Flashes of Light

January 2008

An occasional newsletter from the director of the Quaker Information Center about developments and opportunities in the Friends community.

QUAKER INFORMATION CENTER www.quakerinfo.org info@quakerinfo.org

Chel Avery , Director January 2008

 
Dear Friends,

Happy New Year. Thanks to those who have been patient with me about the long gap between issues of Flashes of Light. Thanks also to those who have been impatient, and have prodded me to get on with it. I’ve been struggling with the formatting problem that has plagued the last several issues, and now I am trying a new solution. We won’t know for sure until you open your inbox whether this one comes in the formatted version, or the stripped-down Quaker “plain” version. Meanwhile, here are a few things that are catching my attention:

Friends in Kenya

Yesterday I saw a report from David Zarembka of the African Great Lakes Initiative (www.aglionline.org). He is in Kenya and asks us to hold in the Light the many West Kenyan Friends who are pursuing small humanitarian efforts in response to the violence and looting that have followed their country’s recent, disputed election. These efforts include"digging latrines at an IDP camp, caring for people in Eldoret Friends Church, our beginning attempts at reconciliation here in Lumakanda, attempts to dialogue with the looters in Kakamega.” 

David estimates that 3% of the population of the Western Province are Friends – possibly our highest concentration anywhere in the world. “Quaker churches and Quaker schools can be seen everywhere.” Musalia Mudavadi, the vice presidential running mate of candidate Raila Odinga, is a Nairobi Friend.

You can follow David’s reports and other Friends’ work in Kenya at a site maintained by Friends United Meeting: www.fum.org/about/news/regardingviolenceinKenya.htm.

Young Friends Raise Their Voices

If you have been reading between the lines, you’ve probably figured out that I have an interest in opportunities for young Friends to claim their Quakerism and move us forward into next Quaker generation. For many years, I struggled against that aspect of Quaker culture that seems to prefer the leadership and voices of gray heads best. Now that I am starting to get a few gray hairs of my own, I have realized that we baby boomers have a tremendous center of gravity in the Friends community, and if young Friends are going to establish themselves, they will need spaces and opportunities that will enhance the volume of their voices. Many other Friends – younger and older – seem to be thinking along the same lines. The rest of this issue is dedicated to some ways we can hear from and about young Friends:

First, a young voice from the past. The latest Pendle Hill pamphlet describes one transformative year in the life of a 24-year-old Friend who served in Poland with the American Friends Service Committee after World War I. Rebecca Janney Timbres Clark: Turned in the Hand of God is based on the letters and journals of a vital young Friend who found herself called to serve, led by the Spirit into new duties and new relationships. A friend referred to this pamphlet as “a page-turner.” Not what one might expect from a piece of dusty history, but the story of Rebecca’s enthusiasm, her hunger for Truth, and her willingness to overcome fear and discomfort to respond to scenes of suffering that horrified her, was a real testament not only to one individual, but to an important time of life. (Available from: www.pendlehill.org/bookstore.)

Last year's "Quake that Rocked the Midwest" brought together young Friends from the Great Lakes states and Missouri to talk about Quakerism and its impact on their lives. Friends Journal has produced an audio summary of their voices on such topics as “pacifism,” “lifestyle,” and “the Quakerism of young Friends.” Go to www.friendsjournal.org/quake/home to hear for yourself.

The Youth Page of Friends General Conference (a great site for many reasons -- www.fgcquaker.org/qy) provides links to YouTube videos about Quakerism posted by young Friends. (For example, why are we called “woolly-minded liberals”?) Most of these videos come from British Friends, but the Americans are starting to make themselves seen and heard as well. I admit to understanding only about 49% of these messages. Visit www.youtube.com/groups_videos?name=quakeryouth as well as “Quakers Rock” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=De_edmxh6L8&feature=related.

Quakers United In Publications (QUIP: www.quaker.org/quip/) has launched The Quaker Youth Book Project, a second cooperative venture of Quaker publishers to produce an anthology of writing by young Friends. The first such book, Whispers of Faith, was so well received that the goal this time is to create a book that will include voices of young Friends from around the world. QUIP is currently recruiting an editorial board of committed Quakers ages 15-30. To apply, see: www.fgcquaker.org/qy/quipbook.

Peace to you,
Chel Avery

Your feedback is welcome. You can contact me at: Quaker Information Center, director@quakerinfo.org or 215-241-7024

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