Outgoing Epistle of Indiana Yearly Meeting, 2002

Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends gathered for its 182nd sessions on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, 7th Mo. 27-30. The volatile weather of an Indiana July brought everything from steamy humidity to lights flickering in sudden thunderstorms, but no extremes of weather could interrupt our worship, learning, discussion, and fellowship.

Our keynote speaker was Roman Catholic author and spiritual guide Brennan Manning, who helped us develop the theme of the yearly meeting, "Sharing God's Grace and Majesty." He reminded us that God loves us just as we are, and challenged us to regular and disciplined reading of the Scriptures. Marilyn Laszlo of Wycliffe U.S.A. and David Byrne of the Coalition for Hispanic Ministries also led us in worship. Others shared with us in workshops, small groups, and other settings. Friends of Lynn Monthly Meeting shared a deep concern on the persistence and growth of human slavery around the world, including in the United States. Friends who attended the recent Friends United Meeting Triennial Sessions in Kenya shared heartening reports of the zeal of Kenyan Friends.

We faced challenges in our discussions. We mourned the laying down of another monthly meeting, a relatively young one that had been planted amidst high hopes. Part of our business sessions took up questions of stewardship. Our steadily declining membership means that the remaining members must shoulder an increasing burden. Hard choices must be made, with an inability to support every cause and mission that we would like to support. Friends reminded us that the best solution was to make new disciples by planting new congregations and bringing new members into our old ones. Yet we admitted that at times we find ourselves uncertain about how best to do this.

The dominant note of our worship and business was not pessimistic. We found much in which to rejoice and praise God. We thanked our presiding clerk, Susan Kirkpatrick, who is leaving the position after four years of service, for her energetic and inspiring leadership. We recorded John Key as a new minister of the Gospel. We noted near-record levels of attendance and participation at our Quaker Haven camp. The reports of our youth inspired us with their deep spiritual commitment and devotion to Christ. Searching discussion characterized by unusual levels of discernment, insight, and plain dealing helped us come to a better understanding of our shortcomings, and suggested ways that we might correct them. Through all of these discussions was a sense that we have so often felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in our individual and corporate lives that if we are faithful, the Spirit will show us the way that God wants Indiana Yearly Meeting to advance His Kingdom. We pray that that will be the experience of Friends everywhere.