I hope you’re having a good afternoon.

This Sunday we are looking at what is sometimes known as the "testimony of integrity" among Friends. It seems to me integrity is one of the more challenging convictions from our faith tradition, especially in today’s "celebrity culture." What does it mean for us as Friends to live truthfully? To live honestly? And to pursue wholeness? How have we understood integrity in our own lives? These are some of the questions I’m wrestling with this week.

The scripture I’ve chosen for us to reflect on comes from the letter of James:

“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:18–27 NRSV)

Queries:

• What jumps out at you about this passage?
• What do you make of this imagery around the mirror and being doers of the word?
• How do we as a community of Friends realize this notion of living truthfully and with integrity?

Blessings,
Wess

Tomorrow we will be hosting another event, this time on the local Occupy movement and what it has to do with the Quaker practices. We have invited Stephanie Rotondo, an organizer from the Occupy Vancouver group, and three Quakers from Portland who have all been involved with Occupy: Jade Souza, Avery Welkin and Gil George.

Our panel will discuss questions like:

• What is occupy?
• What are some of the things it stands for?
• Why did you get involved? What did you do? What was impactful for you?
• How do you see your Quaker faith connecting you to this movement?
• I may ask any/all of you to respond in the larger discussion forum to these questions
• Connections and possible conflicts with testimonies like peace, equality, etc?

We’ll see you then!

I can’t believe it’s already at the end of Wednesday! I want to let you know about some things coming up and then let you know what we’re doing for Sunday.

Upcoming Soup and Bread Events:

Tonight Soup and Bread kicks (6-8) off again with our Martin Luther King “teach in” on his work with the Poor People’s Campaign. We have a special guest visiting us to lead the teach in and we’re even going to do some singing! We’ve been hard at work trying to let everyone know about this and are looking forward to a really fun evening. If you’ve never come before, tonight is your night. If you’re an ol’ Soup and Bread groupie like myself, tonight is also your night. So you can’t go wrong!

Next Wednesday for Soup and Bread we’re going to Occupy Peace Month! I’ve invited a panel of Quakers and a local Occupy Vancouver organizer to come and talk to us about what Occupy is, why they got involved, some of their experiences, and what does it have to do with the Quaker testimony of peace (if anything?!).

Preparation for Sunday

In keeping both with the focus of the Quaker testimonies (We’ve covered community and peace so far) and with the fact that this Monday we celebrated the life of the only American who is honored with his very own national holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I’m planning a special time of reflection and learning with Martin Luther King as our special guest!

The passage of our focus is from the Gospel of Mark and is the text King discusses in his sermon titled “Drum Major Instinct:”

“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:35–40, 43–44 NRSV)

Quote:

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.’… I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.” I Have A Dream, 1963

Queries for silent reflection:

• In what ways are we intentionally welcoming those into our community who may be different from “us”?
• How are we called to stand up against inequities in our society and world?
• How is Christ prompting me to accept my status as “equal to others,” and to shower others with God’s equalizing, abundant love?
• Who is it hardest for me to treat with equal respect and love? (myself? a particular other? a certain group?)

I look forward to our time together,

Wess

What a glorious, if not also a bit chilly, and sunny day we’re having here in the Northwest! I hope that your week is going well and that those of you who have been sick are on the mend. I’m fighting a cough at the moment myself but the sunlight sure is helping.

A couple things you might like to know about:

• Next Monday there is a Candlelight Vigil to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. at Esther Short park starting at 5:30pm and ending with a viewing of a documentary at the Kiggins Theater. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, you can find more information on facebook by following this link.
• Next Wednesday evening we are kicking off our Soup and Bread small groups for 2012 with a special event on Martin Luther King’s "Poor People’s Campaign" this event is open to the public and we’re expecting at least some outside visitors. It should be a good time. If you’d like to help prepare a pot of soup, bring bread or other food items, or help with childcare please let me know, we’re going to need a few extra hands for this wednesday.

For Sunday, we continue our Peace month on Quaker testimonies by looking at the testimony of peace.

From Epistle of James’:

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” (James 3:13–18 NRSV)

Queries:

• What are ways that you have worked to sow peace in the year? Or how have you been a recipient of someone else sowing peace?
• How are we engaged in peace work now, as individuals or as a church?
• Are we doing a good job to support those in our community directly involved in vocations of peace-building? If so, how can we improve? If not, how can we begin?

See you Sunday!

Blessings,

Wess

Some holidays are easy to celebrate. We know what to do. Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July. Some are a little trickier. A bit more illusive, like Martin Luther King Jr Day.

Join us on Wed. Jan. 18th 6pm-8pm as part of our Soup and Bread Discussions for a lively teach-in and dialogue on the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign– the last campaign of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s life. We’ll talk about the evolution of King’s politics and theology toward the end of his life, the grassroots leaders (including some Washingtonians!) who helped to carry out the campaign after King’s death, and the lessons from this historic movement that we can apply in our local work for justice and equality today. Movement songs to be included, so bring your singing voices!

