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Section of the Americas
| February 15, 2012
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Greetings!
It is such a whirlwind here in our office: finishing the projects from 2011, ramping up for the World Conference in April, reflecting on the fact that 2012 is the 75th anniversary of the founding of FWCC. Some days it is dizzy-making.
Many years ago, Howard Thurman wrote a poem/prayer that begins and ends with the phrase, "Grant that I may pass through the coming year with a faithful heart." I've pinned it to the bulletin board above my desk to remind me that, regardless of our mistakes or our accomplishments, faithfulness is our goal.
Thank you for your prayers and your participation in the Friends World Committee for Consultation. May we pass through the coming year together, in faith and friendship.
Robin Mohr
Executive Secretary
To read the whole poem, here is the link to Meditations of the Heart.
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 Gretchen Castle of Philadelphia nominated to start as General Secretary from January 2013The Central Executive Committee of Friends World Committee for Consultation has agreed that the name of Gretchen Castle of Philadelphia YM, currently Acting Dean at Pendle Hill Quaker Study Center, should go forward for approval as Nancy Irving's successor as General Secretary. This proposal will be considered at the International Representatives Meeting at the World Conference.
Once Gretchen's name is approved, she will join the team at the World Office in London as Associate General Secretary in October, taking over from Nancy in January 2013.
Gretchen writes: "It is with great joy that I anticipate taking on this work. I am grateful to serve Friends through FWCC, a vital organization that is connecting Friends, changing lives, and gathering our voices as Friends worldwide." |
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"Salt & Light" in Peru, May 2011
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Salt & Light programs draw to a close with arrival of the World Conference
The centerpiece of FWCC's programming since 2010 and leading up to the Sixth World Conference of Friends has been to hold local gatherings throughout the Section of the Americas on one common theme, Being Salt and Light: Friends living the kingdom of God in a broken world.
In all, local events took place in over 55 Friends meetings and churches, drawing over 1700 Friends in eight countries into conversation on what our faith and testimonies lead us to do in mending a broken world. Guided by national and international speakers, this was a rare opportunity for some Friends to welcome Quaker ministry from afar, to learn about how Friends express their faith within the global family of Friends, and to ask each other: how do Friends hope to be the salt, and be the light, in their local communities?
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| World Conference delegates still being accepted
We are extraordinarily grateful that Friends in the Americas have responded generously to the appeals for the Travel Fund. Over $82,000 has been raised in the Section of the Americas, and those funds are now all committed to Friends coming from around the world. This will be the most representative World Conference ever, with delegates from over 100 yearly meetings and groups of Friends in 42 countries.
Some open places remain for Friends who wish to attend the World Conference in Kenya, April 17-25 and who do not need travel funding. In order to attend as an open place delegate, you must be 18 years of age or older at the start of the Conference, and must be in membership of the Religious Society of Friends. The only exception is young adult Friends between the ages of 18 and 35. If you fall into this category, and you are not in membership, you will be asked to supply a letter of endorsement from your yearly meeting or church detailing your active involvement with Friends.
Click here to learn more
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"New Light" programs coming after the World Conference.
Over the past 18 months, many volunteers throughout the Section of the Americas have organized local FWCC events, and more importantly, welcomed traveling ministers and discussions about being 'salt' and 'light' in their area. With a once-in-a-generation World Conference in April, we anticipate that the energy and sense of renewal experienced corporately will guide us in determining a new theme, a "New Light," that FWCC can bring to meetings and churches via Friends traveling in the ministry.
Now is the time to consider hosting an FWCC "New Light" event in the fall of 2012. Talk to Friends in your local church or meeting, quarterly meeting, and others you know. Contact us to learn more.
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Section of the Americas Annual Meeting
The Section of the Americas business meeting normally held each year in March will be conducted at two short Section meetings during the World Conference. Both World Conference delegates and yearly meeting representatives to the Section of the Americas will receive, electronically, documents in advance in preparation for our work together. The next Section Annual Meeting will take place March 14-17, 2013 in Morgantown, Indiana, at Waycross Episcopal Camp and Conference Center. This site hosted the 2008 Section annual meeting. |
Online Study circles in full swing, additional groups starting
If you thought you missed your opportunity to be part of an online study group with Friends from around the world, you can still participate. New groups are now being added. After you register and a group is formed, you will receive emailed instructions on how to access a site being hosted by Woodbrooke Quaker Study Center in England.
This online program is similar to online courses offered by schools and universities, via a program called Moodle. Just as in a small worship or study group, Friends begin by introducing themselves to each other. On your own schedule, you then respond to queries or comments by posting online. Each group is hosted by a moderator or study group leader.
Sign up to participate now.
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 | Paul Mitchell (r) and Jesús Huarachi (3rd from r) with former Embajadores Friends FWCC reps
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Travel to evaluate FWCC's Latin America work
Paul Mitchelll (North Carolina YM-FUM) and Jesús Huarachi (National Evangelical Friends Church of Peru) recently returned from an FWCC-sponsored visit to Friends in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, as part of the year-long program to evaluate FWCC's Committee of Latin American Friends program. Jesús and Paul spoke with former representatives to FWCC, yearly meeting leaders, young adult Friends and Friends not currently familiar with the work of FWCC and the Committee of Latin American Friends. They also gave presentations on FWCC and were offered opportunities to deliver the message in worship.
From Jesus: "This visit has been like a pilgrimage for me because I have been able to share messages, meet Friends and, most importantly, learn from others."
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Jesús Huarachi in the Copan Ruinas, Honduras Friends Church
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From Paul: "it was truly a blessing to meet so many leaders and members of the churches that we visited. We were warmly welcomed everywhere and it was clear to me that the people we
met with were interested in us as traveling Friends as well in the information we had to share."
A plan for work priorities will be developed after discussion among Latin American Friends who will be attending the World Conference, and after the proposal is approved by FWCC's Executive Committee later this year.
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Guatemala Santidad YM Friends share a meal with Jesus Huarachi and Paul Mitchell in Esquipulas
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