FRIENDS IN SAN ANTONIO
7052 North Vandiver at Eisenhauer
January 2011
Worship sharing
Worship sharing is a kind of guided meditation. By focusing on a particular question, it helps us to explore our own experience and share with each other more deeply than we would in normal conversation. It seeks to draw us into sacred space, where we can take down our usual defenses, and encounter each other in “that which is eternal.”
The guidelines for worship sharing have been evolving among Friends for the past half century, drawing on a number of different sources. They can be summarized as follows:
1. The convener or leader should define a question as the focus for sharing which is simple, open ended, and oriented toward individual experience. It might be a question about the spiritual journey (How is God moving in my life today? Where do I experience beauty most intensely?) It might be related to an issue that is exercising or dividing the meeting (What is it that frightens me most about this controversy? What do I long for most in our community?) It might relate to a book you have been reading together (What touched me most deeply? Which character seems most like me when I was a child?) The question should be chosen prayerfully, to meet the particular needs of the group at that time. There are no stock questions.
2. The convener then explains the basic rules for sharing:
* Reach as deeply as you can into the sacred center of your life.
* Speak out of the silence, and leave a period of silence between speakers.
* Speak from your own experience, about your own experience. Concentrate on feelings and changes rather than on thoughts or theories.
* Do not respond to what anyone else has said, either to praise or to refute.
* Listen carefully and deeply to what is spoken.
* Expect to speak only once, until everyone has had a chance to speak.
* Respect the confidentiality of what is shared.
3. Some leaders feel that going around the circle makes it easier for everyone to speak. Others prefer to ask people to speak as they are ready. Explain which practice you would like to follow. In either case, participants should know that they have the option of “passing” or not speaking.
4. Allow at least half an hour for a group of five or six to share their responses to a single question, and at least an hour for a larger group. If you have more than a dozen people, it would be better to divide into smaller groups to make sure that everyone has a chance to participate.
5. Enter into worshipful silence, and begin.
* Clement, Daphne. Group Spiritual Nurture: The Wisdom of Spiritual Listening. Pendle Hill, 2004. This is advice from Friends General Conference, It is surprising how deep a discussion can go when these principles are followed.
Personal News
There was only one forum in December. There were few children on this day and they had made cookies, identifying which ones each of them had made. It was Emma’s birthday and we sang Happy Birthday to her.
Steve Ortman, docent at the Alamo, says he has had the pleasure of giving a private Alamo tour to John Wayne's daughter and granddaughter this fall, as The Alamo celebrated the 50th anniversary of John Wayne's 1960 movie, The Alamo. Lisa has “just gone gang-busters” this year with her art work and new projects. This summer she and her fellow fiber artist, Jane Dunnewold, produced a new instructional DVD, Vibrant Color. Later this year, Lisa produced her own instructional DVD, Irresistible Texture: Using Resists to Create Stunning Cloth.
Betsy Morse visited the meeting after a 14-year departure. She, Richard, and their family, have been greatly missed. Richard was busy at a neurological conference and could not visit with us. Ken was busy too, giving a talk on religious terrorism to the Community UU Church.
We’re glad to welcome Kate to Meeting.
Bill and Denise arranged for a candlelight meeting on Christmas Eve, followed by tamales, beans, rice, and desserts brought by everyone. Thanks to all those who placed luminaria (candles set in some sand inside paper bags) along the pathway and patio, and candles in each window of the meetingroom, spreading light around path and courtyard. There was vigorous conversation over the meal, where it was good to see our group of university students talking, perhaps exchanging notes about their colleges.
Business Meeting
Meeting opened in silence. The clerk read this statement by Britain YM Quaker Faith and Practice 2009:
“In our meetings for worship we seek through the stillness to know God’s will for ourselves and for the gathered group. Our meetings for church affairs, in which we conduct our business, are also meetings for worship based on silence, and they carry the same expectation that God’s guidance can be discerned if we are truly listening together and to each other. . .”
As no copies of the November minutes were available approval of these was deferred to January. The Nominating committee report was introduced. It is displayed in the meetingroom foyer and will be brought to Meeting for approval in January. The Treasurer gave her end-of-the-year report, saying that contributions were falling short of expenditures by $8,000, normal December contributions not yet having filled the gap. The 2011 budget was approved, with the amendment that a website expense of $500 should be added. Another expense of $850 for naming Meeting as on Public Broadcasting may be coming from Outreach later.
The report from Religious Education contained forum topics (see below). Friends are encouraged to facilitate a forum on a subject important to him or her. Just contact Carol B.
