Saturday Morning Business - 12 July 2008

Live captioning services are provided by CSDHH – Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Greensboro, NC. Your captionist today is Vicki Pinson.

Brent: Friends good morning. Welcome to closing business session. Take a moment for a time of silence and expectant waiting.

Friends for our devotional thought this morning most leaders know you lead with vision. We back up that vision with passion. Passion for where you want to go, passion for where you want to be. Leaders know that your message needs to be clear, it needs to be concise and well understood. It needs to be received. The message of Jesus is summarized with one verse. The essence of the message comes down to this john chapter 3 verse 16 for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. That is the message. Come and follow me. With all teachings with all the clarity all the passion it is clear come and follow me. May we pray.

Heavenly father on this beautiful day we know that just your grace is sufficient for all our needs. Just your grace. Lord you have chosen to bless us in so many ways in great abundance. Lord we thank you and praise you we are a grateful people. We thank you for being our Lord, teacher and savior. For the vision you have set before us. We thank you for the challenges. You forgive us when we … Lord may you always find us walking cheerfully and humbly acting just to those commandments. Spreading the good news that all come to know you in a personal way may not only have joy and comfort of this life but life everlasting. … Lord we thank you for we ask you to speak to every condition we bear. As we depart and go forward into a world to spread the good news may your mercy and grace help us all. Thank you we praise you in Christ’s name amen.

Again good morning and welcome to everyone for closing business session of Triennial gathering. Several items on agenda. You can add a few more items to the agenda. We will begin with a couple of announcements. This business and may we do so from spirit of worship. If you presented traveling minutes those are signed and ready to pick up at head table. Secondly someone left black cell phone at holiday inn beside computer you may pick it up there. Ben and Jody asked me to announce there were questions they are returning to Kenya for another year. So if any doubts about that they will be going back to Kenya as principals of Friends Theological College for another year. Also we have an invitation I want to share part with you from new England Yearly Meeting … social concerns committee … smith and west port in response to spring visit Sylvia Graves extend visit to … especially those in farming community visit coastal mass in fall of year. Oldest meeting can arrange visit to Boston we welcome friends housing provided and tour guides we appreciate this invitation. We have copies at the front desk.

We have a couple of reports that need to come before us. We will begin with Kaimosi hospital task force … chairman will present that report.

Good morning friends. Last couple of days we have heard from field staff and missionaries. Lot of passion now you will have a different kind of person. Task force member. … talking about the Kaimosi hospital little history about it. Forgive me if I talk but a little background. Think about this hospital started in 1911 in Kenya and it sits on 1158 acres of land the Kaimosi mission compound. Probably about 28 acres is hospital. Earlier years hospital was shining start in this part of Kenya. Place people wanted to go to. At some point in time property was turned over to east Africa Yearly Meeting over years hospital declined and fell into disrepair. Patient numbers drastically declined. Friends from east Africa Yearly Meeting began to discuss how to address situation. Officially in April of 2004 east Africa official invited Friends United Meeting to take over oversight of hospital to see if it could be saved. … global ministry director submitted proposal to general board to oversee hospital. … it took until January of 2006 for memo of understanding to be developed and signed by both parties transferring responsibility. This was memo… January 2006 to January of 2008 it was planned that Friends United Meeting would have opportunity to evaluate situation and understand really understand if they could go forward. New hospital board of governors was appointed by Friends United Meeting and began working with hospital administration. They understood that at least one problem was hospital was underfunded. Funds from Friends United Meeting would be needed but … other than paying traveling expenses for board of governors. That did not address operating deficits. By 2007 it was realized that hope for progress was not being accomplished at July 2007 board meeting board discussed various problems encountered and decided to appoint Kaimosi hospital task force. … members Paul smith Sylvia Graves … Terri johns and general board members Jerry Farlow and … and myself. General charge given was ask gather more information and make recommendations before the document expired in 2008. Soon became apparent hospital administration was significant part of problem. His termination was recommended and they took that action. They began looking for new administrator. Soon became apparent that board of governors we appointed was not adequate for the task. … make judgment if Friends United Meeting should provide oversight. General board created new memo of understanding… that body approved proposed language for revised and provide more detail for responsibilities for Friends United Meeting and … also $50,000 of proposed two year term. … it was also approved to replace existing hospital board of governors. The general board session at that meeting task force reported following items. 1 new board formed and meets on regular basis minutes shared with Kaimosi task force. Efforts to improve organizational structure and reputation of hospital. #2 considerable work completed on long term plan for hospital. Have to have plan to all move in same direction. #3 board approved balance operating budget for 2008-2009 year includes annual subsidy of …. Budget is substantial fiscal improvement. #4 new hospital administrator hired John … is expected to join staff in mid July has impressive background as administrator of hospital in Nairobi. … #5 all earlier funds collected for roof repairs came to and been sent to improve the physical functionality of a portion of hospital more funds needs about … to bring hospital back to good condition. Reports indicate … plus significant improvement in employee morale and result in a substantial increase in outpatients and inpatients. This means renovation to main building … while those things have been accomplished we may … two things particularly we talked about .. memo 2 memo of understanding the agreement on that has not been reached. … in April of this year they met and were given understanding that agreement would be accepted and sent back by mid may that has not occurred. Just last week some proposed changes are being sent to us by east Africa. Financial information task force continues to receive regular income and expense statements from hospital not received accounts payable or invoice reports… Friends United Meeting finds itself in awkward position agreements we signed to oversee hospital .. but Friends United Meetings involvement in the hospital and substantial improvements have been achieved. Also due to great financial subsidies sent to the hospital. Currently goal is monthly $2000 adopt a nurse program $2500 to other hospital expenses and $... for past hospital employee salaries not paid. Trying to reduce that. First it is not about the good work being done at the hospital Eden Grace and John Muhanji can talk about that better than I can. … we need you to continue contributions for adopt a nurse program general hospital expenses…. I think western Yearly Meeting gave ….. $30,000 and … finally I ask you keep annual staff in your prayers. Additional responsibility added to them with hospital oversight.

Brent: Thank you Norman.

Thank you for the very clear and factual report. Eh came before general board earlier this week approval given to task force to continue on present course and funding to stay in place. Friends have any comments or questions. At this time David …

David: I’m the board member Kaimosi hospital. I want to emphasize a few things. Hospital run down between 1990 and 1997 when taken over by Kenyan government and they handed back to east Africa as a disaster. We are trying to rectify not done by Kenyan friends but by the Kenyan government. I want to say that the changes in the hospital in the last year and four or five months are totally miraculous. My wife and I went there in April of 2007 the hospital was dirty, staff morale was very low. There were almost no outpatients. maternity ward had one person in it a retarded lady had a baby they didn’t have anywhere to send her. Other wards had very few patients. Now it was said there was substantial help by Friends United Meeting of $50,000 that is much appreciated but note operating budget of hospital is about 1 million so $50,000 is very welcome but it is only a small part of the running of the hospital. I was at board meeting in June right before coming to USA and changes were miraculous in waiting room a seminar was going on as part of HIV comprehensive care center being started at hospital. Patients waiting outpatients waiting there were people waiting for pharmacy at least 8-10 women in maternity with babies. And then other wards of hospital had formerly been less than 10% now had at least 10-15 patients and … I just wanted to give you more on the ground kind of report. Thanks.

Brent: Thank you David and thank you for your hard work serving on the board. Any other comments.

Norman thank you for again for the hard work you do on that huge project. I want to ask you friends do you accept report from Kaimosi hospital …

Now Sylvia Graves report from … exploration committee Belize .

Sylvia Graves: You heard extensive report from Cains and PowerPoint the developments and potential to move forward as staff I have felt important to get affirmation from you to move forward in planning we are at a juncture where we could possibility if we feel we can’t handle work in Belize stop now between transition of Cains and what comes next. Or if you are behind them and want to move forward. If we feel improve continuation school, plant a church, establish presence of friends in Belize I need your affirmation to dot hat. That’s what I’m asking for.

Brent: You’ve heard report you know situation Cains retire at end of year you know work of boys school and dreams of further work there. To proceed Sylvia Graves asks to hear your voice of support to proceed in that direction. Any comments or questions.

Please come to microphone.

Mary Lloyd: Not entirely clear to me what I’m being asked to approve in that the scale of the dream where are we financial are we able to take on a building project of this scope and how does that affect. What am I being asked to approve.

Sylvia Graves: there are funds in reserve to do this ministry we are asking approval to raise funds to continue this ministry. We know we loaded you with much opportunity Friends United Meeting has ahead of it. I asked Mike and Kay tough question if we don’t continue in Belize who cares. I wonder if you care.

Brent: That’s the question. Friends wish to speak.

I’m from New Hope friends meeting in … we sent 3 men to work in Belize and currently our Quaker men send money each month for this mission I feel like it is a worthwhile project and I would like for us to continue to support this because we feel it is good mission work.

Brent: Thank you.

Rich: Rich from Baltimore Yearly Meeting and on general board trustee the general board has considered this as a specific investment and we are … additional information to see what this will look like. So I too wonder what it is that we are being asked to approve here if we are being asked to approve in principle to consider this because we want presence in Belize I am comfortable with that. If this is approval to move forward with undefined project to commit to file ASHA grant for high school that seems beyond information we have available now. I think if this is approval in principle to consider this and look at value of presence in Belize which I think … I am comfortable with that.

Brent: And replace the Cains we know the board will need more information we have priorities for new projects to be approved by general board. So this is along the lines of principle and we continue programs as we currently do, not overriding approval for project.

*I think Rich spoke my mind. I think from my having been to Belize a couple of times I appreciate Mike and Kay Cain for keeping that program going. I think big mistake to drop the program. I think we have good program there that can certainly go up to another level and I really encouraged there is talk seriousness of establishing church so I think there are some really good things just waiting to happen in Belize and I strongly encourage Friends United Meeting to look at that as positive thing and not to look beyond that at this time we have work there that needs to continue. … program potential here to improve on that. The efforts to start Quaker church in Belize …

Brent: THANK YOU. Every good project … I think the request is to ask for approval to continue … often the project …

*Ask do we care. I’m treasurer… so I look for more information how widespread is that caring … the checks that come through. Last fall when request that they needed textbooks, supplies materials we put that as fall project and response I felt was more than anticipated. So you ask if we care about Belize yes we do.

Brent: Thank you very much.

Marian Baker: Our theme this time is on hope and the future. And it seems to me we really need to spend time in prayer to see how each of us are called in whatever ministry how to encourage the younger people among us to consider they don’t have to go to Africa but Jamaica… Belize… to look at our own call of ministry whatever form that takes and not spend all time … we are dying out and feeling overwhelmed but let’s spend some time finding ways to wake up all of us whether Kenyans making use of Kenyans to … or encourage ministry in Jamaica. Look beyond the box.

Brent: Thank you Mary. Others wish to comment.

Dale you’ve been there.

Dale: I would like to offer a viewpoint you may not have heard. Yes I have been to Belize and kind of fell in love with the place and came home and dreamed about it every night for a week. I want the viewpoint it’s a fertile place where friends testimonies can really play a role. And I’m convinced if we go there and start worship group and begin to teach Belizeans about friends testimonies and within two or three… Belize will send … to us.

Karen: I think one thing we need to remember is those young men perhaps young women who we could serve in the future. It’s their hope and their future.

Brent: I sense there is more than just moderate support for our mission work in Belize. There is good strong support among you. Those who have spoken … question is do we care and will be support continued mission work in Belize. Additional information will come to you are programs are developed. Do you approved continued support of mission work in Belize.

Approved.

Brent: Thank you very much. Our work in Cuba has been mentioned a little. A friend has written something I will read.
Cuba Yearly Meeting hosted Friends United Meeting work team in February of 2008 … destination same next year as Cuba completes … anticipate time when Cuba friends can travel to visit … included in minutes of this gathering. Thank you.

John has asked for a few moments to share.

John: Good morning. Friends. At this point I just wanted to say a few things as far as our ministry is concerned. This is second Triennial I am attending we are attending as African ministry first was in DesMoines in 2005 when we had just been inaugurated into office just been given office to begin exploring … and I stand here to give … and say what God has been able to do for last 3 years since we began the work through AMO. Some of you may … volunteer field staff talked of what they experienced. … work together in the office but I just wanted to say the AMO which is the biggest number of people biggest population of Quakers challenge of reaching out and seeing the work is realized in Africa. I just wanted to give appreciation to you friends who have been supporting this ministry. Our office has been very much involved in … our leaders Yearly Meeting leaders … in Uganda, Tanzania, ensuring that we are talking about Belize is to grow in Africa. Not just to remain stagnant. What I want to say briefly up to this point we have done it was and is still best gift given to Africa by opening this office. The AMO office is potential among Africans to work with goal of realizing the mission of Friends United Meeting. I’m here as witness this Triennial 2008 as a witness in 2005 I was given the responsibility was a big challenge. He took an early retirement and we had big argument with him why he retired when I came to office. God works his miracles. Ben found himself in Kaimosi. Ben was … now he’s working in AMO that’s … the ministry of AMO is growing and growing bigger than we expected. I just wanted to say we have been able to put various committees geared to improve performance of the work in Africa in all fields. Last year selection you heard about it was change in our ministry our plans were changed completely. What we planned to do is not what we ended up doing. It changed completely and we found ourselves amidst confusion in the storm where we needed rescue we needed Christ to walk on water to come where we were. We have various committees at this point which I believe will help us first education committee I believe in prevention than curing. Better to prevent issue than to cure. We are trying to help solve problem of this. But if we had actively prevented it would be better than what we do now. Education program in place is to see that we have almost 1000 … from Grade 1 to grade 8 and 200 high school from grades 9-10. Students … we believe that is biggest … where we can therefore education program is to work together and … the peace program in school and we encourage friends … from this areas to work with us in improving and implementing this program of education. Many students exchange program of students teachers to have this type of exchange program as we work on peace program … introducing . government has given us opportunity to give and teach other values in our school. We are taking opportunity when it is still strong. It is available today we want to use the opportunity. We will not have this problem … the riot was instigated by people mostly young people … therefore education program is … you can come work with us in this process.
Committee of development, which make and reach Africans … and the church at large in African context. It is good approach to the African churches working together. It helps them as we … friends from here it … the development program rather than being a one sided approach but from both sides. The problem capital improvement program has been very good. We gave out five year … and yearly that received this appreciated it so much capital improvement program and I believe … if you are … if you received any funds from capital improvement funds. This is Elgon East, … thank God at least we have 3 that received. It really brings up what … they have some cash they have … they are putting in and working together … we have the … health care ministry in … which is established by Quaker … very volatile area again area people have been insecure in that area but that small health care has helped so much. We have small health care agencies the church has been involved in. outreach ministry is very active in Kenya. Uganda … it is really we are working hard to strengthen that Yearly Meeting and it is growing strong now. There are 2 we are bringing that meeting to a level … Uganda … which requires people. We have carried out missions in Congo. It is another deep forest area. We have some in Congo called pygmies they have not been reached….. I believe our mission here friends here … place call upon you to step and … as we step out to Congo and … Pygmies. Tanzania is another area, big country. It is twice as large as Kenya. We have mission that is open in Tanzania we are really working close to see that mission grows. We have another part of Tanzania. It is … are just people are yearning to have them. People are they want it when we talk about it in Tanzania they are joining the church with no incentive. The incentive is the Quaker values. The integrity and sharing the good news of love. They just come. They have opened another meeting already. Just sharing the good value of Christ. So it is moving… they have 2 meetings in Tanzania. Let the word of God go … just because we don’t have the money to go if God has said let it go it will go. Therefore if you feel the passion to join in ministry of serving Friends United Meeting is open. … to see the word is spread to various places. I feel so encouraged to see we are carrying out this process that we are working. We have Yearly Meeting in Kenya … when running Yearly Meeting in Eastern Africa they had a farm 300 acres turned into farmers training center. Training how to … become more secure. But after some time that land has been lying idle with nothing at all. Recently we had visitor challenge us to … to maximize the use of the farm. They have come up with plan to maximize day farming, fish farming, etc. who may work together farmers who may be interested in … corn growing and fish farming invite your friends to come and do that mission work through that farm. It is a mission I see that will come out to help our ministry and work in the region. Last I want to say thank you so much for support you have given to African ministry. And for prayers you have given and many prayers we received when we violence broke loose in Kenya and the prayers thank you for … thank you for prayers from many of you you responded by praying for Kenya. We need more prayers it is not yet over. To Kenya. For peace. … for the activities we are talking about. The support we appreciate a thousand times. Never give up. Never feel you are … but feel the passion to work in ministry even at Friends Theological College it is growing. Only Quaker pastor training college in Africa. Nowhere else you will find this. Thank you for … we are getting 3 people from Tanzania to come Friends Theological College this year and 2 from Congo to train as pastors and go back and carry out ministry we are grateful for this. Let us pray God continues to inspire Friends United Meeting I feel proud to be in this ministry. May God bless you.

(applause)

Brent: Thank you John for your faithful leadership there. Do we have report from John Norris treasurer.

John: I … I never get tired.

I want you to know I never count the money I don’t write the checks and I don’t keep the books so you know you are in good hands. As treasurer I sit on executive committee finance committee and trustee group… so I have my … I do see reports that come from by email as they come. I think we have some misunderstanding how accounting is from Friends United Meeting. I want you to know we really do have two sets of books.

(laughter)

You can look at them you just have to find them.

I’m really giving you confidence here. General funds and restricted funds. You’ve heard about this. General fund is books we keep operation for Friends United Meeting office, staff, office and staff in Africa and that is John Muhanji not Eden Grace she is field staff. That’s the general fund. It starts and stops fiscal year ends June 30th. … so that’s the one funds. Other restricted funds. Bunch of funds. Maybe 150 or 200 how many projects. How many funds might be in restricted funds. Fund accounting is ongoing. Never ends. We start where we left off last year. Year’s over we go forward with minus or plus in account. Those are 2 funds we have. Field staff is in restricted funds. Their funds are ongoing they are responsible for own support. They may end in plus or minus or start year in plus or minus. Some suffered this year because value of dollar decreased. We do pay field staff every payday not sure … they get paid whether account is in plus or minus. They do get salary. Some other funds we don’t send money unless we have it. We do make sure field staff can eat. Thought you might like to know that. We have … from year 2006 to 2007 fairly recent audit. Takes a little time to get all figures done. Numbers of Africa and all program we do. Anyone wants to see that I have with me and you can look at it. They tell us we have increase in assets that is … increase in cash. That lets us know we are living within budget.

This year we also stayed in budget. Our year ended 6/30 just a few days ago. We don’t have numbers hard numbers from office. General fund at that time had balance income $94,000 we were $1.98 positive on the budge. We were working in the budget. See how this goes. Looks like year will be positive. Total income was $842,000 for 11 month period close to projected. I think last month will bring on budget. About $500,000 came from Yearly Meeting, monthly meeting and individuals. Restricted funds have fairly accurate figure of received money that was $1,000,056. That was what was received for 11 months. We have budget to be approved for general fund $902,000 just close to last year figures. And restricted fund asking budget about $1,115,000 close to last year asking. We are trying to stay close in figures. The projects we are into we could spend more money if we had it. Could make use of it. So I think that concludes my report.

Brent: thank you. Let’s see assets has increased funds have increased and our audit that was on audit we are operating within means. Thank you.

I think we are $1 to the good. Friends any comments or questions. Approve acceptance of report from treasurer.
Approved
Thank you very much.

We have a piece of unfinished business from general board meeting. … consideration of restricted asking budget for 2008 general board needs more time to look over asking budget for 2009 in summary budget we operated under in 2008 totaled $1,117,000 the requested budget for 2009 is for $1,116,000. Difference of about 1600 less. Members of general board have questions about this.?

Hearing none and our finance director has received no questions would friends approve restricted asking budget of 2009 in amount of $1,116,000 for information general board approved 2009 asking budget for general fund. Let me give you that # for your information. General fund budget approved was $901,720.00 slightly increased from 2008 asking budget which totaled $891,453.00 so it’s up $10,000 over last year. Thank you very much.

Sticking with finances. Kim director of development will make presentation on annual fund campaign.

Kim:…. Will help me ….. first I want to talk about auction I told everyone bidding closed at 10 am. It has closed and I want to thank friends who came down and bid on items. Because our field staff will directly benefit from your generosity. It is really about taking care of field staff making sure they have what they need. Nativity set which was brought by Joyce will benefit her field staff account. Bidder #8 will receive that for $600.00.

(applause)

And the Cains had several items they brought with them so next items will go to benefit Cains account. First of all the lovely desk set and bidder #2 will receive that for $250.00

(applause)

The coaster set also to benefit Cains account bidder #6 for $100.

(applause)

The cutting board one will go to bidder #7 at $225 and one bidder #2 for $225.

Last was items hand carved vase bidder 1 for … and last item auction was beautiful quilt which will benefit account for Eden Grace ministry and that is bidder 2 $900.

(applause)

Terri: Now moving on to general fund campaign I won’t ask for money so you can just hear about what we did last year and what we plan for this year. You can start the thing the PowerPoint.

Last year theme was united yes and if you can’t read our shirts it is right here all over our shirts. Staff wanted you to know that in midst of vast diversity of Yearly Meeting we believe much unites us we wanted to get that message out. Last year focus was on staff so that you would have opportunity to get to know us. And this was the flier we sent out and in there had different pictures of staff then we sent these cards we talked about yesterday they were about each member of staff so you would have professional side and personal side for each staff so you could connect with staff professionally and personally.

We started to talk about this year’s campaign and remember … we wanted to move on within theme of united yes and we started to think about what Friends United Meeting was all about and we feel strongly Friends United Meeting is going places and everyone here is moving in that direction and moving requires feet most of the time. So our theme this year is around feet. And that we think we will stand for friends energizing and equipping together. We know how friends love to do that and we want to be about the doing. In talking about the things from Friends United Meeting office we want to connect with you we want to talk about doing words growing, communicating, educating, energizing, we want to invite all of you to the party connect. When you get mail from us open it and consider it, if you choose to act yes then if you choose not to then please pass it on to someone else. Open the mail.

Terri: Just because you have grown to expect …

Something extra. Are we united yes.

(forming yes)

(applause)

Brent: Thank you ladies.

I will ask can we accept this report and give support to strong annual campaign.

Approved.

(applause)

Let’s get behind our annual campaign.

Thank you.

Friends we have received invitation to host 2011 Triennial gathering Lois…

Lois is representative of Wilmington Yearly Meeting so she will make that invitation to you.

Lois: How many had a great time this week. I will start with history lesson. At end of revolutionary war USA congress in Philadelphia had important decisions to make. One was how to treat new territory north and west of Ohio river. After much discussion it was decided there would be no slavery in northwest territory. This led many Quakers to act on belief that there is God in every person and therefore wrong to own slaves. They packed up and headed north and west. And the lure of good farm land didn’t deter them. Many of these pioneers settled southwest Ohio. Originally they were part of Baltimore Yearly Meeting then Indiana Yearly Meeting and then Wilmington Yearly Meeting was established in … these early Quaker started monthly meetings, schools developed town and … college was founded in 1875 several years before establishment of Wilmington Yearly Meeting. Wilmington college is now home peace resource center which houses historic … collection as well as doing much education on peace and ways to accomplish it. Peace center sponsored each year annual … peace symposium made possible by endowment of former trustee who was not Quaker. Another non Quaker trustee left gift to college to be used an maintained a Quaker heritage center. It now serves as museum as well as gathering place for Quaker thought and discussion. During 1800s Quakers in southwest Ohio and east TN became active in underground railroad. Many houses and farms were safe houses along path to freedom in Canada. … visited president Lincoln they were instrumental getting him to issue emancipation proclamation. This week we bask in hospitality of NC Yearly Meeting and for this we offer gratitude. Thank you. You have been there to meet our every need.

(applause)

Several years ago I served on … conference board and I attended meeting lady from western Yearly Meeting Quaker gatherings are family reunions. We meet visit with friends do a little business and go home. Next Friends United Meeting Triennial next Friends United Meeting family reunion it is with pleasure that friends in east TN and southwest Ohio invite you to our part of the world to be part of the 2011 gathering of Friends United Meeting Triennial session. Come visit explore some of our rich history. Witness the living Christ in the lives of people in southwest Ohio today. Fellowship with brothers and sisters from around the world as we get to know our family members better. In Christian love Wilmington Yearly Meeting Lois …

(applause)

Brent: Thank you Lois general board received invitation at February meeting and on recommendation of general board do you accept invitation to hold Triennial in Wilmington. Thank you very much.

Wayne Carter will give report on behalf of nominating committee.

Wayne: again we look forward as we consider appointment of leadership for next Triennial. Nominating committee made up representatives from each Yearly Meeting spent several sessions we won’t brag they spent 9 sessions 3 years ago we won’t say how many sessions but we worked shared and struggled reviewed needs and gifts of friends and prayed and waited upon the Lord and out of that following recommendations.

1 reading clerk has not been called into service for last several session so we suggest consideration be given to delete this office. If needed reading clerk could be appointed at beginning of session.

2 for trustees of Friends United Meeting first full 3 year term after completing unexpired terms Steve Ross of New York Yearly Meeting Clifford Winslow of NC Yearly Meeting for second 3 year term Norman Connell of western Yearly Meeting and Richard Liversidge of Baltimore Yearly Meeting that makes 6 year term appointments of 4 trustees Steve Ross, Clifford Winslow, Norman Connell and Richard L. to fill unexpired terms of … James Cradler and Michael Fulp .

3 for treasurer Friends United Meeting second term for John Norris of Indiana Yearly Meeting.

For recording clerk north America Carol Holmes of New York Yearly Meeting for recording clerk Eastern Africa James Mugalavai of EAYM … North.

5 for presiding clerk and asst presiding clerk Triennial nominating committee unable to recommend presiding clerk for have friends giving it consideration and needing time for clearance. Hold off recommending until we have presiding clerk desiring to balance these gifts in ministry therefore Triennial nominating committee willing to continue to serve until fall 2008 general board meeting if this session approves. Expecting to have recommendation at that time for both positions. And then we recommend that Gary Farlow current asst presiding clerk be appointed as interim presiding clerk to serve until and convene fall general meeting of board. In addition Triennial nominating committee makes recommendations.

1 general board consider changing name designations of recording clerk and asst recoding clerk to recording clerk north American and recording clerk Eastern Africa this will give us … to further commitment to global partnership research implications possible for FUM to legally appoint non us citizen as trustee this has legal implications we are not aware of need to research particular regarding ASHA grants. If they require all be US citizens. General board suggest they take initiate to inquire about that.

3 arrangements be made for Triennial nominating committee begin work prior to next Triennial session. This may mean appointing yearly meeting representative 6 months earlier. These are our recommendations.

Brent: Thank you very much. You heard report. More complex than has been sometimes. Let’s start consideration on whole report. Any questions or comments.

Will: I propose rather than saying I think idea of Triennial nominating committee starting before is admirable rather than saying Yearly Meeting should make nominating 6 months in advance most meet over summer we should invite them to make nominating summer before Triennial so they can make nominating in regular session.

Brent: Excellent suggestion Will.

Deana: I want to thank you nominating committee for considering that we are trying to be global friends united meeting. It touches me that you took into consideration African friends.

Brent: Thank you Deana.

Everything will be amended from report as well as will’s suggestion.

Rich: Wayne could you clarify the 4 trustees offered for reappointment to terms. I think you said 3 year terms.

Wayne; 6 year terms. Trustees appointed for 6 year terms eligible for reappointment sorry if I misspoke. Eligible for reappointment 2 vacancies. Not sure whether because of death or resignation in the one group. First group expired at this session so we recommend that general board already approved Steve Ross and Clifford Winslow to fill unexpired terms. We recommend they now be appointed for 6 year term. And that Norman Connell and Richard Liversidge be reappointed they have served 6 year term and would be reappointed apologize for my mistake.

Brent: Thank you.

Ruth: I’m half afraid to open mouth without having list of the other trustees in front of me is there any way those names can be read off particular curious to see if there are any women.

Wayne; I have those names in my case. I didn’t bring them there is one woman Betsy … is there a second I think only one.

Brent: Norman indicates there is one.

Any trustees recall the names of other 3 trustees.

Rich: The trustees terms continuing Fred Allen, Don Garner and Betsy Munch she is New England Yearly Meeting member and CPA.

Wayne; … and Don is Indiana Yearly Meeting.

Rich: Clifford Winslow is NC.

Wayne: Representation is broad across. Southeastern and Wilmington most other are represented.

Brent: Are friends ready to approve report from nominating committee for these officers to serve official capacities.

Approved.

That includes approval for items for further recommendation.

Wayne; Thank you.

