triumph even in that."
That's the resurrection message that I've lived with.
Monday, October 05, 2009
sleep
I wonder how often folks sleep through other Quaker meetings? It seems we've got someone asleep just about every week. We've also got folks that always read. Sometimes there will only be 4-5 of us. Two are reading and at least one sleeping.
I'm thinking this is not a sign of a vital meeting for worship.
But leaving feels very wrong. I'm pretty sure I'm meant to be Quaker and this is where I am, so this in my monthly meeting. Good, kind folks. Very occasionally a deep worship. But more often just a lot of "doctor's waiting room" type silence. Fidget, rustle, snore . . . Very, very little vocal ministry.
I'm thinking this is not a sign of a vital meeting for worship.
But leaving feels very wrong. I'm pretty sure I'm meant to be Quaker and this is where I am, so this in my monthly meeting. Good, kind folks. Very occasionally a deep worship. But more often just a lot of "doctor's waiting room" type silence. Fidget, rustle, snore . . . Very, very little vocal ministry.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Community
Eat local. Live simply. Support local family farms.
All good things that I support with all my heart. But sometimes we forget just how hard a choice it can be to run a small family farm. I have many, many friends who do and I hear the daily struggles. I know that many folks live right on the edge. A bad year (like this year's tomato blight) or an unexpected expense (like a huge vet bill) can mean that debt is incurred. But for the most part these setbacks are accepted as part and parcel of a more sane way of life. The homesteaders and organic farmers I know do so because they truly believe in the benefits of this lifestyle for their families, their customers and the earth.
But what looms is the "what if". . . "what if I get really sick". . . "what if I can't do this hard, heavy work". . . Small organic farms don't make a lot. But the work is constant and hard. Most can't afford health insurance.
As a community we are seeing what happens when the "what if. . . " comes to pass. Dear friends of ours have a small farm. Wild Acorn farm. They have lots and lots of animals. They raise meat, veggies, eggs and fiber naturally and humanely. And with joy. They barely scrape by, but they are living the life that they dreamed about. Jacqui is joyful, full of a deep faith and a true blessing to all who know her. The kiddos are wonderful, happy and loved. The entire family works hard, is involved with the community and have lots of friends that love them. They are the sort of folks that often have an extra person living with them and an open door for visitors (esp. those who need just a bit of help).
A few years back Jacqui had a health emergency. It was very serious and they incurred thousands of dollars of debt. They struggled to keep up with the bills. No amount of living frugally (and they do!) can make their money stretch that far.
And then Jacqui was diagnosed with breast cancer this spring. It's hard to keep up with chores and work when going through chemo or helping a spouse go through chemo. It's hard to pay bills when even more income is lost. They are in trouble. They are in danger of losing the house, the farm and their dream.
Our community is trying to help. We bring meals. We've had work parties and helped with chores. Animals have been fostered out. Farming friends have helped cut down flocks and fill the freezer.
But the bills keep piling up and we all live right on that edge too. So we are fund raising. We've got tag sales, dinners, raffles and so forth in the works. But a bunch of us are just asking for donations. Any amount will help. http://raynefamilybenefit.com/
All good things that I support with all my heart. But sometimes we forget just how hard a choice it can be to run a small family farm. I have many, many friends who do and I hear the daily struggles. I know that many folks live right on the edge. A bad year (like this year's tomato blight) or an unexpected expense (like a huge vet bill) can mean that debt is incurred. But for the most part these setbacks are accepted as part and parcel of a more sane way of life. The homesteaders and organic farmers I know do so because they truly believe in the benefits of this lifestyle for their families, their customers and the earth.
But what looms is the "what if". . . "what if I get really sick". . . "what if I can't do this hard, heavy work". . . Small organic farms don't make a lot. But the work is constant and hard. Most can't afford health insurance.
As a community we are seeing what happens when the "what if. . . " comes to pass. Dear friends of ours have a small farm. Wild Acorn farm. They have lots and lots of animals. They raise meat, veggies, eggs and fiber naturally and humanely. And with joy. They barely scrape by, but they are living the life that they dreamed about. Jacqui is joyful, full of a deep faith and a true blessing to all who know her. The kiddos are wonderful, happy and loved. The entire family works hard, is involved with the community and have lots of friends that love them. They are the sort of folks that often have an extra person living with them and an open door for visitors (esp. those who need just a bit of help).
