The spiritual basis of Quaker lobbying

What I love about Quaker lobbying is that it's Spirit-led and grounded in the conviction that there is "that of God" in everyone.

To make this point clear, FCNL has put together a biblical rationale for Quaker lobbying so that Christ-centered Friends will feel more comfortable with our process and policies. In addition, Marge Abbott, one of the great bridge-builders between Evangelical and liberal Friends, has written a pamphlet explaining the theological basis of Quaker lobbying. Both are excellent resources.

FCNL gives Friends an opportunity to put our faith into practice. This November 325 Quakers came together from throughout the United to take part in Quaker lobby day. We not only received training on how to lobby, Quaker-style, we also heard excellent policy reports from experts. But perhaps most meaningful of all, we had time for worship and worship sharing."

FCNL's website notes that "working from one's spiritual center has been part of the Quaker tradition for hundreds of years." That means being spiritually grounded and coming from a place of love as we go about the business of politics. We are also reminded to listen deeply as well as speak from our (spiritual) center so we can understand the other's point of view and make a real connection with those we dialoguing with. Finally, "it involved looking for that of God in the other person even--especially--when that is difficult." (See http://fcnl.org/resources/newsletter/janfeb12/making_change_in_an_election_year/)

These are the principles behind Quaker lobbying. Following these guidelines isn't easy, especially if one feels strongly about an issue. Being open-hearted and open-minded is especially difficult when the stakes are high. I am glad that FCNL provides training and role modeling so that I can practice such Spirit-led lobbying.

FCNL also provides some well-researched, concrete recommendations for policy change:

1) Cutting the Pentagon budget by a trillion dollars over the next decade.

2) Investing in war prevention, which is 60 times more cost effective than military intervention after a crisis erupts. This means investing in programs such as the Complex Crisis Fund and Civilian Response Corps, as well as diplomatic efforts.

 3) Getting the Senate to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban and downsize our nuclear arsenal. The US and Russia have 19,000 of the 20,000 nuclear weapons in the world. It's up to us to set an example and reduce our weaponry.

 4) Bringing all troops home from Afghanistan by 2014.

 5) Having actual serious face-to-face negotiations with Iran. In the last 30 years high-level US and Iranian officials have met only once in 30 years to have one-on-one diplomatic talks and that conversation in Oct 2009 lasted only 45 minutes. Before going to war, or even threatening war, we need to have a serious talk with Iran....

 FCLN is also calling for comprehensive immigration reform and an end to government subsidies of fossil fuels. Finally, we need a Constitutional amendment to prevent corporate money from deranging our democratic process.

 Much of what FCNL advocates is also supported by other faith-based groups, such as the National Council of Churches and mainstream churches such as the Methodists and Presbyterians, etc. that have lobbyists here in DC that work together on many issues. It is good to remember that the right-wing Christians aren't the only ones pushing a political agenda: liberal Christians are also politically engaged. (And increasingly are working with liberal Jews, Muslims and other faith-based groups.)

 

During Quaker lobby day I had the opportunity to meet with three local representatives or their adies: Adam Schiff (Pasadena), Brad Sherman (Thousand Oaks area), and Lois Capps (Santa Barbara). Of the three, Lois was the most receptive. She met us in person and was so sympathetic she covered nearly all of our "talking points." She also knew my teacher and mentor, the great Santa Barbara peace activist, Gene Hoffman. I feel that with Lois, we have a Friend on the Hill.

 

We also met with aides for Schiff and Sherman. They basically support the Democratic line: tax increases for the rich, modest cuts in the Pentagan and social services, and exiting Afghanistan as soon as possible. Schiff has opened admitted there is much waste and misspent funds in the Pentagon budget, hence the need for cuts, especially when it comes to nuclear weaponry.

 

What elected officials told us is that if we want change, we need to let them know our views loudly and clearly.

 

While the recent elections did not provide either party with a mandate, the voters generally preferred liberal and Democratic candidates and positions over conservative Republicans. We need to amplify the progressive voice.