Brent: Approval of administrative staff for upcoming Triennial period is requirement of this Triennial gathering. Due to the … to stay within financial means we have one administrative position. On recommendation of general board it was recommended Sylvia Graves serve as general secretary for Friends United Meeting for upcoming Triennial. Any comments.

I don’t think that was necessary. Maybe welcome her back with round of (applause).

(applause)

Thank you friends.

*I would just like to speak to that very action and why that is one of the reasons one of the many reasons why it is such a blessing to have Sylvia Graves as our general secretary our beloved leader. Because Sylvia Graves knows how to function in a proper role. She excuses herself when time to discuss her position among us. Thank you Sylvia Graves so much. Thank you again for your service.

Brent: Thank you.

*as a student of John Punshon he has taught us there is no such thing as a proud Quaker but I am proud to have Sylvia Graves represent us.

Brent: Thank you.

Moving on to next item on agenda message committee.

M: Friends I could never have done it alone. I want to say message committee was 6 people from very disparate Yearly Meeting I want everyone to stand. Chadrac … Doug Shoemaker Indiana , CG white and … from Great Plaines. I’m from New England Yearly Meeting.

For future I hope there are more groups like this huddled together striving to find what really is message to friends around the world. Among beautiful garden like setting of High Point NC. About 500 friends from 33 Yearly Meeting and Quaker bodies met for July 9-13 2008 Friends United Meeting Triennial. We were blessed to have attendees from every Yearly Meeting in North America and representatives from Caribbean, Rwanda, Britain and 9 Yearly Meeting in East Africa. Feel thankful for strong Kenyan presence along strong immigration prevented some and prevented Cubans.
… hope she has for future of um was visibly by hundreds of bright balloons given to friends one by one symbolizing hopes tied to boxes to life up various ministries. Landrum Bollings president emeritus presented peace lecture powerfully reminded us peace testimony arising from teachings of Jesus Christ is not sole possession of Quakers. We heard stories of peacemakers witnessing often as great personal cost. Important not to give up hope. John Punshon presented Johnson lecture and had message of hope new hope in quality of pastors in Friends United Meeting. Rich faith of friends in Eastern Africa and Latin American. Global partnership calls for new mindset shift from patronizing to mutuality where once north American friends viewed role of … new role changing to worldwide partnering with friends. Blessed with international ministry with friends. … that is something that we are expecting to happen. Morning devotional speakers Tom Hamm, John Muhanji and Joseph M. set tone for the day. Many friends found daily worship sharing groups to be source of enrichment. And workshop on variety of topics provided lively discussion. Recent years Friends United Meeting struggles with issues such as religious authority and sexuality… etc. renewed commitment to operate in fiscally responsible manner has nearly eliminated past debt. Friends United Meeting has significantly scaled back central office staff and has had to choose carefully how to best use limited resources. Support provided by member Yearly Meeting was … you were challenged by John Muhanji to contribute to Friends United Meeting with radical generosity. Mission of Friends United Meeting crucial for future of those we serve around the world. Heartfelt testimony of volunteer and field staff… hope as the gathered sensed God speaking through their words and their lives. As we look forward to next triennial we find guidance in words of George Fox have the Lord in your eye in all undertakings let your lives be as the gospel so you may answer the light and the truth in all people do not strive about outward things love of God will unite you together seek each others welfare and be helpful one to another. 1676 friends …

Brent: friends any comments on … thank you.

*I think Rwanda should be deleted and replaced with Burundi.

Brent: Any other comments. Do friends approve this message from message committee 2008 Triennial.

Thank you so much. Wide distribution of that message.

Approved with thanks and deep appreciation.

M> Is this going on the website.

Thanks for putting it up there remember the computer is mightier than the sword.

Brent: Actually everything you see on the screen will go on the blog later.

Occasionally we get wonderful opportunity to welcome a new member into family of friends this is one of those grand occasions. Having fulfilled all requirements for full membership Friends United Meeting and approved by general board our pleasure to welcome … Yearly Meeting as newest … Sylvia Graves and I visited with Yearly Meeting officers earlier this year we found this Yearly Meeting to be extremely well organized with positions of leadership filled beginning with … .who is in our presence they has office offices fully filled. They have gathering of Chwele office staff general secretary … superintendent and office secretary Phyllis … they have other board officials serving on planning committee, mission committee, finance, committee and … they have 81 village meeting s 24 monthly meeting 8 quarterly meeting with membership almost 12,000. They have 8 trained pastors and total pastors and evangelists … 31 primary schools 31 nursery schools 11 secondary school and dispensaries and maternity hospital. Our pleasure to welcome Chwele Yearly Meeting into members and Joseph if you will please come forward.

My pleasure to present to Chwele Yearly Meeting in Kenya are recognized as full member 7th month 9-12 days 2008.

(applause)

Joseph: Friends I’m don’t know what to say but I’m extremely happy to be among you. Specifically to have received this on behalf of my Yearly Meeting. I’m specifically grateful to the general secretary who made it possible for me to come to this Triennial conference. Had it not been for them I would not have been here. I’m extremely happy that I’m carrying something back to my people to believe that I reached and participated.

(laughter)

Thank you so much.

(applause)

Brent: As we near end of business session I ask John Porter superintendent of NC Yearly Meeting to please come forward we have enjoyed our time together. Lot of hard work has gone into preparations for this gathering. On behalf of Friends United Meeting John it’s my privilege and honor to present to you this plaque of appreciation expressed NC Yearly Meeting staff and volunteer for serving planning and hosting Triennial 2008 presented this 12th day 7th month 2008.

(applause)

Brent: At this time I would like Kelly Kellum pastor of High Point Friends Meeting to come forward.

Kelly it goes without saying you have a beautiful campus but more than that warm welcome sincere atmosphere among us we are so thankful to you and friends at High Point Friends Meeting. On behalf of Friends United Meeting sincere and grateful appreciated expressed to High Point Friends Meeting for hosting and use of beautiful facilities. Thank you for commitment and support which has provided memorial experience this day.

(applause)

Viola Britt please come forward.

Viola accepted this request and has been meeting monthly for 2 years. She has had about 40 volunteer on Saturdays untold hours of work gone to prepare for this meeting. Sincere and grateful appreciation expressed for work to prepare for this Triennial. Thank you for your work you made this memorial and rich experience presented on this day.

(applause)

Sylvia Graves: I have a couple of men I want to honor also. One is my husband Dale Graves.

(applause)

It has been wonderful traveling … as we checked into hotel and said we would be here for 8 nights. We haven’t slept the same bed 8 nights in a row for … commuting from Plainfield to Richmond … as you know we appreciate Brent for his years of service. When I announced to Kenyans at board meeting there that this would be last meeting Brent would preside they asked me to come back to you and ask you continue. He is appreciated everywhere among friends. We appreciate him too I have a plaque for him a photo of giraffe.

(applause)

Brent: Friends thank you very much. Honor to serve as presiding clerk for these years. I have been inspired by many of friends who I am close with. There are 3 people here I want to recognize who have served as … clerk and been inspiration to me. Dan Farlow he served as presiding clerk, Clifford Winslow and Wayne Carter would you rise. He served in 1990s. any others. Is Sarah here. Wonderful Sarah Wilson served 1990-1993 I think. Please give them round of applause.

(applause)

Friends at this time I would like to have memorial service program of those that have passed on been called on has been circulated for you.

… if she would come and give introduction and then we will have a time of silence as we reflect on lives of those who have contributed so much listed in the memorial book.

Linda: I was asked to share a song today. Many of you are here because of friends who were faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ who … the family of friends and communion of the leaders. Some have lost friends to violence or death. We can trust in words of Christ that have gone ahead and he has prepared a place for you. No words can express it is our hope and future as religious society of friends …

(music playing)

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows fall
Why should my … be lonely
And
When Jesus is my portion
My constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me

I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me

Let not your heart be troubled

…
I lose my doubt and fears
Though … he leaded
…
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me

I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me

Whenever I am tempted
Whenever …
When …

…
And then he sets me free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he cares for me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he cares for me

So I sing because I’m happy
And I sing because I’m free
For his eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
Oh his eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me.

Brent: Closing minute for 2008 Triennial business session almighty God has answered our prayers. As friends return to their homes may the joys of peace, fellowship, good works, hopes, and prosperous futures be shared with many other friends and may … until we meet again. Heavenly father as we go in peace may you find us walking cheerfully in the life of Christ amen.

Sylvia Graves: May I have a moment. Thank you.

Just a couple of things we need to take care of one minor but one so important. A Kenyan friend needs to charge her phone if you have Nokia charger with small pin. We have had cheerful time this week but not trying to cover deep wounds and terrible sorrow still among some members especially Kenyan friends. There will be a healing 3 pm today focus of healing for Kenyans come 3 pm white room near the chapel for time of healing. Ok. Do you want to add anything to this.

Thank you I would like to tell my Kenyan friends I know hard to accept what happened in Kenya was too dramatic tie to face … and try to remove fears we have we should be able to talk freely so when we go home we should go home knowing we are free and ready to face challenges that are there. One way to heal and remove fear from trauma we have had.

Sylvia Graves: Workshops and then 45 minute break for healing and then workshop begin second shift. Workshops offered twice today. Thank you friends.

Morning Saturday - Announcments

Today we have gathered for business and to find ourselves with a closing that seems too soon. We have enjoyed meeting and renewing our friends / Friends in the world and learning of their life experences since 2005. We will be having workshops today and look forward to all the presenters.

Here are Today's Announcments:

-Early morning worship will meet at Hampton Inn on the 4th floor in the Jefferson Room at 6:30am. # 401 and 402
-Before your departure, please return your name tags to the box on the registration desk. In the School Lobby.
We appreciate your consideration!
-Shuttle buses will leave at 7am, 11am, 3pm and after the evening service for those in need of transportation to or from motels.
-Evening offerings will benefit the FUM General Fund and all field staff ministry accounts.
-There is the line inside and a line OUTSIDE. You can get to it by walking to the Nurses Station and entering the gate to the Tent area to find the Food Tables.
-Nursery is in the Meeting Nursery.
-These items are in the office if you are missing any. Scarf, Jewelry, Glasses and Glasses in a case.
-Some items have been left in the bookstore. Jewelry, sandals, etc. Please see the office for these items.
-Lost and found items can be turned in or picked up from the High Point Friends Meeting Office (Room-213).
-Registration was moved to the Friends School lobby after lunch yesterday. Please check there for registration concerns and NCYM info.
-A Silent Auction for a number of items is in progress in the Bookstore on the first floor. All proceeds will benefit the Ministry Accounts of field staff. Visit the Bookstore to see items and place a bid. All bids must be in by Saturday 10 am.
-For departing attendees needing transportation from the hotels or High Point Friends Meeting to the airport or train station, there is a sign-up sheet on the registration desk at the NCYM Office in the School. If you have not signed this list we assume you have transportation.
-The FUM Triennial Blog web address is:triennials2008.blogspot.comIt is updated after every session.
-BOOK SIGNING: TODAY 3pm
outside of the bookstore featuring these authors: Mary Glenn Hadley, David Goff, Howard Macy, John Punshon, Billy Britt and Ben Richmond.
-Ask any FUM staff member how you can get a complete set of FUM Staff prayer cards.
-Western Yearly Meeting History: For information or to order see Peggy Hollingsworth, Kay Carter or Leanna Roberts during FUM. Cost is $25 plus $5 Shipping; make checks payable to Western Yearly Meeting.
-Pendle Hill: Opportunities for study and service available. See Display in room 3.
-USFWI 2010 Triennial Fundraiser: Visit display in bookstore for a variety of items including luggage tags, canvas bags and Jamaican Blue Coffee. Help raise funds for 2010 Triennial in Kenya!
-COPIES: John Punshon – Johnson lecture, Landrum Bollings – Peace Lecture and Sylvia Graves – Keynote address will be available on or after 20 July 2008 on the FUM website. http://www.fum.org/
-BOOKSTORE: Friends United Press online shopping center can be accessed at www.fum.org/shop or at 1-800-537-8839
-A Copy of Ray Luther and Bob Spencer’s CD is availble after tonights speaker. See Ray for Details.
-The Friendly Quaker Songfest Cd is also Available for the same price $15.
-Treasurer’s Guide for Friends Meetings:
2008 Edition is available for $15. See Melissa Stoner Saturday am or during breaks.
-Triennial T-Shirts are seeking new homes! Please visit the Bookstore downstairs to find one a new home.
-Ben and Jody Richmond will be leading a workshop about Friends Theological College in School room 218. 1:45 and 3:45 pm
-FOOD! Please allow everyone to get food before returning for seconds or getting larger portions. Thank you!
-If you have seen or if you find a hymnal (we have a few missing) please bring it back to this room! Thank you.
-Carolina Evangelical Divinity School invites you to visit their display downstairs. Frank Scurry would love to discuss the school’s ministry with anyone interested.
-The Intervisitation Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting invites you to visit their booth in Display room 3 and take a free copy of our pamplet, “The Biblical Vision of Peace.” See Georgia Fuller for more info. Or E-mail georgiafuller@gmail.com.
-Pennies for Postage:FUM Summer Mission Project Donate your loose change, etc to send books to Kenya, Ramallah, Jamaica and Belize.
-THE SCHOOL BUILDING will be closed and locked at 5pm today. Please note this change.
-Do you want to attend a local meeting tomorrow?
Friends who would like to attend a local meeting for worship tomorrow may sign up for transportation with Janice Dalton of NCYM at their desk in the School before 5pm TODAY!

Enjoy your day.

Evening Session - John Punshon - Johnson Lecture

Friday Evening - 11 July, 2008 - 7 pm


Live captioning services are provided by CSDHH – Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Greensboro, NC. Your captionist today is Vicki Pinson.

(music playing)

Friends. Friends. …

Friends good evening. After having almost perfect day it comes to this. I thought yesterday was just a beautiful day. We started our 2008 Friends United Meeting Triennial conference it was just perfect setting. Spirit among us so beautiful tender and sweet. Then we come to this day. How wonderful it has been. Spirit is so rich and alive. It’s just been glorious. How can it get any better. As I sat my thoughts turned to King Solomon he had all the fame, riches, authority he lived such a life. He simply said the best is yet to come. After having such a beautiful day the best is yet to come. Are you having a good time. Amen.

Just enjoy. It doesn’t get much better than this. I tell the folks I work with I go down the hall and tell them if it get better than this we won’t be here we’ll be somewhere else.
Wonderful. We will start this evening in song Donna will lead us in hymn.

Donna: Brent I have a confession to make. When I first began the music committee here preparation for Friends United Meeting. Some people said Friends United Meeting people don’t necessarily get into music that much. And I was a little concerned about it and then I heard you all sing last night and in the deep south they say them folks can sang…. So what a wonderful blessing you have been let’s sing hymn 670 make me a blessing.

(Music)

Out in the highways and byways of life many are weary and sad
Carry the sunshine where darkness is strife making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing make me a blessing. Out of my life may Jesus shine. Make me a blessing. O savior I pray. Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and his love
Tell of his power to forgive
Others will trust him if only you prove true every moment you live
Make me a blessing
Make me a blessing
Out of my life may Jesus shine
Make me a blessing
O savior I pray
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Give as twas given to you in your need
Love as the master loved you
Be to the helpless a helper indeed
Unto your mission be true
Make me a blessing
Make me a blessing
Out of my life may Jesus shine
Make me a blessing
O savior I pray
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Donna: Thank you be seated.

Friends I’ve asked Patricia if she would open in prayer tonight. Following this… donna will lead us in another song.

Patricia: Shall we pray.
O God our loving father we bow before you this evening with thanksgiving in our hearts for the good plans you have for each of us. We thank you Lord for you liking us as friends. We thank you Lord for bringing us together not that we … but just because you love us. Thank you father for bringing each of us and thank you for speaking … we humble ourselves before you knowing we… we worship you. … I thank you Lord for laying your word on my heart. Father I’m praying for this congregation that each one of us may … for those who seek God … may leave this place here because and one of the things … on this planet was healing the sick. I pray that you touch each one of them and heal them. I pray Lord for the speaker this evening that you anoint him for the wok before him. I pray for Friends United Meeting that you touch and renew us for the work before us. Father in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Donna: Let’s join together and sing wonderful praises joyful joyful we adore thee #90

(music)

Joyful joyful we adore thee God of glory Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee opening to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day

All they works with joy surround thee
Earth and heaven reflect they rays
Stars and angels sing around thee
Center of unbroken praise
Field and forest vale and mountains
Flowery meadow flashing sea
Chanting bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee.

All thy works

Ever blessings happy rest.
Thou our father Christ our brother all who live in love are thine.
Teach us how to love each other lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began love divine is reigning over us leading us with mercy’s hand.
Ever singing march we onward
Victors in the midst of strife.
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.

Brent: If ushers will please come forward we’ll have our evening offering.

Heavenly father help us realize the richness of your goodness we are so thankful we have opportunity to return portion to you use our tithes and all that is yours might be lifted up. Jesus may be pray amen.

Brent: I’d like to share a few comments I have heard the last 2 days. So many people made positive comments about the beautiful facilities here at High Point Friends Meeting. The grounds, campus, meals, … we appreciate that so much. They worked very hard. Second comment if we keep having such good Triennial as this we need larger place. Host for 2011 Triennial you know who you are it will be announced tomorrow morning. We might need to find a larger place cause we are having excellent Triennials. Third comment at table we talked about Triennial someone at table made comment we are having such a great time we think we should have these Triennial sessions more often. Wouldn’t that be great. My pleasure now to introduce you to more special music. It will be presented to us by 2008 friends united meeting choir led by Donna Terrell and following … will introduce our speaker.

Donna: For those who practiced last night you are still committed. While people are coming up and getting together I want you to think about something before this offering of music.
Friends United Meeting as I understand it is a group of people from all over the world from all walks of life, all races, from conservative beliefs, liberal, for common purpose for spreading the goods news of salvation offered to us by Jesus throughout the world. Now these people that are gathering here have spent 60 minutes together to prepare this. 30 minutes a night and when you hear what this group of people has done you will wonder why we haven’t lit a fire across the world. It has nothing to do with who is leader or who is in charge or whose idea. Only because these people have the joy and love of the Lord they want to share. I offer you our Triennial choir.

(music playing)

As I went down to the river to pray … about the . good Lord show me the way.
Oh sisters let’s go down, let’s go down come on down oh sisters let’s go down down to the river to pray.
As I went down to the river to pray telling about that … good Lord show me the way oh … let’s go down, come on down. Come on brothers let’s go down, down to the river to pray.
As I went down to the river to pray … who good Lord show me the way.
Oh fathers let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down. Oh fathers let’s go down, down to the river to pray.
As I went down to the river to pray … and shall . good Lord show me the way oh mothers let’s go down, come on down, don’t you wanna come down, come on mothers let’s go down, down to the river to pray as I went down to the river to pray …. Good Lord show me the way oh sisters let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down. Oh sinners let’s go down down to the river to pray.
As I went down to the river to pray … about that good old way and who shall wear the starry crown good Lord show me the way.

(applause)

(music playing)

When you are searching to find your way
Filled with doubt lost and afraid
Looking for … to renew your faith
Come and kneel at the cross
When you are troubled with pain…
…. Come and kneel at the cross
With your… seek the Lord leave your fears behind you hope and faith will be restored at the cross he’ll find you.
When you’re discouraged by all you see
Broken hearts people in need
Looking for someone to …
Come and kneel at the cross.
At the cross, at the cross, … feel God’s love surround you
Healed by grace … feel God’s peace around you.
Feel God’s peace around you.

(applause)

Thank you folks. What a message. I’m asked to announce that there will be available free copy of tonight’s lecture by John Punshon. Also out here in the hall to my right the 1987 Johnson Lecture that John Punshon gave at Guilford College at our Friends United Meeting. It is available for a donation. There is no dollar figure placed.

Also tonight tomorrow there will be available in bookstore two of John’s books. Reason for hope and encounter with silence. I want to do something tonight I haven’t asked permission but something I want to do.
The reason for it is this…we had a beautiful time together. And thank you for your part in it. I keep saying but he keeps ignoring me I say to Brent you have done great job as clerk and he has. 5 years ago Brent served his term as clerk for North Carolina Yearly Meeting the last session he presided as clerk I was seated not same building but somewhat same position where Ray and Katie are here. When Brent closed session his last session I raised my hand I did everything he ignored me. He knew what I wanted. I wanted to get the jump you can’t abort the appreciation of this group a day ahead of time. He is clerk 6 years I don’t know anyone else who served 6 years. I want to say thanks for your great job.

(applause)

I worked with Brent at Friends United Meeting and North Carolina Yearly Meeting and thanks for all you have done … now will you forgive me for saying that. I know what he will do tomorrow. John Punshon our speaker tonight is native of London. He is known in his profession of law theology journalism, public speaking, his wife’s name is Veronica and they have 2 children Tom who is executive with London financial future exchange and daughter Sophia is professional dress maker. She goes to various institutions in great Britain. They have 4 grandchildren. One long time interest is sailing partly because he lives near docks in London. Elder of Milton Kind’s meeting and recorded minister Indiana Yearly Meeting. Also … theology commission of Milton King council of churches. Being grandfather is one of his greatest pleasure apart from food and watching sports on TV. He is author of several books. … reasons for hope, Encounter with Silence. Future of friends church testimony and tradition. Not too long ago he taught Quakerism at Earlham college. In 1987 I introduced him and I am grateful to have privilege again tonight to be our Johnson Lecturer. John thank you for being in NC and with Friends United Meeting again.

John Punshon: thank you.
(applause)

The first Friends United Meeting gathering Triennial I attended was in California when we had California friends. We do don’t we we have the greater body. Our friends … anyway this was at … orange county and seemed to get off to very good start. I was room next to air conditioner generator like sleeping in engine room of ship. I made my first contact with NC friends because James Good was at that time assistant to general superintendent I said I can’t sleep he said no other available. I asked him to do something about it. He reminded me about this a few weeks ago I made his life dreadful because I wouldn’t sleep where I had been assigned. That didn’t cramp my style. I was standing back at the hall like there while a performance was being given and standing next to experienced friend not of Friends United Meeting background. And looking at music and all this. I said do you know what’s going on here. And I replied yes. I know exactly where I am. And what lay behind that reply I think was that I looked around then and as now I see the kind faces I know and grew up with faces like my grandparents like my parents. People who come from same walk of life, same society. I think probably I’ve been able to give the service I have to Earlham and Friends United Meeting is that I feel so at home with it. First thing I want to do today is to take opportunity of acknowledging publicly the immense affection you have given to my wife and myself during 12-13 years we have spent in USA. This is our thank you for that. I’m glad to see so many friends from Kenya. I was representative from … in 1991. And we arrived at Kisumu and had message would we go to Kaimosi straight away we did. Discovered our dear friend who I hope some of our Kenyan friends remember had died. Jasmine was wonderfully kind, very strong, … as well as being on staff at Friends Theological College he had tea and coffee farm. He had diabetes. … invited me to bring the message at his funeral. First time I met Kenyan friends in Kenya was to undertake that immensely sad, immensely moving very wonderful funeral to be conducted under the trees. So I have many memories crowding in tonight and I want to add personal welcome to them. I was invited to come give this talk by she said you’ve done it once and did well we’ll give you second chance. The theme a hope and a future what we want you to do is talk about friends generally and future of Friends United Meeting specifically. I was rather frightened by this. I don’t know if I can do this effectively without stirring hornet’s list. You know what I mean. So I said I would really rather do something else so she said alright you just published a fairly successful book she said. Excuse me. Why don’t you write the next chapter for us. I said book already published. I don’t mean that. I mean write what you would say if you were going to write a last chapter. So I have. And there is a 40 page last chapter waiting for you outside. That really has been the work I put into this Johnson Lecture. What would next chapter be. What do I see future of friends. What I will do tonight is give you flavor of what I say in the text. I recommend you take a copy of the text. Copy of the Johnson Lecture from 1987 if you make contribution for that. I don’t even get expenses for that. I hope you will accept it in that spirit. So what I will talk about is sort of thing the booklet contains. Really a meditation hope and a future. I gave chapter title living in the new world. 3 main reason. First is that is what Jeremiah’s prophecy is about. Secondly because every juncture in history we move into a new world. It will be a new world tomorrow. The new is always fresh unexpected challenging. We need to be prepared for that fact of life. Always moving into new world. 3rd I think friends tend to be introspective. In the chapter I talk in widest possible context for discussions that take place about future of society I look up from topic a b and c and how those topics might play in wider world outside us not always interested in internal .. we have. That is the brief. I want to begin by saying something about the prophecy the theme. I don’t want to look at how I see society of friends now in 2008. Third I will touch on some of these wider themes I mentioned like boundaries in which our religious life takes place. We have to look there to see the future. Those 3 aspects for what I want to say tonight. First Jeremiah’s prophecy. What lies behind those words a hope and a future. We have to understand the background. He was writing in last 30 years of 7th century bc during time when … was dissolving. Social conditions were pretty dire. Real fear that annihilation would come to community. For almost 100 years they were receiving refugees, unemployment, hunger, etc. things were not good and Judah was .. between the two great powers of the ancient world Egypt and successively Assyria and… Jeremiah’s time is there. And the interests of the establishment as you might say in Judean time was designed to preserve national integrity. So we read a great deal in the prophets about how to treat… what expectations things like financial policy, trade policy, dynastic marriages. That is the background to the hope and future prophecy that we … it was prophecy of hope in a very grim time. Let’s move forward. Jeremiah said about these conditions he looked at the domestic policies international and came to conclusion that it was being approached in the wrong way the personal we political and political was personal. 2 things he criticized particularly in the booklet I return to the end to say are these things still present. First is idolatry. Idol is something that gives you comfort. Something which is … 2 ways you can look a religious image. One is to place yourself in its power place in the power of what it represents. What will happen if we go to the foot of the cross. That’s not idolatry but to go to the cross to get personal benefit to seek only the messages from religious tradition which confirm the attitude you already have is to use idol for your own purpose. Complex one. What do you want to get out of religious life. If you want … but if you want meaning and reality then something different will flow from the imagery. Idols blinded you to religious… the other thing he … it is the option of having more than one God. Jeremiah and others complained about the … what did you expect in the Jerusalem temple like a gothic cathedral. A pure house but in fact what we read that was not the case. There were idols from many foreign gods as well as the part of building devoted to … so the prophet looked at the corruption of religion at the use of religion for social control use of religion to procure personal advantage and unless you change disaster will come. As we know in … disaster did come and Jerusalem fell. That is the background. They were looking for theme for conference. You have to have a theme for conference. I thought did they know their bible. Yes I think they did. So they put me up to tell you what they had in mind. So I want to read you most of the prophecy that hope and future comes from. Listen I left out a bit but they don’t alter meaning. These are the words the letter Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the elders priests and all people Nebucannezer … thus says the Lord to all exiles build houses and live in them. Plant garden and eat the produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives to your sons and give your daughters in marriage. Multiply there and do not decrease but seek welfare of the city I sent you to exile and pray to the Lord on its behalf for in its wealth you will find your wealth. For thus says the Lord when 70 years complete I will … I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord plans for welfare and not evil to give you a future and a hope then you will call upon me come and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek for me with all your heart. I will be found by you and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all nations and places I have driven you and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. So these are the things that were to happen. The hope and future were to come to those who were in confinement not exactly in prison but in confinement. One points I make in the chapter that you are invited to take is just this. At one point I say if you have never read… go and do it now. Reason is this book is about the life of a man when every single freedom he had was taken away living a completely regimented life. He came to conclusion that while no one could get inside his head no one could control him and therefore in battle against tyranny he was always going to win. Now this is very important, important literary work for 20th century. Made important point too that is that … beginning to define himself in captivity. Knows his boundaries his desires, etc. desires of those in charge of him. This I think is historically what happened to Jewish people this time we begin to talk about the Jews the battle … because these words of redemption would only become reality if they continued in their devotion to him. Until they understood who they were and they understood who they were by measuring themselves against standards of captures. Only way was to preserve… so text of Jeremiah when we open it up like that has important parallels with us. What is … where is how do you answer that question. My argument in chapter question of identity and .. who we have been decides who we are and how we meet challenges of external world. Future is where hope is but new world comes into being. I look at constraints are upon practice of religion and practice of Quaker faith as 21st century gets underway.

