Good Morning Everyone,

I trust the week is going well for you? The family and I are doing well, though we are still trying to shake this crazy cold that everyone has, or as some of you call it the “Vancouver Crud.” Whatever it is, it’s getting old!

Tonight is the first night of our Fair Trade Bible Study. It sounds like a good crowd is already planning on being there but we still have enough books if you want to join in (and they’re cheap $4). We will be at the meetinghouse at 7pm this evening. There will be childcare available!

Also, I wanted to remind you that we are looking to replenish our Laundry Love stash of quarters so if you’ve got any tucked down in your couch cushions you’re willing to share with that ministry please bring them on Sunday.

Sunday Text and Queries:

This sunday we’re reflecting on the work of peace through equality. As great as the work has been by mainly saints in our own Quaker history, the larger historical narrative of America, and even the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inequality still exists and has many faces in our society today. How should the church face these issues? How do we understand equality? And how might we respond to inequality?

The early Christian missionary and theologian Paul wrote this:

“…For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:26–29)

Supplemental reading: Luke 14:15–24; Ephesians 2; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Queries:

• What do you think the connections between peace and equality are in the passages above?
• In what ways have I experienced inequality in my own life or around me?
• What inequalities stir us most? What disturbs us? Whom do we care about?
• In what ways might we respond to inequality and work for peace in Southwest Washington?

Peace be unto you this week!
Wess

Hello All,

Well this is hands down my favorite time of year. The beauty of fall, the crisp air, the vibrant colors and the feeling of the seasons making their great transition into the winter months always puts a little spring in my step. (It doesn’t hurt that a certain ‘yours truly’ was born in this great month!). I hope you’re finding the fall to be joyous and refreshing. And even if it is a little crazy (why does it feel like everything is happening THIS month?) we can trust that God’s handiwork is in the small stuff too.

For me, fall brings up all kinds of memories and stories of childhood, new school years, birthdays, asthma attacks after playing in the leaves, and things like that. Fall is a time of change and transition. While seasonally fall is kind of a winding down with (at least our side of) the earth turning towards hibernation, I have always enjoyed the fresh starts and change that comes with a new beginnings. I feel this time of year is a kind of winding up. It can be an inspiring and creative time. It can also be anticipatory as we edge closer to the advent season. Continue reading →

This coming Sunday we’re going to discuss Jeremiah chapter 8. Here’s the text:

My joy is gone, grief is upon me,
my heart is sick. Hark, the cry of my poor people
from far and wide in the land:
“Is the LORD not in Zion?
Is her King not in her?”
(“Why have they provoked me to anger with their images,
with their foreign idols?”) “The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
and we are not saved.” For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt,
I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me.

Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of my poor people
not been restored? O that my head were a spring of water,
and my eyes a fountain of tears,
so that I might weep day and night
for the slain of my poor people! (Jer 8:18–9:1 NRSV)

What stands out to you in this passage?
What do we learn about Jeremiah as a person (and prophet?) from this text?
What is the “good news” of this passage?

Hi Everyone and good afternoon,

This week we’re continuing our conversation with Jeremiah and will be looking at chapter 18 and his visit to the Potter’s house. I don’t know if you’re reading along in Jeremiah or not but I’m loving it. It’s so vivid and full of imagery, I also find so much of it as still very current for our lives today.

Here’s the text:

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.
Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. (Jer 18:1–11)

Queries:

• Are there things we assume God cannot, will not, do? YHWH asks “Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done?” Are there ways in which we (try to) limit God?
• What does the imagery of the clay represent? How about the Potter’s hands? What does this tell us about God? About ourselves? About our community?
• Are there things in our lives, whether objects or experiences, whether material or immaterial, that were once life-giving and are now the very thing that keeps us from responding to God? Things that have spoiled in our hands and need to be reworked?

Important:
Remember this Sunday is our Potluck Sunday and directly after our meal we will be meeting for business! If you haven’t ever been to a business meeting, or haven’t been in a while this is a perfect one not to miss.

See you then!

Blessings, Wess

First off, I wanted to let you all know what a great time I had this past Sunday and I really hope you found it enjoyable (and meaningful?) to worship with other Quakers.

I (and the elders) would love to hear your feedback on the the whole event. Here are some questions: What did you think about it? What did you enjoy the most? Where there any profound moments for you? What would you do differently next time and what would you keep the same? Also, would you do it again?

We are scheduled to go to Multnomah Monthly Meeting on May 23rd for worship and a potluck. I really hope you will all make the effort to come and see what it’s like to worship with these unprogrammed Friends. We will be working on setting up some carpooling and will get details and directions to everyone shortly. (Actually, if you’d like to be the person to head up making sure everyone gets there let us know!).

Second off, we will be doing baby dedications this Sunday which will be a wonderful time for our community.

This week we’re reflecting on this final chapter in the Gospel of John. It’s the third time (and last!) Jesus appears to his disciples. Here’s the text:

John 21:1–19

“After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Queries:

Let’s have a little fun and be a little more interactive this week: will you consider your own query (or 2) and email the group back with it? We’ll compile a list of queries to share on Sunday morning.

Have a beautiful week!
Wess