Twenty-five years ago, I was so nervous.

In 1991 my yearly meeting asked me to attend the FWCC 5th World Conference of Friends in Kenya. The theme was "Worship in Spirit and in Truth: Faith in Action." Involvement with Friends from so many traditions was new to me! My whole Quaker experience had been with unprogrammed liberal Friends in my Meeting and theAmerican Friends Service Committee (AFSC). 

The very first day, in our small home groups, we each spoke of our personal faith. My stammered response referred to my belief in the Light, which is directly accessible to all and which guides our actions. After I spoke, the Guatemalan Friend looked at me with shock and asked, "How can you be a Quaker if you do not take Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?" This was exactly the kind of exchange I had feared. 
 
Another day we focused on "Faith in Action;" I assumed Evangelical Friends would talk about bringing people to Christ. Instead, the Cuban spoke at length about the importance of peace conversion. The Bolivian told us their army was razing the farms of poor people, leaving them no way to support their families. Yes, they were growing some coca and Friends did not approve of the drug trade, but he asked, "Aren't we called to stand with the poor?" The Peruvian spoke of the many guerilla armies that operated throughout his area, where Friends were trying to provide health care, education, food and housing in their community. Finally, the Guatemalan spoke of her work in a way that could have been an excerpt from an AFSC paper on appropriate development. was humbled and thrilled by this experience which opened both eyes and heart.
 
At the end of the ten-day conference, my Guatemalan friend embraced me, saying, "Now I understand that what you call the Light and I call Jesus Christ are the same." Those were not just words; they represented the kind of transformative opening and growth I had experienced in our discussions, and were the profound effect of faith in action around us. We had come to not only understand, but also to love one another.
 
Twenty-five years is a long time. How have you changed over that time?

I was inspired to become deeply involved with the Friends World Committee. I believe the world needs FWCC's capacity to cross barriers of race, language, class, and especially theology, and to fulfill Jesus' command to love one another. I have just finished two terms on the Executive Committee. Having helped develop the new strategic plan, I am confident we are putting our faith into action. I just started work on another new experience by joining the development committee; I never pictured myself doing this work before. 

Please join me in supporting FWCC with a generous donation. Together, our support will mean that Friends will be able to experience FWCC's transformative work for many years to come.

Sincerely,
   


Ann Stever
North Pacific Yearly Meeting

P.S. To make it easier to contribute over the long term, join me as a Sustainer with a monthly recurring gift. It's easy to set up online or by calling 215-241-7250.



 
donate_now_blue3_btn.gif

 
Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas
1506 Race St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102