NORTHWEST YEARLY
MEETING OF FRIENDS CHURCH (Quakers)
July,2002
To Friends
Everywhere:
Greetings from the
110th sessions of Northwest Yearly Meeting gathered on the George Fox
University campus in Newberg, Oregon, USA held July 20-26, 2002. "Live in
the Spirit of Truth... and speak Truth to the People." This quote from
John Woolman was our theme for the week. Attendance on Sunday night was 879
with an average of about 621 attenders at the evening services through the
week.
Joe Gerick,
general superintendent of NWYM, gave our keynote address. He challenged us that
although we do not live in the same world we did before September 11, these are
the times when we can shine most brightly as Christians and live a life of
quiet certainty in the face of horror.
The Parable of the
Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 was the ongoing scripture used in both the morning
and evening sessions. We were led as we considered this passage to stop running
from love and come home. This was a very effective means to center our thoughts
during business and worship as we sought to discern God's direction.
David Johns,
professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion was our speaker during the
evening meetings, elaborating on our theme quote from John Woolman. If we
strive to see clearly in order to speak the Truth, we are taught by grace that
sin in not the complete truth about us. In Christ's brokenness, we are healed
and can become ministers of Truth. "Because the foolishness of God is
wiser than men. and the weakness of God is stronger than men." I
Corinthians 1 :25
Each meeting for
business and worship, our Yearly Meeting Core Values were considered, and we
asked ourselves how we were carrying them into our daily lives. Reports from
the boards and commissions gave indication of growth and ventures into new
areas. Evaluation will be an ongoing process during the coming year to make the
best use of our leadership structure throughout the Yearly Meeting.
We labored much
during our sessions with a Faith and Practice revision. These changes include
the relationship of monthly meetings to NWYM: appeal process, incorporation,
and naming of churches. Finally it seemed good to send the portion back to the
Faith and Practice Revision Committee with a request to change some wording to
reflect more clearly the intent and deal with it as a first reading next year.
The task force
that looked into the question of whether or not to affiliate with FWCC brought
back a positive report and recommended that NWYM seriously consider a moved in
that direction. After some lively discussion, affiliation was approved.
There were 44
workshops held during the week. offering greater insight and understanding on a
variety of topics. During one of the worship sessions, we acknowledged and
celebrated 11 couples who have been married for 50 years. The Memorial service
included 50 names, and provided time to speak of the value of these Friends'
lives. It was encouraging to learn that six people are in the recording process
"You are my
friends if you do what I command. " John 15: 14 NIV
200 NORTH MERIDIAN
STREET, NEWBERG, OREGON 97132.2714. 503/538-9419 FAX 503/538-9410 EMAIL:
nwym@georgefox.edu