Sunday Apr 10 | 1:00 pm | Meeting for Worship for Business |
Sunday Apr 17 | 12:45 pm 2:00 pm |
Earthcare Witness at 12:45 at Books Inc. @505
NW 13th St. M&N meeting at Joan Andrews |
Sunday Apr 24 | 9:30 am 1:00 pm |
Peace and Social Concerns at the Porters Bible Study at Don Smith's home |
Friday Apr 29 | 6:00 pm | Quaker Study Group and potluck |
I want to share with Friends the work that we are doing in Russia supporting the development of Quakerism and working with AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project), Conscientious Objectors, orphans, refugees, the disabled, victims of violence, and many others. I have been involved in Soviet-American relations since 1984, before the beginning of Friends House Moscow, and I can answer questions about the Soviet Period, the development of FHM, and its past and current challenges as well as the development of and current situation for the Moscow Monthly Meeting. I have traveled to the USSR and Russia 20 times (leading 3 tours for Quakers) and can also address the changes over the past 20 years.I look forward to hearing from you. Building a new meetinghouse is a very exciting process. I would love to learn more about your discernment process, as there are many meetings that struggle with this issue.
Sincerely, Julie
Helen Westie
Sorry, Quaker Market has to skip a month , but you can count on another delicious dinner and fun event in May.
In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth.--Mahatma Gandhi
Wachovia bank has agreed to make us a direct loan as needed. All we lack now is the building permit, which is expected any day.
We held a ground-breaking ceremony on March 20 after meeting for worship. We had a chance to meet and talk with our architects, Karl Thorne and Mick Richmond, and our builder, Gary Anglin. We turned over a few shovels of dirt, took lots of pictures and enjoyed the treats that many people prepared. It was great just spending time in this beautiful place!
Jean Larson
I would like to avoid the sterile silence characteristic of the quietest period in Quakerism of the 1800's. Even though I have an immense regard for silent worship (and it's one of the most attractive aspects of Quaker worship for me), I don't care for a censoring quality or a fear of breaking the silent atmosphere. I especially don't want a "worship of silence" attitude because it is what comes out of the silence that gives the silence its meaning. The silence frames the spoken word with reverence and sacredness.
The silence is a sacred space available to share religious experience - a sharing that is respected with spaces of silence around each spoken offering. The silence should feel safe and informal - a space where one can share heartfelt expressions no matter how halting, stumbling, inarticulate or emotional. The words may tumble out. [In meeting] we listen with love, not judgment. The most awkward expression may be the richest in spiritual content. Sharing with others, in this environment, has often been a spiritually transforming, liberating, and healing experience for me.
SOUND BREAKS THE SILENCE
MOTION BREAKS THE STILLNESS
LOVE BREAKS THE HEART OPEN FOR GIVING
Phil Buskirk
Joan Andrews, editor jandrews1@cox.net
converted to HTML by Bill Mitchell, mitchell@math.ufl.edu