A few years back Jacqui had a health emergency. It was very serious and they incurred thousands of dollars of debt. They struggled to keep up with the bills. No amount of living frugally (and they do!) can make their money stretch that far.
And then Jacqui was diagnosed with breast cancer this spring. It's hard to keep up with chores and work when going through chemo or helping a spouse go through chemo. It's hard to pay bills when even more income is lost. They are in trouble. They are in danger of losing the house, the farm and their dream.
Our community is trying to help. We bring meals. We've had work parties and helped with chores. Animals have been fostered out. Farming friends have helped cut down flocks and fill the freezer.
But the bills keep piling up and we all live right on that edge too. So we are fund raising. We've got tag sales, dinners, raffles and so forth in the works. But a bunch of us are just asking for donations. Any amount will help. http://raynefamilybenefit.com/
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
a much wider Quaker world!
I was working in the kitchen at the free community meal yesterday when someone asked me what church I attend. I told her that I attended the local Quaker meeting. She then asked about Quakers. It turns out her mom was raised Quaker (considering the age of the speaker her mom must have been a child in the 1800s) and she knew nothing about Friends but was very curious because of that family connection.
I started to go into my usual sound bite. Since I spend so much time with members of other faith communities and am often asked about Friends ("I've never met a Quaker before!") I've sort of developed a standard way to quickly explain Quaker worship and belief.
But then I realized I always describe unprogrammed liberal Quakerism (my version of it anyway). That leaves out a whole lot of Friends, in fact the majority of them. It took having a daughter called to pastoral ministry for me to truly acknowledge that my own vision of the Quaker world has been very limited. I need to rework my sound bite!
I started to go into my usual sound bite. Since I spend so much time with members of other faith communities and am often asked about Friends ("I've never met a Quaker before!") I've sort of developed a standard way to quickly explain Quaker worship and belief.
But then I realized I always describe unprogrammed liberal Quakerism (my version of it anyway). That leaves out a whole lot of Friends, in fact the majority of them. It took having a daughter called to pastoral ministry for me to truly acknowledge that my own vision of the Quaker world has been very limited. I need to rework my sound bite!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Gospel Revs
Yes a Quaker school has a gospel choir and it's very good! My daughter sings in Gospel Revelations and just loves it. She often says it's her favorite thing about Earlham. She's been singing in it since Freshman year. It's joyful music and both the singers and the audience have a great time. She found a youtube video of a song from a concert they did last year. The quality of the recording is not very good, but it was fun for us to watch anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmkNJEKveos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmkNJEKveos
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Vacation Bible School
I taught at a Vacation Bible School last week. It was held at a local Lutheran church. The pastor is a friend and she asked me to help out. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into since the entire VBS thing was new to me. I never went (never even remember hearing about Vacation Bible School when I was a kid) and my kids never attended. I signed up to do the Bible lesson each day.
It was overall a really fun experience.
The church is over a hundred years old. The folks that attend do so for the most part because their families have attended for years (generations) or because they are Lutheran and there aren't very many in the area. They mostly don't live in the neighborhood anymore. It's right in the middle of the city in a struggling neighborhood. The folks at the church want to reach out and make more connections with the folks that live near the church. The VBS is part of this. And it did bring in kids from all around and provided a friendly way to meet and get to know some families. It was good outreach.
At first I struggled a bit with the evangelical nature of this. There was no doubt a religious message that we were teaching. But it was gentle. And for the most part the VBS just provided a fun, safe camp-like program to kids who really could use something fun to do.
The church bought a pre-packaged curriculum. It came complete with DVDs, CDs, puppets, lesson plans, crafts, games, activity books, little themed gifts to hand out and snack ideas. I'm not much for teaching with scripted lessons, so it was a bit challenging. But I was impressed by how much time and thought was put into this material. It was a bit too slick for my liking (music videos!) . But it really made the Quaker religious ed. stuff I've seen look very amateurish. The kids loved it. They really did. And it had a strong religious message. It didn't cut out the lesson to make the program more fun (as I've seen in youth gatherings so many times). We sure could learn a few things about outreach and taking religious ed. more seriously.
