The
"communications" part of my job title means that I will be
focusing on FUM's strategic outreach, especially online and social
media communications. In addition, I will be collaborating on Quaker
Life, one of the most
prominent print publications in the Religious Society of Friends.
As FUM's magazine for more than 50 years, Quaker Life
is probably our most important tool for communicating across the
entire association at the present time. This is especially true
considering the limitations of internet access in East Africa, where
the majority of Friends reside.
The
"web" part of my job will be especially prominent in this
interim period. I will be
working closely with other members of the FUM staff as we roll out an
entirely new and re-designed website.
The current website was originally set up in 1997, and although the
site has had an amazing 15-year run, it is clearly time for an
upgrade! I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this work.
It is an honor to be on staff with
Friends United Meeting. My faith is deeply rooted in traditional
Quaker faith and practice - including waiting worship, orthodox
Christian belief, and Quaker business practice - and, for me, Friends
United Meeting represents the beautiful diversity that is possible
when we are gathered together in Jesus Christ. Like so many
established Christian organizations today, FUM faces huge challenges.
As a diverse and multicultural association of Friends, we are
stretched almost the breaking point around questions of authority,
our understandings of Scripture, our different levels of access to
wealth and mobility, and our vision for what the Body of Christ looks
like when we are faithful.
In the months ahead, I want to hear
from Friends about how FUM can be more vital and relevant,
particularly among Friends in North America. For generations, the
primary focus of Friends United Meeting has been on foreign mission
fields, and we can see the rich fruits of these efforts among Friends
in East Africa, Palestine, and the Carribean. Yet there is a
growing sense that North America itself needs to be the recipient of
a new missionary effort. What might that look like?
How might
the growing strength of Friends in the developing world contribute to
a spiritual rebirth in North America? What role do we have to play in
this time of great transition for the North American Church? How
might Friends United Meeting be an instrument of Christ's work of
renewal and transformation?
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it
springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the
wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
-Isaiah 43:19
-Isaiah 43:19
6 comments:
Good job Micah, in so many ways. I'm looking forward to seeing your and FUM's progress.
At least the site doesn't look like it's from 1997.
May the flexibility of your path allow you to follow your leadings.
Thanks for all your great work! Would love to hear more about FUM sometime.
One thing FUM could do would be to facilitate a traveling ministry where Friends from other places could minister to North American Friends. This has been done some in the past, but a stronger program in this area could contribute to revitalization among North American Friends.
And then some videos from their ministry could be posted at the FUM Web site.
Finding your questions too provocative, so pardon my spurious response:
"North America itself needs to be the recipient of a new missionary effort. What might that look like?"
Answering a question with a question, how many people say they have a leading to travel in the ministry, outside their own Meetings?
As a follow-up question, how many of those people could be well prepared to follow their leading to travel by first developing their gifts within their own Meetings?
The Religious Society of Friends seems replete with Monthly Meetings, each a greenhouse for individual growth.
As the individual grows, so too the Meeting is blessed.
Eventually, the vibrant Meeting cannot help but spillover into other areas of the Quaker (& not so Quaker) world.
So to answer the question directly, it would look like Monthly Meetings using Clearness Committees for more than membership & marriage.
grace and peace of the Lord to you in your new job, Micah. you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I like Bill S.'s idea about traveling ministry, by the way... maybe FUM could collaborate with YMs who are bringing folks from other lands to North America, already... I realize funds are always an issue....
e.g. some friends of mine attended YM for the first time (SAYMA, an FGC YM) and were greatly inspired by a Bolivian Friend who was there, presenting....
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