OHIO YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS

61830 SANDY RIDGE RD.

BARNESVILLE, OHIO 43713

To Friends Everywhere, and to all people of goodwill

HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO REJOICE?

How can we continue to rejoice, when living in the most powerful nation on earth no longer seems safe?

How can we continue to rejoice, when we can no longer ignore atrocities committed in the name of God at home and abroad, or the grief they bring to victims and their families?

How can we continue to rejoice, when we are ridiculed for suggesting that such atrocities be forgiven and not avenged?

How can we continue to rejoice) men our government is poised to inflict more pain and suffering in its self-proclaimed role of world policeman?

How can we continue to rejoice, when our neighbors and friends wave flags in support of war as if preparing for a football game?

We rejoice, for we know that our redeemer lives

We rejoice that death is already swallowed up in victory

We rejoice that Jesus Christ is come to teach his people himself and to lead us into all Truth.

We rejoice that the power of love is and always will be over the power of evil and strife.

We rejoice that the one who sits in the judgement seat has already forgiven our transgressions and given us the power to forgive others.

How can we not rejoice?

We bid all Friends, indeed all people of good will throughout the world, to rejoice with us, singing songs of overcoming, Hallelujah!

Trust the Lord, make peace with your enemies, and give freely to those in need. Then the peace in your heart will be beyond understand and the Lord will bless you and keep you always.

In the Love and Faith of Jesus Christ,

Your Friends in Ohio Yearly Meeting

Seth Henshaw, Clerk