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Section of the Americas
| November 5, 2012
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Greetings!
Occasionally people ask me, so what do you actually do with your time when you're the Executive Secretary? My standard answer is that it's a lot of ordinary non-profit management, plus some religious education and some pastoral care, and of course, fundraising.
Our efforts to prepare a Section work plan for the next two years has some elements of all of these. Nitty-gritty program planning and budgeting for an organization that spans 7,000 miles and about $500,000 dollars. Working with 12 committees to address the needs and opportunities for the Section. Corresponding with 45 yearly meetings, 1,350 monthly meetings and 130 official Representatives in English and Spanish to listen to their concerns and communicate our plans. And inviting all Friends, subscribers, donors and inquirers to connect with and support the Friends World Committee both spiritually and financially over the next two years, and beyond.
I'm honored to have this opportunity to serve you. Keep sending me your ideas, advice and encouragement. Keep me (and all our staff and volunteers) in your prayers. And consider how you may be called to serve Friends in the next two years...
In friendship,
Robin Mohr |
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 How is the Living Water flowing in you?
For personal reflection or small group discussions, use this new study booklet to get the conversation flowing. The book includes moving personal stories from the Sixth World Conference of Friends, a Biblical reflection on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well and a spiritual reflection on clean water issues in the world. Studded with queries for deeper consideration and an activity guide for interactive sessions, the booklet is for Friends of all ages. Now available for download and as an onscreen flipbook, FREE from the Section of the Americas. From the introduction: "As every corner of the globe faces economic, political and environmental turmoil, we ask ourselves how our small and diverse community can live its faith so that God's love and purpose for the Earth - the Good News - can be made known to the whole world." The booklet reflects on aspects of the theme from a variety of Quaker cultures. Each piece comes from the authentic experience of a member of our worldwide family of Friends, each seeking to be faithful according to the Light he or she has been given. As we learn about each other's experience of God, the divine, the ultimate reality, our task is not to judge, but rather to be open to truth as seen from the perspective of others, whose understanding of our Quaker tradition is radically different. We hope that Friends will gather into small study groups - face-to-face and in other ways - to explore together their responses to the texts and the queries. Our wish is that by dwelling on texts they may find challenging, Friends will broaden their understanding, deepen their spiritual insights and practice opening their hearts and minds to God's leadings. The translation of this study book into Spanish is in progress. Donations to support this work and other translation needs are always appreciated. |
 Experience the flow of the Living Water of the Holy Spirit this weekend in Madison, WI Come this Saturday, November 10th to Madison Friends Meeting! Brian Young will lead Friends in considering what practices or actions can help the Living Water of spiritual vitality to flow more freely in us, in our communities and in the wider world. Brian grew up in the unprogrammed tradition and has spent his adult life among pastoral Friends. He is a 2008 graduate of the Earlham School of Religion and is entering his fifth year of service as pastor at Berkeley (CA) Friends Church, part of Western Association of Friends. His recent article, "Finding the Words" appears Quaker Life magazine. Click here to read it. The program will include - worship
- interactive presentation
- small group discussions
We will start with a light lunch at noon, enjoy a potluck supper together and conclude by 8:00 pm. Childcare and some home hospitality available with Friends. Read the flyer for more details and check our website for more 'Living Water' programs coming in 2013. Register Now! This program is one of a series of Friends World Committee programs being offered in the Americas through April 2013, as a way of bringing the energy of the Sixth World Conference back home to Friends. |
 Guatemalan World Conference speaker to present Living Water program in Texas and Mexico Born into a Christian Quaker home, Karen de Calderon has been involved in God's work within the Guatemala Holiness Friends yearly meeting since she was a child. Karen currently serves Friends World Committee as coordinator for the central region of Latin America. She now comes to Houston and San Antonio, Texas, and Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico this month to lead FWCC programs on the theme Let the Living Water Flow! Friends serving God's purposes:
- Wednesday, November 14, 7:00 pm: Friends Community Church of Angleton, with youth group.
- Thursday, November 15, 8:00 pm: Friendswood Friends Church, Friendswood, TX, with youth group.
- Friday, November 16, 7:30 pm: San Antonio Friends Church Spanish language presentation.
- Saturday, November 17, 1:00 pm, Iglesia Amigos de Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico
- Sunday, November 18, Iglesia Amigos de Agujita, Coahuila, Mexico, morning worship.
Karen de Calderon served on the planning committee for the 2005 World Gathering of Young Friends, and as a summer intern at the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva. At this year's Sixth World Conference of Friends, held in Kenya, she opened the conference with a personal testimony of experiencing violence associated with the drug trafficking culture. For more information on these programs, check our website or contact us. |
Announcing Grants for the Study or Practice of Christian Mysticism
The Elizabeth Ann Bogert Memorial Fund for the Study or Practice of Christian Mysticism, administered by the Friends World Committee, makes annual grants of up to $1000. Individuals wishing to apply for grants in 2013 should submit a copy of their proposal no later than March 1, 2013.
Further information on applying for a Bogert grant can be found here.
Recently funded projects have included research into John of Fecamp with the goal of reevaluating mystical piety in the 11th century; a study to develop greater understanding of the methods of centering prayer; writing a new English edition of early Franciscan mystics for the series "Classics of Western Spirituality"; and development of a series of workshops on the practice of Christian Mysticism. |
Prayers for Northeast hurricane flow from Latin America
This newsletter often reports on natural disasters affecting Friends around the world. Last week's hurricane Sandy was felt by a large area of the northeastern United States, after crossing through Cuba and the Caribbean. The Friends World Committee office in Philadelphia was closed for two days, and since that time prayers for the well-being of all Friends in this part of the USA have been received with gratitude from England, Oregon, Mexico and Cuba, among other places.
From FWCC Clerk Ramón González Longoria, of Cuba YM:
We unite in love with those in your country who have lost loved ones and their property. We pray that the Lord helps you and that you will soon recover from the damages...In our country the two most affected provinces were Santiago de Cuba to the south, and our province of Holguin, especially Banes and Retrete Monthly Meetings. Some of our members have lost part or all of their roofs and they are being sheltered elsewhere.
From Delia Marisela of the La Familia Unida en Cristo Friends Church outside of Mexico City, Mexico:
Here in Mexico there are people praying for all those who live in the affected area. We know that God never leaves his children without aid!
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