The clerk of M&O introduced a request from Kate R to transfer her membership from Hill Country Meeting. This was approved with pleasure. The committee is considering holding midweek meetings in people’s homes and would like to hear from Friends how they would feel about this. It is also considering the reading of a query at each weekly meeting for worship. There were expressions of support for this as an aid to focusing, along with others concerned that meeting should be led by the spirit and not programed in any way.
A concern has been brought to the committee of the need for having new life breathed into Meeting and the wish for younger attenders being involved in Meeting’s Friendly organization, practice and leadership. M&O will be considering this during the year as a joyful challenge.
Meeting approved the Peace and Social Concerns list of donations to other organizations. This changes previous years’ lists with a greater focus on local groups. The list is posted in the foyer.
The clerk spoke of James’s work in repairing and programing the outside lights, including those by the path. The Grounds report was of the planting of roses along the southern fence near the willow tree, watering, hauling mulch, and considering attractive focal points. La Fiesta will contribute half the cost of restoring the fence.
UPCOMING FORUM SERIES ON SPIRITUAL QUAKER PROCESS
As an outcome of the forum on strengthening our Quaker community, led by Ruth Lofgren on November 28, a series of five forums will be held beginning January 9. This series, titled Spiritual Quaker Process, will review and discuss the important elements of Friends’ corporate decision making and service to the Meeting.
The goals of this series are to clarify the process and philosophy behind Quaker decision making, and explore how we can improve our communication and assistance to newer Friends as they begin to serve on committees and to become clerks.
The schedule for the Spiritual Quaker Process series of forums is:
January 9: Corporate Decision Making
January 23: Committee Membership
February 13: Clerking
February 27: Mentoring, Eldering, and Changing the Guard
March 13: Queries and Small-Group Problem Solving
A handout will be available a week before each forum to help Friends prepare. We hope that as many Friends as possible will participate in these sessions.
Miscellany
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees helps refugees restart their lives. It has won two Nobel Peace Prizes for its work and received a “Best in America” Seal of Approval from the Independent Charities of America demonstrating the highest standards of public accountability and program and cost effectiveness. To learn more of its activities go to www.UNrefugees. org.
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If you have any questions or comments about anything that comes under the responsibility of one of the committees, please let one of the members know. They will welcome Friends’ input.
If you would like some, Grounds Committee invites you to help yourself to mulch from the side of the lot.
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A matter for the Nominating Committee?: We have received a fun&faith catalog of “Timeless Favorites for the Season of Giving!” The sender, orientaltrading,com, addresses the catalog to the “XMAS ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR.” We do not believe Bill’s nomination for this position has received proper Meeting approval this year. Will Nominating Committee hereby take this under advisement in time for next Xmas? We take it that the faith referred to above is that in Jesus X. [We do know that X in Greek is Ch. Nevertheless...]
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What we didn’t need – Quaker president Richard Nixon sounding off with disparaging and stereotypical remarks about Blacks, Jews, Italians, and Irish.
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Quaker Peace Network-Africa, formed by Friends Peace Teams and Mennonites, has observed elections in Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, and Kenya. AGLI volunteer Andrew Peterson observed five in Burundi this summer and the constitutional referendum in Kenya. He says, “Suppose nothing happens at your polling station except the orderly voting and counting according to procedures. Will you have wasted your time? No, because your presence was perhaps the reason that nothing unlawful happened.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~As the Ministry and Oversight committee sat in the library discussing deep matters an observant raccoon came up to the window and looked closely at them before deciding this was nothing of much interest and moving off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Some years ago a Friend known for his attachment to old Friends’ ways, recorded a message for inquirers on a Meeting answering machine:
“Meeting for Worship assembles at ten a.m. on First Day. First Day School is held during Meeting for Worship. Meeting for Business is held on Fourth Day of Second Week of each month. Yearly Meeting commences on Fourth Day of Sixth Month.”
We don’t know how many people were encouraged to attend.
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We have come a long way since we humans were the peak of God’s creation in a world just a few thousand years old and especially formed for us to use, with all its beasts. First, evolutionary theory placed us as the result of random (though perhaps inevitable) genetic mutations and the relatives of apes. Then, this process took place in a world deduced from observations to be over four billion years old in a universe nearly fourteen billion years old and twenty billion light-years across. Yet more, this may be just one of many universes, most unfit for human life, this one being fit by chance. And, following an aspect of quantum theory, observation of an “object’s wave function” causes the universe (and us) to split in two, in one of which the object is a wave, and in the other a particle. And now there are signs of our universe being born in the collision of a black hole in an earlier universe. We may be just one of a series of universes which go on and on giving birth to the next ones, for ever. We become ever smaller as God’s creation becomes ever greater.