I urge you to contact your elected officials to let them know how you feel about these issues. FCNL has a website (fcnl.org) that makes it extremely easy to contact the right official at the right time to say the right thing. (The definition of political wisdom.)

The important thing is to stay engaged. As William Penn wrote in his pamphlet "No Cross, No Crown": “True godliness [i.e. spirituality] does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it.”

Saving families from foreclosure and eviction by banksters

While we are enjoying our holiday with family in a lovely cottage in Shell Beach, low-income families are being foreclosed and evicted illegally by unscrupulous banksters. Please hold Dede and others like her in your prayers. We are grateful for groups like Occupy Fights Foreclosure that are standing in solidarity with these families. Sadly, our local newspaper didn't see fit to print anything about these families when they showed up at the Pasadena City Council. We sent this op ed piece to the Pasadena Star News (which supported Romney) and were ignored.

Dear Editor,

 

We were disappointed to see your front page story feature only the Pasadenans who went to the City Council with a concern about the NFL coming to the Rose Bowl (Nov 20, 2012). What your reporters ignored were those of us who came to the City Council concerned about how low income families are being kicked out of their homes illegally by banks, even here in Pasadena.

Take, for instance, our friend and neighbor, Deirdra Duncan, a Pasadena native and foster care mother of five developmentally disabled siblings, ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old. Dede is an officer in her church and a committed advocate for her neighborhood.

According to Lydia Breen, a member of Occupy Fights Foreclosure who came to the City Council meeting, Dede lived as a tenant at 35 W. Howard until October 19 when an investor obtained the house under suspicious circumstances from Bank of New York Mellon. He proceeded to illegally evict Dede, allegedly using inflammatory racist language against Dede and intimidation tactics against the children – threatening to have them sent back to the foster care system. The police sided with the investor during the eviction, stating he held a deed.

But as we know from the recent $120 million settlement against Wells Fargo, fraud in the home mortgage system has been rampant. A court case is pending on the foreclose. It is the duty of the police to remain neutral in civil affairs. They are not in a position to document the validity of a deed in light of the robo signing and other massive fraud in the system.

Occupy Fights Foreclosures came to the City Council to testify that they have seen a sharp rise in physical abusive and intimidation tactics used by investors, realtors and property mangers. They've seen police break into homes in riot gear to evict 80 year old women. They've seen the mother of a severely disabled child thrown out on the street and a woman yanked out of the house by force in her nightgown.

A woman who cares for children whose parents can’t or won’t care for them deserves our respect and support. She deserves to remain in the city where she was born, where her children go to school. Dede is a strong woman. Yet she is a victim of the fraud that is part of the business model of the financial industry.

As Lydia Breen pointed out, there is essentially no Section 8 housing in Pasadena. The city’s own website offers no rental units in the city within Dede's price range. If Dede leaves, she will be one more African American forced out of the city – a city that has already seen a 24% decline in the black population between 2000 – 2010.

We ask that the city direct the Pasadena Police Department to place a moratorium on evictions from foreclosed homes until the courts and the County Recorders Office find a way to clean out the massive amount of fraudulent deeds and other mortgage documents sitting on its shelves.

Surely a City that can afford to spend millions on the Rose Bowl can insure that its low-income citizens, especially those of color, are treated with dignity and fairness.

Lydia Breen and Dr. Jill Shook, 23-year resident of Pasadena and author of "Making Housing Happen," a book about faith-based affordable housing models.

Making housing happen in Pasadena and elsewhere

While I was in Washington, DC, with 325 Quakers petitioning our government to cut the military budget and devote more funds to social programs (see http://laquaker.blogspot.com/2012/11/quakers-go-to-washington-to-call-for.html), my wife Jill Shook and her fellow activist Michelle White of Orange Grove Meeting went  to the Pasadena City Council with other concerned citizens to make sure that the voices of the poor are heard, and the concerns of ALL Pasadenans are addressed, when it comes to the most basic human need: housing.

