Throughout the summer and fall, many of William Penn House staff and interns participated in a wide-range of outreach and program activities that took us to many different places.  One thing that struck many of us, and became a part of the kitchen and office conversations, is what does it mean to be part of - either as a member or an employee or both - a faith community that proclaims open-mindedness, but has a clear political ideology?  At so many of the gatherings we attended, the embracing of a political figure as if he were a religious savior seemed out of place.  Some of us questioned: what would happen if someone showed up with a McCain for President t-shirt on?  Would he/she receive Quaker hospitality or scorn? 

 

Shortly after the elections, Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass wrote two articles (here and here) about an 8th grade student in Oak Park, IL, known in the Chicago area as a very liberal town.  This student wanted to test the openness of her school by wearing a McCain shirt to school one day and an Obama t-shirt the next.  The reactions were troubling, but given what we saw among Friends, actually somewhat predictable. 

 

For us at William Penn House, we look forward to 2009 being a year of creating more peace in our world.  In our programs and our lodging we actively seek to create that peace within.  The past year certainly showed us how easy it is to do the opposite.