At the other extreme, a scientist in Taiwan is decoding the brain of a fruit fly, finding that it has a structure similar to ours.
The Carillon
The Carillon is a monthly magazine for Quakers in Arkansas. In its recent issue, (Volume 8, no. 9) are articles on “The Personal Impact of War,” “Exploring Extended Worship,” “Reconciliation,” “Art,” and “Friendly Bible Study,” and three poems, including ”Anamnesis,” and “Small Comforts,” all written by Arkansas Friends. Here is the poem, “For Those Meeting in the Streets of Fallujah” by Jane Purtle:
“Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in his sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
November 10, AP news release:
“U.S. troops power their way into Fallujah,
overwhelming small bands of guerrillas with massive force.”
To those with massive force --
You are my children, my students
I held you in my arms.
I said to you “Be kind, don’t hit your friend.”
I read with you The Red badge of Courage, A Farewell to Arms.
I thought you understood.
To those overwhelmed by massive force –
You were somebody else’s kin.
I hardly thought of you at all
Far away and invisible, except in Sunday School songs.
Now you are my enemy
Standing with a gun in the face of massive force.
Waiting to be overwhelmed.
Four copies of this issue of Carillon are in the library.
Creeds
Friends reject creedal statements. “... all such attempts are provisional and can never be assumed to possess the finality of ultimate truth . . . Among the dangers of formulated statements of belief are these:
1. They tend to crystallize thought on matters that will always be beyond any final embodiment in human language;
2. They fetter the search for truth and for its more adequate expression; and
3. They set up a fence which tend to keep out of the Christian fold many sincere and seeking souls who would gladly enter it.”
From”The True Basis of Christian Unity,” a report to London Yearly Meeting, 1917, quoted by Geoffrey Hubbard, Quaker by Convincement.
FCNL: Successes in 2010
These are policies FCNL has pursued during 2010 which came to pass:
t Improving Native American Health Care – included in the health insurance legislation.
t Advancing a World Free of Nuclear Weapons – the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to approve the new START Treaty.
t Preventing Violent Conflict – a resolution has been introduced for the US to improve its capacities to prevent genocide and mass atrocities.
t Global Warming – another resolution creates a sensible path to a low-carbon economy while protecting low- and middle-income US residents from increased energy prices.
t New Policy in Afghanistan – FCNL has helped to increase the number of congresspersons demanding a US exit.
t Rebuilding Democracy – local elected officials across the country are urging Congress to cut the military budget.
The New START treaty has been approved by the Senate before lawmakers go home for Christmas, President Obama has signed the Tribal Law and Order Act, legislation that will improve public safety in Indian Country and provide new tools to address the safety of women, and the Senate has approved the Native American Trust Fund settlement. The president has said U.S. troops will begin withdrawing from Afghanistan by July 2011. Two congressional committees have increased funding to make secure vulnerable nuclear materials in other countries. Congress has provided the first ever funding, the Complex Crises Fund, to address conflicts in other countries.
FCNL provided the tools for tens of thousands of people to lobby Congress and start conversations in their communities about what is necessary for peace.
The 2011 Peace Prize
The American Friends Service Committee has nominated Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization of survivors, for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.
Since its founding in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo members have bravely told and retold their searing stories to diplomats, political and military leaders, and the general public as they work to abolish nuclear weapons. Their choice to reject revenge and work for a future of hope inspired their nomination.
“As the only humans to have experienced the devastating effects of mankind’s use of atomic bombs, the Hibakusha are uniquely able to let their lives speak. And they have done so with courage and the persuasive moral authority that comes from a lifetime of suffering,” wrote Shan Cretin, AFSC’s general secretary, in the nomination letter to the Nobel Institute.
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War is Not the Answer!
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2011 Unity of Humanity Award
The local Baha’i Community, with the Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Committee will name a local winner of this award. The Baha’is sought advice, by Dec. 31, as to whom to consider. They look for people who:
v promote tolerance and brotherhood,
v appreciate other cultures,
v peacefully resolve conflict,
v eliminate prejudice in all its forms.
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“Finally, Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Paul, Philippians, 4,8.
Now, if we could only all agree on what all of these are, the world would, perhaps, be a lovely place; depending on what we all agreed on.