It’s difficult to make generalizations about … we do it all the time. Sure you don’t I do. … the cricket team…. As we speak they are playing south Africa and I don’t know what the score. If I picked the team they … so there is plenty of we are all opinionated I’m opinionated. Before I talk about society of friends is certain attitudes I discern when I talk to people and when I read news. One of them it actually says on lecture he’s more interested in opinions than news. Opinion is much more interesting. I live in this kind of world. It’s a world first of all which doesn’t understand that to explain human behavior is not to condone it. And if you are old enough to know west side story you know that marvelous scene where officer Krupke tries to get the hoodlums to behave they say officer Krupke we have the social disease they go through long list of disadvantages they felt they were entitled to be criminals. When I listen to this scene it picks up on something I think important. In our perfectly proper understanding the reasons why social pathologists we tend to overlook the standards against which they ought to be measured. You can disagree with me but I have the microphone. There are a lot of people who think we can ultimately explain everything. This is … it is a problem German philosopher said we can calculate meaning of everything I don’t think so. I think life has area of mystery, area of tragedy, all kinds of things in our experience we can’t explain. If we thought to ourselves we can explain everything we seriously … understanding of human nature. A basic bloody-mindedness about people will always prevail about the … I don’t think we have answer for everything. I think the effort to answer the great questions is what makes us human. I don’t see a world we can calculate answers to everything. I guess because I don’t believe in I don’t want to say great deal about this I grew up in a progressive household. My relatives and my parents their friends all had progressive friends and I grew up in that atmosphere which thought world was getting better and better. I’m a child of the second world war I can tell you what it’s like to be bombed because I have been bombed. I don’t believe in progress. Not everything gets better. As I say in the book I cheer for modern medical science in many ways things are getting better but not automatic process. We sometimes confuse information and … any of you who have teenage children who go online to do homework will know they can get plenty of information on internet but how good is that information. How does it stand up how do you apply critical standards to what we read and education in Britain educators getting worried about this. Everyone went to coursework instead of examinations. Wikipedia putting a few sentences together to give information some shape and passing it off. That is serious problem. We don’t … and there are two assumptions I also discuss in the book first moral relativism I won’t say more about that. And the second one is idea of specialist who knows best. If we want to know about something you go to specialist and get the answer. If you … that’s the way to find something no one has written before. The age of specialist. I think … I have that off my chest. Reason I say that. … I make a case that in these things we have areas of controversy and I don’t think specialists are … I obviously don’t think… I follow the conventions of my community because they I’m not stupid enough … but I’m trying to point to the areas where the assumptions we tend to make in religious community are not formed by society at large. If we want to communicate with the other church we have to understand use a phrase I hate where people are coming from and if you don’t understand that you won’t get anything so here is first part of sermon because I want to change and look at the society of friends that finds itself in this kind of work. I want to say something about my own personal journey as a friend and then society of friends at large. So first of all how I became a friend. In the archives of Britain Yearly Meeting there is application I wrote at age of 19 to local monthly meeting asking to be accepted. I haven’t looked it up. It would be like 50 years before anyone can read it so I haven’t I think back to what I remember. First I have never doubted the existence of God. I have doubted his presence in my life. We all have had dry periods. All have had dark night of the soul. But underlying it I never lost my faith in existence of God. That stability … difficult to understand people who don’t have same experience. We think others are like us and they are not. I was brought up in the country on a farm. I had wonderful time as a child. … answered I knew the reality in the streams and fields the animals birds that sort of thing. I look back and think that experience was inward one and it came probably from … the natural world. I have deep sense I am in the world not spectator. … it was Baptist but not southern Baptist. In the hymns and stories … I found corresponding reality. So what happened to me gradually my sense of Christian faith moved together and I think God .. would be my testimony. When you put that together with the progressive family that I was born into it meant that I was very sensitive to corruption of religion. I came to look for my own church. Didn’t go church shopping but at age of 19 I found society of friends. I thought then and now that this is as close as you can get to Christianity of our Lord that’s why I’ve been here 50 years. In modern terms if you read literature you’ll know his book, … discipleship… no such thing as … important lesson. Something I learned in society. He went to meeting … something born out of my own experience … can somebody do something about this. Can I you I can hear echo can you. I knew yes that it was the soft of thing society of friends gave to me. I found my way into society and I was thinking about this I thought are they still operative. That’s why I became a friend. Why do I remain a friend. Remaining a friend is a different thing. First thought is question of principle now society of friends has a truth which is to be received on faith as absolutely true to totally undemonstrable. That dogma is that there is that of God in everyone. Who’s counting. That’s the only way to prove it. But I’m a man of faith I don’t need proof and the doctrine there is … in everyone which I think is same .. I was sitting last night listening to thinking yes that’s exactly what I mean. I believe and that sentence … every moment of my life as a friend. Second thing is this mentioned I convened theology commission which I like doing and I meet a lot of people in this and I experience of church people is fairly wide. There are often differences about predestination and all that sort of thing but most of the time we are on same wavelength until question … that is where I know I’m a Quaker. More I thought about it what makes us distinctive but one … we are all ministers. We may be separated by pastoral function but … not criticizing pastoral system. Not something I want to be. But I think the way we make decisions the way we come together at monthly meeting. And I read new testament that is what church of disciples was like. Friends as church. Can’t emphasize that strongly enough. I have come as life goes on to appreciate more. I simply reply Quakerism is a way of life. What is that way of life. I tell them about peace, simplicity… they say why and that’s when you get into the theology. I found that testimonies are rather like … I do … someone says John you shouldn’t have done that and I think when I think it often comes back. You didn’t treat that person the way you should have. You didn’t choose a peaceable way to remonstrate the … was a valid way that day so the testimony is not so much but … they have become daily …

***Captioning Request: Could the speaker please speak closer to the microphone?

John Punshon:
Am I to continue. Louder. Oh I thought I was loud already ok. Two quick points because I want to get on but the first is question part of reason why I became a friend because I didn’t believe then a lot of things I believe now. I believed in God but don’t know if I believed in Trinity. Quaker doesn’t believe in Trinity but I believe in father son and holy spirit and hope that’s good enough but I didn’t when I began. Nobody taught me I had to. There were wise people in my meeting who perhaps sensed I was on the path and let me find my way myself. That’s very important and precious if I could preach to you be very careful when we start making requirements of what people ought to believe to come into fellowship of a meeting. And again I offer greatest thanks for it because my life how much longer I have I don’t know but I was writing the lecture in December evening light was going and whole section there about dying. Because I’m a lot nearer my death than my birth let’s hope I have a little more. I’d like to see … win against Australia that would be a bonus to see that happen. But the end is coming. And sorry I forgot … I can’t imagine a greater joy than I have when I have my quiet time with God go to meeting Sunday morning or Saturday nights when I pray for the three congregations I am particularly associated with. I know my journey is coming to end but it’s been wonderful journey because friends gave me freedom to develop and discern. They never forced me into anything and I believe there is liberty in the gospel. That is very precious. Last thing remaining friend we are such an annoyingly traditional group. London Britain Yearly Meeting as it’s called I don’t go there. Like like this you walk in there is atmosphere of silence. Clerk let ms try this meeting on. It has been reported by some friends in gathering that on the hall there are not … the cause of this we understand is that windows are open. It has been suggested to us that maybe the comfort of our friends would be better if windows closed. Recognizing there may be difficulty coming to consensus on this we agree to defer this question until afternoon session.

(applause)

I think you know what I mean. Now there is a difference between playacting being Quaker and being one. It’s our identity that carries us forward and we have to be very careful about 2 things. One is pretending to be … when we are not. Adopting the speech of George … and taking the values of the past and translating them into long terms. The former …. But later we seriously need to be concerned about. Moving into new world we can’t define ourselves in new terms can’t determine what is good or bad, faithful or unfaithful. Because in his he had to say who am I, I am the product of … we have to cherish it. To help meet the challenges of the future. How do we do that. Probably I better finish at this point. What have we got to go on. Where do we stand. How do we stand. I gave this lecture the Johnson lecture in 1987 patterns of change. Shortly after I discovered what I say I hope if you are interested you will take that because I think that is one of the best things I have written. I did it before I came to America. I don’t think I could have had the effective ministry I think I have had among you. Most of the things I said them about Americans who are not … outside your nation and not well known I was talking to a friend… I was thinking to myself if we have joint Friends United Meeting …. Conference. Wouldn’t it be good. Why don’t we. So I think that American friends I have … the phrase I used to describe friends this was 20 years ago there wasn’t the sort of defensive attitude of friends in other traditions I think that was important that remains the case. I think it remains the case that we use our history rather than our theology as means of talking. That’s very important. It means we have a terminology we can encounter difficult ideas. If we go back to 1940s period of first world war it was difficult for friends to talk because of no common vocabulary. Now we do talk. The terms in which theology are done, have changed in 20 years. This is really most important point that is that in those days theology for the reflective church member was how we stand on liberal evangelical spectrum. And someone will stand up and ask what about l…. particularly in NC. Some of our best friends are conservative friends of NC so don’t repeat what I said to them. I think you know what I mean. What do they argue about now. Foundation… post modernism… they offer challenge to both liberal and conservative. That is the marketplace perhaps the prison confinement that we heard. If we argue about that …we are just standing here. That has changed dramatically I expect us to filter through… I was going to make a point here. Perhaps we will leave it. What are my reasons for hope first what I said about the way we do theological discussions. Historical movement coming together of scholars to work together on issues of history and principles is extremely important. It began with … and it came down through …. Folks of that kind and I want to mention one thing to you that is you may or may not know … Spencer who have just produced a thesis which I think suspect is going to revolutionize … … I wrote a book what’s it called. Portrait of faith just had second edition and they said well do we need a new book. And I said no. this book has been written out of historical consensus that Quakerism rose out of puritan movement. … this book is going to be published and she takes a different theme, not technical 19th century way. Over the whole period showing how faith, scriptural account. That is what came from that. As soon as I use the word hopeless I’m sure when… that’s what I mean about the Quaker history. The second reason I have hope is reason I don’t know what to call it school, discipline community school of the spirit. Ministry in Philadelphia… perhaps a bit ore about Quakers … there is a display downstairs please go see it. Take one of the fliers the school of the spirit… third there is the … we have representatives from Africa. Friends United Meeting is strong in Africa. Strong in … but out of … Kenyans experience and Africa American experience come things we desperately need to know and how unimportant personal possessions are. The presence the … of the Quaker community is important to us. The last point and then I will .. in inconclusive way one of the experiences about America I cherish most is my service on the … you see I’m getting too old. Those of you … the appraisal committee … we used to interview people for recording. Sometimes they were not pastors sometimes they were and we would meet with ministry and council to decide if this person should go into this. You probably do same thing in NC. For Yearly Meeting. I would go out usually in summer. In Indiana corn fields. And talk to someone who was going to be … often they were part time found way into pastoring from the factory, from the farm. One friend from Indiana was driver for Wal-Mart. He had study tapes he used in his truck. I think quality of pastors in our meetings is higher now. These folks coming forward who might not have particular academic skills but are … in their heart. Their understanding of Christian faith Quaker faith and I am constantly impressed and giving thanks for that. I know we have pastors here tonight. The last reason I have to look forward to bright future… so those are some things I have written about in the leaflet. The chapter and I hope I said enough to encourage you to take a copy. Thank you very much for being so patient.

(applause)

John thank you for reminding us we do have reasons for hope. And I trust all of you will leave here tonight with hope in your hearts encouragement and excitement to move forward. Sleep well tonight. We have more activities tomorrow. Pick up the next chapter.

Thank you.

Afternoon tours - and sessions

What a wonderful busy afternoon we have had!

This afternoon were tours to Quaker Lake, Guilford College/ Mendenhall Plantation, Quaker Museums/ Cemetaries and the NC ZOO it was a good time to fellowship and enjoy getting out of the Meeting House for an afternoon. Also those that stayed behind got to do a few events that were very special. We had a Intervisitation Program of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, 1:30-3 in the Music Room. FCNL—The pastoral and the Prophetic: Dealing with Congress on the Middle East, 1pm in the Chapel. Pawnee Indian Baptist Church—Kenyan Dancing, 3pm in the School Amphitheatre.
I've got to say that I really did enjoy the Indian preformance. IT was a real treat.

Tonight will feature John Punshon as the Speaker and an evening of Music named "A Friendly Quaker Songfest" before that starting at 6pm. The preformers will be: Charles Adams, Robin Wiliams, Mell Downing, John Lowe, The Springfield Strummers (Scott Anderson, Eva Garner, Fletcher Garner, Elizabeth Spencer, David Stroud, Eldora Terrell, Leroy Williams and Bob Spencer) Ray Luther, Bob Spencer, Kathy Walden, Linda Selleck, Kimbery Farlow, Linda Selleck and Bob Spencer.
These performers from NCYM used their special talents and came together to perform either singing, playing or in a group to create a CD for fund raising to help Quaker Lake Camp in NC. We still have Cd's Available if you would like one please Call the NCYM Office at 336-292-6957
Suggested donation for one is $15 US.

Friday Morning Business Session 11 July 2008 - 10am

Live captioning services are provided by CSDHH – Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Greensboro, NC. Your captionist today is Vicki Pinson.

Good morning. If we could take our seats we would like to get the business session underway.

Friends if we could take our seats please.

Friends good morning and welcome to our business session. Donna Terrell will come and lead us in song.

Donna: GOOD MORNING Jambo. Let’s all stand and sing. Hymn page 410 standing on the promises.

Standing on the promises of Christ our king … standing on Tom Hamm promises of God. Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God our savior standing standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises you cannot fail … by the living water … standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my savior standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

4th verse
Standing on the promises of Christ my Lord … standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my savior standing standing
I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I cannot fall … standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my savior standing standing I’m standing on the promises of God.

Thank you Donna. We’d like to begin at this time with a series of announcements. Linda Selleck will begin. If you can look at your green book this is pretty easy day. This session, lunch, free time or tours, dinner and tonight’s program at 7 however we have been working hard in NC to prepare concert for you that is not in book. 6 pm extended 1 hour prelude into tonight’s program. If you haven’t guessed by now Quaker in NC love to make music. Follow scripture make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Etc. we have a friendly Quaker songfest concert tonight 6 pm in this room guitar mandolin, violin, Celtic harp, singers, we hope you will come and enjoy this music time together. 6 pm tonight. Floating party.

Thank you Linda. Can I bring harmonica and kazoos are always welcome.

Thank you.

Friends we have announcement from Tony Lowe meeting of convergent friends those interested should meet 1:30 today front steps of Meetinghouse.

Terri Johns has series of announcements.

Terri: Good morning. It really is series. .I was downstairs writing and kept adding. I will talk really fast but not so fast you can’t understand me. Friends Theological College support team meets 12:00 hospitality room. Field staff exec committee and finance committee 1pm library. Several interest groups if you haven’t seen list it’s obvious place you will go there every day on the bathroom doors. We put them there intentionally so you won’t miss them. Also one not on list Joseph M. who is chair of friends church peace team has video he wants to show you 1 hour long 3:30 pm hopefully in choir room. If not there there will be note on the door.
Auctions we have a few people who have bid on some of the auctions but we are missing several of you. If you want that quilt and it is gorgeous or the things from Belize or crèche from Ramallah. You don’t want to miss this this is your opportunity. It is over in morning tomorrow 10 am tomorrow. If you want that all money benefits field staff account. Not just fair market value it is here to support field staff. We really want you to bid on that. If you don’t know how go to office down the hall Friends United Meeting office down the stairs. If you look at workshops tomorrow field staff have workshops tomorrow Ben and Jody are having workshops friends theological college. They will have workshop. Offering totaled $2400 dollars. That is so exciting. That means we have over 3300 in 2 nights offering. You are amazing. Field staff general fund both appreciate you. Last involves some of our staff. We really want you to get connected with Friends United Meeting. If you haven’t been connected this last year you have missed a lot. Our staff will show you some things you missed. First of all in packets you got wonderful bags there is plastic packet and this cream colored card half sheet not taxing to fill out simple info but great way list to get connected with Friends United Meeting. If you are not connected or haven’t been receiving stuff from us. Take down to office that’s really important not only for us but for you to know what’s going on.
Along with that. … the green sheets we have extra copies. One person was faithful and filled out green sheets one person we have over 500 people registered folks, not even a 1% return yet. We’d like to hear from at least 20 of you and hopefully we can do that. If you have your green sheet fill them out or if you can’t find your sheet see Dale he has more. We’d like to hear from you on those. It gives us contact to talk to to get people connected. Other things we have you might have missed. Quaker life magazine and you wanted to say something. In lovely packets …

In lovely packets just as wonderful half sheet of information you will find beautiful purple sheet this is today and today only special deal of the week get Quaker life subscription get one for a friend free. (FREE) buy one get one. Make sure you look for this sheet and get your Quaker life subscription and gift one to friend for free.

Many have asked about exciting themes for 2009 they are listed on fancy purple sheet. If print is too small come to us and we will read them to you.

Friends United Meeting Sunday if you didn’t participate last year that is something you missed. We had 2-3 churches signed up one year this year like 40 that is in November. You will get announcements about it, stuff in the mail. If you don’t get directly you are not connected and all you have to do is fill out that little piece of paper. There is the piece of paper.

Oh something else do any of you actually remember what we did last year for annual general fund campaign. She is showing you close up and personal exactly what we sent to 15,000 people. Please remember we sent to 15,000 people. Ok. 15,000 people we are asking for 210,000 dollars that is not a lot per person little amount. What we offered in return for monthly donation was prayer cards of staff, staff showing you the cards, if you got your brochure, got that you have places to put those prayer cards. If you didn’t good news it’s in your packet. So you are not missing out. What you missed out on was lovely prayer cards. We have more it is here for a small donation to general fund you can get completed collection of prayer cards to put in packet. If you want to do this and raise money for general fund or just get lovely faces to look at all the time. Come to office. If you prepurchase new book enduring hope impact of Ramallah friends school available next week you get free complimentary Patricia … bookmark … and friends in Palestine. Personal reflections of alumni and teachers of Ramallah friends school. Do you remember what paper looks like. Good.

Thank you ladies. Those of you that have provided me with traveling minutes they are signed and ready for pickup. I have greetings from Britain yearly Meeting. Gary Farlow we have special guests today. Will you recognize friends from Iowa.

Victor and Brenda White from … operated by Iowa Yearly Meeting are here please stand so we can see who they are.

Victor just stepped out.

Specific reason to make sure you know about them today they will do a Pawnee Indian Cultural dance and drum singing at 3:00 pm today on the front lawn when you get back from tours or from resting this afternoon time to make merry with friends from Iowa.

We have many special people with us frank for divinity school. Those who want copies of Landrum Bolling’s peace lecture may find them on Friends United Meeting website.

In a couple of weeks.

Friends for devotional reading this morning as we winter time of worship prepare for business that lies before us. I’d like to share with you story found in first chapter of John. First time Jesus is gone publicly as teacher and Lord. Scene takes place on street and then John the Baptist gave this testimony I saw the spirit come down as a dove from heaven and remain from him I would not have known him except the one who sent me told me. The man on whom you see the spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize you with holy spirit. I have seen that this is the son of God. Next day john was there on street again with 2 disciples and when he saw Jesus passing by he said look here comes the lamb of God. And when 2 disciples heard him say this they followed him.
Turning around Jesus saw them following and asked what do you want they said rabbi which means teacher they asked where are you staying Jesus replied come follow me and I will show you.
That’s the message Jesus is still asking today friends everywhere come and follow me and I will show you where I live.

Our heavenly father again we thank you for dawning of a beautiful day thank you for privilege that exists in our world to worship freely and peace around us but we know your peace is not everywhere. We pray peace comes from knowing you in personal way we pray for peace wherever absent in the world from government, people rulers, lacking in peace in families, workplaces, among friends we ask for your peace that passes all understanding to descend upon us, thank you for answering prayers, restoring health comforts and joys you provide. We praise you for personal relationship for all if they answer question come and follow me. Cover us today with mercy and guidance lead us, pray you always find us with eyes turned on you let your light shine on us in our pathways and inspire us to follow you, unveil your truth that we might live our lives to your teachings. We want to be more like you, want to be that faithful servant when we stray forgive us Lord. Put shortcomings as far from us as east from west encourage us with your presence that we might live every day it is you we want to serve we surrender all bless gathering of friends … amen.

Friends follow with a moment of silent waiting for spirit of guidance Terri will continue leading us as we receive word from missionaries in the field.

Terri: Thank you.

Ye are the epistle of Christ written not with ink but with the spirit of God to friends in New Jersey … my desire is that you may have the Lord in your eye in all your undertakings for many eyes of other governments or colonies will be upon you to see how you order lives and conversations therefore let your lives words and conversations be as becomes the gospel that you may adorn the truth and honor the Lord in all undertakings. You will feel him and in going forth and coming in so you may answer light and truth in all people go … godly lives and conversations. Do not strive about outward things but dwell inn the love of God for that will unite you together and make you kind and gentle one to another. To seek another’s welfare and be helpful one to another. That you may live as family and church of God. … the first month 1676 …

Terri: thank you for that. That …

Field staff incredible group of people. We had 2 days earlier this week to have field staff meetings and we learned more about each other. Amazing we found lot of our personality types are similar different than mine. We realized takes a certain kind of person to be field staff. Lot of inner strength and we have some really solid field staff. I’m happy to share them with you not mine but I love to say they are mine because I have such a nice connection with them and really enjoy them so glad they are here to share with you. One woman here will share is Joyce Ajlouny she is director of friends school in Ramallah. Incredible person has huge responsibility so good at it. Hope you enjoy.

Joyce Ajlouny: Good morning.
Ok. Fist I send greetings from Ramallah and from the students parents and community of Ramallah friends school trustees as well and principals. Such a competent group of teachers and administrators. If not for them I would not have been able to spend this year in USA. We have every reason to be grateful for the hard work they do.

I want to catch up from what our speaker last night Landrum Bolling said about our message of peace and hope as Quakers. I continue from there but promise I won’t mention PLO or I will not go into politics. Hard to be in Ramallah Palestine without mentioning politics big part of life and family there, of students and teachers. Affects everyday life.

I don’t want to repeat what I will say in workshop tomorrow. I will be more personal today I often ask myself I’m Palestinian but also US citizen. What am I doing in Ramallah I ask myself. Have I not had enough stress and living under military occupation I have lived under military occupation all my life. What makes me stay there. Is question I ask all the time. My answer is very clear. Ramallah friends school. My people. I feel I give something to them, leaving them with something contributing this is driving force. What makes me feel it as a calling is this when you have so many things logically that say you should not be where you are yet you remain that is the force so powerful that works with me every day to keep me there. A lot of us don’t know probably you don’t know what occupation is all about military occupation is nonexistent in most part off world. Not many places. Mankind has realized that people should not occupy other people. Simple as that. For me living under occupation all my life and now making decision my children will live under occupation is very difficult decision to make. Occupation crushes you from inside. You lose your dignity and you are harassed every day. You see things that make you question humanity and the humanity of others every day. I realize that our students when you look at their pictures in yearbook downstairs you see their smiles and feel they are normal kids but deep inside I don’t think any of us realize what it means for them to live under occupation surrounded by gigantic wall where they can’t leave the city can’t use the airport see the horrible bombardment and they feel it every day on their city and country they see the injustice taking place I could go on and on about checkpoints and lack of freedoms. I will spare you. You can imagine what that means for a child. Our family we try to shelter from occupation but they are affected. My son is 16 but 10 when subjected to heavy incursions. He woke up every night 3-8 times a night with night terrors because of insecurities he felt. He had canisters and bullets (empty) that he collected. The destruction from the destruction of the city. This is a sheltered kid so you can imagine what the kids in refuge kids go through every day. Calling is strong for me to go on. I feel the difference that FUM makes there as you see in other countries is enormous it is not just another school. It is a school that is making a difference when you read and I hope you all buy copy of enduring hope you read testimonies of alumni the words if not for friends school I would not be where I am today or not be what I am today they are not words I hear occasionally, these are words I hear all the time. So this is a school that is really honestly making a difference touching everyone’s lives. At present school has over 1150 students. This is record in school’s history. 140 staff in both schools. There is a boys school and girls school but they are coeducational. To confuse you. This year 92 graduates. Sylvia mentioned in keynote where these kids are ending up for college they pay about on average 2300 a year to attend our school. The program in rest of Arab world costs families usually 10-15 thousand a year. We make that facility open for families with less means. 23% of student body receive financial aid. We would like it to be more. We try to raise more money. Muslims and Christians live together in student body and learn to be tolerant of each other 66% students Muslim and 33% Christian faith.

One comment came to me from director of international admissions at Harvard to visit school. She made special trip to visit when she returned she emailed me and said Joyce for my whole history of doing this work my trip to your school was highlight of my career. Your students were most attentive eager to learn eager to listen and as a result Harvard accepted 2 of our students. What is Friends United Meeting’s role in school. Seems well managed. I think this is where my mission comes in in terms of being Friends United Meeting staff member there. That I can make sure I ensure many things are maintained in school first and foremost my job is about making sure Quaker spirit and values are well in line with friends school we live under horrific situations there is violence. We need to keep students and teachers engaged on our values and make sure they take them and work with them and I challenge them on the values. It is easy to slip in situation like ours. I’m so happy to have started new ethics program we now teacher about Quakerism like conflict resolution this has a great impact. My job is to look at financial health of the school not only year to year but long-term. I look at endowments the school doesn’t have much now how to raise more for school looking at infrastructure of school how to build what we need, buy things we need, that goes on we will have the first and only grass soccer field in whole area and thankfully we have raised enough money for this to make it happen. For school and community field is not only for students but community at large. We see our role going beyond our direct community but use school as a way to outreach for others as well. I think my hardest job is to motivate teachers and principals because life is so hard on them economically and psychologically. Keep them going, renewal, new approaches to education, better reading program, better science program. Learning by doing, sometimes I talk to them and they are just not there. Thinking about money how to pay bills, their different reasons each has that puts them down. To get them motivated is a big job. Because sometimes I’m subjected to depression and distrust and I need someone to motivate me. This is hardest part of my job to keep them hopeful, to make sure they know they are making a difference. I think this is one thing that keeps them going. I received an email this morning from principal gave me results which were good. That keeps them going what we are doing good work. Making a difference. I feel this is message of Friends United Meeting to this mission in Ramallah it’s 140 years old has endured so much so many wars so many occupations from different sources. God knows what’s coming after this but hopefully we will have peace in Palestine soon. I share Landrum Bolling’s pessimism that it doesn’t seem likely in future. Ramallah school survived but wouldn’t have if not for Friends United Meeting. Not for the commitment the love the care attention that Friends United Meeting has given the school throughout the years. The accomplishments of the school would not have been achieved without your prayers, your support. Believing… I want you to know prayers also reach us and we want them to keep coming. We are going through hard times but we know we will survive like we have in the past. I hope I can see you … I will talk more in my workshop. But I want to say that Friends United Meeting has helped me fill my cup and I urge you based on Mike shared with us yesterday to also … there is nothing more gratifying than having feeling you are on the right track. Thank you for all your prayers.

(applause)

Terri: Thank you Joyce. You will have opportunity if you go to their workshop two times offered.

Next person is a I met her 2 years ago from Southeastern Yearly Meeting. She is delightful woman. I have enjoyed getting to know her. This year she said I need to go to Kenya. I need to be there to help Eden Grace. Then violence broke out and she wasn’t sure if she was called or God said you don’t need to be there. Then it got better and she decided to go. Lisa Stewart will share with us a few minutes.

Lisa: Thank you.

Can you hear me now.

I grew up in tradition program Quaker tradition where missionary and evangelism had negative overtones. 3 years ago I was at Yearly Meeting when Ben Richmond spoke as representative from Friends United Meeting while we struggled with membership issues. The struggle with personnel policy. I was sitting in back and had sensation levitating out of seat of course I didn’t I said I have to go. Without saying anything to anyone I made reservation to go to DesMoines Yearly Meeting to have encounter but my first experience making friends with friends from … I left with good wishes of my meeting who made me think I was going into lion’s den. So I wrote a report and it found way to Yearly Meeting then they asked me to be representative to Friends United Meeting. I marched off became representative to Friends United Meeting. And came to discover that our fears were unfounded. And that there were fears about us from Friends United Meeting and I have done best to allay those fears. My spiritual journey has led me to Kenya to work with Eden Grace who is with John Muhanji are … if you don’t have any energy don’t go with them they have no concept of time, wear no watch, they are working have so much energy and commitment. I never knew a Christian mission could be right stewardship of our money Eden Grace has made Christian ministry out of stewardship … they are hosts I lived with them for 3 months. Can you imaging having someone in home for 3 months with children in house and feeling at home and loved and welcomes. Plus all the other people that come through there. I have met so many people from USA who come and travel to visit and travel with John Muhanji it was a blessing and treat to me to see how he personifies someone who truly walks in the light. Who truly walks through life spreading joy. Plus he makes it so much fun. We went to Turkana to work with the general board there. Eden Grace and John Muhanji have done amazing job working with Yearly Meeting general board and hospital general board helping them organize using friends values. They weave principles of peace, … equality and simplicity and community into all their work. The faith they demonstrate has been such a lesson to me. We were on road to Turkana stopped by police said you can’t go further without police escort or escari security person they gave us an escari he looked like a bandit himself. He had a gun long barrel. It looked like it came from an old war held together with baling wire and twine. John and Eden said prayer and went with laughing spirits over this road. I saw a car on side of road they had shot earlier in morning two catholic missionaries and shoes were still in the road. Then car broke down not once but 7 times every time Eden Grace stopped and would trail back to see what kept us. They wanted something to fix the radiator hose. I had a little kit with me and they fixed the hose with adhesive tape from medical kit. Another time John took me to Uganda and … he was helping them reorganize they were raising money for building. John worked with the board helped them organize priorities and explain importance of having budget and bank account job of treasurer any treasurers wonder about your value I learn you are doing God’s work believe me. Pastor there said they would have fundraiser next day they should bring as many shillings as they could even chickens or eggs. I didn’t know he was serious next day we had the gathering and children were singing they were giving money in basket and a lady put chickens in basket and someone brought a goat to give and they were making noise children were singing…it was wonderful I loved it.

