tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post9119830231735312080..comments2023-06-28T11:56:24.073-04:00Comments on The Lamb's War: QuakerSpring: A New CreationMicah Baleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849915973708989620noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-79187672203232575882012-07-19T16:34:48.691-04:002012-07-19T16:34:48.691-04:00Quaker Spring will gather next at Woolman Hill con...Quaker Spring will gather next at Woolman Hill conference center in Deerfield MA on June 21-26, 2013. Over 75 Friends took part in this gathering when we last met in New England in 2011. We will probably return to Barnesville in 2014 but we try to listen to God's voice about this from year to year.<br /><br />Costs are very low compared to almost all Quaker gatherings. This past year many participants paid $30/day for room & board. All fees are on a "free will offering basis (with a few Friends not able to contribute at all to our expenses). <br /><br />We are very sorry that this gathering is not more "on the radar" for most Friends. Several articles and reports have appeared in Friends Journal over the years and many announcements posted on quakerquaker.org. We hope that other Friends may be able to join us in this journey - and help us spread the word about this annual gathering! -- Peter Blood-PattersonPeter B-Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06998342485992823404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-14782907248229611902012-07-02T12:15:07.855-04:002012-07-02T12:15:07.855-04:00Micah,
The quote from George Fox that you closed ...Micah,<br /><br />The quote from George Fox that you closed with is in line with what Spirit is saying in me. It also the answers your last question. <br /><br />To enter the Kingdom of Heaven we have to be as children and play is what children do. The best description of play that I’ve come across is that it’s self-chosen, self-directed and can be quit at any time. Since I’ve known for as long as I can remember that I was created by God and, therefore, the Spirit of God knows me better than I know myself, self in the above definition equals my inward teacher.<br /><br />According to Bernard of Clairvaux the highest form of love is love of self for God’s sake. Is play the expression of love of self where Spirit is at work conforming us to the image of Christ? Are we each a particular aspect of the singular creation? As each of us is being and doing what we were created to be and do are we bringing the whole of creation to fulfillment?<br /><br />Some 25 years ago I was centering at home before I left for Meeting and in my spirit I saw me standing before a very tall gleaming white pedestal with a basin of water sitting on it. There were two angels with me, one on each side, lifting me up and saying, “God wants you to come out and play with him, but first you have to wash your hands.” The meaning of that is still maturing in me. <br /><br />Diane Benton, Oklahoma CityAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-6628243953160968052012-07-01T07:32:27.424-04:002012-07-01T07:32:27.424-04:00As I am new to my Meeting (or any meeting) I read ...As I am new to my Meeting (or any meeting) I read this with great interest and shall pass it on. We are experiencing this kind of renewal in the Spirit outside Meeting as well. And the Adversary is working hard, which is a sign that we are doing something Godly.<br /><br />Julie (Magdalena) Armstrong PerksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-82179838390545771792012-07-01T00:23:26.402-04:002012-07-01T00:23:26.402-04:00Well, one flaw I see with this form of ministry is...Well, one flaw I see with this form of ministry is that it hasn't been marketed very well. I'd never heard of QuakerSpring before this blog post, and I doubt anyone else in my Yearly Meeting knew QuakerSpring existed either. God appears to be gathering a rather narrow sample of Friends at this time. <br /><br />Will it always be in Barnesville? How much does it cost to attend in addition to travel? You say it can't be replicated through a specific "abstract model or process that can simply be exported", but could be it be transplanted somewhere further west or east, perhaps? I would personally prefer for it to go west, but if you are aiming to collect the Universalist and Conservative crowd, east is better.James H.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-52894906305818089082012-06-30T22:38:00.987-04:002012-06-30T22:38:00.987-04:00Steve -
The eighth chapter of Romans was very he...Steve - <br /><br />The eighth chapter of Romans was very heavy on my heart during much of our time together. Thank you for lifting it up!Micah Baleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06849915973708989620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-84540542020780274032012-06-30T22:36:28.340-04:002012-06-30T22:36:28.340-04:00Hey Richard and Robin!
I wish we could have had y...Hey Richard and Robin!<br /><br />I wish we could have had you with us! Fortunately, it seems likely that we will be gathering again next summer. I'm already giving thought to what a more intentional outreach effort might look like. At this point, QuakerSpring is still sort of in the "best kept secret" category.<br /><br />I agree with you that we are in a historical moment where deconstruction is very important, but I hope that we can also be constructive. I feel like something new and vibrant is emerging here, and I want to be open to the new ways that Christ is moving among his people. I feel blessed to be part of this movement of the Spirit - wherever it is taking us!<br /><br />It would be great to talk with you two more about how you see this happening in your networks and communities.Micah Baleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06849915973708989620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-60666770966724238602012-06-30T22:33:13.878-04:002012-06-30T22:33:13.878-04:00The Community Testimony was expressed through this...The Community Testimony was expressed through this Gathering together in & by Jesus Christ.<br /><br />The many promises of Romans 8 (particularly v. 29, "firstborn among many brethren") was demonstrated to me in hearing so many others reading the very Scripture passages that I was looking at just previously.<br /><br />Hopefully everyone experienced the presence & power of Christ in a way they can share with their Meetings.<br /><br />Then if those Meetings could only hold this Divine influence up to the Light in a way that it spills over into the world around us.Steve Olshewskynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-20352627928468151992012-06-30T20:28:36.106-04:002012-06-30T20:28:36.106-04:00I offer my gratitude for your experience, and the ...I offer my gratitude for your experience, and the idea that, at least for me in Illinois Yearly Meeting (ILYM), that it is not true that "the Religious Society of Friends seems to be falling apart right now." I see Indiana Yearly Meeting (I live in Indiana) doing what the Orthodox have done since the Hicksite reformation. It is nothing new that those who require creeds want to cast out those that do not. We are starting new worship group in ILYM. We have vibrant youth taking up eldering roles. We see different parts of our beloved community, and the parts you do not see or represent need to be articulated too. My intent is not to invalidate your point of view, but to show that there is at least another, and surely there are more.<br />Brad Laird<br />South Bend (IN) Friends MM<br />ILYMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-38215564014834009972012-06-30T19:42:55.355-04:002012-06-30T19:42:55.355-04:00Hi - So first I have to get over my envy because I...Hi - So first I have to get over my envy because I really would have liked to go this year, but we're moving house for the second summer in a row, and it was not feasible. Next year, will it be in Barnesville again? <br /><br />This last month has been a time of anxiety and confusion for me too (see moving house, above...). But the moments when I am able to take time to pray, to breathe, to write, to look at water running in streams, these are all blessed with the Presence and that makes it all easier.<br /><br />I am glad to hear of the gathering of Friends by the Holy Spirit - the temptation to despair is strong, with all the anxiety and confusion on the wider scale. <br /><br />The post-modern theorists talk about deconstruction before a constructive building of new theories, frameworks, institutions, communities. I think we're still in the transition phase. <br /><br />This morning one blessing was hearing Doc Watson's version of What a Friend We Have in Jesus. My favorite line is this: O what peace we often forfeit, o what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.<br /><br />This post feels like the same message coming through.Robin M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10336915224193704866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-58764000896927427642012-06-30T17:37:43.270-04:002012-06-30T17:37:43.270-04:00This speaks to me.This speaks to me.RichardMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08564152237574253857noreply@blogger.com