Alaska Friends Conference

480 Grubstake Avenue, Homer, AK. 99603

Annual Session July 25-28,2002

Mahalah Dickerson Friends Center

To Friends Everywhere:

Alaska Friends Conference gathered in this familiar, rustic camp by a lake in a birch forest, recently thinned by a work camp of Young Friends. We felt the blessings of God rest upon us as we worshipped, sang, danced, listened tenderly to each other, and experienced the joy of forgiveness and healing. We were especially blessed by the presence in our midst of a group of Young Friends from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and Alaska who are spending two weeks on a spiritual sojourn together. (See Attached epistle from the PYM/AK Youth Exchange.)

Jan Hoffman of NEYM was present in prayer before our gathering and joined us as Friend in Residence for the entire session. She led an interactive plenary presentation to help us bring Faith and Practice alive. God abided with us as we considered the theme:" Our Continuing Search for Truth, Peace, and Joy." Jan asked us to share from our own spiritual journeys, a deep starting place for a Yearly Meeting attempting to develop a Faith and Practice.

God's presence illuminated our hearts through the delight we found in our newest babies and two of our founding members. Niilo Koponen led us to consider new issues that challenge our peace testimony. Mahala Ashley Dickerson, who turns 90 this year, gathered with us for the first time in many years. These elders enrich our meeting with memories and wisdom and are role models for our youth.

The young children explored the life of Jesus in First Centruy Galilee. During Meeting for Business they read from a scroll inscribed with their prayers, and shared fresh bread they had made from grinding barley.

God's peace does abide in us. There was spirited exchange on the theme of justice and peace. We were reminded that our youth are increasingly vulnerable in a war-making culture. There were powerful stories about experiences of peacemaking in the midst of scary situations.

We witnessed many answers to prayers during our weekend together. As this Epistle reaches you, we wish that God's peace will continue to illuminate all of our lives now and forevermore.

Bill Schoder-Ehri, Presiding Clerk