Here's a letter that was written to the City Council that has some excellent proposals for creating affordable housing here in Pasadena and elsewhere. (For more about affordable housing, I recommend checking out Jill's new book: https://wipfandstock.com/store/Making_Housing_Happen_2nd_Edition_FaithBased_Affordable_Housing_Models

Nov. 19, 2012

Dear Planning Commissioners,

               We are advocates from the Affordable Housing Services, All Saints members, Door of Hope, ECPAC—the Ecumenical Council for Pasadena Area Congregations, the Elizabeth House, Family Promise, Interdenominational Alliance, Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, the Mennonite Church, Pacific Clinics, Unite Here and the Urban Village.  We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the work you continue to do to discern the wise use of our city’s land, and the time you have given to update the general plan. We also thank you for encouraging Michelle White last month to consider how the 8 Guiding Principles could have language that would include housing for all income levels within our city.

               The issue of affordable housing is one of great consideration and consequence to those who live and work in the city of Pasadena. We are aware that the 20,000 residents of our city are spending more than they can afford on housing costs (The federal standard is that households should not spend more than a third of our income on housing costs) An additional grievance is that a number of those who can’t afford housing work for the City of Pasadena and even grew up here, but can no longer afford to live here.

 What we currently know:

·           Those we serve in the various non-profits we represent would become stable, contributing citizens of our community if they could afford to live in Pasadena. Where they work and close to family and their houses of worship—their meaningful support systems.

·           Pasadena has a huge disparity in income. Supporting high-end restaurants, hotels and amenities, beautiful lawns, clean homes, and dry-cleaned clothes requires a vast workforce. They deserve to live in the city where they serve.

·           Commuting creates traffic—one of the biggest issues we hear about. If you ask most people why they live where they do, they will tell you it’s because of affordability. A great example is Portland, Oregon, which has made 50% of the housing in the downtown area affordable, resulting not only in lowered traffic, but a lower carbon footprint.

·            Pasadena is a world-class city and we demonstrate an example to our region, state and nation. We need to make sure that this example is inclusive with a diverse range of socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicities. This is what makes for a rich experience in our great city. We have a history as a mixed-income community with the wide streets with large home and maids quarters, and back houses, and narrow streets with smaller homes. This mixed income heritage must be preserved.

Yet, we are losing affordable housing faster than we are building it. We MUST preserve this essential precious resource and continue to create policies that will both preserve as well as support new affordable units. There are many ways that we can do this while creating a win-win for developers, landlords and more. For example:

1. Create a Community Land Trust like that of the South LA Trust.  This  Trust is addressing  the mass displacement of community residents around USC; all the units built on the on Trust land remain permanently affordable—no ending of HUD Contacts (typically 20-45 years) and affordability covenants which has secured in places like Castle Green ( that need to be paid by the city each time they expire).  A Community Land Trust is similar to our Inclusionary housing ordinance in Pasadena which is permanently affordable, any land banking the city may land bank  could be placed in a trust. The California Community Foundation has an LA County wide trust that the city could partner with. Over 200 cities in the US are helping to create or partnering with Community Land Trusts.

2. Work with the state to adjust how tax credits are utilized, in a way that landlords who are already making their units affordable are rewarded. Tax Credits could help them improve their properties while retaining affordability. This could also enable them to gain access to greening their apartments to address environmental concerns.

3. Legalize second units.  Like Sierra Madre, Culver City and Santa Cruz, work with landlords with illegal second units to help them become legal in exchange for affordability covenants. Additionally, allow new units on properties less than 15,000 square feet.

4. Strengthen our Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. Raise levels so that around transportation corridors the percentage is 20% or 25%; additionally lower the car spaces needed as close-by public transportation will help make up for this.  (Parking is now of the most expensive parts of any housing).

5. Find ways to fully fund our Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Create impact fees, recordation fees and other means to fund the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The list can go on and on. These are not impossible ideas. We need to see possibilities and create guiding principles for our general plan that will support these kinds of visionary attainable goals over the next ten years.