In Lugari their Yearly Meeting has… building fallen into disrepair as a result of john’s workshop thank you as a result of workshop and helping the Lugari Yearly Meeting focus of what they wanted to do and showing them the right use of finances and having budget and making budget plan they went to bank while I was there met John at bank the bank knowing they were Quaker and knowing Quaker values and knowing the community the bank set up workshop and committed to give them loan for their projects. They will have fishery bed, dairy farming self sustaining program. Americans that I know think of Friends United Meeting as missionary organization that is going to countries telling them what to do, how to use their money I see Friends United Meeting as empowering and energizing people to be self sustained. Watching Eden and John work with women … Quaker peace teams I heard about them I know wonderful work they have done but never seen it in action I will probably cry telling about this, they negotiated peace between community who drove people out burned their homes sometimes killed the people and their families … in the refuge camps so they could return home all made possible through funds sent so generously after post election violence. Friends United Meeting … working with Aq… to be part of training workshop that sent peace teams out and commitment Kenyans have bringing peace to their own county it was God’s work and Quakerism at finest. Some friends travel miles to come to these training sessions. No cars, they came on foot, bicycle sometimes overnight with no compensation. Budget provided transportation and meals but no salaries or compensation over travel expenses. They left families children sometimes their jobs. They jeopardized their health to work for peace. And how you would say what did I learn. I learned that missionary is not a bad word evangelism is not a bad word when I traveled with Eden Grace and John Muhanji and people asked me to talk about Quakerism I was evangelizing. I left to be a bridge and to learn none of us knew where it would go. That was my mission and when john said you will talk tomorrow at Uganda I didn’t know what I would say. I’m not a pastor I heard voice you are not a pastor but you are a minister. We are all ministers. Life is our ministry. Your life is your ministry and as I said to people I work with their lives are their ministries. We all demonstrate by our lives what is important to us what we honor. My time is up so I need to tell you while we traveled I learned there is great need for Quaker literature in Kenya. We are losing young people to other churches because they have they talk about what it takes to be member and they have literature. We need to start library. All Quakers over USA will somehow buy books about Quakerism and send to me or Terri and she will get them won’t you. Get them to the Kenyans. John Muhanji and Eden Grace will distribute them. Especially in schools I met school chaplains who teach religion every Friday afternoon by law. Schools are allowed to teach religion every Friday. No literature on Quakers. Kenyans have amazing relationship with God. They are hungry for information about Quakerism. How to incorporate into life. That is my appeal to support field staff who are awesome and I am hopeful God will lead me back next year but in meantime I hope to send as many books as possible for Yearly Meeting and for the schools. Thank you.

(applause)

Terri: She has lots of great stories and she has more so if you didn’t get enough see her and she will tell you more. Sampson would you like to speak to us. I didn’t get to ask before. He works with Aquavis and he has just a few minutes.

Thank you friends. I feel much obliged to stand before thee and having opportunity to share with you. Terri tells you organization called Aquavis is organization formed to promote renewal in friends church through evangelism and ministry and so I serve on board and officer I find joy doing that work. My area of interest today is about project that has received some support from amongst you, many friends in north American which is Linda friends school is has population of 256 students. It caters to all children all religions but Muslims are dominant so we don’t discriminate wanting only Christians to come to school we accommodate even the Muslim families and we find joy that we are able to bring the children together as a family. The school is run by board of management considered by local friends church and with … from Yearly Meeting. So we have total 8 teachers who are actually volunteers. So for … to be able to put some structures which the school really needed most. So what we have done is to put up 8 classes for the school. Initially the children were gathering in small shelters made by … and carton boxes as classroom … I wish I had a picture of the current school. We have managed to put up the new school and a water tank. It was being raised with 2000 liter capacity so that gives me joy in my heart because clean water in this land is not a purity so what I’m saying is it’s harder to get clean water sometimes … so it is a challenge. That is within so to have a water tank is a blessing. Want to say thank you for friends school we managed to buy desk for children to sit on they used to squat down and write while sitting down. Or sit on wooden mat that would sit about 45 as I talk now we have 2 children sitting on a desk which is really a blessing. We also have been able to make what we call a book shelf. It might sound something not very necessary maybe to north American children but I can tell you to have shelf in a school where you keep books is a blessing so when children come from home they go to shelf pick book they want to read and go ahead. We have been able to buy books recommended by ministry of education so as I talk now the children are using the right syllabus that is recommended by the government for first time the examination they had taken we had first students scored 358 marks that is record. Highest is 500 to us that was a credit so. Observing one of secondary schools. The issue of … program just to see that there is some food in the school. Kenya government … feed a child in the nation they have been able to identify some schools to get this feeding program and Lindi was one. The community comes to Lindi because there is school there. At lunchtime they know they will have food and go home when they are fed. They have received something for future and for the stomach. During the post election violence it was so sad that all food in the store was stolen for that session. We were given permission by the feed a child in the nation that unless we put up better store then it becomes difficult to give us food because we must be responsible for the food. We have to make storage shelves in that room so that food is safer and we have been given rice, corn, beans and oil. I want to summarize very fastly that the challenge we face now is that teachers who are there now they are … what we do aquavis raised… 12 rooms for rental and what we get from the rent about $5 what we get sorry $3 we divide that and give the teachers a salary which is not more than $5 that is not often it is once in awhile. So there is … we are working on how to support the teachers. At end of day the teachers also need some food. Finally many of you … who have come to support some of the students as we talk right now there are 2 students who are now being taken care of by Joseph and Barbara and doing very well. … 8 out of 46 students in secondary school that is as credit. Thank you God bless you for every single even a dollar you give to us those children it isn’t for nothing. It counts. Be blessed. May God raise you up so that he gives you good health so that as you continue think about those children in the shanty area in the slum. You are … thank you all.

(applause)

Terri: I met Sampson about year and a half ago I didn’t really hear his story until yesterday. Joseph m Kenya known as … sorry got the wrong one. I don’t know the names well. He is head of friends church peace team. He will speak a little today and then more tomorrow.

Joseph: good morning friends.

It’s true but Terri asked me to talk briefly today I say it is a blessing. Let me start by asking members from Friends Theological College who are present here, 19 of them … about the peace program those present and members of my peace team I think good for you to be known here.

Keep standing please.

Keep standing please. There is a second lady I saw here and we were with her when forming peace team. Keep standing lady. I would like also to ask some of you who participated in the program way back … the general secretary can you stand please.

Judy I was looking for her. This is the team that has been doing the job in Kenya. And I think Brent and Sylvia might have some photos to show everyone before conference ends. Thank you very much.

Kenya has had several general elections since independence 1963. But the 2007 general election was special. Special in the sense that people equipped themselves to vote. One requirement is national identity card another item is the national voting card, with these two items people went to vote with a lot of expectations. Expectations to have youthful leadership. Expectations that youths will be employed. Expectation that there will be break away from dominance of leadership from one tribe. Expectation of sharing of national resources … a lot of expectations and this was to come through a new leadership through a changed presidency. The electoral commission of Kenya after election announced different results from the expectation of people. After that announcement people went wild. Houses were abandoned. People were axed to death. Even … were used to cut people to death. There was total … illegal roadblocks were mounted. Then entirely displaced people camps were created where there was no food. There was no propane, no nothing. Hopelessness. Then … came in. friends from US, … friends church peace team being formed and the one before you was asked to chair that team. As we were doing our work the community wanted even to stone us there was a time when they came to meeting … we didn’t know… but if we made a slight mistake of asking them to accept their neighbors back we would be stoned. Fortunately after some time these same hostile communities after hours talking to them, hours listening to them they accepted the very people they drove away. They accepted them back. Even taking them into their own houses because this tiny community we have a name for those who have been driven away the name returning community we gave the remaining community the name the receiving community this returning community went back to neighbors who received them back. The returning community didn’t have anything like a house, lost everything everything had been destroyed. Receiving community took them into their houses. Received enemy. You can see the type of joy we get the … the mandates that God gave expects me to talk about it tomorrow. But in brief the … the ones who wanted to kill John now were ready to receive that community. Through your generosity in the states and other places. That that happens. We also have a film about what happened. The houses, names, church, people inside as we are … we have that film and I wish you have time to see it at 3:30 today for those who are curious maybe that will help you understand the situation in Kenya. Maybe … thank you so much.

(applause)

Terri: Thank you Joseph. If you are here today and you have nothing that is another meeting you have to attend that would be a great one to go to. It is supposed to be I announced it earlier. I didn’t bring that up with me in music room at 3:30 pm.

Next couple I had known for quite some time in different situation Ben and Jody Richmond come from Friends Theological College I knew Ben back in the 80s when we worked Friends United Meeting together back then. He continues on and off forever he kept retiring and coming back. I left and then I came back long time later but I did come back. Been interesting we worked different situation he was more supervisor I was nonsupervisory and now roles more reversed. Ben and Jody will share about Friends Theological College.

Ben: God is good. All the time. That is his nature and therefore he deserves a high five. This is what you have to do you see we are learning this in worship at the Friends Theological College. So God is good all the time all the time God is good that is his nature and therefore he deserves a high five. God is good all the time that is his nature and he deserves a high five.

Even in the context of what he was talking about God is good. I want to say Mamai could you stand Ababu could you stand and is … these members of our board of governors at Friends Theological College and we are so happy to have strong board appointed by coming from the friends church in Kenya. Thank you so much for your service and we with Seth clerk of … and chair of Yearly Meeting could be here but he was unable to. I would also like to have Sampson I mean Simon sorry he is pastor in Lugari and a member of faculty at Friends Theological College he teaches everything and currently also student himself learning Greek so you see what kind of strength we have at bible college.

I wonder if there are others here who have come who are formerly associated with Friends Theological College I know some of you are. If you could stand if you have been a student graduated from the college.

(applause)

Any other who have worked at the college. I know the Davidsons are here. I will pick on you now. And Pat our volunteer teacher. Everywhere we have gone in USA or in Kenya the world is full of people who have had close association with Friends Theological College. Every time we go to conference a speaker at Yearly Meeting in Kenya so often the conference speaker is graduate of college. This has been such an important part of the life of the church there. We would like to share a little bit of the energy of the college by showing you about 3-4 minutes of a video we have and you can pick up one from us it is DVD for those from Kenya this is done on North American format so we can make you copies later in Kenya if you want them. Can you roll that just a moment.

Asante
Thank you

(PowerPoint presentation – singing)

*God has really used them.

There are some things for example … clapping and singing and because …

(singing)

We have 147 students.

Ben: It’s a teaser.

Jody: I’d like to talk a few minutes about some of my own personal experience being at Friends Theological College when we came Ben was as principal and teaches a course and I taught some courses after post election violence some of my other skills came into play I am by profession a mental health counselor. Before going to Kenya I did special work on trauma counseling so there I was and there was trauma. So when second semester was supposed to start in January we postponed one week thinking things would calm down they got worse we decided to open and proclaim God’s kingdom on earth against evil around us and start second semester on faith that God would provide and students would be able to return. When we finally we spent first day in prayer and telling stories and then started classes I was helping Ben he was teaching theology class. We did this for 2 reasons by beginning having students share if they closed their eyes and thought about their most vivid memory following elections what did they think of usually pretty disturbing memories we had them share these. First was because of part of healing process to help them express what they carry with them and not just pretend life is going on like nothing happened. That was one reason. Second was we were teaching Quaker theology and we asked them what theological questions did these experiences raise for you. Some questions were like where was God. How can people do this kind of evil to other people. What happens to those innocent who died. And was God asleep. So we raised these questions and we wrestled with them dealt with them. We asked does Quaker theology have answers to these questions and we found they do. It took seeking for each student. Myself I found I was asked to help with the friends church peace team helping volunteer counselors do volunteer counseling. I was gonna tell about one student but I think that gives a little taste for what I have been doing and what Friends Theological College has been doing responding to situation we find ourselves in in Kenya.

Ben: Some of the kinds of violence peace team worked with and we won’t tell the story but some of our students were witnesses to extreme violence and many staff members had family members chased away. Everyone in Kenya was deeply affected we thank you for your support in this. Now I want to ask again for Rich and Sandy Davis to stand. Some 10 years ago 11 years ago friends in Indiana Yearly Meeting made visit to Friends Theological College bible institute and did assessment. Looking at evidence of college at that point it was in serious decline they decided important to invest in future of friends church by bringing that institution back up. Rich and Sandy went to situation where there were buildings … leaky roof and only few students. Before we left we had 11 students. Now as you heard Angeline we expect 147 this fall. Thank you rich and Sandy for helping lay foundation for this renewed growth.

(applause)

Since then others have come and gone including Patrick…who have invested in academic life of college. Started moving toward bachelor of theology program first class completed first year now in that program. With that growth in that short amount of time there are a lot of problems so we have challenge… in my experience going there has been like holding on to a beast that is just running wild through the forest. But I know it’s going in a good direction. We won’t have time to tell you things but bullet items. We need to establish a set of administrative foundations for work in the college new employee handbooks budget matters, student constitution needs to be revamped. So we are doing little things like that which you would find too boring to have us put in newsletters but they take a lot of time and we are working on that. Of course we what seems like a miracle the Meetinghouse finally in February opened we were able to use it and just last week I had email from Joseph finance officer saying we have furniture in Meetinghouse now. Thank you NC Yearly Meeting.

(applause)

I know I don’t have any time but you know when you have 147 students you need dormitory space we kicked faculty out of offices to use for dorm space. We are building more. The roof is on the new building so we are moving forward. Come to our workshop there are things I would like to tell you. We have $30,000 challenge grant out to help meet infrastructure needs. Perhaps you can help us find that $30,000 so we can have students.

As we travel among Yearly Meetings that is most important thing we have to do go to students in their villages. Everywhere we go Yearly Meeting are so committed to training their pastors. Many have started their own bible schools and ask Friends Theological College to oversee the work of the bible school. That is so important but it’s something that has to be in the future as we grow. In meantime we know that we are servant of Yearly Meeting there. And we have students from all of the Yearly Meetings in Kenya we have students from Rwanda and this year we go from 3 students from Congo and Tanzania to about 8. The work continues to grow. Thank you very much.
(applause)

Terri: Thank you Ben and Judy they also have great stories. We were supposed to have Kaimosi task force and … next but I understand they will be waiting. We don’t eat until 12:15 so those watching the clock we still have a few minutes Eden is wonderful you’ll want to hear her to.

Eden Grace: I want to apologize to Vicki so many Kenyans appreciate this I will speak fast because that is all the time I have thank you Vicki for trying.

(applause)

As the field staff in African ministry office everything you heard this morning is under my umbrella but all being done by the people you heard from the 100s they represent. So much good work in Africa through Friends United Meeting. So many committed and energized and equipped friends doing ministry of friends. God is at work in Africa. God is using African friends. And my role is not to try to manage all of that. Who can mange outflowing energy of God. I can’t try. My work is to try to be consultant of sorts to energize and equip the work that is going on and the bubbling up of new work and the incredible creativity and energy of African friends. My work is to walk alongside to energize, equip support encourage coordinate and consult I’m matchmaker between north Americans and Kenyans. I help volunteer find work, donors find projects to support answer millions of questions because donors and partners care about what is going on. I’m conduit global partnership flows through. What sorry. And I also as Lisa pointed out have particular ministry around business management finances and governments. God help me when I was in seminary I didn’t know what he placed on me. He gave me ministry of church administration. I despaired and I felt called to missions. They are nurses, doctors. Etc. who needs missionary church administration. God had a place for me. I care passionately about the right use as Christians of our resources. Not just finances but all resources. Time energy attention world’s resources and of course our money and I work with all projects and all Yearly Meetings to be the most faithful witness we can be to the gift God gave us. I do all this. I wrote report Eden Grace field staff report to Friends United Meeting Triennial It was in general board packets. I think there are more downstairs I want you to know how many pots my fingers are in. it’s exciting. I’m your bridge so use that. Sylvia asked me to speak about post election violence and relief funds pouring in. we have never seen money come in like this. We hardly have even asked for it. It just came. I don’t think we put out single appeal. Just said this is what’s happening and this is what comes. I can’t say dollars $135,000 they say. I want to give you some short information on what we have done with that money. First thing we did in cooperation with fwcc is have peace conference in January it’s amazing to me now that we had conference when we did. We put together from initial idea to conference on ground was about 10 days we had about 70 Kenyan leaders among Kenyan friends. I think it was breakthrough moment for almost first time we had together in one place leaders of all Yearly Meetings and leaders of all of the kind of Quaker … that work in Africa that were disconnected from Yearly Meeting we saw this as moment to bring that energy together. Out of that, we didn’t know what would come but felt God calling us to respond to what was happening they appointed friends church peace team and gave our mandate. That spirit has persisted and been source of strength and impact of this work. The … were going to do something anyway but we have individual Quaker from Yearly Meeting village meeting etc who have never seen themselves as peace makers who are responding like they never expected. Ordinary people volunteer time and go to front line and meet with people who are extremely hostile. And testifying to power of God’s transformation and making a difference. Nobody could have written that in a strategic plan that’s a God thing. So from the end of conference we didn’t know actually that days we held conference would turn out to be days of most intense violence we experienced conference was Thursday through Sunday and on Saturday … burned and on Monday I was evacuated by US embassy no Tuesday Monday they attacked school children in Kisumu and my children had to be hidden away.

I was sitting in guest house in Nairobi was was powerless I wanted to be with you in the camps I was stuck in Nairobi. Humbling to realize God was maybe asking me not to be on the front line of that work. To not take anything away from the fact that it was Kenyans doing peace work. We fed people and after month in Nairobi we returned home and school and work continued. Months February and March focused on reaching IDP internally displaced people technical term for refuge who has not crossed international border. There are united nations convention if they cross border but internally displaced person does not have right to be fed and clothed. Many organization primarily Kenyan red cross attempted to meet needs but there were 3000 Kenyans in short period of time. No tents, no food stored. Many of these people were in informal settlements camping in churches, market centers. Red cross didn’t identify them. Some camps established by red cross. We tried to identify gaps for IDPs that no one was helping. We identified them through local meeting there are 35 families in church compound. We went several days a week going different places feeding, praying, counseling, listening to stories. That was humanitarian phase. In addition to that. Of relief funds send portion also given to each project partner when you hear from Sampson that all the food for 3 months of feeding program was stolen well we gave donation to help address that situation. And when in Turkana the Turkana people have no part in this political conflict and the issues between the various different ethnic groups they are not part of but Turkanas living in this valley were chased away because mood was so hostile that everyone was chased away. There was IDP camp and we gave funds for them to minister to IDP in … some portion of money was used by project partners and some by peace team. In April transition in work was needed and focusing more on long term issues of reconciliation. Closed phase one and started phase two involving identifying with 50 volunteer I think now trained in that the mediation reconciliation resettlement and accompaniment of people as we attempt to integrate them. What the government was trying to do under heavy pressure from international community was wrong course of action. They wanted to put everyone in trucks and drive across county and dump them or … this was multiethnic society for ages. They called it ethnic cleansing but backed off from that. They didn’t want implications that that is what was happening. Or forcing them to go back to where they were chased away from without program for reconciliation so this is where we felt if not addressed now the next general election 5 years from now will just see an escalating spiral of violence. Over decades if you don’t see true and deep peace and reconciliation you just sow seeds for next .. we are working in close cooperation with Africa … initiative they are running workshops alternatives to violence. And program developed called HROC healing and rebuilding our community Florence raise hand I hope you all get chance to talk to her only 5-6 people trained to level being able to train people in this methodology she is great resource to us in Kenya. To break cycle of violence and integrate communities back into harmonious society. Friends United Meeting has a strategic plan one priority on that plan is evangelism if someone said a year ago that Friends United Meeting should go to civil war situation the ethics would appall us but when you live prophetic and … there is no more powerful evangelistic message than that. We are not trying to make Quakers we don’t try we do the work but there are hundreds of people now thinking these are Christians who mean what they say and put their lives on the line for it. I want to know more. I will wrap up. Last thing I want to say and I know you have had lots of appeals for money and I just need to add one. Because all of the incredible and amazing work you hear this morning and all week it all happens through … the the Friends Theological College or Kenya relief fund or schools not one penny of that supports me and my children and the food that goes on our table. Not one penny if you want that work to continue if you think that work is important please make corresponding gift if Sambubu is passion make corresponding gift to my account. Because you want to get the information back about it please remember my ministry account.

(applause)

Terri: I hope after hearing all these people this morning and yesterday you understand why I like to call them my field staff and I hope you can say same thing. These are my field staff can you say that. These are my field staff. Can you say that one more time. These are my field staff.

*couldn’t hear you.

Terri: These are my field staff.

Alright. That’s great. As your field staff they need your continued support not only financially but also in prayers but financial donations are what keep them going. Prayers keep them going emotionally but financial donations keep them in the field doing the work you’ve been hearing about. I have just a few additional announcements someone gave me. There will be meeting 3pm Alice page white room near chapel all welcome and Saturday 3:45 same room.
New York Yearly Meeting friends Saturday… Africa … need volunteer and need ride to Harrisburg pa talk … field staff meeting earlier 1:45 pm in library but note on library door to tell you where.

Thank you Terri. Friends I hope yesterday afternoon and this morning you have been informed and received report from field staff with great appreciation I also hope that as you listen and learn ponder on all the work taking place that you sense a need to respond to our higher calling which is to energy and equip friends through the power of the holy spirit that Jesus be known in all places as our Lord and savior. Since we are in business setting I will ask you with great appreciation do you approve acceptance of these reports from field staff.

*approved.

Thought you might thank you so very much. Before I ask Ruth Kimsey to ask God to bless noon meal l have a couple of things. .I want to recognize Andrew Tomlinson if you would stand.

*Andrew had to leave he was here for most of program.

Let me tell you Andrew is our new Quaker … office director quickly adjusting to united nation office director and adjusting to his role as Quaker ambassador. Also an interest group meeting today 2 pm see me or some staff for location. Also I have a note from our healthcare station the blue unit parked to west of Meetinghouse I know some of you have visited there some more than once very appreciative of unit being here they sent note we have a few people with fevers in gathering and they suggest after greetings or handshaking that we do wash our hands so we can contain that.

Janice Spainhour I have your keys. Enjoy remainder of day workshop and fellowship and look forward to concert please stand.

Ruth please bless the meal.

Ruth: Oh loving God you overwhelm us with your power and love. You show us that what humanity needs to healing … these wonderful people who represent us in the field. We go now to nourish our bodies ask you to bless the food we will receive and bless the hands who prepared this. May we use this nourishment in your service that we may fully support people who represent us and that we may make a difference in Christ’s name amen.

Friday Morning - New Announcments and Events.

Little did I know that Landrum was 94 years old. He is still very active and still really passionate about peace and finding peace in all situations It's a long read for his session but worth it.

Here are this morning's announcements:


-Early morning worship will meet at Hampton Inn on the 4th floor in the Jefferson Room at 6:30am. # 401 and 402
-Before your departure, please return your name tags to the box on the registration desk. In the School Lobby.
We appreciate your consideration!
-Shuttle buses will leave at 7am, 11am, 3pm and after the evening service for those in need of transportation to or from motels.
-Interest groups needing space or time to meet, contact the FUM offices on the 1st floor.
-Evening offerings will benefit the FUM General Fund and all field staff ministry accounts
-There is the line inside and a line OUTSIDE. You can get to it by walking to the Nurses Station and entering the gate to the Tent area to find the Food Tables.
-Please join us outside for this lovely North Carolina day.
-These items are in the office if you are missing any. Scarf, Jewelry, Glasses
-Some items have been left in the bookstore. Jewelry, sandals, etc. Please see the office for these items.
-Lost and found items can be turned in or picked up from the High Point Friends Meeting Office (Room-213).
-Registration was moved to the Friends School lobby after lunch yesterday. Please check there for registration concerns and NCYM info.
-A Silent Auction for a number of items is in progress in the Bookstore on the first floor. All proceeds will benefit the Ministry Accounts of field staff. Visit the Bookstore to see items and place a bid. All bids must be in by Saturday 10 am.
-Worship Sharing Groups meet every morning after Bible Study. Sign up for a group at the FUM office. Meeting places are listed on the sign-up sheet.
-Nursery is in the Meeting Nursery.
-FRIDAY TOURS: Sign up at the registration desk (NCYM at School) Loading at 1:45. Tours to Quaker Lake, Guilford College/ Mendenhall Plantation, Quaker Museums/ Cemetaries, NC ZOO
-For departing attendees needing transportation from the hotels or High Point Friends Meeting to the airport or train station, there is a sign-up sheet on the registration desk at the NCYM Office in the School. Please be sure to complete all the information by TODAY.
-The FUM Triennial Blog web address is:triennials2008.blogspot.comIt is updated after every session.
-Friday Interest Groups:Intervisitation Program of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, 1:30-3 in the Music Room. FCNL—The pastoral and the Prophetic: Dealing with Congress on the Middle East, 1pm in the Chapel. Pawnee Indian Baptist Church—Kenyan Dancing, 3pm in the School Amphitheatre.
-BOOK SIGNING: SATURDAY 3pm
outside of the bookstore featureing these authors: Mary Glenn Hadley, David Goff, Howard Macy, John Punshon, Billy Britt and Ben Richmond.
-Ask any FUM staff member how you can get a complete set of FUM Staff prayer cards.
-Items for Saturday’s Daily Minute must be in by 5pm TODAY. They can be left in the NCYM office, FUM office or given to Sara Beth Terrell
-John Punshon book sales at special time:
Friday Evening following the Johnson lecture outside the meeting room. Books will be autographed Saturday at 3 pm.
-Western Yearly Meeting History: For information or to order see Peggy Hollingsworth, Kay Carter or Leanna Roberts during FUM. Cost is $25 plus $5 Shipping; make checks payable to Western Yearly Meeting.
-Pendle Hill: Opportunities for study and service available. See Display in room 3.
-USFWI 2010 Triennial Fundraiser: Visit display in bookstore for a variety of items including luggage tags, canvas bags and Jamaican Blue Coffee. Help raise funds for 2010 Triennial in Kenya!
-COPIES: Landrum Bollings Peace Lecture and Sylvia Graves Keynote address will be available on or after 20 July 2008 on the FUM website. www.fum.org
-BOOKSTORE: Friends United Press online shopping center can be accessed at www.fum.org/shop or at 1-800-537-8839

Evening Worship - Landrum Boiling - Peace Lecture

10 July 2008 - Thursday Evening 7pm


Live captioning services are provided by CSDHH – Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Greensboro, NC. Your captionist today is Vicki Pinson.

Friends! Could we settle in the spirit of worship.

(music playing)

Friends good evening. We appreciate the beautiful music. We enjoy their music every year at our general meeting. You’ll hear more from them later in the program. One short story…Dustin I have to tell this on you, rising junior at western Carolina. 3 years ago senior in high school. He came to my office looking for a project. Where he could give service. After we talked a little some areas I knew… we decided Turkana would be a good place. One glitch. Project wasn’t supposed to be fundraiser. Once we cleared that hurdle Dustin put the story together. Photos and so forth and began to set up meetings among friends meeting. He made his tour and collections began to come in. this young man raised over $14,000 I remember that so well. Thank you Dustin.

(applause)

This has been just a wonderful day. This evening we sit back and relax and enjoy the moment. This is time we are creating history. This day will go down as being a good day among friends. And tomorrow will be another one as we continue to create history among ourselves. Our God moves in such a wonderful way. His presence this day we have felt in our midst. All have come and gathered here. Let us continue to enjoy this evening as we worship and continue to fellowship. We look forward to the time and days ahead. This will be memorial program. We will begin with a word of prayer and… will lead us.

