Connection

By Kara Maurer, Newberg As I sit here contemplating my faith, I grow a bit discouraged by my lack of answers. Then I am reminded that faith is a journey, which is great because that means I don’t have to have any answers; I just have to be seeking the truth. For the past two years, the closest person in my life was a steadfast atheist. Read Kara's story.

by Ken Redford, MeridianIn God’s providence, our home was located four blocks from the largest building in Talent—the meetinghouse for Talent Friends Church. More important, as it turns out, God had located me directly in the path of people who would have a part in shining his light into my life. As I reflect on my own experiences of being drawn to Christ through NWYM people, I want to offer a few “points of light” to ponder.Read Ken's story.

One of the encouraging signs of growth I have witnessed in the church over the past several decades has been a shift in the way many local churches and even denominations relate to one another. Rather than being so focused on competition there is a much greater spirit of cooperation, as we work together in Kingdom ministry. United in Christ and in our common commitment to the core gospel, the different tribes within Christianity are also finding something good and powerful about having their own unique expression of faith. Read the rest of Colin's reflections.

By Ken Magee, Klamath Falls Trying to be a Christ follower has led to many challenges, numerous adventures, and multiple “God sightings.” I can’t recommend a better life for anyone. Typically, these challenges and adventures have included other people. Let me tell you of one man I met following the 9.3 earthquake and devastating tsunami of 2004 that killed thousands. Read Ken's story.

By Jamie Johnson, GFU I began my position at George Fox University as director of the Friends Leadership Program on July 1, 2009—one year ago! As I reflect on this past year and look forward to the next, I want to share with you some of the highlights.

by Shawn McConaughey I get asked a lot: “How can I pray for our Friends Serving Abroad?” I appreciate this concern because it comes from people who are convinced it matters. I’m not sure I know anything new about prayer, but I am convinced that it makes a difference. So why, as our focusing query suggests, should we pray “for those who are engaged in spreading the gospel?” Here are a few reasons.

By Gar Mickelson As I was growing up (spiritually speaking) my pastor would often use the phrase “We are working our way up to servanthood.” This saying had a tremendous impact on my life because it invited me to live life with a radically different perspective. Instead of a self-referenced perspective, this shifted my focus to those around me and challenged me to see myself as their servant. Read the rest of Gar's challenge.

A George Fox University fundraising event, “Empty Bowls: A Night for Haiti,” raised more than $15,000 for victims still recovering from the January earthquake that devastated the island country. Read the rest of this story.

Read the announcements and updates, including pastoral transitions, college camp, EFI Voice changes, community gardens, Samuel School II, and Yearly Meeting details.

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Harold and Marilyn Antrim, (Sherwood Friends) married for nearly 60 years, and Pat and Patti Paz, (Meridian Friends) married for 20, share some reflections on their relationships. Read their stories.

by Karen McConaugheyDivorce. It used to be a word that was whispered and clothed in shame and judgment. Now the word and event is more commonplace, and we probably don’t think about it very much. In my counseling practice working with children, teens, and adults, divorce is one of the most painful experiences for all ages. Read more.

by Karen Oberst Irina Dunn, a distinguished Australian educator, journalist and politician once said: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” How do you react to that statement? Your answer may depend on whether you are married or single. There are many kinds of singleness, and many ways singles contribute to the church. Read about 'living single'.

by Leann Williams “They were scattered because there was no shepherd” (Ezekiel 34:5). As I read those words several years age, my heart was stirred to reach out to the scattered ones. Following God’s heart, my husband and I started praying for the people we knew who were once part of a faith community, but had walked away. We were led to create an opportunity for sharing a weekly meal and honest communication with people who don’t feel comfortable in a traditional church service. Read what God is creating.

By Judy M. “How did you know?” she asked me. How did I know to marry J.M.? This student, a young Russian woman in an advanced English conversation class, seemed to be trying to figure it all out on a very personal level. I was at a loss to explain. I had promised the teacher who invited me that I would speak to her students slowly and distinctly, not in my usual “Amuric’n” accent. But how could I explain that in any language? Read her full response, and how her marriage became an opening for God.

Who was born in 1972, has always been part of NWYM, and manages assets worth more than $4,500,000? The answer, of course, is Northwest Yearly Meeting Foundation! Read More.

GFU MISSIONSwaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS positive rate in the world, with well over 100,000 orphans, many living in child-headed households. The George Fox May Serve team members staffed nine orphan care points during their stay, giving the regular volunteers, usually older women in the neighborhoods, a much-needed break. Read their story.

For updates and announcements regarding the annual youth volleyball tournament, Angel Diaz serving as Executive Secretary of the Ministerial Alliance for Friends in North America, summer interns, YCEW, YCLS, GFES, Carole Spencer's ministry change, and Young Adult Camp, click here Please do not unsubscribe from this update, it will affect many others besides you. Contact Bruce Bishop if you wish assistance.

by Colin Saxton The work we do together as Friends in NWYM is centered on a few important themes. When asked to summarize them I usually say this: We seek to know and obey Jesus, love and support each other, and carry out God’s mission in the world. These are, in large part, how God is at work in the world in and through us on both a local and on a yearly meeting level. Figuring out how to live it each day is the challenge. Read more out of Colin's mind.

What do Quakers Bring to Leadership? Plenty. Quakers have contributed a great deal to the understanding of leadership. Many ideas that seem new and fresh in today’s leadership literature were normative for Quakers from the beginning. Our foreparents such as George Fox, Margaret Fell, Elizabeth Fry, Joseph Gurney, and many others practiced a unique form of leadership in Quaker meetings not at all natural in 17th century Europe. Read the rest of this article.

By Arthur Roberts: What does it means to “be in harmony” with Friends’ principles? Our book of Christian discipline describes faith expressed both in word and in deed. Sound doctrine and right conduct belong together. You don’t want a pastor or elder who teaches sound doctrine but is addicted to pornography, nor a morally upright youth leader who discounts the resurrection as a myth. Read the rest of this article.