The Greater Pasadena Affordable Housing Group has taken the challenge of Richard Norton to find language that would better express the importance of affordable housing for all residents, not just for the labor force as it is now stated within the concept of social equity. That is one step in the right direction, but is too limiting. We also took the liberty to adjust the language to make the guiding principles more culturally and ethnically inclusive.

We need to consider all Pasadena residents, particularly seniors and the disabled, like those who were unprotected when they were unlawfully evicted from Pasadena Manor. When these matters are properly addressed, only then will we move toward true social equity in Pasadena.

Please carefully look over the work we have done and consider our recommendations. We appreciate your important role in shaping our great city’s future, and we thank you for the challenge and opportunity to participate in this with you.

We look forward to attending the next planning session on Nov. 28^th after you have reviewed our suggested changes. We are eager to hear what you think, talk on the phone or meet in person if you have any questions.

Regards,

The Greater Pasadena Affordable Housing Grou

Contact: Michelle White (626) 296-3100 or Jill Shook at (626) 675-1316

Giving thanks to Native Americans on Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving rolls around, I have to remind myself not to be curmudgeonly and dwell on the fact that the story about the Indians and the Pilgrims we learned in school is at best a half-truth, a feel-good tale masking what was to become a genocidal attack. Those who want to know how many Native people feel about Thanksgiving can go to http://laquaker.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-wrong-with-thanksgiving.html And if you are interested in a Quaker perspective on this subject, you might check out “William Penn and the Indians” (See http://laquaker.blogspot.com/2010/11/william-penn-and-indians.html).

This year I'd like to sound a positive note and express appreciation for what the Original Inhabitants of Turtle Island have given to European Americans and to the world. Not only the land (which we stole) but much, much more.

Having just spent a week in DC, I'd like to begin by thanking the Iroquois Nation for inspiring our form of government—that peculiar mix of states rights and national sovereignty. When I first read Jack Weatherford's book Indian Givers and learned that Benjamin Franklin and other founders of our country regarded the seven tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy as a model for the thirteen colonies becoming a United States of America, I was dumbfounded, and a little skeptical. Why hadn't anyone taught me this in high school? But as I did research, I began to see this has become a widely accepted view among modern historians. And even the Capitol building testifies to our indebtedness to Native people: on the top of the dome is an Indian warrior in feathered regalia!

I'm grateful that the Friends Committee on National Legislation carries on a longstanding Quaker concern for the rights of Indians. If you want to be an advocate for modern Native Americans, you can find out how to do so at http://fcnl.org/issues/nativeam/

As we sit down to our Thankgiving meal, it is fitting to offer thanks not only to the Creator, but to those who first cultivated some of our favorite foods.

Avocado

Potato
Sugar
Peanut
Cashew
Corn
Turkey
Cranbury
Tomatoes
Papayas
Blueberry
Zucchini
Green beans
Kidney beans
Lima beans
Chili
Clam
Tortilla
Pecan
Wild rice
Vanilla
Maple syrup
Squash
Pumpkin
Sweet potato
Chocolate
Barbecue
Succotash

If you include  the foods of Hawaians, Pacific Islanders, and other indigenous people, the list of yummies grows even longer.

In additions to Native foods and herbal medicines (see http://www.manataka.org/page169.html), I am grateful to Indian writers and artists who carry on the spiritual and cultural traditions of their people. (Joseph Bruchac, George Clutesi, Scott Momaday, Leslie Silko, Alfonso Ortiz, etc.)  And I am grateful for the American Indian museum in Washington, DC, a fascinating place that testifies that the First People of this land have a vibrant and living culture, and much to teach us about how to live in harmony with nature.

Let me close with some questions to reflect on and ponder:

• What have you learned from Indians that is important to you?
• What gift from Native Americans makes you feel most grateful?
• Have you ever expressed your gratitude to a Native American or indigenous person? If not, how might you do so?