Father we come to you with praises … worship, welcome we pray Jesus will touch each one of us. I pray that God’s holy spirit will come to show us, … we I believe that Jesus … we pray that this day I pray that Jesus will let our hearts feel that the … fill our cups. Our hearts … because you are God. … in the name of Jesus Christ we pray amen.

Let us continue this time of worship by joining together and sing hymn number 630 what a friend we have in Jesus. Think about Kenyans who shared with us this morning. They didn’t say they were not prepared. They just came with joy overflowing shared their message and smiled while they sang. If we look and see frowns we don’t have joy of Jesus in our hearts. I want to see that joy shared with us about the friend we have in Jesus. Stand and sing 630.

(music playing)

What a friend we have in Jesus
What a … what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
Oh what … oh what
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
… trials and temptations … trouble he shall never… take it to the Lord in prayer. Find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrow share. Jesus … take it to the Lord in prayer.
… take it to the Lord in prayer.
…. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
… I will find a solace there.

I understand we may have visitors this evening do w e have delegation from NC conservative friends. Please stand.

Thank you friends and welcome to our evening worship service. I have a couple of announcements. Anne Shaperie has misplaced conference bag. Her name is not in it but her bible has husband’s name James … and also we would like to retrieve that before evening is gone. Look inside if you have bible with James S. name give that back Ann would appreciate it. Evening offerings will be evenly divided between missionary budgets field accounts and general fund. Last evening total $926 plus we had $150 souls present. Thank you friends.

At this time we would like to take offering. If ushers will please come forward.

Heavenly father you cover us with bounty of blessings. Lord when we open our eyes we look and see just how blessed we are. Now open our hearts that we may share our blessings with others that they might receive blessings also. Ask in the name of your son Jesus.

(music playing)

I think I can understands sign language hand motions and I think the God we worship is God of lost bags and it’s down here. Prayers are already answered. Let’s sing 705 it is well with my soul. Let’s stand.

(music playing)

When peace like a river attendeth my way when sorrows like sea billows roll whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say it is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well.
It is well.
With my soul.
With my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet though trials should come let this blest assurance control that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
It is well
It is well
With my soul
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin o the bliss of this glorious thought my sin not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more praise the Lord praise the Lord O my soul.
It is well
It is well
With my soul
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight the clouds be rolled back as a scroll the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend even so it is well with my soul.
It is well
It is well
With my soul
With my soul
It is well, It is well with my soul.


Friends following special music speaker will be introduced.

(music playing)

In these days of confused situations in these nights of restless remorse. When the lost soul of a nation … from the grave … comes a song bringing glory to the … cry has been heard and the ransom has been paid up in full. Be ye glad. Be ye glad. Every debt that you ever had has been paid in full by the grace of the Lord be ye glad. Be ye glad.
From your … you have heard it again and again, ah but this time the … are turning and outside there are faces of friends. Though your body lay weary from wasting and your eyes show the sorrow they have had oh … has opened the gates be ye glad. Oh be ye glad oh be ye glad. Every debt that you ever had has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord be ye glad be ye glad be ye glad.
So be like lines on the rim of the water … be a refuge amidst the slaughter of the fugitives in their flight. For you are timeless and part of a puzzle you are winsome and young as a … and there is no disease or struggle that can pull you from God be ye glad. Oh be ye glad. Oh be ye glad. Every debt that you ever had has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord. Be ye glad. Be ye glad. Be ye glad. Be ye glad. Be ye glad. Be ye glad. Be ye glad. Be ye glad. Be ye glad.

What a delight to have such wonderful congregational singing, special instrumental and vocal music. Truly a gift of God. As we share this wonderful music. Thank you.

About one year ago planning committee for Triennial session approached me about having betty Carter peace lecture. She died suddenly … seemed appropriate to use memorial contributions and some of our funds to establish peace lecture at our college. This is given each spring since 1986. As 1979 political science graduate of Earlham and reporter Betty Lynn wanted to make difference in community life in Richmond. As Quaker she was concerned about friends meeting needs across the world. Those who attended Friends United Meeting in 1981 and 1984 and I supposed there are several of you who attended. Remember betty Carter first thing she presented national and international news to gathered session. She was aware many of you were away from home and regular news sources. Being USA today of those days. That was gift from her to you. Even though lectureship was established at Earlham college president Doug Bennett approved extending support to Friends United Meeting session and providing Betty Carter peace lecture by Landrum Bolling this evening’s Betty Clark peace lecturer … then as president and chairman of board of Lilly Endowment and later president in 1982 he was research professor at institute for study of diplomacy. He has been awarded honorary degrees by more than 30 USA and foreign colleges. Because of years of nonofficial up close involvement in middle east affairs he is well acquainted with many leaders on all sides. From time to time served as informal messenger. Between leaders who had difficulty communicating directly with each other. He served as link for white house and state department under more than one administration. He maintained close relationship even now with many leaders. He recently returned from 2 week visit to that area. He keeps busy. He just returned from 2 weeks in Oregon and California. Following his 2 weeks in middle east. Landrum Bolling is currently director at large of Mercy Core international nonprofit volunteer organization to alleviate poverty suffering and oppression. Especially needy areas of world. He is senior advisor board member of conflict management group and senior fellow at center for international policy washing dc. Don’t know if it’s polite to tell person’s age but Landrum Bolling is well into 90s. I understand he is 93 but haven’t checked. Still working and traveling, speaking helping to unite people in peaceful relationships. Founded on respect and justice. Some couple of years ago CD was prepared about his peacemaking experiences in middle east. I believe that was sent to every friend’s meeting in Friends United Meeting. How many have seen that CD. Sylvia look at the hands. Many.

That means many of you have not.

Landrum Bolling tells me there are 10,000 copies circulating around the world and wanted me to tell you if you want copy of that CD to look at for yourself or meeting. Communicate with Landrum Bolling at email address which I will give you if you will write it down
lbolling@dc.mercycorps.org

if you didn’t get it written down see me later.

(reading screen) we are grateful to Vicki doing such wonderful work.

(applause)

Landrum Bolling is really widely recognized as most effective ambassador for peace. Landrum Bolling home remains in Richmond Indiana where he continues to be member clear creek meeting. He has office at Earlham college in addition to office in Washington dc. There will be copies of lecture on registration table for you to make use of. We are so pleased to present Landrum Bolling. As this evening’s Betty Carter peace lecturer.

(applause)

Landrum Bolling: Thank you Wayne for that very elegant introduction. When I hear something like that I think people will think what a schizophrenic guy that is can’t make up his mind what he will be when he grows up. I’m 94 though. Not 93.

You know the music part of program this evening was so moving so uplifting I didn’t want it to stop didn’t want to break spell with spoken word. I have never seen orchestra of saxophones. I loved it. I was running through the lyrics as they played. And for singing together. One song we sang. … the one last one. It is well with my soul. If you look at bottom of page you saw text there is a long story I won’t go into painful to me. When I saw it was there. I must tell you I began to tear up. Because a few weeks ago as I checked in to hotel in Jerusalem. I asked about the last remaining member of family. The widow of Horatio who was grandson of … I asked about her every time I go. I asked at the desk as I checked in. she doesn’t come to meals anymore up in apartment. She died in a few days. Very elegant obituary. One of the most remarkable families I ever knew. They were unusual. They are symbol of the best of farmers living in the holy land make friends of people on both sides and witness for peace. Forgive me if sentimental about this. He was wealthy Chicago lawyer in 1880s I think decided as many others devout Christians that end of world was at hand and he took family to Jerusalem to wait for the Lord. He sent ahead his wife and children. At sea the ship they were own went down. 3 members died 2 children lived. He wrote that song on ship as he went back to claim the remaining children and pick up his life again. He decided he will still go to Jerusalem. He gathered people around. He bought old palace and began to turn into … he also started clinic for children. Generous wonderful spiritually oriented family I was privileged to know the later generations in recent years. It touched me as we sang that hymn tonight.

Talking to group of Quakers like this is not only honor and joy but also hudspah. Without apologizing for this I chose to call this renewing Quaker testimony on peace. I think it’s important that each of us as individual reexamine who we are, what we really believe, where we are going in our lives, what we want to accomplish. Can’t just label gaze and be introspective. We need to answer these existential questions. Renew itself by answering some of these questions. In asking us to think together tonight I want us to think seriously about what this testimony of peace Quakers have talked about for year what it really means to us today. Means much as it first did. I’m sure George Fox and his followers had same insights that come to us in 21st century and yet I think it’s important to examine again and again what does it mean and do we really believe it try to live it out. Understand the consequences of such ideas. There are two or three warnings… confession that may not be agreeable. I’ve had discomfort about historic peace churches. Implied smugness how special we are we are peace churches. There are a lot of people in other denominations in peace churches. In recent years I’ve had close contacts with catholic churches. Father Tim and I became best friends when we were both fellow presidents kept in touch through the years. He’s past 90 but not quite as old as me. I’ve come to know great deal about Catholics. How liberal many are and how devoted to peace. In last 20 years he went around country again and again saying colleges and universities should get on issue of peace. Put in curriculum. He was evangelist for this idea. In San Diego a women from audience came up to him and asked about his idea. How much money would it take to get project started. He this was widow of man who invented McDonalds. And so he got up nerve and said with 8 million I could start she wrote him a check. Over the years she provided funds for him and later she developed similar program. I had opportunity to speak there only 2 weeks ago so I have out of my own experience I have seen how this idea commitment to peace is not just something peace churches have. So the term Quaker testimony of peace. I’m more comfortable with Christian testimony of peace. Or divine call to peace. Let me share a few stories about individual I know living … of commitment and hard work on behalf of divine call to peace.

One is a Jew now deceased. He was Israeli violinist member of Israeli symphony orchestra. He was also … in a county that requires all except for those who claim religious waivers men and women are required to do military service. He refused and went to jail. He had a hard time of it but persisted and one Quaker I don’t know if Tony is here tonight he got very well acquainted with him and wrote biography published on him. Here was a man who … fellow Quaker saw as a brother in faith. I also speak about one of dearest friend I have had in last 20 years Dutch Christian, Dutch conservative evangelical he went to become missionary and got sidetracked. Never served in Indonesia. Felt compelled to carry bibles behind iron curtain. Some may have heard him speak. Brother Andrew. He wrote book called God’s… something like 10 million copies of that book in circulation around book. This is brother Andrew. Let me tell you about him as peace witness person. 10 years ago or so defense minister of Israel decided to round up all Palestinian nationals … they shoved them across the border in no man’s land the Lebanese authorities met them Lebanese said no we won’t let them cross border. Israeli’s said they won’t take them back. They wouldn’t cooperate. Israeli’s left them on mountainside in winter. Red cross came in brought tents, food medicine. Brother Andrew heard about this. He went to see these radical Palestinians on the mountainside. All of them Muslims. He made friends with them got stories took pictures had them write messages. He took pictures and messages back to their families. He went to west bank Gaza and … you can imagine rejoicing from families and few months later they went back again. Camp better set up and they put feast on for brother Andrew. He was delighted with the experience. He said alright when you get out surely some day you will I will come to Gaza and put on feast for you. 11 months later Israeli’s let them go home. Brother Andrew stuck with promise he went to … he had 200 people he confessed to me when he saw the crowd he wasn’t sure what he would do but he had a feast. At end of celebration one said now … we want you to make a speech. He asked what to speak about. They said … whatever you want to speak about. He said I speak about Jesus. They said ok. He gave them a speech about Jesus and made it clear to them that he was doing in this gesture of forgiveness and peace was because he was trying to be follower of Jesus. When he finished speech one leader said could you give that speech in Islamic University and he did. Few students walked out but most stayed to hear the speech about Jesus in Islamic university. No other Christian on earth ever had that kind of opening. And he was able to rise to the occasion.

Brother Andrew is witness for peace. He is spokesman of divine call to peace. Just this past week I’ve been with old friend of mine Jerry CNN bureau chief for middle east. He was captured years ago in Beirut and shoved him in car and drove off. Kept him in isolation solitary confinement for 11 months. He said in beginning of his capture when he finally got to mountains he was able to talk to other captives. But after being in solitary confinement no chance to talk to anyone. And language barrier with guards. I said to myself I will go crazy. What can I do. I will talk to God. But you don’t believe in God. I’m atheist. Jerry’s grandfather was chief rabbi of Detroit. Father rebel again his father and became lawyer and atheist. And jerry was brought up in this home. In solitary confinement in Lebanon I began to ask myself could I really believe in God. I couldn’t talk to him if I don’t believe in him but I gotta talk to somebody. So he said for 24 hours I had nonstop argument if I could believe in God or not. In 24 hours God spoke to him in clear tones I began to ask him how universe came into being. Some mind some great spirit behind this couldn’t have just happened so finally at end of self examination I said there has to be a God I believe in God I’m gonna talk to him saved my sanity, saved my life. After some months talking to God every day but you don’t know anything about God. Never read bible nothing. I began to pester guards to bring me bible. They finally brought me a pocket size new testament with gospels and book of psalms and proverbs and I began to read and read it through again and again. He showed me the notes he wrote in margin.
First little note I was drawn into his life’s story by Gordon Cosby in Washington he had met Jerry’s wife who came to see him distraught about disappearance of her husband. Tried everything possible to find anything about what had happened to him. Came home. State department she constantly talked to … false tips came in scam operations. Finally she said she decided to go on crusade … Gordon Cosby … have you taken … Syrians I tell you what I will be in … Amaan Jordan if you will meet me there I will drive you to Damascus we will see what we can find out. Sure enough they met there and drove to Damascus and the American ambassador was helpful. And many others. I went to see some leaders of most extreme wings of PLO they said they couldn’t tell me anything but we began to attract attention. The message she wanted to get across my husband she was Christian. My husband is Jewish but is a man who does not harbor evil hate thoughts. I know him when he gets out he won’t be bent on revenge but promoting reconciliation. That is what happened here.

I was invited by state department to go with her and family to pick him up in Germany on way home she told me this story. As he talked I was touched by it. I said Jerry you have been on inward journey. In Washington the news cameras were there. He made statement I just made friend on trip back. He heard my story and told me something about myself. I have had inward journey and here in this strange setting he tells something of his experience. When he got back he talked about importance of reconciliation. Important to get dialogue with people who are enemies. He was a Jew recently atheist. This was too much for CNN. (laughter) it did not greatly please US state department either. And eventually CNN eased him out. What is he doing now he has joined Christian peace makers team in which there are Quaker and many others.

(applause)
He goes and stands on street corner just to watch to see what’s going on. If Israeli soldier is about to beat someone Jerry is there to observe. Over and over again soldiers ask for his passport. They look at passport. Lebanon, you are a Jew what are you doing here. He is witness for peace. He is witness for peace.

I just spoke to friend I’ve known since teens his father was general in Israeli army he was part of 6 day war. As logistics man who computerized military establishment. Organized carefully planes and tanks. Which came to be known as 6 day war which is embarrassing to Arabs. .because that was so carefully planned. Found Egyptian air force went to breakfast 7:30 every morning. They unleashed themselves at that time. Hit all Egyptian fields and air force mostly on ground. When war as over he decided not what he wanted to spend his life doing anymore. He came to America and got PhD became professor at Tel Aviv University he decided to go into politics. Not as part of a party but individual. Was elected to parliament. Arguing for peace and reconciliation. He went to speak to defense minister went to Rome to make contact with PLO. At a time when PLO could not be touched by anyone not even Americans. That is against the law they said. He said yes I know it’s against the law but I’m gonna do it. Yes. Well ok. Keep me informed. That opened the door. I was friend the Jewish … fascinating man widely knowledgeable about leaders of Israel and also leaders of PLO. He convened meeting in villa owned by his brother the island from which new Wimbledon champion comes from. … for second or third time leaders of PLO we sat for 2 days listening to general … and he talked about peace between Palestinians … they were waving arms I said these two guys could settle this, they are agreed on reasonable settlement… he was medical doctor he trained in Cleveland Clinic went back to be doctor for PLO and became fighter himself. Suddenly came to him he was saved as inspiration from God. We keep talking in PLO about military option. This is nonsense. This will get us nowhere. We have to sit down and talk with the other side. We have to find way to reconciliation. I have blood on my own hands but there is no hope in that direction. He became champion in side PLO for peace. I had pleasure of being involved with him on many occasions. Introduced him to many leaders. … he was a chain smoker. I asked him why as medical doctor he smoked like that. He said he knew. I will enjoy as long as I can they will kill me anyway. Within about one year it happened. Someone came up behind him and fired bullet into head. He was voice for peace. Muslim fighter doctor he was a voice for peace. Many voices for peace in the world. We need to claim them as our friends. I’m nervous about talking about Quaker peace testimony many are out there making testimonials. I come back to reformation not asking us to change testimony just look at major principles of testimony you know what they are.
Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Love neighbors as you love yourself. … pray for those who spitefully use you. Recompense no man evil for evil. As much as lies within you live peaceably with all men. If enemy hungers feed him if thirsts give drink blessed are peacemaker for they shall be called children of God. We know that. This is part of our childhood. In renewing peace testimony how do we define. These are basic principles. Let me shift gears a minute. There are consequences to ideas. Consequences to belief. Mistake to try to separate consequences from causes. I don’t believe you can really make a clear division between religious faith and practice and political action. There is a difference not in same world exactly. But there are political consequences of what we do or fail to do. This we must come to terms with. Today we face serious challenges in the world. Just I picked up New York times couple of days ago 3-4 stories caught my eye. Focus on this problem. We need to look at political consequences of our beliefs. Statement republicans Jim Baker and … saying that one crises America faces is crisis of presidential power. In recent years trend started before George bush came to office saying and acting on belief that president as chief has virtually unlimited power to decide what is to be done about peace. Mr. Bush under guidance of Cheney and others … has usurped power from field of foreign affairs Colin Powell had no chance to be secretary of state. They took that power from him. This team has pushed as hard as they can to expand powers of president to have unlimited decision making over issues of war and peace. Former secretaries of state saying this has to stop. In making witness for peace have we anything to say about this kind of thing. I think we should. Or think about what’s to be done about future of Iraq and Afghanistan. The end is nowhere near. What will we do about it. I don’t know. But this cannot go on. There are consequences of such beliefs in our government. There are consequences that something should be done towards peace. I could go on with other illustrations. Policies that have to be addressed we don’t have time tonight. We would probably have severe disagreements if we explored them fully. We are faced with responsibility unequal in history of western world. To find ways to deal with people different from us, religion, economics, beliefs etc. we have to face challenge that has been put before world American supremacy and military might. We have largest military establishment in world. We spend more on arms than all other countries put together. Now we talk about threat of Iran. All this military might bombs and everything else we think Iran is about to attack us. Politicians in Washington are pushing to start war with Iran. If not directly get Israel to do it. Big air force. They just put exercise on last week. Planes and tankers drove 900 mile course to show they could to 900 mile trip into Iran on demonstration. Where is this going. What will it lead to. To me as I look at political problems we face today #1 issue is preventing war against Iran. Enough of that. Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten into politics of this. I believe very strongly in kind of beliefs we have and Quaker peace testimony. I believe that is shared by many people of faith around the world. Urgent for people around the world to come to terms with this issue. As citizens try to use influence at grass roots in our community local news etc. somehow to get out the message of importance of working for peace. I’ve told you nothing you don’t already know. Where we are what hope is there. In recent trips to middle east I spent time in Gaza hard to get in there. Working with relief agency gave me way to go in. I went to gate and showed passport looked me up on computer stamped me and let me in. I was amazed at what I found. I used to think I spent 4 years in Jerusalem I used to take people into Gaza easy to go then. 25-30 years ago they called it hellhole of world. .since … took over and made life so miserable … not a chance in the world. But the people were having difficult time. Short of food not starving managing. World community is still able to get in basic food, medicine. What amazed me resilience of people. Extent to which these people in most terrible circumstances have not given up. And have not become hate filled. I went to see family in center of Gaza strip I have known for some time. One son was shot by Israeli don’t know if accident or not. Shot in back badly wounded he is now studying in Boston. I went to see his family. Father is principal of a school he left job and came to see me in his home. Unbelievable hospitality. He had a meal for us ready there. Chicken rice and other things, vegetables. I asked how things were he said fine. How is school fine. Head of only coeducational school K-12 in Gaza. I asked if he got hard time about this. Strict about separating sexes boys and girls in same school I asked do they let you. They give me full support they trust me. Believe I am doing good job. He talked about how important that … in reconciliation. Moral of all this is as I see it do not give up hope. The situation I don’t know how it will resolve. See no indication whatsoever that it will happen anytime soon. Peace initiative … I think well meaning I think president bush wanted something to happen too late. 7 years went by with nothing coming about peace issue. It won’t happen now. But important thing is not to give up hope. Some people say to me I am most naive person. People will keep killing there. I know so many find wonderful decent honorable Jews and Israelis who believe that peace is possible and are willing to live for it and die for it. And I know same of Palestinians who also believe peace is possible. They do not give up so I won’t give up either. And I pray that you will pray with me that we not give up. We keep reaffirming traditional Quaker testimony for peace. Link to it people of other faiths if you are able to do that. We have been given insight to reality into the truth of human relations. We belong to each other need each other. All children of God. There is bumper sticker I like says God bless everybody no exceptions.
Reconcile… make us love each other no exceptions.

(applause)

Thank you Landrum Bolling for challenging us with hope. Thank you for being here tonight. We rejoice in coming to close of beautiful God blessed day and we can rejoice together in that and message we heard.

Lord we are grateful for your presence for your gift of hope that you have birthed within us and encouraged tonight. Lord help us be peacemakers reconcilers bringers of the hope that lies in our Lord Jesus Christ in whose name we pray amen go in peace.

Evening Workshops - At the school.

High Point Friends School has great facilities for us to be able to use for our workshops. We met at 3:45 pm. A few were stretched out longer for more questions and thought provoking additions were just too long for the short time allowed. Several of us came to supper after the 5 pm start but we all enjoyed a good meal and are looking forward to tonights speaker.

Announcments for today:

-The Meeting House will be open daily from 6:30am to 10:00pm
-The School will be open daily from 7:45am to 10:00pm
-Internet services are available. Please refer to the registration booklet for more details.
-Volunteers are needed to help distribute hand outs, carry microphones to Friends who wish to share during worship and business. If you are interested, please see Loren Pierce Coleman.
- Join a volunteer choir that will sing during the Friday evening worship service. Practices will be on Thursday & Friday from 6:00 to 6:30pm in the Music Room.All are welcome!
- Friday 6:00pm in the main Worship Room (MH-200)Friendly Quaker SongfestBluegrass, Celtic and Traditional musical selections
- Restroom facilities in the School are better equipped to handle large numbers of people than those in the Meetinghouse. If you are able to walk to the School, please use those facilities whenever possible. Thank you!
- Early morning worship will meet at Hampton Inn on the 4th floor in the Jefferson Room at 6:30am. # 401 and 402
-Before your departure, please return your name tags to the box on the registration desk. In the School Lobby. We appreciate your consideration!
- For departing attendees needing transportation from the hotels or High Point Friends Meeting to the airport or train station, there is a sign-up sheet on the registration desk. Please be sure to complete all the information by Friday.
-The FUM Triennial Blog web address is:triennials2008.blogspot.comIt is updated after every session.
- Lost and found items can be turned in or picked up from the High Point Friends Meeting Office (Room-213).
-Registration was moved to the Friends School lobby after lunch today. Please check there for registration concerns and NCYM info.
- Just a reminder that the FUM Office, bookstore and displays are on the lower level (downstairs) of the Meeting house.
-In so far as possible, please enter the meeting room quietly and in an attitude of waiting, quiet worship.
- These items are in the office if you are missing any. Scarf, Bracelet, Glasses
-A Toyota Camry (GRAY) has been left running outside in the handicapped Zone.
-Someone has mistakenly picked up the wrong Triennials bag. Please make sure you have the correct BAG! Some personal items as well as a hotel key are in the missing bag. Thank you

-Shuttle buses will leave at 7am, 11am, 3pm and after the evening service for those in need of transportation to or from motels.
-Interest groups needing space or time to meet, contact the FUM offices on the 1st floor.
-Young Adult Friends will meet in the music room outside Ragan Hall after the Bolling Lecture tonight.
-Evening offerings will benefit the FUM General Fund and all field staff ministry accounts.
-Items for Friday’s Daily Minute must be in by 6pm Thursday. They can be left in the FUM Office or given to Sara Beth Terrell.
- A Silent Auction for a number of items is in progress in the Bookstore on the first floor. All proceeds will benefit the Ministry Accounts of field staff.
-Worship Sharing Groups meet every morning after Bible Study. Sign up for a group at the FUM office. Meeting places are listed on the sign-up sheet.
- Some items have been left in the bookstore. Jewlery, sandals, etc. Please see the office for these items.

FUM - Afternoon Business Session

Live captioning services are provided by CSDHH – Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Greensboro, NC. Your captionist today is Vicki Pinson.

(piano playing)

If you would please take a hymnal and turn to page 353. Sing victory in Jesus.

You don’t look excited yet. Stand up.

(piano playing)

I heard an old old story how a savior game from glory how he gave his life on Calvary to save a wretch like me I heard about his … of his precious blood’s atoning

Oh victory in Jesus my savior forever. He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew him and all my love is due him he plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about his healing of his … revealing how he … to and caused the blind to see. And dear Jesus … and spirit and somehow Jesus … to me the victory
Oh victory in Jesus my savior forever. He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew him. And all my love is due him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about a mansion he has built for me in glory and heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea. About the angels singing and the …old redemption story and some sweet day I’ll sing up there a song of victory.
Oh victory in Jesus.
My savior forever.
He sought me and he bought me
With his redeeming blood.
He loved me ere I knew him.
And all my love is due him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

Heavenly father we thank you for the blessings of this beautiful day we thank you for your presence. Thank you for good time, good fellowship we enjoy this beautiful day. Father we ask you continue to cover us with your blessings. Continue to unveil your way to us to show us the way that we might do all to glorify you. All God’s people say amen.

For the next hour we will turn attention to reports coming to you from individual missionaries. They talked earlier about … but this afternoon and in morning you will hear from people on the front line. We will have time to interact and ask questions. At end of this session … we will have a few announcements then we will continue to enjoy the day. Turn to global ministries. I will ask … if he will lead us and welcome our missionaries.

Terri.

Terri: Good afternoon. I am so glad to be here. One thing really exciting for me is that it seems like every single time I turn around someone stands there I know. That is so amazing to me. I was talking to some friends at work today downstairs in worship this morning. Every time I turn around and see someone I know feels like God is reminding me of blessings I have in my life. Thank you for so much for hugs and all your wonderful wonderful ability to make me feel so good here and so welcome. I have one woman doing this she is flipping me blessings. So grateful for that. First Angela she was worried if I told her when she would go she would get nervous. She is from Jamaica. Not field staff but works for education council there. She will help us learn more about Jamaica.

Angela: Thank you Terri. And good afternoon greetings from Jamaica. First I would like to say how wonderful it is to be here. Not long ago and in Jamaica we have a … I will speak a little about vacation bible school since I’m in NC I will put that first. I feel it was in 1990 that I met Mary Glenn and … in Jamaica. They did workshop and after that session a year later the director for Christian … Jamaica ministry asked if we wanted to do vacation bible school in Jamaica. I think this year is 17th year of vacation bible school in Jamaica and I would like to really thank NC Yearly Meeting for sponsoring this wonderful children’s ministry. We started in five churches in Jamaica that year. And I’m happy to say we now serve over 2500 children in 11 of our meetings and that is wonderful so it is … the children have their holidays around bible school time, they expect us there this week but because of this we will start bible school on 21st. Monday I will leave here and Mary and a team of 29 will arrive in Jamaica to do bible school in all the churches. We are very grateful to NC for this ministry. I will go to the children’s … friends educational council limited is educational arm of Jamaica Yearly Meeting of friends. Friends United Meeting is part of that ministry. And it is governed by a council of 9 persons. They meet and decide how we should administer … Last year October we lost 2 buildings. Main great house and the house … office superintendents office we lost building with library and all computers. A tailor shops and also the schoolroom where we housed the material that we had. At that time we were working on the … and we have finished that. We I remember when that happened. We did not have phone service and I asked Mary to get in touch with Terri to tell about disaster. She sent message out about disaster so friends would know about it. So grateful for that. We have been receiving support lots of support from friends. At this time we have 78 boys, children as residents in the boys school. We have this because of the dorms that were built. We built a dorm and had 37 boys before then and because of this dorm we were able to … some have left us and so we are going to accept … it’s a big ministry our superintendent has been doing a wonderful job … we have to pay for transportation to and from school. We receive support… at this time there are activities for the children at home now. Some have gone home to spend time with their guardians and also parents. What we do with them is when they are 16 or 17 years of age we try to send them home to build relationships with their family so when they reach 18 they can adjust to where they will live for the rest of their lives. We are now building the now putting on the roof of the damaged building this building was badly damaged by the fire. It housed the kitchen, the sick bay and the laundry area. God has blessed us we were able to raise funds to build a temporary laundry area. And also the kitchen. We are we have removed all the wooden structure on the roof and now preparing to put the concrete slab on that building. So we are trying to do that before hurricanes. We have another mission. Let me got to … because we were not satisfied friends education council was not satisfied with management of girls home health inspectors came and saw that the dining hall and library were in basement and we raised the floors in the basement they came and saw for themselves. We have 12 children there. The board decided to close temporarily until we can do a building on the ground level to house the dining hall and kitchen area. We had plans to build the library on top of the superintendent’s office. Not sure if we can do that now. Priority is to build dining room and also the kitchen so we have plans to get … and then we can move to fundraising. Small cottage on property close to main building we can house 12 children in that small cottage. We are trying to reopen that. Before December. So prayers and financial support will help us do that. It will cost a lot of money to refurbish that little cottage. I would like to remind friends that we also have another mission. High school it is in the eastern end of island most of you might know it. High school and we are looking for a principal ours has reached retirement age and we need fresh wind for the school we are now in process of interviewing persons. We also looking to replace a retired vice principal as well. Seaside meeting is just beside the school. Lot of you will know that hurricane Gilbert had demolished the roof of that meeting house and American friends really came to our aid. … from New York Yearly Meeting was good at raising support for us. We report building is covered with a nice roof now. We would like to touch a little on young friends we would like to just ask for your prayers. We are in process of training young people to take over from the older ones. So we would ask your prayers. Thank you very much for giving me honor of speaking on friends of Jamaica and greetings again from Jamaica Yearly Meeting.

