August 11,2002

203 8 East 8t. , PO Box 70,

Plainfield, IN 46168 317/839-2789 800/909-3452

Fax 317/839-2616 WesternY11\@aol.com

Outgoing Epistle of Western Yearly Meeting

To Friends Everywhere,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The 145th Annual Sessions of Western Yearly Meeting were held from August 7 to 11, 2002, in Plainfield, Indiana. In a moving memorial celebration, we recognized the ministries of departed Friends. We were in need of humility as we faced three pivotal issues that continue to beg resolution if our Society is to remain strong: same-sex marriages, theological diversity and the authority of the yearly meeting. It was proposed that we focus on the first of these as the most pressing during these sessions.

In our devotions, we were reminded that our world is still under the control of our Lord Creator, who speaks to our condition in the person of His Son. We need not complicate the love of God for humankind, nor the love humankind shows to God. We were impressed with the necessity to involve and learn from our youth, who are our future. Our theme song led us to "come as children, trusting in God's love alone, as hand in hand together we can make Him known" (based on Isa.11 : 6). "Peace in the Kingdom," a musical parable presented by a local meeting echoed our theme. We were encouraged to seek after holiness, both in our Quaker Lecture, "The Cross of Joy and the Journey of the Soul," presented by Bill Taber, affiliated with the Friends Center near Barnesville, Ohio, and in our closing Sunday morning message, "The Now and Then Kingdom," presented by one of our own pastors, Don Perry .

A highlight of one business session was the report from Friends who attended Friends United Meeting Triennials in Kenya. We were touched by the reports of sincere worship that Kenyan Friends experience in enthusiastic faith, unencumbered by traditions and conventions that sometimes stifle the Spirit. We praised the Lord for the wonderful report of increased youth attending Quaker Haven Camp, and the presentations by our youth during our sessions were uplifting and encouraging.

On behalf of Western Yearly Meeting,

Mary Lee Comer

Presiding Clerk

Serving Friends in Western Indiana and Eastern Illinois