Quakers go to Washington to call for cuts in our bloated military budget, more funds for social needs

I am going to Washington, DC, this week to  take part in a lobby day being organized by the Friends Committee for National Legislation (FCLN). Over 300 Quakers and their allies will take part in this effort. We will receive training and then go to the offices of our elected officials. I have sent an email to my representative, Adam Schiff, asking for a meeting. I also wrote a letter to Schiff and to Senators Boxer and Feinstein, calling on them to cut a trillion dollars from the Pentagon budget:

"I urge you to support a balanced approach to reining in the federal debt, one that requires the Pentagon to cut at least $1 trillion from its budget over the next 10 years.

"The federal tax dollars invested in our local community are important for the health care, education and social services that I and many others depend on. I am concerned that these positive investments will be cut, while the largest chunk of the money that Congress allocates, Pentagon spending, will be allowed to keep growing.

"Pentagon spending has grown significantly in the last decade, and it can sustain cuts of $1 trillion over the next 10 years.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter."

I'm excited by this opportunity to make the progressive Quaker voice heard in the nation's capitol and I encourage you to do your bit. It's very easy. Just go to the fcnl.org and click on "Take action." It takes only a couple of minutes to send an email and make your voice heard. Or better yet, give a call to your elected officials....

All it takes for our elected officials to go along with the military-industrial complex is for citizens like you and me to remain silent.

Fortunately, our Quaker lobbyists will not be silent. As Diane Randall, the executive secretary of FCNL, writes:

"FCNL lobbyists are already analyzing the election results with an eye toward future opportunities with Congress: to promote diplomacy and prevent war with Iran; advance nuclear disarmament; promote the peaceful prevention of deadly conflict; end the war in Afghanistan; take action to contend with climate change; reform our immigration system and change our federal budget priorities.

"As congressional committee assignments and decisions about who will lead the various committees gets clarified, you can be assured that, with your help, and regardless of leadership positions or party affiliation, FCNL's lobbying to bring about a more peaceful and just world will be relentless."

Ocean of darkness, and of light--how to overcome depression

"I saw that there was an ocean of darkness and death; but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness. In that also I saw the infinite love of God, and I had great openings…." --George Fox

During a recent meeting for worship at Orange Grove I was led to share a message about depression. It has become clear to me that some highly gifted people, including some Friends, have suffered from this affliction. As Larry Ingle makes clear in his book First Among Friends, George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, suffered from deadly bouts of depression that left him incapacitated for long periods of time. Lord Shaftesbury, one of the great Evangelical reformers of the 19th century, helped to pass laws ending the slave trade and child labor. He also helped reform mental institutions so that they would be more humane. He, too, suffered from bouts of depression, rage, and irrational behavior so intense he once confessed, "If I weren't a Lord, I'd probably be in a lunatic asylum." Finally, Parker Palmer, whose book Hidden Wholeness I've been reading for my spiritual direction program, doesn't conceal the fact that he suffered from acute depression.

When Fox spoke of an "ocean of darkness," he was using a metaphor that vividly describes what many people experience during depression--a feeling of drowning in an unending sea of despair.

But Fox also experienced an "ocean of light"--a sense of being buoyed up in a sea of divine love so intense it overcomes this feeling of isolation and hopelessness. 

I concluded my message by remarking that there were probably people in this Meeting who had suffered or were currently suffering from depression, and were reluctant to seek help because of the stigma attached to such a condition. I encourage Friends to reach out in love to those who are depressed, and to welcome them into the "ocean of light and love."

After I shared this vocal ministry, there was a time of silence, and then a Friend shared about his own experiences with depression:

"I have suffered from depression since I was 8 years old," he said. "And I always thought it was a terrible thing. But finally, I realized that I was learning something important from my depression. I was learning how to be compassionate and empathetic...."

He concluded his testimony by saying "Yay for depression!" which made everyone laugh. (Laughter being one of the best antidotes for depression.)

When Meeting ended, there was a time for sharing joys and concerns in which we "hold each other in the Light" (as Quakers describe intercessory prayer). Because of this vocal ministry, my wife Jill felt safe enough to ask for prayers to help her through her depression. During a time of silence the whole Meeting surrounded us with loving thoughts, bathing us in an "ocean of light and love" that was deeply healing. 