(applause)

Terri: If we have one or two questions we have just another minute.

She did a great job.

*Has Lindall been closed down.

Angela: Temporarily.

*How many students are at high school.

Angela: I think over 1500. Not sure.

Terri: Thank you. Appreciate that.

Ok. Jamaica is pretty amazing place. She works and works. Good person to keep things together. Next person is Judy Davis. She has been volunteer for us been couple of times at Kaimosi hospital she is a nurse and she will tell us a little.

Judy:

One of the things my Kenyan friends love to do is teach me new words I say them all the time and don’t really know what I’m saying. I just tried those out. We Americans love to count things. Bless Sylvia’s heart did she count everything global ministry is doing. I wish I could say I helped deliver 200 babies and gave 1000 immunization. I was invited primarily because I was nurse but because of licensing difficulties I was exempted from everything except psychiatric work. I was able to work with a few people the nurses assigned me. I always know it will be interesting case. The thing helped me the most I came to Kenya with open heart and rebuilt Dell laptop computer. Soon as they knew I could do word and excel spreadsheets I did many administrative tasks. All interesting. I do minutes. Any of you do reporting clips. I did that. I worked with a ward to help with assignments they needed done. I can appreciate Friends United Meeting staff as soon as Triennial is over. They will be busy doing that. That is what happened to me at Kaimosi hospital board. They had a ton of work to do and I was able to help facilitate that. You know you’re doing something if you come back second year and find you’re still doing it. Lisa Stewart just found me and gave me baby bonnets. Thing we did first trip over was started baby packet for new moms. You know it’s marketing gimmick to give them packet with kanga, hat, booties, nappie, anything else we had on hand to put in and soon all women knew if you went to Kaimosi to have baby you would go home with all these things. Now people find me and give me booties, and hats, I mail about once a month to get them over there. My trunks will soon be so full of these things I won’t have room for clothes. They gave me 2 minutes. I appreciate the remarks you have a choice to go or send money. If you have will to go and some of you can’t go and you won’t go, lots of good reasons for that. But if you can come there is something about the passion you get and the people’s lives that you see and are involved in going to the IDP camps I just had never seen anything like that. It touches your heart and you come back to the states we can help our friends in Kenya and Jamaica. I’m so glad to hear everything we have done there. I guess if I start crying I’m through talking. Bye.

(applause)

Terri: Judy is one of three people speaking in workshop this afternoon. If you haven’t heard enough of her crying you can come back. Look her up if you have questions. The other 2 people in workshop under my name. I will do same thing as here. Sampson Ababu he will speak about … other Joseph … with peace team. If you haven’t signed up for workshop and you want to hear them. Another volunteer she has volunteer for us at Friends Theological College this year she spent time in Belize there she is. I thought she left the room.

This year she volunteered for us at Belize boy’s school.

First I want to say thank you to all who send cards, emails, letters. Nice to hear from people. You can sign any card if someone asks. We are just grateful to know someone took time and that they prayed for us. We know you pray at other times. I have 2 questions. How many retired. How many will retire next 3-5 years. Sylvia… what I have is for you. When I was getting ready to retire some years ago. I went to pastor don’t want to be … and can’t afford Florida. He said why don’t you go to Africa and teach. I sent email and I visited and end is I spent 6 years teaching in Kenya between September and December. Then opportunities changed. This year January through March this Indiana girl was in Belize. Tough but missionary life is hard. Tropical places in winter. Here are some things I did. Support field staff. I was there with Rich and Sandy. … Patrick and Mary Kate and in Belize with Michael Cain. As much as we appreciate cards and notes nice to have someone in flesh. Has same point of reference. Understands jokes. When everyone around you is different culture nice to … went to teach in both places. I was not trained as teacher. I spent 31 years in factory building auto parts. Then I went to Africa.

Another thing I did in Kenya was work in library there is always lots of detail work. In both places I visited homes. Student’s homes in both places. Learn a lot about the culture when you leave the school and go where the kids come from. Gives you different appreciation. As volunteer you make lifelong friends around the world. Those are things. Importance of ministry in Belize small school but changing some things little by little. Many of these boys don’t have much opportunity beyond the street. We learned a lot on career day. One of teachers arranged for people to come in talk to the boys. He lived close to school. He had to walk long way to school to avoid gangs. He asked the boys all raised hands they have to go around to avoid gangs.

It’s better to build boys than repair men. We don’t have prison ministry there we are there to build boys. When I first felt called I felt like I worked best with adults. And when pastor asked me to go to Africa. Lot of people say just don’t send me to Africa I said God use me but just not with junior high boys.

(applause)

Terri: Thanks Pat. She talked about experience in Belize. Next people is couple Mike and Kay Cain field staff in Belize they have been there very long time. They will tell you more about Belize and what it’s like there. Their business is about building boys. Mike is coming but Kay I want you to come you don’t have to speak but at least come up here people want to see you.

Kay: Good afternoon I will say that and thank you for support throughout the years.

Mike: good afternoon. Good to be here. I think. I got all excited about this. I wrote out my presentation at 3 am this morning all sorts of things began to flood into my mind. I will try to stick with what I prepared but I brought my cup because the song fill my cup is my favorite song. This is how I got where I’m at with the Lord. This is my reminder of the day. If you hear me say fill my cup that’s kind of what I’m trying to do. I will give brief history of Belize. On first Monday 9/1993 … opened door to friends school now friends boy school there was probably 25 young men entered that class. Then late October 1995 Kay and I went to Belize. We didn’t go with Friends United Meeting. Not with missions organization. We went because we felt God calling us to Belize. We sold house, sold furniture, sold everything and went to Belize. We went to Belize with desire and yearning in heart to do something for boys in Belize. That came out of working in 1988 when we finished the work where do you see friends going. She said friends need to be doing something for the boys. They ask why don’t we like them. The boys didn’t have anything then. In 1993 she started school. In 1995 Kay and I arrived in Belize at this time we didn’t know Sadie had started school in January 1997 Florence Perry came to help Sadie with curriculum for girls school but a teacher at boy’s school died during Christmas break. Florence was asked to teach a class in boy’s school while doing curriculum for girls’ school. When Florence was coming family of hers from Indiana came to us and said will you keep eye on Florence. She is 5’1” ball of fire. Belize is this little country that hey manyana. If Florence wants it done, she wants it done now. We tried to transition her to slower lifestyle. While she was there school set up first board of directors. Friends United Meeting said we want to have someone on board that can cosign checks so we have little better accounting of money. Well Kay and I were only foreigners there Quaker foreigners there. We had first meeting they are good train went through at high speed I finished as chairman or secretary and have been head of board since then. In 1998 we were encouraged to apply for field team. The second floor apartment is now second floor classroom. We sent email to Rita and said we would like to be considered for this position and much to our surprise she said you’re hired see me when you get back and sign contract. We had never met her. But I think it was the 3 pastors on work team also emailed Rita and said we need to do this. That Kay and I received our appointment. That is how we ended up with Friends United Meeting in Belize. In 1999 we applied for license to operate as a school and we received it 1999. A license from ministry of education post primary school was at this time we changed name to Belize friends boy’s school. In June 1999 we held first graduation. After taking over management during preparations for graduation one of the boys deserved chance to go to high school. He finished first in class and he was not filling out applications for high school. When I spoke to him and I asked why he was not he looked at floor and immediately I knew it was the money a few dollars. I invited his mother to school and asked her I said Francisco needs to go to high school. She dreamed he would work in office. I asked if we could give Francisco scholarship to high school. She took my hand squeezed my hand excuse me it still breaks me up she said I’ll trust my son to you. I walked his papers down to a high school he was accepted on my recommendation he graduated 4 years later. Salutorian. In same class 2 other classmates also went on to high school. There were others but these really stood out in my mind. The other 2 classmates the bright lights. They graduated 4 years later. Both of those were valedictorians. Both boys coming from primary school in Belize had been told you are not smart enough to go to high school, not good enough, you can’t do it. They graduated from high school. Francisco was first scholarship from boy’s school. Francisco has since completed 3 years at university of Belize. Learning English to teach English as second language. Other 2 boys one I knew went on to Wesley college junior college post secondary school in first graduating class and now studying environmental science at university of Belize.

In between all of these boys there have been over 200 boys gone through the school friends boy’s school.. large number of these gone on to high school and others gone on to university. All were told you can’t do it. Not smart enough. Not good enough. You can’t go. In that very first class there was a young man in that class who went to high school we know because he serves on board as alumni. In September this year he will be our head teacher. Finishing bachelor’s degree in primary education from university of west indies. … move to construction of friends high school. Necessary more than ever as more are better prepared for high school only to be told no space available. We are able to purchase 3.19 acres of land for hefty price $0.50 cents Euros that was accomplishment because land was on lease first. You have to do improvements first and then apply to purchase. I wrote the minister of lands a letter asking permission to purchase land because we talked of writing grant and needed title to land to write grant and 2 months later letter came back from minister of lands natural resources. I had forgotten about the letter. I opened it and standing in office reading letter and I think we can afford this. I reached in pocket and drove immediately to lands office to pay before they changed their mind. That is how we got that piece of property. I have a dream for high school for certain type of building for high school. If you look at display downstairs you will see picture with palm trees. That building is … classrooms, home ec, cafeteria, gym, costs about 1 million US dollars. Lot of money how much are the lives of these young people worth. We are talking about planning churches. And you do this to plant churches. If we build high school with 450 students we have 450 potential church planters for friends churches in Belize every year. In Belize we are retired to teach religious class. Every school is required to teach religious class. So why haven’t we. Why haven’t we. Have you heard about Belize heard the story. I don’t know. At present time costs about $25,000 US to operate prep school.

That’s not our salaries wish it was but our salary is only small portion. Kay and I would like to retire. I have found that at age of 65 it’s effort to deal with teenage boys. Harder to find patience. We would really like to retire and just enjoy tropical climate. We hope end of this year. We planned to retire last year so we extended one year and now we will stay on until I guess December of this year. Pat’s coming down and she better be there when I walk out so somebody has to get the keys. At present time we need to raise $30,000 between now and end of year. So when we walk out December 31 our account with Friends United Meeting should be clear. I don’t want deficit in my account with Friends United Meeting. But we just want to thank you. It’s been pleasure all these years to attend meetings. NC you ladies I get more birthday cards from NC ladies than any other group of ladies. You guys know how to send greeting cards. Nice come March to start going to mailbox and find birthday cards. We really appreciate those. She gets here at home because her birthday is in June. We pray who follows us you will support them. As you have supported us.

Fill my cup is my song when you sing the song fill my cup for me. And it goes fill my cup Lord I lift it up. It’s not this cup. It’s not this cup. It’s this cup.
It’s this cup. I lift this cup. And ask God to fill it. I did that years ago I was searching Kay and I were married I attended Quaker church but something wasn’t right. I started going to revival meetings. Sitting in living room one day winter on couch all alone in front of fireplace I just sat there saying Lord I leaned back and it was like a bright light very warm heat coming from ceiling all over my body.
That was the point I didn’t want to open my eyes. Didn’t want it to go away. After that I made 2 mission trips to Jamaica. Never been anywhere. That is what happened to me. That’s why it’s fill my cup. I ask you as Triennial Yearly Meeting have you asked God to fill your cup. Have you asked God to fill your cup.

(Singing) fill my cup Lord I lift it up Lord come refresh this thirsting of my soul. …. Lead me till I want no more. Fill my cup fill it up and make me whole.

Terri: I’ve always really liked …to share with us but I think would be a good way to end ….

Friends boy’s school is on coast and many cruise ships stop. Just 2 blocks away city is different.

Located in a slum area mike and Kay wish for more space. Sign says bridging gap between poverty and possibilities friends’ boys school.

Two teachers currently.

The boys say hello to you.

Thanks for the donated computers.

The dream for expanding the ministries. This block chapel and adjoining apartment located about 25 miles inland from Belize city in 1980.
Thanks to work team has garage 2 years ago. Work team 2 years ago block building was expanded to garage to help maintain property.

Some day a friends high school not enough high schools in Belize to hold students. School is wanted by community could Friends United Meeting build one here. Same 3 acres. Walk to edge of property.
Most villages have water and electricity we walk to edge to view another water source. In chapel some kids came by perhaps looking for church or school to attend what will it take. We have hopes of ASHA grant to help us but we need preexisting program for them to help. Mike thinks we can fill school for 400-500 students and don’t forget about the girls. This property 30 acres located about 20 miles from Belize city also belongs to Friends United Meeting. Sadie Vernon dreamed of using for retreat and gardens. Fertile soil with lush tropical plans. Not Mike’s vacation home. We call it Friends United Meeting guest house while we were there. Someone or creatures dwell on property but don’t k now who or how many.
There are Mayan ruins close by. Altun Ha are just a few minutes from there. Original temple was actually 3 levels higher than this. Some climbed to top some not at all. Careful Terri Friends United Meeting needs you in Richmond Indiana. What are called to do. Maintain school start worship center. Establish high school retreat training center or conclude efforts in Belize and use resources elsewhere.

Friends this concludes our time for this session. Let us pause for just a moment.

Heavenly father we thank you for Holy Spirit present with us. It is your spirit that guides us comforts us and nurtures us. Lord we are thankful for missionaries for being so faithful answering your call. Lord as we learn as we seek and understand more about you we ask that you would … that we might do all that we can do that we glorify that all might come to know you in very personal way. Thank you in name of Christ.

Friends we have 3 announcements. First question on my part does anyone know where registration sheet is this morning, sign in sheet.

Did it make it around to there.

Didn’t make it on this side. Did it make it to the back. So it’s about there. Let’s finish it up. If it missed you please sign it so we can register your presence in minutes of meeting. First announcement early worship 6:30 in morning at Hampton Inn will be in Jefferson room 400 and 401 Jefferson Room. Others may start worship service in your own space. Second announcement. Those who signed up to go on short outing trip with … you know who you are you need to meet with Dale, Seek Dale at 6:00 following evening meal. Message committee the other announcement first meeting will happen at this time on front steps outside meeting house. If you meet with enjoy remainder of the day. Workshops begin at 3:45 pm.

FUM - Morning Business Session

Live captioning services are provided by CSDHH – Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Greensboro, NC. Your captionist today is Vicki Pinson.

Friends United Meeting 2008 Triennial
Business Sessions

If you will take hymnal and sing to God be the glory.

(piano)

Page 56
To God be the glory.

To God be the glory great things he hath gone so loved he the world that he gave us his son.
To live … atonement for sin that all … that all may go in.

Praise the Lord let the earth hear his voice
Praise the Lord let the people rejoice come to the father through Jesus the son and give him the glory great things he hath done.
Oh perfect redemption the purchase of blood … to every believer … who truly believes that … praise the Lord let the earth hear his voice praise the Lord let the people rejoice. Oh come to the father through Jesus the son and give him the glory great things he hath done.
Great things he hath taught us great things he hath done and great our rejoicing through Jesus the son.
… and … when Jesus we see.
Praise the Lord praise the Lord let the earth hear his voice
Praise the Lord praise the Lord let the people rejoice.

Oh come to the father through Jesus the son and give him the glory great things he hath done.

Thank you be seated.

Friends good morning
What a beautiful day hope you all had a good night’s rest. Smile on your face.

What a beautiful campus. Beautiful day for us all to be together again. Welcome to 2008 Triennial first business session.
We want to welcome a lot of folks, greet a lot of folks. Begin with worship and then enter into business.
For opening minutes today. As we gather on beautiful campus of High Point friends meeting we come with hope proclaiming Jesus Christ as teacher and Lord. We faithfully seek … may we pray

Heavenly father we thank you for our bounty and blessing. Blessings that grow immeasurably. We thank you for your teaching and guidance. The comfort you bring. Thank you for brining us all together. Ask you for your blessings. May you always find us faithful. Walking humbly with our eyes upon you. We pray these things to you. And your son Jesus.

I’d like to introduce our officers. Gary Farlow from Wilmington Kay recording clerk and Sylvia Graves general secretary. Roll call we want to recognize you all by your Yearly Meeting. If you will stand. We may need a little help from our pages. There you are. If you will help us with the number of people.

Our reporting clerk will call the Yearly Meeting so please stand and remain standing until we get a count of all here. And we have some minutes from individual we will share with you and we want your individual names we will begin passing sign up sheet around. Please start on this side.

Baltimore Yearly Meeting.

22 wow thank you.

Bware Yearly Meeting.

One here.

Bware Yearly Meeting.

(applause)

Canadian Yearly Meeting.

Central Yearly Meeting.

We have 2 great thank you.

Chavakali Yearly Meeting.

Chwele Yearly Meeting.

Thank you.

Cuba Yearly Meeting.

East Africa Yearly Meeting.

Kaimosi.

Thank you friends.

East Africa Yearly Meeting north.

Elgon east Yearly Meeting.

Elgon religious society of friends.

Great plains Yearly Meeting

Indiana Yearly Meeting.

Iowa Yearly Meeting.

Jamaica Yearly Meeting.

Kakamega Yearly Meeting.

Lugari Yearly Meeting.

Malava Yearly Meeting.


Nairobi Yearly Meeting.

New England Yearly Meeting.

Thank you.

New York Yearly Meeting.

Thank you.

NC Yearly Meeting.
North Carolina Yearly Meeting.

South eastern Yearly Meeting.

Thank you.

Tuloi Yearly Meeting.

Uganda Yearly Meeting.

Vihiga Yearly Meeting.

Thank you.

Vokoli Yearly Meeting.

Thank you.

Western association Yearly Meeting.

Thank you.

Western Yearly Meeting.

Thank you.

Wilmington Yearly Meeting.

Thank you friends. As you can tell we have good representation from almost all of our 29 Yearly Meetings and …

This is great to have all of you in attendance. We have traveling minutes. Laura and Dale … please stand.

They are not here right now. Also Elizabeth .. thank you. Thank you for your minutes.

We also have one minute bringing greetings I’d like to share with you. Dear friends loving greetings to all.

Valerie Rosen attending your sessions. … through friends general conference Christian and interfaith committee. She serves on both religious and education. … possibility of printed word … she often sat at book tables at conference and retreats.

On behalf of committee signed by Michael Gibson friend Valerie are you here. Welcome thank you very much.

Oliver Robertson. Young friend would you stand. He is from Britain. Thank you for being here. Are there others. Self introductions starting this side. If you are not with Yearly Meeting we want to recognize and welcome you as well.

… thank you.

Justin Bernell also …
Thank you.
Arthur Myers

Thank you welcome.

Melissa …

Thank you.

… representing Quaker …

Bringing you greetings from London (Nancy)

… thank you Kate. Welcome.

Other friends.

If you will give us your names at the end of the session and show you were in attendance for opening session.

At this time we have a couple of folks bringing greetings from NC Yearly Meeting … Michael Fulp.

Michael: greetings friends. Good morning.
I’m a little loud sometimes but I want everyone to hear me too. So I came to the microphone. From 75 monthly meetings that make up NC Yearly Meeting. We welcome you and hope your stay will be blessing to you and building block for his great work.

To paraphrase definition of gathering of people group of people come together seeking guidance of holy spirit. NC Yearly Meeting has desire to assist you providing environment for this group to find such environment.

This group met at … if you were here we welcome you back. If first visit we hope not your last.

May things have changed in 21 years. We are NC Yearly Meeting have received many blessings. Last night Sylvia mentioned Jamaica. Many of our folks have greave love for work they do in Jamaica. Just taking quick moment I want to mention 4 other things we are very blessed with going on in Yearly Meeting at this time.

1) Camp Quaker Lake. We can’t build fast enough to accommodate campers. We had to turn some away this year.
2) Friends disaster helping people put lives back together. People who volunteer to go help rebuild houses.
3) Intern program giving individual time mentoring and platform where they can discern guidance of holy spirit growing leaders in our midst.
In last 10 years somewhere around 130 to 140 have gone through program. About 130 in full time ministry. We are so blessed from that.

4) Mowa-Choctaw. Through guidance of holy spirit this Yearly Meeting sought to make … permanent mission work.
… NC Yearly Meeting has received many blessings in 312 years. Friends United Meeting has been part of that. So again welcome and may God bless you as you fellowship and do his great work.

Thank you.

Thank you Mike. Bringing greetings Viola Britt.

Viola: There is no way to tell you what a blessing this committee has been. Never in my entire life have I worked on anything where there were so many people willing to help.
Kim school administrative assistant Friends United Meeting ex officio members. John Porter working constantly with me, Janice Dalton, Paul Routh, Darrin Allen, …. Program chairperson and Heather Varner. Medical team, consists of Janice Spainhour and Dr. Eldora Terrell. There is local unit here should anyone need assistance. Keith Jones security. Food Jo Hayworth women’s club catering. Sue Hughes also helped with meals. … communication Beverly Nelson. John Porter. They are responsible for court stenographers. Daily blog around the world Paul Routh. Sara Terrell …. Press releases… shuttle busses. Hospitality… musical instruments Carmen, … Beverly Nelson and A… signage High Point friends school and High Point friends meeting. One person most excited about all this had to be from High Point friends school….he mentioned I think I want to get these names out Sara Beth Terrell press releases. Flowers and table arrangements…. Jackie Swaggert, Hazel… Rita … Beverly Nelson from chamber of commerce.

And setup just listen to these. … and Quaker men. David G. Kathy and …. Then on top of that can you believe this volunteer Mark, Mary Ann, Lauren, I have never worked with so many like this. With full time job director piedmont authority and regional transportation. Never too busy to answer questions. Never too busy to attend to questions about Friends United Meeting. Also son Michael Jr. finishing graduate degree took time to attend. … helium tanks, brought sleeping bag in case needed. … Parsons, then host of people who will be assisting on tours and with other activities. Many many others like Frank for example just appeared with antibacterial soap. Local meetings furnishing meals for Triennial. Marlboro, Cedar Square, Archdale,…. Excitement of having Triennial in NC has been evident every step of the way. Thank you friends.

(applause)

As I listened to the long list of volunteers I am reminded of our mission as we energize and equip friends. Undertaking a program such as this brings people together. It’s energizing. To come together and work hard, you look forward to it. Thank you so much for your hard work. One question where is the sleeping bag.

*In the office.

At this time I want to recognize those serving on nominating committee. For those serving on nominating committee stand and be recognized. Know that you have a large responsibility placed on you. We thank you for using your gifts and talents in this endeavor. Our prayers are with you.
Thank you so much.

At this time recognize those serving on … new business committee. Please stand and be recognized.

I want to meet with new business committee at end of session just meet at the front of meeting house. Just for a moment.

Next order of business we need to appoint message committee. To write missal from these sessions. We want to do this by volunteer or appoint best friend if they are good at writing. We need a few people minimum 4-5 maybe 6 to help with this.

Do we have suggestions?

*I forget the name of …

Thank you.

*Would … be willing to.

Carol is our assisting recording clerk.

Excellent suggestion.


We need a few more names.

*

Thank you. Good.

Couple of others.

C G White.

Would you help with that. Thank you very much.

I suggest Mica Bales from great Plaines Yearly Meeting.

Need one or two more.

*Christopher … from New York. There. Oh yeah.

Christopher: I’m afraid I might not have the time.

*Could we have women on the committee.

We would love to add your name to the list. Would you agree to that.

*Ok.

That’s the way it works.

*Margaret Stolzfus from Iowa.

Margaret are you willing to help.

You are on nominating committee. I understand.

*I would suggest …

I don’t feel free to do that at this time. Thank you.

*I suggest Doug Shoemaker.

Doug agrees. Ok.

We have a committee of six to work on preparation of serve on new message committee to prepare outgoing missal. Do friends approve of those nominated. Thank you very much for willingness to do this. Will you get this meeting together.

I will convene but don’t feel clear to clerk.

At this time I want to recognize staff they need to depart and go back to work places. They want to share a few words about auction items. This is your time.

Thank you for interruptions. There is a little part of program we want to advertise well. Items we will show you today are part of silent auction. Each item will have individual bid sheet. You can bid and all proceeds will go to ministry … this piece was donated on behalf of Eden Grace beautiful handmade quilt. Sure all Kenyan. and in corners map of Kenya in each corner.

Even back is gorgeous. Take look at it, touch it feel it come to Friends United Meeting offices and place bid on it. Could be yours.

You can sign for silent bid number in Friends United Meeting office. These will be displayed in bookstore. There is minimum bid. We can tell you minimum bid when you come to office.

People can pay by credit card. Cash, …

Shillings.

Next item we have is the this is lovely olivewood hand carved nativity set she has brought.

How many pieces. …. 11 counting the crèche. Maybe 12. If you count baby Jesus. He’s separate. 12 piece set. Really solid. Front of crèche folds up so compact to pack away if you need to.

Next we have series of items brought to us by Cains. From Belize. They are all made of rainforest wood. Beautiful variety of woods. First piece Katy has is coaster set, how many 6. Various shades and colors. Different woods. There is a card in each one showing where it came from.

Next piece is beautiful vase you can see it is constructed of several kinds of wood. (Vann White display).

Next we have set of items for every executive desk or those not executive your desks should look like it. Pencil holder, leather caddy and paperclip box.

Then we have two items just alike so two lucky bidders can take home or one for both. Cutting boards. They are made of several different woods. Listed on front. Use for decoration and cut on other side. If you stop at the offices we will have bidding numbers for you. Everything will be number coded and have bidding sheets. Minimum bids will be listed on sheet. Highly encourage you to stop at bookstore and take a look and winners announced Saturday morning. Closes 10 am Saturday. 10 am in the morning.

Thank you Vanna appreciate that.

While they were going over items I was watching you. You were really paying attention. I thought I had lost control.

Thank you. These items will be downstairs.

One more items same vein Dale.

Dale: When troubles broke out in Kenya I noticed that a picture I received from Kenya had t-shirt of Kenyans doing relief effort. I began to think about possibilities and to make long story short these t-shirts on sale here by Quaker men $12 and $6 of each sale goes to peace efforts. These are available in the bookstore.

Thank you dale.

Friends we have 2 items of business on agenda this morning.
First will be report from general secretary. I think we will have time to move up on this session the report from general board. Sylvia will give report.

From her viewpoint. Those in attendance last night you heard a lot about Friends United Meeting. No opportunity to ask questions this will be your time. Sylvia please share.

Sylvia Graves: Oh here we go again. I want to before I go to report emphasize that the items for auction are really meant to support ministry accounts of field staff members.

If Friends United Meeting is field staff work we need to do better job supporting them financially. Our idea is to get your awareness of that need.
Doing silent auction with a little spark knowing some will pay a lot of money to support field staff but nice to get something back. We are looking for support of field staff. So bids will be high. Even if you don’t get bid you are welcome to donate to field staff accounts.