I wasn't happy with some of the theological messages behind the Bible lessons I was to teach. I talked to my friend about the issues I had with it and she gave me the go ahead to change the lessons as I saw fit. She knows me well enough to trust that I could teach a Bible lesson that was appropriate. It was hard to make many changes as the curriculum was so scripted and all the various parts fit together (songs, snacks, games, crafts. . . all were tied to the Bible lesson for the day) But I did make enough changes that I could feel comfortable with the message.
There was no pressure. No one ever suggested to the kids that they should be attending church or that they needed to "accept" Jesus. The themes each day were very simple. Things like "God is always with us" and "God cares for us" The music was catchy. It will take weeks to get some of these songs out of my head!
I'm sure some of the parents signed the kids up because it was free and it got the kids out of the house. The kids liked it because there were fun games, friendly adults, free little toys and crafts and tasty snacks (although I've already suggested bigger snacks or even a meal next year--some of these kids were just plain hungry!) The Bible lessons were very secondary, I'm sure. But overall the more I think about it, the more comfortable I am with the lessons. I don't think it's a bad thing to plant the seed that there is a loving God always there and always available. There is no doubt in my mind that some of these kids are already experiencing hardship and are on the path for even more challenges. It's not a bad thing that for one week, at least, someone teaches them that there is something larger, beyond the everyday struggles. Who knows, maybe it will be a comfort and a help.
It was overall a really fun experience.
The church is over a hundred years old. The folks that attend do so for the most part because their families have attended for years (generations) or because they are Lutheran and there aren't very many in the area. They mostly don't live in the neighborhood anymore. It's right in the middle of the city in a struggling neighborhood. The folks at the church want to reach out and make more connections with the folks that live near the church. The VBS is part of this. And it did bring in kids from all around and provided a friendly way to meet and get to know some families. It was good outreach.
At first I struggled a bit with the evangelical nature of this. There was no doubt a religious message that we were teaching. But it was gentle. And for the most part the VBS just provided a fun, safe camp-like program to kids who really could use something fun to do.
The church bought a pre-packaged curriculum. It came complete with DVDs, CDs, puppets, lesson plans, crafts, games, activity books, little themed gifts to hand out and snack ideas. I'm not much for teaching with scripted lessons, so it was a bit challenging. But I was impressed by how much time and thought was put into this material. It was a bit too slick for my liking (music videos!) . But it really made the Quaker religious ed. stuff I've seen look very amateurish. The kids loved it. They really did. And it had a strong religious message. It didn't cut out the lesson to make the program more fun (as I've seen in youth gatherings so many times). We sure could learn a few things about outreach and taking religious ed. more seriously.
I wasn't happy with some of the theological messages behind the Bible lessons I was to teach. I talked to my friend about the issues I had with it and she gave me the go ahead to change the lessons as I saw fit. She knows me well enough to trust that I could teach a Bible lesson that was appropriate. It was hard to make many changes as the curriculum was so scripted and all the various parts fit together (songs, snacks, games, crafts. . . all were tied to the Bible lesson for the day) But I did make enough changes that I could feel comfortable with the message.
There was no pressure. No one ever suggested to the kids that they should be attending church or that they needed to "accept" Jesus. The themes each day were very simple. Things like "God is always with us" and "God cares for us" The music was catchy. It will take weeks to get some of these songs out of my head!
I'm sure some of the parents signed the kids up because it was free and it got the kids out of the house. The kids liked it because there were fun games, friendly adults, free little toys and crafts and tasty snacks (although I've already suggested bigger snacks or even a meal next year--some of these kids were just plain hungry!) The Bible lessons were very secondary, I'm sure. But overall the more I think about it, the more comfortable I am with the lessons. I don't think it's a bad thing to plant the seed that there is a loving God always there and always available. There is no doubt in my mind that some of these kids are already experiencing hardship and are on the path for even more challenges. It's not a bad thing that for one week, at least, someone teaches them that there is something larger, beyond the everyday struggles. Who knows, maybe it will be a comfort and a help.
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