It was a precious moment, one of those instances when I felt the Spirit fully present in me and in our gathered Meeting. I am infinitely grateful to Friends for practicing a form of worship that allows the Spirit to do its healing work.

A week later, when I was having coffee with the clerk of Ministry and Counsel, I mentioned this moment and she told me that M & O had heard this concern and decided to explore ways they could reach out to members and attenders of Meeting who might be suffering depression. Her response filled my heart with joy.

I told her this was an excellent idea since the onset of winter often causes "seasonal affective disorder" (SAD) among those prone to depression, and the holidays can also trigger tender memories of loss and unhealed wounds.

Dr. Barton Goldsmith provides "10 tools for dealing with holiday depression" that are worth keeping in mind:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-fitness/200911/10-tools-dealing-holiday-depression-and-stress 

While this is a helpful and practical list, it leaves out another important "tool" for curing depression--practicing the presence of the Divine. When we can take a deep breath and remember we are God's beloved, it definitely helps. I know from experience how important it is to reach out not only to friends, but to God, during times of darkness and despair.

Here are some passages from the Psalms that may be healing for you. It is pretty clear from reading the Psalms that the Psalmist suffered from bouts of profound despair and depression, and that he found solace in contemplating the Lord. I suggest that if you are feeling depressed, find a quiet place where you can sit and meditate on one of these passages from the Psalms. As you reflect on the words, remember that people throughout the ages have walked through the "valley of the shadow" and found comfort in the Lord's presence. Breathe in God's healing spirit, and allow the Light to work within you.


Psalm 34: The Lord Helps the Brokenhearted The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 23: The Valley of the Shadow Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Psalm 32: You Will Protect Me You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 91: His Faithfulness Will Be Your Shield He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 46: God is Our Refuge God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 43: Put Your Hope in God Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Psalm 68: He Bears Our Burdens Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 18: God is My Rock The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold

Psalm 34: The Lord is Good Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34: Take Heart Be strong and take heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 73: God Is the Strength My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Psalm 29: The Lord Blesses His People
The Lord gives strength to his people;
The Lord blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 103: Forget Not All His Benefits Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 28: The Lord is My Strength The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

****

Since I began this reflection with a passage from George Fox's Journal, I'd like to end with a letter he wrote to Oliver Cromwell's daughter, Lady Claypole, who suffered from depression and other forms of mentail distress. In this letter, he describes how to let the Inward Light of Christ do its healing work: 
 

Friend,

Be still and cool in your own mind and spirit from your own thoughts, and then you will feel the principle of God to turn your mind to the Lord God, from whom life comes; whereby you may receive his strength and power to allay all blusterings, storms, and tempests. That is it which works up into patience, into innocence, into soberness, into stillness, into firmness, into quietness, up to God, with his power. Therefore mind, that is the word of the Lord to you, that the authority of God you may feel, and your faith in it, to work down that which troubles you. For that is it which keeps peace and brings up the witness in you, which has been transgressed, to feel after God with his power and life, who is a God of order and peace.

When you are in the transgression of the life of God in your own particular way, the mind flies up in the air, the creature is led into the night, nature goes out of its course, an old garment goes on, and an uppermost clothing: and your nature being led out of its course, it comes to be all on fire in the transgression, and that defaces the glory of the first body.

Therefore be still awhile from your own thoughts, searching, seeking, desires, and imaginations, and be stayed in the principle of God in you, that it may raise your mind up to God, and stay it upon God, and you will find strength from him, and find him to be a God at hand, a present help in the time of trouble and of need. And you being come to the principle of God, which has been transgressed, it will keep you humble; and the humble God will teach his way, which is peace, and such he does exalt.

Now as the principle of God in you has been transgressed, come to it, that it may keep your mind down low to the Lord God; to deny yourself, and from your own will, that is the earthly, from which you must be kept. Then you will feel the power of God, which will bring nature into its course, and let you see the glory of the first body. There the wisdom of God will be received, (which is Christ, by which all things were made and created), and you thereby preserved and ordered to God's glory. There you will come to receive and feel the physician of value, who clothes people in their right mind, by which they may serve God and do his will.

