OHIO VALLEY YEARLY MEETING EPISTLE 2002

To Friends everywhere:

Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting met on the campus of Earlham College, Richmond. Indiana. July 31 - August 4, 2002. We gathered together with the theme of "Healing the World,' humbled at the enormity of the challenge we had placed before ourselves. Who were we, a small group of mid- western Quakers, to think that we could heal the world? What might we have to say?

We were challenged by our two plenary speakers to remember that healing must be holistic. Healing must be both personal and systemic. We must learn to seek healing in all areas of our lives. Kathy Guthrie from the Friends Committee on National Legislation spoke of the need to work in many places; locally, nationally, and internationally. Jennifer Bing-Canar, from the American Friends Service Committee, spoke of the need for healing between the Jewish and Arab people in the Middle East. Healing, especially the ability to forgive, must come from personal transformation. At the same time, unjust situations often provide fertile soil for human atrocities. We were also blessed to have among us John Calvi, who spoke about and demonstrated his healing ministry at the personal level.

We responded to these challenges in a number of ways. Most importantly, we carried out our work under the clear guidance of the Holy Spirit. Once again, surrounded by loving Friends, we gained strength to minister to the world. We approved the attached minute on the importance of living sustainably; increasing our awareness of ways in which we are harming the Earth, and steps which we might take to reduce our environmental impact. Recognizing the need to speak as a body more often, and respond promptly when needed, we approved the formation of a yearly meeting Peace & Social Concerns Committee. We also recognize that as a faith community, we must be clear about what we believe. Our Discipline Revision Committee brought to us a draft section on "close relationships". This is the first portion of a revised Faith and Practice, the document that reflects who we are as a faith community.

Like all Friends in the United States, we are challenged by the events of September 11,2001, and their aftermath. We have come to know that the Peace Testimony is increasingly important in these times of war and preparations for war. In that light, we welcome the opportunity to participate in the upcoming FWCC consultation on Friends and the peace testimony, and - enthusiastically endorsed the peace tax bill that would allow for conscientious objection to the payment of income ta.'{es for military spending.

On this 350th anniversary of George Fox's vision of "a people gathered together", we know how valuable it is to be gathered as a specific faith community, as Friends. We affirm the importance of personal transformation, and encourage Friends to tend to their spiritual life, in all its aspects. We encourage Friends to participate in the building up of our monthly, quarterly and yearly meetings as places where individuals are spiritually nurtured and corporate action is expected. In these times when it seems that the earth is coming apart, we are reminded that we are called "simply" to be faithful. True healing is done not by us, but by God working through us; using our hands. We must prepare ourselves through prayer and worship, individually and corporately, to be used by God in the healing of creation.

Cindi Goslee

Clerk