We will have food at 6pm and there will be childcare (donations).

Well it’s a short week this week. I know some of you are taking time off this week to rest, some of you have had a least Monday off, and many of you are trying to recover from the holiday rush. All of this makes for a quick week. I can’t believe we’re already at the close of Wednesday.

Don’t forget that many of us will be hanging out at the meetinghouse on New Year’s eve (Sat). It’s family friendly so bring the kids and a snack to share.

This Sunday we’ll be gathering in worship for our first meeting in 2012. As with the practice we began last year, I’d like for us to have a prayer and worship service around "remembering" not just of all the positive things that have happened in our lives over the last year, but to also reflect on those losses we may suffered. This provides us with a way to give thanks for all that took place, and to let go or hand over to God those difficult experiences and memories as well.

This is why we’re calling it a "service for remembering."

We know that while it is possible to move into the future ignoring the past, the more grounded and holistic way is to allow the past it’s place in our lives, while at the same time moving on from there. This is examine these experiences and how they have effected us, to consider unfinished business, and to open ourselves up to what God may bring us through in the coming year. To "re-member" means literally to "be mindful" of again, it is to take time to reflect on or to consider something, to hold it in your mind’s eye or heart. As we practice ‘remembering’ this Sunday we will have space to reflect on how both the times of great newness as well as loss can be opportunities for transformation.

Here are two passages for reflection:

Eccl. 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Eccl. 3:9 What gain have the workers from their toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11 He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13 moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.

AND

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”

(Revelation 21:1–6 NRSV)

Queries:

• What were the triumphs in my/our life over the last year?
• What were the greatest struggles?
• What losses have I/we suffered?

Thy Friend,
Wess

I hope your week is going well. Can you believe the sunshine today!

In case you missed the news, Sunday is Christmas!!! WOOO…

You are all a gift to me and I treasure our community together. Thank you for your faithfulness over this last year, all the hard work you have put into your growing and learning and being challenged. Even in the losses and the difficult times you have stuck together and shown true love. May 2012 be another wonderful and Spirit-filled year for all of us!

We as the church believe that the birth of Jesus is why we celebrate and so this weekend we’re going to put this into practice and have ourselves a celebration! I look forward to both times of worship and having the opportunity to take our time through these two important days in the life of the church.

The passage for Sunday is Isaiah 52:7-10:

52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
52:8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the LORD to Zion.
52:9 Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
52:10 The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

What about Christmas helps you connect back to the birth of Jesus?
When in the last month of preparation have you experienced “the feet of the messenger who announces peace.”

—

A couple reminders:

• If you’re helping, or would like to help with Christmas eve we are planning a rehearsal Thursday evening at 8pm (in sanctuary).
• Christmas Eve Worship 6-7pm
• Christmas morning worship 10:45am
• Christmas night “Soup and Bread” for anyone who is hungry 6-8pm. If you want to help out with this contact Sheri Hendrix.
• Next Sunday January 1st we will be having our annual Service for Remembering. We will focus on loss and healing that God’s Spirit brings.

Merry Christmas to you all,
Wess

I hope your week is going well so far. Can you believe it is already December 13th? It feels like things are moving swiftly but hopefully you are keeping yourself grounded in grace and patience as stress is tempted to increase, store lines continue to get longer and traffic thicker.

What is important isn’t to rush through this time so that it remains just a blur, but to work to remain present to each person you come in contact with. It’s easy to want to push others aside to take care of our own needs and plans. The busyness of this season is just another invitation to learn how to work out what we need in relation to what others need as well. If we find ourselves tempted to put ourselves before others, notice, ask forgiveness where necessary and adjust. If the Christmas story is about anything it is about hope, love, and limitation (God limits himself to the form and matter of a little baby).

This Sunday we will gather to worship, to re-center, to listen and to have our imaginations once again sparked by the story of God in history. Last week Brad brought to our attention John the Baptist and his own necessity to "decrease" in preparation for Jesus’ arrival. This week we turn our attention to Mary, the baby’s mother:

“In the sixth mth the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:26–38 NRSV)

Queries:

• Can you imagine what it would have been like to be Mary? What surprises you about Mary’s situation?
• How does this text (and subtext?) prepare us when thinking about Jesus?
• What might our response be to such a surprising announcement/interruption as the one Mary received?

Read Luke 1:5-25 What differences and similarities do you see between these two "birth narratives?"

In Gospel Love,
Wess

As you know our church is having it’s annual retreat out at Twin Rocks Friends Camp this weekend. Unfortunately, there are a number of you who are unable to join us this weekend and some of you have asked about worship this weekend.

Pat Wallace has offered to be here and host worship for all of you here at home.

It will begin at 10:45am and it will be an extended time of open worship.

If you’re home, I hope you can join the community in worship.

Blessings,
Wess