For all distractions, unruliness, and confusion are in the transgression; which transgression must be brought down, before the principle of God, which has been transgressed against, is lifted up; by which the mind may be seasoned and stilled, and a right understanding of the Lord may be received; whereby his blessings enter, and are felt over all that is contrary in the power of the Lord God, which raises up the principle of God within, gives a feeling after God, and in time gives dominion. Keep in the fear of the Lord God; that is the word of the Lord to you.

For all these things happen to you for your good, and for the good of those concerned for you, to make you know yourselves and your own weakness, and that you may know the Lord's strength and power, and may trust in him. Let the time past be sufficient to everyone, who in any thing has been lifted up in transgression out of the power of the Lord; for He can bring down and abase the mighty, and lay them in the dust of the earth. Therefore, all keep low in his fear, so that you may receive the secrets of God and his wisdom, may know the shadow of the Almighty, and sit under it in all tempests, storms, and heats. For God is a God at hand, and the Most High rules in the children of men.

This is the word of the Lord God to you all; what the light exposes and discovers, as temptations, distractions, confusions; do not look at the temptations, confusions, corruptions; but at the light which discovers them and exposes them; and with the same light you may feel over them, to receive power to stand against them.

The same light which lets you see sin and transgression, will let you see the covenant of God, which blots out your sin and transgression, which gives victory and dominion over it, and brings into covenant with God.

For looking down at sin, corruption, and distraction, you are swallowed up in it; but looking at the light, which discovers them, you will see over them.

That will give victory, and you will find grace and strength; there is the first step to peace. That will bring salvation; and by it you may see to the beginning, and the "Glory that was with the Father before the world began;" and come to know the seed of God; which is the heir of the promise of God, and of the world which has no end; and which bruises the head of the serpent, who stops people from coming to God. That you may feel the power of an endless life, the power of God which is immortal, which brings the immortal soul up to the immortal God, in whom it rejoices. So in the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, God Almighty strengthen you.

Intrafaith and interfaith work: planting seeds of reconciliation and peace

I have good news: I now have an "accountability committee" appointed by Orange Grove Meeting to help me discern how to proceed with my interfaith work. I asked for this committee because Pacific Yearly Meeting (along with my monthly and quarterly meeting) have approved minutes of support for my interfaith ministry on behalf of Friends. Now that I have become a regular attender at Orange Grove Meeting in Pasadena, CA, it seemed fitting to have an "accountability committee" from this meeting instead of Santa Monica Meeting.

An "accountability committee" is appointed when a Friend has a concern that is shared by the Yearly Meeting. Its job is to help make sure that the Friend with this concern follows the Spirit faithfully.

I met with my Orange Grove accountability committee for the first time last week. Around six Friends took part and we had a rich and helpful discussion, with thoughtful questions that helped me to gain more clarity about the work I feel called to do.

One of the topics that came up was the relationship between liberal and Evangelical Friends, in other words,  "intrafaith" relations. Since 9/11, I have been led to build bridges among different faith traditions and feel comfortable among Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Mormons, Bahais, etc. In fact, I feel as if I now belong as much to this interfaith "beloved community" as I do to my Quaker family. A few years ago, at a Friends General Conference gathering, I asked the theologian Marcus Borg about the biggest challenge to interfaith dialogue. His answer "spoke to my condition" in a surprising and somewhat unsettling way.

"The biggest challenge," he said, "is not interfaith, but intrafaith dialogue."

Ouch! his words reminded me that I, like many liberal Friends, feel more comfortable having a dialogue with, say, a Muslim than with an Evangelical Quaker. In fact, I hardly ever come into contact with Evangelical Friends!

This seemed wrong, and I felt God nudging me to reach out beyond my comfort zone to my Evangelical brothers and sisters. I asked to be appointed the Pacific Yearly Meeting rep to Friends World Committee for Consultation, the international umbrella group for all branches of Quakers, including Evangelicals who comprise the vast majority of Friends world-wide. FWCC organized the World Conference of Friends that I attended in Kenya. Being part of this gathering of 850 Friends from over 100 Yearly Meetings was life-transforming experience that made me keenly aware of the amazing diversity (as well as the underlying unity) among Friends.

