I saw also that there was an ocean
of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed
over the ocean of darkness. And in that also I saw the infinite love of God;
and I had great openings.
George Fox, Journal, 1647
In August 2014, just over a year after we were "released" by Indiana Yearly Meeting, we met at Friends Memorial Church in Muncie to celebrate our new life together.
Two years ago, it felt
like a shipwreck. But we supported each other, and began building something new.
Other hands reached out, and we began to take our place in the organizational
life of worldwide Quakerism.
We sent out this Epistle:
THE NEW ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS
503 S. Main Street, New Castle, Indiana 47362, USA
Epistle to Friends everywhere
“What canst
thou say?” This was the question that George Fox put to the people in the
parish church near Swarthmoor Hall in 1652. It is the question about the work
of the Spirit among us that we in the New Association of Friends have tried to
answer in a gathering on August 23, 2014 in Muncie, Indiana.
In our
discussions of our lives as Friends over the past two years, four themes
emerged:
First, drawing inspiration from our rich heritage. Two of our meetings are
over 200 years old; one is 196. This year Spiceland Monthly Meeting celebrates
its 190th anniversary. We all share a deep sense of the importance
of our testimonies and worship and an appreciation of the power of silence.
Many of us are engaged in discussions and study of how best to carry out these
testimonies in the contemporary world.
Second, intentionality. The break with Indiana Yearly Meeting has given
many of us a new sense of freedom—a feeling we can imagine and plan in new and
innovative ways. We see this in a number of discussions and projects. These
have, in some of our meetings, meant reevaluating committee and meeting
structures in ways that would not have been possible in the past. It has meant
a new focus on missions and giving, as each meeting has assumed responsibility
for directing its donations and gifts, both in our local communities and in the
wider world. This has given many of us a new sense of energy and joy. We were
urged to seek ways to engage with each other more intentionally through the New
Association of Friends, in more direct relationships.
Third, change. The New Association is the
result of a withdrawal from Indiana Yearly Meeting that some found traumatic,
others liberating. But we now share a sense of relief that the tensions we
experienced are past. All of our meetings are facing changes. Salem has
children in its nursery for the first time in fifteen years. Richmond First Friends
mentioned the energy from its new leadership. Friends Memorial in Muncie is in
discernment about the future of its preschool program. All of our congregations
face challenges and opportunities in change. All of us are trying to respond to
economic and social changes that have caused growing poverty and deprivation in
our local communities. How best to respond to these needs is an issue for all
of us. We have also created a new web site for the Association that can be
found at: http://www.newassociationoffriends.org
Finally, hope. We share a renewed sense of the encouragement that can be
found in relationship with each other. Many of us spoke of how wonderful it was
not to approach a gathering of Friends with apprehension, but with hope, joy,
even an anticipation of having fun. We are still in discernment about the
future of the New Association of Friends. We rejoice at how far we have come,
trusting God will continue to lead us to deepen and strengthen our ties, and to
increased effectiveness and faithfulness.
Margaret Fraser, Clerk
Friends of the Light,
Michigan
Russell Wheeler, Recording Clerk
Englewood Friends Meeting,
Ohio
Epistle Committee:
Thomas D. Hamm
New Castle First Friends
Meeting, Indiana
Lincoln Blake
Richmond First Friends
Meeting, Indiana
Stephanie Crumley-Effinger
West Richmond Friends
Meeting, Indiana
The Epistle Committee at work during the meal break |
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