2005 Friends United Meeting Triennial Epistle

July 13-17, 2005

Greetings to Friends Everywhere:

More than 400 people traveled from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas for Friends United Meeting’s Triennial session held in Des Moines, Iowa from July 13-17, 2005. While we rejoiced in the fullness of our gathering, we lamented the absence of at least fifty additional East African Friends who were unable to obtain visas to enter the United States. With this loss in mind, we found fellowship and challenge in our theme, "And the Lamb Shall Overcome" (Revelation 17:14).

In our messages and informal conversations we frequently asked, "How can we remember our unity in Christ as we share with each other understandings that appear to be in opposition?" "Do we encourage each other as brothers and sisters, realizing the strength that comes to us as we follow God’s call in a wide variety of ways?"

General Secretary Retha McCutchen, referring in her keynote address to Howard Thurman’s metaphor, likened the work of FUM to a river. It begins as a trickle, but grows deep and strong as streams pour in along the way. Mirroring the greater Christian community and other faith groups around the world, FUM’s constituency holds differing views over theological responses to sexual ethics as reflected in FUM’s personnel policy. Retha urged Friends to unite on FUM’s mission, and not to allow a log jam over this one concern to block the flow of the river.

We sense God’s blessing upon the work of FUM as our global partnership in ministry increases. We are blessed with dedicated staff, both in our offices and in the field. FUM’s work throughout the world is accomplished by the equivalent of only fifteen paid staff.

This week, on behalf of representatives who were unable to be with us, John Muhanji (FUM Representative, Africa Ministries) accepted two plaques joyfully welcoming FUM’s newest yearly meetings: Tuloi and Uganda. Africa’s sixteen yearly meetings, which now constitute more than half of FUM’s membership, are served by the newly opened Africa Ministries Office in Kisumu, Kenya. Friends Theological College has grown to approximately seventy students and intends to achieve accreditation for a Bachelor of Arts degree within five years. Samburu and Turkana Friends Missions continue to grow and to attract many young people.

Belize Friends Boys School plans to expand its facilities to help more boys learn life skills. Ramallah Friends School, offering an international baccalaureate, stresses nonviolence, ethics, and community service among its 1070 students. The school maintains high academic standards and a fine orchestra, while also working with students with special needs. Groundwork is being laid for new evangelism in Russia, where it is hoped mission work will have begun by the next Triennial.

In his Johnson Lecture Oliver Kisaka Simiyu of East Africa Yearly Meeting North/Nairobi Yearly Meeting emphasized that seventeenth-century Quakers were unorthodox and unafraid. They fought, but they did not fight back. Rather, they demonstrated that it is possible to practice the Sermon on the Mount by turning the other cheek, which they did again and again. To be spiritual descendants of these people is an awesome responsibility. Followers of Christ must have compassion, reverence, and intellectual integrity.

T. Canby Jones traced the use of lambs in scripture. Noting "paradox is a great purveyor of truth," Canby presented several images of the lamb as both powerful and meek. At the bottom of the list of sacrificial animals in Leviticus, the lamb nonetheless overcomes.

Throughout the week Bible study leaders expanded on the Lamb’s War theme. Ramon Gonzalez-Longoria Escalona, clerk of Cuba Yearly Meeting, reminded us that the Book of Revelation has offered strength and comfort to Christians in times of persecution, including early Friends who understood the Lamb’s War as taking place within the human heart. John Moru of East Africa Yearly Meeting North brought us through nine stages of true discipleship. Douglas Gwyn of Indiana Yearly Meeting exhorted us to stand firm and let the lamb fight for us. In closing worship Jan Hoffman of New England Yearly Meeting emphasized Jesus’ presence among us by inviting us to speak his name in different words and languages. She left us with George Fox’s words, "It is time now for all the faithful to keep in Christ, their sanctuary, in whom you have all peace, rest, life and salvation."

Friends and family honored Ben Richmond with gifts and minutes of appreciation for his twenty years of service to FUM. At the closing session clerk Brent McKinney read a letter of resignation submitted by Retha McCutchen, effective March 2006. During open worship following the reading, Friends offered moving testimonies of Retha’s courage, compassion, and steadfastness. Ben and Retha assure us their ministry transitions are merely changes of venues.

Friends packed their bags, synthesized information, and reviewed the challenges presented during the week. North Carolina Yearly Meeting looks forward to welcoming the 2008 Triennial. And the deep waters of FUM still flow with their many tributaries.