Offerings go also to field staff accounts right. We didn’t announce. It will be divided equally between field staff accounts and general funds. I know you wanted to know that. I don’t have a whole lot to add to last evening’s report. I want you to know I have prepared for every Yearly Meeting to distribute some do packets for Yearly Meeting some I don’t know what you do. Don’t know that it goes far. There is report sent to all Yearly Meeting office. Summary of Friends United Meeting work in past year. Meant for your people to read and understand what is going on with association. There is not much in here different from last night. I won’t repeat it. I want to
Emphasize that we had discussion in field staff meetings Monday and Tuesday about their great concern for expense it takes to do work they are doing. Not only to own ministry accounts but when we look at the exchange rate right now American dollar is not worth much in other countries. People at Kaimosi hospital as being paid in shillings and we send dollars they don’t go as far as they used to. Same at school commit to pay teachers but we send dollars and exchange for currency it doesn’t go as far as it used to go. Huge hardship in all areas financially. We have to pay attention to that. We have invited field staff and financial and executive committee to hear those concerns.

I’m open to questions from anyone. Thank you for wonderful feedback you have given to me from last evening’s presentation. Appreciate how helpful you’ve been to me.

David: How have you enjoyed or not enjoyed last 3 years you have been doing this.

Sylvia Graves: 2 years since 3/6/200… I have enjoyed it. I have felt that it is really productive and meaningful work, not easy work. No one ever said ministry was easy.

Will you please come to microphone so all will hear your questions.

*Wondering I was volunteer when young at Ramallah friends school if you have enough people stepping forward for work like that. And how we can help mobilize people.

Sylvia Graves: Before I answer that question I want to bring to your attention there are 2 young men at Ramallah friends school from NC. One from New Garden one not connected with Quaker but best friend of the guy from new Garden and graduated both of them from UNC Chapel Hill. They have made dynamic contribution to Ramallah friends school staff. They plan to go back as staff this year. They are looking for teachers of English. Joyce wants me to let you know that should have been on this green sheet. If you know teachers who might go. You may want to respond to this. As you saw last evening we have wonderful adults volunteering young adults volunteer often ask about doing school internship, about doing
Residency for so they can learn as much as they teach, and we always welcome to talk to them and see if we can come up with good match.
Tonya … is she on way to Kenya. End of August to spend a half a year from Earlham College School of Religion as part of practical skill building. There are opportunities. We don’t always have people to match opportunities at same time. If people step forward…

Eden Grace: Large mission organizations have highly structured opportunities for short term missions, volunteer placement, learning experiences, we are not large organization but we have a large heart. As John and I have set up capacity in Kaimosi we get more inquiries from people wanting to come from 2 weeks to 8 months. We strongly encourage you to do that. We have 2 types of programs where we can offer structured accredited learning experiences. One theological field education. Anyone in training for pastorship, ministry, we can run supervised field education program to meet academic requirements for US seminaries. Other is medical education. Medical students are often expected to do elective in 4rth year. Number of those people come to hospital for structured supervised experience for medical school.

In addition to that we have people come who contact us because they feel a call and sometimes vague sense I want to be there and see what’s happening. We are eager to accommodate all those requests. One reason I think 2 things come out of that kind of cross cultural volunteering. If it formation for north American community. These people in future may become missionaries or infect others with that passion. Other significant thing happens with volunteer is tremendous encouragement to staff on the ground, working overworked hours, excessive responsibilities at hospital and college. All staff feel so encouraged when someone comes even for a couple of weeks to work alongside them.
When you come so please I really appreciate her questions and hope you all consider if you can take 3 weeks 8 weeks any amount of time. Meet with us experience what we do and encourage staff.

Thank you.

Just come to the microphone.

Here is one close.

*It seems such obvious and simple question but I struggled with the great need and wide range of needs whether to give a bit to each whether to concentrate choose one and concentrate on that. How what is most helpful. Most useful way of assisting.

Sylvia Graves: Good question. Thank you for that. I don’t know if I know the answer.

As you saw the broad range of need last night spread across here how you choose which one to support or is it better to send a check as needed. Is that what you said. Send money to request as a needed. We have people do both. Lot of people say I don’t know strong needs now you decide. Many have passions for certain ministries. We want to affirm that too.

We have had this conversation this week in old days Friends United Meeting had one big fund and actually paid our field staff from general account. Am I right about that. We had one big donated fund including

Member Yearly Meetings paying more, higher more consistent than now. All field staff were paid from one giant budget. Few years ago when … a strain I guess difficult to do that. There was decision and you can tell me the year from now on up to field staff to raise financial support for their ministry. That is common among mission agencies. Not unusual. But in our small society in comparison that puts great strain on field staff and we are glad when they have friends outside Quakers who support them as well. Not easy I think you have to match what you are called to help with in best way you can. If you feel whole organization can be trusted to put where most needed we appreciate that too.

Anybody want to add to that.

*In the Jamaica Yearly Meeting we struggle with … we are still small as Christian denomination just over 300 members. Recently decided we would take bull by the horn. We would evangelize, often go out into communities of Jamaica and hold evangelical meetings.
At present this small Jamaica Yearly Meeting is undergoing period of … in which we have been phase of fasting and prayer and asking for Lord and Savior to help us because we think that the Quaker Christian message is not well known but not far different from general Christian message and we do think that people of Jamaica will gravitate towards Quaker if they hear this message. I … the church just over year ago…before that only thing I heard about Quaker church was over 40 years ago in school. For 40 years I heard nothing until I decided wanted to be part of church family and went to church. Read on internet. It is my belief that this message needs to be known in the whole world. There are it appears something like 300,000 Quaker in whole world. My belief is that if we carry out one of those 4 priorities of Friends United Meeting, evangelism that millions of people not only 300,k000 but millions will gravitate towards Quaker Christianity. Saying to myself not to leadership. Just all of us if we come forward and carry this message millions of people will come to meeting.

Thank you.

*Mary Lloyd Baltimore one phrase you used last night I want to thank you … one phrase you used was global partnership. That’s easier to say than to figure out how to do well. I wonder if you would share with us some things you have learned about how we can build a good relationship with each other a true global partnership.

Sylvia Graves: thank you Mary. Mary was one in Kenya in January and we able there to be to respond and help in the gathering of the leaders to help make the peace plan. I know how much we respect that you were there to contribute to that.
I know that there was a time maybe 100 years ago when we Christians believed it was our duty to go bring light to darkness in dark Africa and other places. We believed there were people who had never heard good news of Jesus. That has changed. We probably need to go to deep parts of Africa to have them teach us. We are learning how to do that I hope.
We have tried to change we who know best go teach those who know least. Back into a more equitable role in planning together what needs to be done to reach all.
That has been difficult to Americans who are abundant with wealth who feel like our role is still to share material resources with those who don’t and what we need to do is learn how to share those so that they are not patronizing, not charity, but that and again I think I’ve heard a lot of people say how much joy they get the Kenyans themselves…. We are pleased to say we see you doing God’s work too, not us, it’s you. But you have limited resources… even though we try to get even keel about decisions it’s old struggle about we know better than … anyone else want to contribute to that.

*I want to share point with you I really appreciate your efforts. One thing you said has I thought may have been most significant thing of whole message for them to ask what is best way to do this. Now I see a promise and a problem both in there. The promise is that if somebody is asking questions they invite us to change. We need that. I make my living asking questions very important. May be long time before clarity comes but I want to encourage you to keep pushing us to question. Ok. The second part of that is problem.
Twice in Acts where Paul went somewhere … all sat around discussing something new. Let’s not question to the point that inertia sets in and we just ask new questions and never do anything. Danger on that end but I’m really excited when you raise questions we have needed to look at for a long time. Keep asking those questions.

*I really appreciate all the wonderful work being done with global ministry. I wonder if you … work with the needy here in the USA. If all the crying broken hearted needs come from immigrants living among us, gang violence, etc. whether there is call for us to do ministry closer to home.

Sylvia Graves: I believe that we used to do that better than we do now when we were staff of 25-30 and had north American ministry position who could go to local meeting goal setting, revitalize meeting. That kind of thing. My response is to say what needs are local probably need to be taken care of locally. Your own meetings are heavily involved in local food pantries, habitat for humanity, etc. all those here also participate in those local ministries. I think Friends United Meeting has not historically been strong enough to deal with local needs other than try to nourish local congregations to deal with local needs. Not that it doesn’t need to be done but we look to Yearly Meeting … sometimes that is competition for Friends United Meeting ministry but you all do wonderful work in local community. Until we have broader depth of support we will probably not add that to our tasks.

I want to say a little more about how Friends United Meeting may be increasingly looking to cooperative efforts with other agencies.
Lugulu hospital is experiencing much success but they have cooperated with other agencies, catholic medical mission, etc. we are collaborating with other resources as partners with them. That is part of global partnership definition.

I know there are other Quakers in Kenya on same team.

*Regularly I get questioned from people here in USA should I come to Africa myself paying $2000 to come or should I give the $2000 for support. I say spend the $2000 to come. Your church should support you in this. I went in 1999 to … I was only second Quaker the other person who had come was Kelly Kellum’s father David. That’s not good. People in Africa in eastern central Africa appreciate us visiting. It’s very difficult now for them to visit here.
Even if they have money or we supply it getting visas for anyone not elderly very difficult that means we have to go there. Even outlining the things we can do all kinds of things people can do if you go there and visit, go to church, visit youth, that is tremendous encouragement to people there. They want to feel that connection to the world. That people in USA Britain and other places are with them in whatever happens and particularly in Kenya these last six months that’s the time we should visit. True friend comes at a time of need. I hope people will not you can’t go yourself then perhaps other people in various meetings and churches can visit Africa.

Thank you.

(applause)

Sylvia Graves: I will let John Muhanji down too he has been invited often to come to … there are invitations for Friends United Meeting to move into those areas. Think about that.

Friends perhaps we should do more than think about that. What if we were to promote gospel in those regions. They are extending invitations. Hesitancy is … we are not adequately supporting missions in Kenya. What is call of Friends United Meeting. Before you I set an open door he who has ears let him hear. How are we to respond. How are we responding to current problems. We could do so much. I’ve mentioned this several times.
If we had 40 meetings roughly half in NC. Just my Yearly Meeting gave $25 a month maybe meeting or individual we could pay half needs of … or and about 15 people in each mission … operating medical expenses, teaching school. …budget is $2000 a month. Sad to send $163. Not to end on a sad note but just to let you know there are opportunities. Can friends step up and take on commitments. Isn’t that our future, our call., the great commission, go and promote gospel teaching all the things we have been taught.

Anyone else with question or comment at this time. If not we will move to next agenda.

*I will just speak up. I have a very strong voice. I want to add … that is we have to support the general fund. We have to support the staff here in the states because we can send money but sometimes it doesn’t get there because of political activity between here and there.
The staff is so vital to help keep things flowing so yes we have missions and we need to send funds time and prayer to Africa Jamaica Cuba and everywhere. But we also have staff to help keep us running
And helps operate over there. So things get to them. We want to include them in our …

Thank you.

Yes.

*can you hear me now?

Among staff I want us to remember and hold in the light the children of our staff members.
Eden’s 2 beautiful boys Isaiah and Jesse and Joyce’s children. They are part of parent’s ministry not by choice.
And they are having amazing experiences cross cultural experiences also sacrifice life in small town of America. Growing up as children who really not member of one community or another.
They suffer effects of living in war zone.
And they bear this so gracefully because they too are committed to doing God’s work and believe in their parent’s ministry I want us to hold them in light, maybe send cards of encouragement to them.

Thank you.

Thank you Lisa.

Sylvia thank you for your report. Thank you friends for our discussion. I think what we need to do is clear and I hope you will take this message into your own heart and take home and share. So please go back and tell the story, share the good news of the work Friends United Meeting has undertaken and that we need to support. You will hear more about this. At this time move to agenda item report from general board.

Those who wonder about decorations on the ceilings if you weren’t here last night you missed it. There is a little evidence in meeting house. Walls will never be the same.

*The following is report to you Triennial session Friends United Meeting on actions and activities of general board 2005-2008.

There have been several personnel changes in central office and several changes in responsibility over last Triennial. One in general board or executive board involved Sylvia Graves has succeeded Reba as general secretary. Barbara Smith and Kim took over financial duties. I might add Paul Smith retired 6/30/2008 after providing 7 years service to Friends United Meeting.

Terri Johns took over mission management oversight formerly executed ….

Took over Friends United Light and Press duties.

Kim and Sylvia Graves have taken over fundraising duties of Kathy Sawyer.

As you may remember from last Triennial Friends United Meeting finances were little… in fact significant losses were anticipated in first year of Triennial due to decline in large gifts to Friends United Meeting.
The general board authorized reduction in staff time to allow for solvency that year.
Paul Smith and Norman … prepared financial planning documents which Paul implemented. Result is that Friends United Meeting central offices are now operating on cash flow without incurring debt. Let me repeat that.
Result is Friends United Meeting central offices now operate on cash flow without incurring debt.

General board has committed significant portions of trust funds as surety against management … for Kaimosi hospital. Details will be reported in global ministry report and also report for Kaimosi hospital task force tomorrow.
As part of financial adjustment general board decided to convert
The bookstore to a purely online and phone order operation. Items for sale now are friends united press and other Quaker publications. Attractive catalog and online catalog now available. Get out pens please.

On line bookstore
www.fum.org.
click on label Friends United Meeting and there works like Amazon.
In fact works a little better because faster.

For those of you who prefer phone order.
1-800-537-8839
So bookstore items are still available. Please make sure that you take advantage of those.
Bookstore space converted to a welcome center providing hospitality housing central office library and forming meeting place for staff as well as place where Friends United Meeting can host small meeting. It has been used by Quaker conference center and available to community which provides small additional revenue to Friends United Meeting.

Your clerk arranged for a consultant to lead general board through a strategic planning process. This process resulted in a planning document with goals and time tables for actions needed to be executed by general board or a committee. Provides budget planning, evaluation, and orderly consideration of Friends United Meeting Quaker identity. Includes watchdog agency. It is anticipated that this plan which projects 5 years into future will be updated annually. I will insert short personal comment. I have been part of 3 strategic planning processes in my life. This is only one I have seen that actually had items in it where you could tell if you met plan and time tables by which you were actually going to do that. As a result this is only strategic planning document I have been involved with that has actually been used.

General board wrestled with issue that has divided us and is currently dividing us about which Sylvia Graves spoke to eloquently in plenary last night.
In dealing with this the general board has through its staff and officers corresponded with various Yearly Meetings. General board has included on and sometimes has intense discussions and in those parts which concerned Friends United Meeting identity. General board also dealt with this issue in part of weekend retreat we discussed what it means to be Quaker in 21st century. Pardon me if I use antique language. It has not pleased God to open way before us which all can perceive to be right and proper. But has pleased God to teach us to talk to each other civility and remind us we are brothers and sisters inn Christ. General board authorized formation of support advocacy groups for each Friends United Meeting sponsored programs. At least one member of group must be member of general board. These groups are to become knowledgeable about program to be resource to general board and act as advocate of program to general board. Hope they will be support committee for staff engaged in the program. As time goes on perhaps they will also assist in fundraising.
Volunteer should contact Sylvia Graves at rise of this meeting.

General adopted instrument for regular evaluation of each program under its sponsorship as well as instrument for evaluating each new proposed project.
This is one of the examples of what happens when you plan well and actually use the plan you make.
General board is very appreciative to US AID office for approval of several ASHA grants Sylvia Graves mentioned last night.
Strategic plan approved shows schedule to apply for additional grants in future which may include projects in any mission field. To insure success of these large projects general board established guidelines for making grant application and provide management oversight. And to match support staffing with project requirements to be sure of time implementation and success in each project.
General board elected not to be a sponsor of evangelical effort by Johann and … in Russia. Due to support staff and strength. They gave blessing to project and encouraged financial support by individual in Yearly Meeting.
General board agreed to assume management responsibility for Kaimosi hospital and enter understanding with east Africa Yearly Meeting for this purpose. General board appointed task force to review operations and board to oversee management of hospital and committed $50,000 for operation for first year. Also term of memo of understanding. This is in addition to commitment made to raise funds for roof. The status of this commitment is currently in flux we are trying to renegotiate and details of that negotiation will be reported in later reports.

These are in summary principle actions of general board.
I would if I may like to make final personal observation.
I have been part now of 4 constitutions of general board. This one has been most free of political machinations of any of 4 previous ones. Composed largely of individual chosen by you to have skills and gifts for it’s operation. Who make points clearly but with open heart and genuine desire to seek will of God. I hope you have selected or will select persons of similar character to be part of next general board.

Friends have any questions or comments. Thank you for on behalf of members on the board thank you for kind words.

*Comment, Earl Smith western Yearly Meeting I have been privileges to represent Triennial since 1990 and this is first time I have heard report that board has been able to transact business on cash basis rather than report that we are borrowing money.
As we have heard this morning and last night there are numerous opportunities for ministry.
It seems that too often we have let the thoughts of what we would like to do outpace our proper discernment. I know it has been very difficult task but I definitely want to congratulate board on that.

Thank you.
It’s always a fine line. Tough call to seek and receive funding for same projects year after year when people like to give support to new things, new projects. So to balance projects with support which comes first. Do you get existing projects up and running 100% before beginning new projects? Answer is somewhere in between. Hope you realize where Friends United Meeting is right now.
We are behind.
We have opportunities.
Let’s just leave it with that. You will answer that question. You do it all the time. Thank you we are trying to keep close balance on where we are.

*Sidney from Canadian Yearly Meeting I would like to have this gathering express particular thinks to staff when I first came on board
Our very first meeting was very sobering. We looked at financial picture that was extremely bleak. And the board made the decision to place our staff on … time for 3 months staff was on 4/5th of salary because of their generosity we that is part of reason we were able to recover financially. Staff in past has been largely not Quaker we have more staff now who are Quaker but I think we owe them a huge thanks for their generosity.

(applause)

*we are going to operate on cash flow but coming from farm operation who has been trying to do that for years now. It certainly advantage with no interest but you have to keep the cash flowing. That is the secret. We can’t do these things that we so want to do if we aren’t willing to contribute and give our resources.

Thank you Anna Leigh. I love the reference to the farm those who grew up in farm life you go to bank and borrow money you …

Also all of us we grow up in culture when we are encouraged to be in debt. You get tax credits if you are in debt. Write off mortgage and contributions don’t forget. Any other questions about general board.

Anyone here who will lead us in another song. We love to do things impromptu. A volunteer we will close session.

*Could … sandy can we handle that. Joseph Sandy and all the ladies. Beatrice. Will all our king friends. Meanwhile Joseph organize the group and sing what a friend we have.

*Jamaica friends I just want to say thank you to Friends United Meeting it’s a vessel in which we can voice our opinion I’d like to thank especially … that sweet person … I learned he did not have any telephone and I asked … to call Harry Jones and … he immediately sent over … and because of her gift we received … I just want to thank the hardworking staff. Thank you for the children …

Angie thank you and the wonderful work you do in Jamaica.

3 announcements. Then our Kenyan friends will come and sing. And reconvene at 1:45 for next business session.

First announcement meeting to discuss … friends 1:45 during free time led by scot Wagner and Tony Love. See one of them for location. All Africans please eat quickly and come to small chapel east wing 1 pm today.

Belize task force will meet at …. In music room. And Jamaica support team.

Kelly Kellum: Just wanted people to know weather is perfect we will have 2 service lines for lunch. First is like last night. Line up down hallway and second service line outside that will enable you to enjoy fine … go out side door gate and side door and enter that way. Other thing during breaks we encourage those able bodies who need bathroom facilities to use school facilities. Leave those closer for those less mobile.

*I was surprised I need to convene committee so we will convene at rise of this. Please meet here by piano.

Thank you.

Where is Jamaica support group meeting.

With Sylvia.
Just look for Sylvia.

Ok.

Bring food to library if you are on Jamaica support team. Allow them to go early in line if you would please. We will find a table. Not good to eat in library.

Kenyan Friends. Please come.

(singing)

(applause)

(singing)

(applause)

Friends.

May I have attention just a moment. If you will give invocation for lunch.

Dear God we are grateful the day for blessings of fellowship thank you for your spirit that helps us in our decision. Ask your continuous blessings. Thank you for the food. l bless our bodies with it. In your most holy name we pray amen.

Second day! Going well.

We have had a second day and are now working on our second business session for the day. I will post the first session up shortly. And I hope everyone is enjoying their time at FUM Triennials 2008 in High Point, NC

:-)

Please Forgive the Long posts

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know I will try to post after every session the Closed Captioning which includes every detail of what went on in a Business Meeting or Evening Speaking arrangment. Please be understanding sometimes that can get long. I hope it won't be too much of a problem.

Enjoy.

Evening Session - Sylvia Graves, John Porter, Brent McKinney and a High Point Friends Welcome.

First Evening Session - Closed Captioning Notes.

-----------Start-------------

Live captioning services are provided by CSDHH – Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Greensboro, NC. Your captionist today is Vicki Pinson.

(Brent McKinney)
Friends good evening welcome to 2008 triennial sessions. This is a day we have long awaited. Good to see meeting house filled. All of you have traveled some from far away but all gathered today here as friends. It’s been 3 years. Lot of effort into preparations for this meeting. This is a great day and a beautiful crowd. My pleasure to welcome you to this session. Welcome to city of High Point and High Point friends meeting. Hope your travels have gone well. Some had some glitches along the way. I know how much to travel by taxi from JFK to Newark airport. … Greensboro airport to High Point friends. Other than a few glitches like that hope all have traveled well and come to expect and enjoy a good time. In next few days we will gather for worship in the morning. Few business sessions, speakers, tours, meals. And fellowship so enjoy this gathering. If we could have our hope fulfilled then as we depart and go separate ways we would tell those we encounter about the strength of friends as we look to future. Future needs to hear message that friends have, simplicity, peace, integrity, living in community and emphasis on equality for all.

Mary if you will lead us in song.

Mary: Thank you. Good evening friends. There are some hymnals scattered among the room. Not many so words will be presented up here for you to read. Will you please stand and sing with us how great thou art. Page 147.

How great thou art.

(music)

O lord my god when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made
I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul my savior god to thee. How great thou art. How great thou art. Then sings my soul my savior god to thee. How great thou art. How great thou art.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. Then sings my soul my savior god to thee. How great thou art. How great thou art. Then sings my soul my savior god to thee. How great thou art how great thou art.
And when I think that god, his son, not sparing sent him to die I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing he bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul my savior god to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art
Then sings my soul my savior god to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home what joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim my god how great thou art.
Then sings my soul my savior god to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art
Then sings my soul my savior god to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art.


Mary: Be seated.

Thank you Mary. In case you are wondering who is on the … our staff. Ramallah in Africa and other places… so we are so glad to have just about 100% of our field staff here. A few folks minding farm in… give them a round of applause.

(applause)

Brent:
Like you we appreciate their good work so much. At this time I want to ask a few folks to bring words of greeting.

We’ll have head of High Point friends school David as well as pastor of High Point friends meeting Kelly Kellum.

Kelly Kellum: Welcome to campus. We are delighted you are here. I’m speaking on behalf of clerk and members of meeting. We are delighted to open doors to friends here in High Point. We want to provide good place where good work can be accomplished in God’s name. as you meet people you might see people with name tags meeting host. This designates some as we are simply here to be friendly presence as well as if you have question about campus or community we want to be of service to you. Welcome.

David: On behalf of High Point friends school I want to welcome you here. Pleased you will use school facilities for some sessions.

Couple of announcements there is library there with 10 computers you can do email. Quiet spots over there and the classrooms will be used. Restrooms are more commodious than in meeting house. We ask you not to pray too long in the stalls.

We regret that our new Kingrey Center which was supposed to have been finished before this meeting and would have served for meals and also gathering spot for youth ran behind schedule and not completed.

There are some temporary stairs in front of it. You can walk there and look at facility. There is a balcony there you can access from the wooden stairs and you will have idea of what this facility will add to school campus.

High Point friends school began 1963 and we began adding grades in 2001. We will add 8th grade this year. Welcome to campus. If anyone in school can assist you please don’t hesitate to ask.

(applause)

Brent: Thank you for those words. Campus looks beautiful. For further words greeting and welcome. John.

John: This indeed has been a day we have anticipated for shall I say many months.
A few years. We have been looking forward tot his for a long time. We have been working hard.
Give thanks on behalf of hundreds of volunteers helped put this tog. Many have contributed resources. Vans, drivers, food, planning, great effort.

I spoke briefly with staff yesterday and reminded them if not for high quality of staff we have it would have been much greater challenge for us to put this together so I appreciate them.
Recognize Viola Britt and hard work she has done. Stand up Viola.

(applause)

Also want to recognize some of the other folks we have. They work and get paid for working doing this double time. We have other jobs we do as well. Some you have seen around in the balcony or somewhere, Paul Routh our information technician person…. Darrin, come on stand up. People need to know who you are.

(applause)

Some you haven’t seen yet Darlene Pittman director program ministry, …

… Corey and Jennifer York are probably around here. Certainly people who have worked hardest and been in contact for most of you if you sent registrations in. office staff Stacy stand up. She is new here. I told her this was the hardest event …

And one that has … has put this together with her expertise Janice Dalton … office manager.

(applause)

This would not have happened without these folks. … she is collecting money and will disperse it at appropriate time. As we began thinking of this where to hold it. We traveled around. All over state, Raleigh, Charlotte, Winston-Salem Greensboro. Got quotes on rooms for rooms to stay in and conference rooms. Best way was to help highlight wonderful gifts we have in NC.
We looked for large meeting house and settled on High Point friends. It has proven to be over and over again a wonderful decision. Appreciative for all those at High Point friends as well. Given us opportunity as you travel, some will go to camp, tours or ….
We have a lot of blessings here. I told staff yesterday one thing we learned through this process is expect the unexpected and know you won’t be disappointed. We also realize we aren’t doing this for NC yearly meeting. Not for staff but for glory of god. We offer as our gift. In this triennial 2008.

Thank you.

(applause)

Brent: Thank you John. Appreciate all the hard work of staff. We appreciate what you have done as well.
I’d like to make our Kenyan friends feel at home and welcome. Jambo …

Amen.

That’s it.

It’s my pleasure to introduce next person to bring welcome from city of High Point. Mayor Becky Smothers. She has served on town council as member and as mayor for several terms.

(applause)

Becky: It is indeed pleasure for me to be here. I heard this was being planned some months ago. Been to see David at school I want you to know reason that is not finished has nothing to do with the city.

(laughter)

In fact when we went in the gym that day and looked I said you want to use this when. He said oh it will be ready. I said un-huh I told him to get guardrail around balcony. Wonderful to have you here in High Point. I extend my welcome to you. Many of you live around here.
It was delightful to see friends as I came in. certainly our history in High Point sounds like … we will be 150 years old net year.
As we celebrate that birthday we are particularly aware of strong Quaker heritage we have in this area. Truly through their perseverance their devotion to god helping mankind that community got so strong. So delighted you brought rain. We needed that too. Disturbed about program agenda. Normally when I welcome groups to town I encourage them to go spend money. I don’t think you will have time to do that so promise you will come back.

Wish you the best and safe trip.

(applause)

Brent: Do we have ushers or pages to come forward at this time.

Let’s pause for prayer.

Heavenly father it’s amazing how you bless us beyond measure. Our cups run over. Thank you for beauty around us.
Thank you for so many ways you bless us. Your answer our prayers give us hope. Fill lives with opportunities for fellowship. The list goes on and on. Many needs we lift up to you but tonight we praise you lift up your name. thank you for gifts and promises. Ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

(music)

Two announcements.
All Kenyans are asked to meet with JOHN AND Eden Grace at the chapel in east wing tomorrow at 1 pm.

Keith Jones has information for us.

Keith: Just one quick announcements. For friends traveling to local hotels tonight. Just a word if you have valuables make sure you take out of cars, put in trunk or put in room with you. There are some break-ins at hotels. Make sure nothing is in sight to make them want to break into car. Keep everything inside.

Thank you Keith. We live in a real world. Thank you Keith. He is heading up security while we gather for these sessions.

Theme for conference comes from Jeremiah 28:11 for I know the thoughts I think towards you thoughts of peace and not evil to give you expected end.

Our speaker tonight. After silence and special music. Sylvia Graves grew up in heartland of America outside Indianapolis.

She comes from multigeneration of friends. Has relatives who have served on mission field. Her career has always been in field of education. Graduate of William Penn College and Butler.. university beginning as classroom teacher and ending as principal. She has participated in Quaker studies programs. Always as youth growing up, in schools, never left church. Always been present and been involved. She has been on pilgrimages in England. All before involvement with Friends United Meeting. I first met her 14th day 3rd month.
We met in Washington DC outside foreign aid office. We met at the office for aid to schools and hospitals abroad. We need to check on status of some grant projects and applications we had. Sylvia has a lot of passion as general secretary for Friends United Meeting. She travels widely among friends if you do not know she has visited near you you just missed it.
Lady with a lot of passion for her work, faithful, devoted to serve God however that might be. So thankful to have her as general secretary. Sylvia will speak out of the silence following time of special music.