;;;;;;;;;;;Wilmington YM Peace Lecturer
Wilmington YM is is affiliated with FUM, some of the Meetings being churches, with pastors. The connections between such Meetings and our FGC-affiliated Meetings are few, being largely at national or higher levels of organization. But Wilmington YM supports AFSC, FCNL Right Sharing of World Resources, and Ramallah Friends Schools.
And its Peace Lecturer for 2010, Ralph Dull, is described as” a lifetime farmer, not bound by tradition in agriculture or convention in politics, who seeks solutions to the world’s problems. He is mild-mannered and adventurous in farming, alternative energy, peacemaking, and social justice issues. . . He is extraordinarily passionate about better international relations. . . During the Vietnam War he was a Republican candidate . . . for Congress twice, on a peace platform. . .
The Dulls have hosted a steady stream of foreigners in their home, some for a year. Following a six-month experience on a Soviet collective farm in 1989, wife, Chris, based on her diary, wrote Soviet Laughter, Soviet Tears (An America Couple’s Six Month Adventure in a Ukraine Village.) They authored a small book for Soviet farmers, which was also distributed to all members of the Ukrainian parliament . . . He authored Non-Violence Is Not For Wimps (Musings of an Ohio Farmer.). . .’
Dullsville, indeed. FUM Friends could teach us something. In fact, despite those distant connections, no other church is as close to us as Friends United Meeting..
War
We are at the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, as uncivil as can be imagined. Here is an item from the NY Times:
Nov. 30 1860. The knock came after dark. Hastening to answer it, the old Quaker found a familiar figure in the doorway: a dark-skinned woman, barely five feet tall, with a kerchief wrapped around her head.
Five others followed her: a man and woman, two little girls and, cradled in a blanket, the swaddled form of a tiny infant, uncannily silent and still.
As politicians throughout the country debated secession and young men drilled for war, Harriet Tubman had been plotting a mission into the heart of slave territory. The group had come from the eastern shore of Maryland, but even here, in Wilmington, Delaware, it was not yet out of danger. Delaware was still officially a slave state. But at last, on the night of November 30, she reached the house of the elderly Quaker, a leading Underground Railroad “conductor” who would smuggle the Ennals family to relative safety in Philadelphia.
God’s Will?
In their books on religious terrorism, Jessica Stern and Mark Juergensmeyer describe their interviews with such leaders across the world, including Christian Americans. Stern describes them as “spiritually intoxicated.” Deep in prayer, meditation and sacred texts, they believe they have personal relationships with God and are engaged in a cosmic war. Christians have emphasized Old Testament teachings, which have much God-directed violence, as well as Revelation/ Armageddon. One American pastor has said, “The Bible is a book of war, a book of hate,” finding support for his violence. Clearly many people seek those parts of religious texts which support their predilections, ignoring those which don’t. A Professor Emeritus has satirically reproached this way of reading the Bible in relation to homosexuality, below.
In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura posted on the Internet. It's very funny, as well as telling and informative:
“Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to THEM. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your adoring fan,
James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education, University of Virginia
P.S. (It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian.)”
Advice for January
Live adventurously When choices arise, do you take the way that offers the fullest opportunity for the use of your gifts in the service of God and the community? Let your life speak.
January Calendar, 2011
Meeting for Worship is held on Sunday at 10 a.m., followed by refreshments and a Forum discussion at 11.30, usually lasting until about 12.45. Children are invited to join worship for the first fifteen minutes, after which they may go to join with the Young Friends program. Child care is available during Forum.
2 Sunday ............... Potluck lunch at 11.30.
6 Thursday ............ Midweek Meeting, 6.30.
9 Sunday................ Forum – Spiritual Quaker Process: Decision Making
16, Sunday............. Meeting for Business.
23, Sunday ............ Forum – Spiritual Quaker Process: Committee Membership
30, Sunday ............ Forum – Preparation for our annual State of the Meeting report to SCYM, with M&O.
Each Thursday, at 4-5 pm, a silent peace vigil is held at the corners of S. Flores and Commerce, one block west of Main Plaza near City Hall.
Clerk: Ken Southwood, (210)828-1513; e-mail: jksouthwood@grandecom.net
Newsletter Editor: Ken Southwood, (210)828-1513; e-mail: jksouthwood@grandecom.net Website: http://www.sanantonioquakers.org
Donations may be made to Friends Meeting of San Antonio, P.O. Box 6127, San Antonio TX78209. Meeting telephone for meeting times or to ask for other information: (210) 945-8456