Group Men's Choir: Good evening. Welcome to High Point. All of you from out of town. I live less than 1 mile from here.
We are known as the over the hill gang. Because we are 3 Quaker ministers two of which are retired and other has taken part time job.

We sing once a year normally maybe twice this year because of singing at Friends United Meeting sessions. Reason we sing only once a year we have to plan rehearsal times around doctor’s appointments.

(laughter)

Speak for yourself John.

In late 1960s I was on staff of Friends United Meeting so that says something about how old I am.

Beginning at my extreme right and your left is first tenor singer for trio Wayne Johnson. Next to me is Ben Hurley Ben sings the lead even though he sings same as me most of the time when he is not in trio. I’m Charlie Adams I sing baritone. We have gracious help of Ginger Osborne playing piano who covers all our mistakes.

(music)

I found a friend who is all to me. His love is ever true I love to tell how he lifted me and what his grace can do for you.

Saved by his power divine. Saved … my joy is complete for I’m saved, saved, saved.

When poor and needy and all alone in love he said to me come unto me and I’ll lead you home to live with me eternally.

Saved by his power divine, saved to new life sublime life now is sweet and my joy is complete for I’m saved, saved, saved.

His name is wonderful… his name is wonderful, his name is wonderful, his name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He is the mighty king, master of everything, his name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He’s the great shepherd the rock of all ages.
Almighty God is he.
Bow down before him
Love and adore him
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.

Bow down before him
Love and adore him
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.

The marketplace is empty
No more traffic in the street
All the builders tools are silent
No more time to harvest wheat
Busy housewives cease their labors in the courtroom no debate work on earth is all suspended as the king comes through the gate

Oh the king is coming
The king is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding and now his face I see
Oh the king is coming
The king is coming
Praise God he’s coming for me.

I can hear the chariots rumble I can see the marching throng.
And the flurry of God’s trumpet spells the end of sin and wrong.
… are now unfolding heaven’s grandstand’s now in place
Heaven’s choir is now assembled start to sing amazing grace.
Oh the king is coming
The king is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now his face I see
Oh the king is coming
The king is coming
Praise God he’s coming for me
Praise God he’s coming for me.

(applause)


Sylvia Graves: Thank you you gentleman that kinds of music just sooths our soul. I’m curious how many of you are here for first time. Stand please. First triennial ever. Oh wow. (applause)

Thank you. Wonderful.

How many of you have served on Friends United Meeting board?

Including presently.
Oh yeah. Wow. Wonderful.
(applause)

How many of you have served overseas on some areas of ministry. How many have been there even for short time. Even as volunteer.

(applause)
And I would like to ask how many have served on Friends United Meeting staff.

Ok. That makes me feel…(applause)

Makes me pretty nervous that so many of you know more about Friends United Meeting than I do. I want to spend this evening giving current status review. State of society report.

I think it’s important to know who we are and what we’re doing before the rest of the sessions this week. I will review where we are. Hope some of the names are familiar, hope some are new, hope you get sense of profound work being done on your behalf. You leave with vision of all of us as members of Friends United Meeting becoming more effective in channeling gifts of ministry to those in need of it.

Purpose statement friends united meeting commits itself to equip and energize friends to gather people into fellowship where Jesus Christ is known loved and obeyed as teacher and lord. This statement has been around since I think 1991.

It has been endorsed by many boards since then including current board.

I’d like to use illustrations that may not be welcome very this is not it yet may not be welcome comparison to the Iowans and Indiana people sick of rain but I want all to think of image …

That she drew image friends united meeting has opportunity to be channel of living water based on story of John 4 where we know Jesus came to well and told women that he would bring her eternal life through living water.
If you use image that each of you sitting here has drop of water as member of your local meeting you have tasted that water have drunk of water and sustained by living water provided by God as taught to us by Jesus and as individuals seek communities we worship and learn and support each other.
Dot that in local meetings. Put drops tog and make local meeting. Then seek wider fellowship and collaborate efforts to carry out ministry not able to do alone. We call those yearly meetings. Many have formed yearly meetings recently and some long ago. Western yearly meeting. We are celebrating 150th anniversary.

We are likely to welcome a new yearly meeting this week. .in past 2 years I found valuable to attend many different yearly meeting sessions and learn about uniqueness of each meeting. Each possess different geographical challenge.

Demonstrate different degrees of conviction. We are together as Friends United Meeting to join efforts responding to God’s call to be his people and to answer Jesus’ great commission to make disciples of all nations. Take message of repentance to all people and feed sheep. Friends United Meeting addresses most of its business in meeting of general board who you see here. Made of each yearly meeting in USA and once a year in Kenya. This picture was taken February of 2007 only time so far that representatives from Africa and north American met together. General board appoints general secretary and other positions. No other executive positions yet.

Few years ago board selected priorities for organization work. Evangelism. Global partnerships, leadership development and communication. We had … we still work in those areas but to stay within financial boundaries some left to yearly meeting. Six years ago I was counting minutes of 2002 6 years ago 21 people worked at Richmond office. Now we have 10. Includes John Muhanji paid from general fund.

John Muhanji, Eden Grace Judith and … general fund money supports John Judith and but not Eden. She is expected to raise her own financial support. We have had tough decisions in past years to align expenses with income. We want to acknowledge that people on board take responsibility seriously. As members rotate on and off there are times they work well together and sometimes not so well together. They have to represent yearly meeting interests but seek common ground as well. There has been good trust between board members.
We have grown to appreciate each other. Many have fulfilled appointment time on board and starting in October new group. Not criticism how we work. Just how it is.

Present strategic plan calls for orientation in fall so we can become trusting of each other earlier. Brent will complete his term as of these sessions. We will talk more about that later.

I also want to acknowledge some board members are appointed by their position. Not by calling. Not that they don’t want to be part of board but not priority for them. Busy with own ministries. Can’t give time beyond other work. Sometimes there is real tension on board.
Just as there is wherever people invest time and commitment. We don’t all see eye to eye how things should be done. Sometimes difference in theology or priorities of knowledge of topic. As you know Quaker process is grounded in discerning will of God. Takes more than 3 days at times.
People come from different experiences. So do we seek to do business efficiently or do we give more time to process so results are clearly will of God. That has always been challenge for the board.

Another challenge board is experience is defining global partnerships. Last time was first time ever all yearly representatives met in same place with same agenda. Fact that North American Board and African board have common business. Some business not common. What does global partnership look like. How often can we afford to have meeting with all together. I believe it was very valuable for North American friends to visit in Uganda. We build relationships. Our meetings in Africa are growing. Most recent board meeting in “April when … board formed committees to plan and oversee 5 areas of ministry they see as priorities. Eager to do work of church but not eager to argue about issues.

They empower their people by educating them and seeing that healthcare is available.

One comment last year Kenyan said during discussion … while we church leaders are in here arguing our people are out there perishing. What does that say about way we do work as god’s people.

In fall of 2006 board began process to develop strategic plans to guide Friends United Meeting for next 5-6 years. Started by defining 4 areas of concern. Administration, evangelism, communication, and identity. Wrote goals and strategies to address those areas.

Biggest struggle we trying to define who we are as organization. Not for profit with mission emphasis. Are we denominational headquarters. Do we need common theological ground. They labored for hours into night and agreed to bring proposal. … at general board meeting in Kenya our relationships in beginning development. Many approved Richmond … but some did not. It was not make requirement for membership. Tension still exists and we must find way to deal with it. Another tension many know general board approved hiring policy 19 years ago and it certainly adds to tension in organization because of underlying issues. What has been in place states that employees of Friends United Meeting are not to have sexual relations outside of marriage being understood as between a man and woman.

Many believe that to be biblical truth and that homosexuality is god given trait discriminated against. As dialogue opens tensions are so tight that threat of splitting up has scared us into avoidance. We have been unable to come to unity about it. There may be a few who don’t care how it turns out but many onions and feelings are strong. Board members are trying to represent your feelings. But many communications haven’t come to unity on this issue. Therefore unlikely that Friends United Meeting will come to unity in near future one way or the other. How do we handle that. As God’s people, as peacemakers. What are we called to do. Some take our frustrations by writing letters to staff. Some withhold support from general fund.

Some do not participate at all. I can’t say some former executive staff members say that is one reason they had to leave. Stressful part of their job. Speaking of staff. More positive I want to commend our staff. Our Richmond staff how many we are, stand up please. People who work in Richmond. These are just a few of them, missing Kim and Frank and Yvonne and those are the people working in Richmond Indiana.

(applause)

We had 10 last week. We had Paul Smith but said farewells to him he retired after 7 years as director of finances.

At February general board meeting we did appreciation to Paul for his part putting Friends United Meeting on solid financial ground. Stand up Barbara Smith she is now manger of finances.
Last week we had going away part for Paul we gave him top 10 reasons glad he was leaving one was we don’t have to explain anymore that Barbara and Paul Smith are not married. … she knows how to do many things no one else knows how to do, super in giving attention to important details. I believe general board will agree staff is made of people industrious creative and resourceful. Have a heard for ministries we support. 100% of staff participate in payroll deduction.

They believe in the work believe in the people and the purpose of Friends United Meeting.
I didn’t officially ask them to make wish list. They hope shortage of staff is temporary situation. Even though we function well as team and share workload often put heads together there are many on staff who are only ones who know how to do essential parts of office operation. Really skeleton staff. Some don’t look like it. Don’t have secretary and file clerks or back up people to do work in emergency. And possibility of burnout heavy workload for so few.

With larger staff to carry load I don’t think anyone would slack off.

Our wish list would include more participation from some yearly meeting and some local meeting and many individuals.

In travels last year I learned large range of knowledge about Friends United Meeting. Many meeting have Friends United Meeting mindset. You seem to know god calls meeting to reach out globally to share love of god. Share from your wealth through channels set up for over 100 years. Some meetings have no clue that by virtue of membership at meeting they have this open to them. They don’t know what Friends United Meeting represents.

Michael Cain talked to someone here who said Belize where is Belize at this meeting. We miss some people in faithful memberships. We are not sure what people do with mail we send them
Too many people don’t get message that Friends United Meeting is there ministry. Staff tries to find ways to reconnect with those who drifted away.
Last fall our staff called 600 plus local meetings we send mail to to see if we had right contact information. We get information from yearly meeting. We know you are discouraged sometimes too.
Just for your information in past 3 years finance committee studied sources of funds. You know there are 2 funds. There is general fund that pays not there yet…we have 2 funds general fund pays for basic office operation, salaries, supplies, heating and cooling building, maintenance. That is general fund. We operate office as you do with general fund to keep you together. Restricted funds designated by certain named ministries. Currently we have about 120 restricted funds we manage. In that study last 3 years when finance committee put that together all giving by North American yearly meeting was divided by # of people according to yearly records. Some goals are stated… financial assessment based on members. Some left up to individuals. Range is from $2 per member to $82 per member in another yearly meeting. Average about $26.

Certainly challenge to become financial strong organization with such wide interpretation about responsibilities you accept. One step named is appoint task group to study meeting and obligations of Friends United Meeting and they met earlier today for a couple of hours. May be in beginning stages of addressing situation. Two thirds of general funds come from yearly meetings and individuals. These are funds monthly meeting send outside of what you channel through yearly meeting.
Some have projects or events to raise money. One third comes from individuals who want to support Friends United Meeting even more than monthly meeting or yearly meeting. Significant amt of staff time creates and sending appeals out to people on mailing list to meet budget of just over $900,000.

Kim Newland from Indiana she is newly hired development officer. Kim has hit ground running and plans to visit yearly meeting this summer. Plans to grow in skills and knowledge.

Work we are doing, primarily work we do is overseas ministry. People frequently ask me what is happening in Belize. Or Kenya. Just this week a woman called to ask for update on Ramallah friends school she gets newsletters and wanted to know latest after newsletter.

Brief updated information. As we are here things change.

First before we get into work we do I want o introduce you to key person that makes this work happen. Many make it happen with prayer and financial support but Terry Johns. She knows about global connections. Good keeping in touch with field staff. Good about seeing they feel supported. Definitely key person linking your support to field staff.

(applause)

Now in field,

Africa first.

Africa ministries office was setup just over 3 years ago in Kaimosi, John Muhanji is Friends United Meeting coordinator but hardly in Kaimosi office because he is out coordinating. He says there are about 2000 monthly meeting in Africa. Compared to 1560 in North American. He is working on taking census of members. More difficult there than here not just participate in church. John do you estimate Friends United Meeting membership is 130,000-150k,000 wow 500,000 Quaker in Kenya.

That is rest of world put tog and more. He works with leaders in Kenya to assist them in such areas training treasurers and strengthening curriculum of friends schools. To teach Quaker values.

Obviously john has big job to do when he accepted call to move into ministry from bankers’ position he didn’t know what he was getting into.

John should have app, she should have appointed mentor to John. I don’t think mentor could keep up with him. He travels a lot and has hands in many pots. He is loyal to family and community. House next to mother and he sees her often. More than his wife I think. John has built incredible trust not just among African friends but government. Please stand up John so we can hold you in the light.

(applause)

Hopefully you will find time to hear more about peace teams. Since post election violence in late December. Because of this work communities have said we have seen your work and want you to establish … in …

Tomorrow you will … you might recognize his name as clerk of yearly meeting. Has served as chairman of efforts of Peace Teams in Kenya. Joseph we do ask you to extend please extend to your (applause) your committee very much appreciation and admiration for your work spreading word of god and peace pleased to be associated with you.
Now let’s take look at role of Eden Grace Eden will you and Gene stand up. Like I mentioned earlier Eden is field staff member. Way things are setup she is responsible to raise hew own financial support. She serves as assistant to John Muhanji.

Nearly 4 years ago Eden and James were both appointed to share field staff position to help setup and manage African ministries office. Past years roles changed. James is released to work outside Friends United Meeting and Eden is full time staff members we all know takes supportive family and especially spouse to do what Eden can do. Eden is bundle of energy and talent. Master of multitasking. She gives at least 200% of her effort to responsibilities she has. Handles every penny channeled to African office.

We just named friends peace team as one that’s recent. We know Eden has given considerable time past year to ASHA grant at … hospital to oversight of financial matters at Kaimosi Hospital we know you are overwhelmed but she is so good.

(applause)

I know Eden would want me to publically recognize volunteers Judy Davis …

Contributed to Kaimosi hospital significantly.

Thanks to Lisa Stewart from southeast meeting. She has stories to tell just returned.

Been assisting Eden traveling with John and relieve their time and stress just help them out. What a great pair you two are. Also want to recognize Pat Schrock, past year changed scenery and served in Bolivia for 3 months.

Now for the other six partner projects. .we call them that because Friends United Meeting plays part implementing ministries though there is large difference how we sponsor.

3 initiatives of Kenyans themselves. We just channel funds from you to support these efforts. Work in …. Managed by team including nurses and … has 6-8 worship groups. Have primary school and have dispensaries. And mission area. Kenyans have said they will go to help those people and share good news with people. Our goal at Friends United Meeting is send to them to facilities ministry $2000 a month. We have fallen short of that goal past couple of years. Hope to remedy that. Both areas need vehicle. They are worn our not functioning. Each mission needs our help. They really we need to pay attention to needs in those areas. Because the funds are not there to make it healthy without our help. Lindi friends school was initiated by Kenyan Quaker. Businessmen called AQUAVIS. Sampson Ababu is also… (applause)
Are there other members of team here. Take time to visit with Sampson. Lindi friends school as you may know established in … largest slum in world has been managed by AQUAVIS with minimal contributions from us. Need to improve financial backing so teachers can be paid adequately. School expanded and include library and office.

Lugulu Hospital managed by … religious society of friends.

Edith Ratcliff has been supported. Money sent to pay for patients who can’t otherwise afford treatment. We have supported drilling well there. Edith gave us update on that during general board session 4 years ago grand from USA government ASHA American schools and hospitals abroad grant was received … grant was altered to fund purchase of hospital equipment. If Eden Grace has been working hard to complete purchase of $450,000 of hospital furnishings and computer system. We were privileged to be there to dedicate equipment at Lugulu Hospital.

Two projects part of original mission compound purchased in 1905 included during 1950s and 60s included teacher training college, primary school, secondary school, industrial plant. Only part we are involved with Kaimosi Hospital and friends theological college. When Kenya gained independent around 1964 that as turned over to … since then divided to many smaller yearly meetings. Deed for that 1158 acres remained with Kaimosi. Friends United Meeting owns property but continues to look to Friends United Meeting to manage college and hospital. Friends United Meeting and east Africa yearly meeting signed agreement. Placing responsibility … American general board appointed task force to be better informed this memo of understanding was … post election violence prevented us from working on agreement.

Strategic plan for improvements designed by government and proposal to submit understanding agreement for support of hospital. We are still in discussion if our support of hospital is wanted or welcome. Little over $80,000 has been collected and sent to Kaimosi Hospital for replacing roof, paying salaries and other operations costs.

Hospital is needed in this community business had gone down hospital could not pay for bills. Would likely close down.. we were invited to help. Thanks to your support Kaimosi hospital undergoing …

Board of governors making significant strides planning steps for improvement seeing that business of hospital is picking up. Much left to do but those needs met partly and business is growing so fast part we renovated is not large enough and need to do more. Want to thank Friend Bob … has roots in yearly meeting.

Now resides in Nairobi heart big enough to serve on board. David … where are you, he is also serving on that board. Any other board members. Doing wonderful job. We are very glad to see renovations and progress being made.

Friends theological college undergoing real growth spurt. Remember part about Kenya and Uganda having 2000 monthly meetings. Most want pastors and they are experiencing great shortage. Look to college to supply need.

10 years ago # students was about 10. Last year 74 and this year 120. .next year enrolled now 147 students.

Press seeking government accreditation. Midst of challenge Ben Richmond agreed to serve as interim principal. They packed up, he told me he was re-tired.

(applause)

So they packed up to leave to go for a year and oh my what a godsend this has turned out to be. Ben said most demanding job of his life. Has undergone building program and teaching at same time. Jody has taught too and participated fully in peace teams training others to do counseling. Thank you so much for work you do on our behalf.

(applause)

Just a word about construction on campus, in past year teaching staff has done without offices because offices were used for dormitory space. Groundbreaking in April for new office space. Can’t get anything that fast can you.

Hope they will be complete before classes in fall. Because dollar devalued and increased cost because of violence. We have started something we may not finish without help. Ben Richmond’s family has committed up to $30,000 matching grants includes library, existing administration into dorm. Appeal sent to those who have supported in the past but you are all welcome to contribute.

Evangelism, global partnership, communication and leadership development. Friends Theological College open to have visiting teachers. One year or semester basis. Ben and Jody have just produced a DVD they can had to you if you want o take to own meeting. And share story about friends theological college.
Is breath taken away of all work piled on John Muhanji and Eden Grace. As you listened you have said to person next to you how can such a small staff do all that. I would be unfair to them and you if I didn’t mention they dream to expand. They want minister of health.
And they would like minister of education to guide efforts to develop network among friends schools. John and Eden could then work with churches and yearly meetings full time.

Belize. Mike and Kay Cain given 13 years of time. Sadie started continuation school for girls and now boys second change for education beyond 8th grade. They are fulfilled in this work but ready to step aside. We want to express our admiration and appreciation for your work. So many years in Belize on our behalf. Thank you.

(applause)

In May Terri Johns, … spent a few days in Belize. Dale and Ron served on Belize support tem to advocate for work and work with our office to support Cains and look for what might be next.
We believe opportunity for ministry wide open in Belize. There will be more extensive presentation and review during one of plenary sessions. Just quickly we don’t have field staff in Cuba or Jamaica. In Cuba friends united meeting still limited. We have work team annual and have connections there. New England has adopted sister yearly meetings there.

*yeah.

NC has done amazing work in Jamaica. Otherwise Friends United Meeting has been ambiguous there. Eugene and Fran … retired over year ago. Eugene asked me for Friends United Meeting to send pastor to take his place. I told him Jamaica yearly meeting should make that request. Sometime later they made that request for us to send pastor. My response was support team being formed to review needs in Jamaica and define role that Friends United Meeting should take on. As Wendell home for girls and … home for boys we need to meet with representative before sending field staff person to Jamaica. This week we are having such a meeting. Then general board will need to consider recommendation from this group. We heed your prayers how we can minister in Jamaica.

Palestine friends have been working since 1869. Ramallah girls school and boys school there are notebooks on display.

In summary there are wonderful things happening in both school. Construction at girls school being funded by grants and donors outside Friends United Meeting. Many are alumni of Ramallah friends school.
At boys school many renovations and construction projects currently. Thanks to Joyce’s persistence. In applying for and getting grants. Let me explain about ASHA for those who might not know what I’m saying. ASHA stands for American schools and hospital abroad. 2 cents from every tax dollar goes to us foreign aid. Small portion of that goes to ASHA to make grants to nonprofit organization such as us to assist in improvements to establish American best practices in schools and hospitals.
In past 11 years Ramallah boys school has benefitted from several of those grants they have resulted in improvement like library, science building, computer lab, many improvements wiring and plumbing. Now Ramallah friends school more able to offer which has resulted in rigorous curriculum that nearly 100% of graduates go to college. Some accepted in American Boston college, … this years graduates were 92. Joyce Ajlouny has been directing long distance while doing graduate studies living in Maryland. They will return in next few weeks. We are proud of you and your success in Ramallah schools. We want to welcome Joyce’s husband … as he received USA citizenship 7/3/2008.

(applause)

Joyce will tell you all not easy though. They have experienced great success. One challenge last year is devaluation of US dollar and school into debt trying to keep promises to staff. We send us money and it doesn’t add up as much when it gets there.

So at … much of job is to tell you stories of work we just reviewed. Telling story is job of communication department. They manage friends united press Quaker life magazine. And other organization field staff newsletters. Various brochures. Whole communication staff please stand.

(applause)

Katie Terrell is new communication editor. Katie shares management tasks, they have to mange each other. With communication designer Sherry Veach. Sherry and Katie thank you for incredible gifts you bring.

(applause)

In packets you will find list of themes for 2009 issues of Quaker life and you will see they will tackle difficult issues. They were selected by Quaker life advisory committee. If you know of writers that might contribute to these issues, pass names to Katie and have her contact them.

Significant amt of time goes to fundraising. Communication plays key role in informative and inspiring materials.

Some of materials in past year prompted people to support who have never participated before. Thank you for all brainstorming work.

Finance committee has worked hard past couple of years. We have made great progress. We all wanted to announce that Friends United Meeting is totally debt free we still have to pay for debt from bookstore. Board agreed from sale of property in Maine but that deal has not gone through that I know of. We are close. Slow time of year to get everyone’s contributions. We are doing better. To conclude presentation I want to share with you thoughts about what I see Friends United Meeting doing in future. What do I think needs to happen for organization to thrive. First we have to get more own members to own this avenue of ministry. In next 3 years we need to double # of monthly meeting. More effective at yearly meeting level. E
Encourage you at yearly meeting to be involved and participate in Friends United Meeting work.
As core work of this organization is overseas ministries we need to financially back our projects. Can’t succeed without your support. We must broaden base of those who know and care about this work.
2 to start task getting this … before you leave for home. We need names of people to contact. We need your help for example. Both Kaimosi Hospitals and Lugulu Hospitals need morgue. They serve same function as funeral home. Both could benefit from this facility. On this paper I asked you to name any Quaker mortician you know. And possible principal for friends theological college. Please fill out green sheet and give your contact information. Another idea is yearly meeting programming could include more presentations about Friends United Meeting.
As I travel to yearly meeting I’m amazed nothing is on agenda or workshop that Friends United Meeting can present. This is your ministry.
One goal is we are working toward well I’m finished with that part let’s go on.
One suggestion I have hard in NC but not explored is idea of putting Friends United Meeting branch offices in monthly meeting. We have branch offices at yearly meeting. There is opportunity for perhaps part time pastor to work part time for Friends United Meeting locally. The more people working for Friends United Meeting in local areas.
Another potential area is developing programs for youth.

He has presented six situations where young people are involved. He has been applauded by young people because they liked that story. I directed camp a few weeks ago. Campers watched the slides I showed them about the work in Kenya peacemaking efforts in Kenya showed them homes burns, people displaced. Showed friends peace people doing something about it. Two campers participated in pennies for peace. They were thrilled to see real pictures of John Muhanji and the peace team at work.

Our young people need to know these stories. I think in US culture so many addicted to video games and sports. Many are looking for real things real people to make a difference.

Another thought to consider if ministries of Friends United Meeting are important avenue in your ministry why not important in someone else’s ministry. How can you involve another person, just one. What could office supply you that would equip you for doing that. What will you go home saying about this gathering who might be interested in participating in this work.

I had a phone call where a man met 3 men and asked for 3 more copies of Ramallah friends newsletter. If each person brought one we would have amazing growth.

Last thing I hope organization can find is unity in work we do even if we can’t find unity on everything.

One professor paid me surprise visit some time ago, came to office. Friends United Meeting needs to do its work based on integrity of love more than the purity of doctrine.

Somehow I think Jesus Christ would like that.

One more thought. I’m not a big fan of country music. I consider it better choice than some other options. I heard a song. It stuck with me or a line of song.
Made of 2 questions.
What if we don’t have what it takes. What if we do.
So as god calls us to do this work he promises he has plan for us includes hope and a future. Some of us may ask what if we don’t have what it takes to follow that plan. Seems as people of hope and people of god we should be asking what if we do. We will end evening gathering not in manner of friends. I don’t think you usually end like this. Seems fitting to me that we should step out of usual custom and take note of marvelous ways god is working among us and through us celebrate that there are many things going well many among us walking in light of the Lord. I have asked staff or some young people to deliver to you a balloon. I said not in manner of friends. I invite you to allow this balloon where are they, where did they go…

I invite you to allow balloon to represent some part of Friends United Meeting that brings joy to you. You are directly in line with god’s will is when you feel real joy. This may be reminder of when Jesus told parables of talents. Not blessed by hanging onto gifts but to share. After you identify for yourself some joy you want to multiply we invite you to bring joy to front and share by attaching to one of these Friends United Meeting ministries. There are slits in sides of boxes to slip ribbon into edge of box. Staff will help you if needed. You might think you can’t choose. Some project you think someone else should support. However you are moved ok. All answers are ok. This may take a while. Bring balloon and attach it. Then sit down for awhile. We will close with prayer. As you do this. If you see someone you want to greet and meet enjoy but come back to order when I say so.

Let’s wrap it up in about one minute.

You may stand right where you are.

(music)

Friends I invite you to stand right where you are. Boys and girls If you can hear my voice clap 3 times.

Thank you. If you will please you may stand right where you are for closing prayer. Wonderful encouragement to all of us.

Heavenly father you have reminded us this evening how great thou art. Lord we have come from different locations but all come to be renewed. Energized and equipped. Thank you for being our guide our comfort. Thank you for letting your light shine upon us. That great things might be done to glorify you. As we close program we ask for strength that we might in our effort lift up and glorify your kingdom. Thank you for display of strength shown tonight. We show we come together that we can lift up these projects. Who knows how much impact what difference we can make. We thank you bless you and praise you. Give us good night’s rest. Father we thank you. Jesus name amen.

(music)

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Registration was Successful.

Greetings Friends,

Registration day was a very eventful day with everyone all over the world checking in to High Point and getting their room assignments. Today over 3/4 of everyone checked in and out of 350+ people that is a really good turnout. We learned a few new culture faux pas but with a little patience and some understanding we were able to correct everything with ease. Also, Today we got to check our e-mail see some new and old F(f)riends plus hear a message from Sylvia Graves.

Here are a few announcments:

- Restrooms are available in the School as well as the Meeting House. Please if you are able use the school facilities first as the plumbing in the Meeting house is old.
- Friday there is a culture exchange with several types of American music (bluegrass, country, etc) to be experenced at 6pm.
- Vans will leave for the Hotels after the Evening Session.
- The School Library has a media center with 10 Computers for anyone that needs or wants to check their e-mail. Times vary. Please see a school official for access.
- Both the School and the Meeting house have Wireless internet that you may access.
- There is an unprogrammed Worship at 6:30 am in the Chapel if Friends want to attend.

Hope everyone gets a good nights rest and NO jet lag.

MAP to High Point Friends

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know there is a map to get to High Point Friends for Check IN tomorrow July 9th. Here is the website http://www.ncym-fum.org/Map-locations.pdf you must have Adobe 6.0 or higher to view it!

:-)

Welcome to FUM-Triennials 2008 in High Point, NC

Welcome Friends,

This blog will be dedicated to keeping Friends and interested parties in FUM Triennials.

Please enjoy.

:-)