Thanks to my wife Jill, I now have more access to the Evangelical community locally. She helped to set up a lunch date with Bob Webster, the pastor of the Foothills Community Church (which is affiliated with Friends Church Southwest). It turns out we had a lot in common. He spent several years doing ministry in Eastern Europe in the 1980s, around the same time I was involved in Soviet-American book project sponsored by the Quaker US/USSR Committee. We didn't see ourselves a "church planters" but one of our goals was to help establish a Quaker meeting in Moscow. We also shared bibles and our spiritual lives with Russians we met.

Bob took us on a tour of his church and explained how it "died" and how he "resurrected" it around 15 years ago. Today this church is a small, but vibrant multi-racial congregation with around 80 people attending each Sunday. I hope to visit and attend services there someday.

There are of course many profound differences between this church and an unprogrammed meeting like Orange Grove, but I was pleased to discover we have in common a commitment to making decisions by "coming to unity." I look forward to learning more about how this church relates to Friends' theological beliefs as well as practice.

On Friday, I attended Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace and was very impressed by Rev Chloe Bryer, a presenter who came all the way from New York City. Chloe is a young Episcopal priest who is the executive director of the Interfaith Center of New York. Her organization is a lot like the South Coast Interfaith Council and has a large membership of diverse faiths. Here's a description of ICNY from its website:

The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) is a nationally-recognized non-profit organization that catalyzes collaborations among hundreds of grassroots and immigrant religious leaders and civic officials (judges, teachers, and social workers) to address New York’s most pressing social problems. Founded in 1997 by the Very Rev. James Parks Morton, former Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, ICNY’s historic partners have included the New York State Unified Court System, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, UJA Federation, The Center for Court Innovation, the Harlem Community Justice Center, CONNECT and the city’s nine Social Work Schools. ICNY works with hundreds of grassroots and immigrant religious leaders from fifteen different faith and ethnic traditions including the Afro-Caribbean, Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Jain, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Shinto, Sikh, Taoist and Zoroastrian communities of New York City. Our long-term goal is to help New York City become a nationally and internationally-recognized model for mutual understanding and cooperation among faith traditions.

Chloe gave a powerful and insightful talk about the work she does; and afterwards, I had the privilege of having coffee with her and Shakeel Syed, the executive director of the Shura Council of Southern California (and a very dear friend of mine). It was encouraging to hear how these two dynamic religious leaders are working in their local communities to bring about interreligious understanding and cooperation.

On Sunday, I took place in a planning meeting for the local chapter of the Parliament of the World's Religions.  We met at St John's Cathedral, where Rev. Gwynne Guibord organizes interfaith events on a regular basis. On Sunday there was a talk on Christianity and politics by a noted theologian named Dr.Amy-Jill Levine. I had to miss this talk because I was clerking the Peace Committee gathering at our Quarterly Meeting retreat, but I was happy to be part of the Parliament group's planning process. We are diverse group of gifted people with a very small budget, and huge dreams. I have travelled with them all the way to Australia and back, and also have been on an equally adventurous spiritual journey with them. They have enriched my life in many ways, and I love them dearly.

I feel incredibly blessed to part of a dynamic and vibrant interfaith community here in Los Angeles. Sometimes I feel as if we are reliving the "convivencia," the period in Muslim Spain when Muslims, Christians and Jews created an interreligious culture that helped jumpstart what we call the Renaissance. I hope cities like Los Angeles and New York will bring about another Renaissance--a spiritual rebirth that will overcome religious prejudice, political oppression, and other forms of justice and bring about the kind of world that God intends and we all yearn for--a world of peace, justice, and hope for all.

My hope and prayer is that my Quaker Friends will increasingly come to appreciate this burgeoning spiritual movement and become more active in it. My leading is to plant seeds of interfaith peacemaking through my travels, my writings, and my blog.

Speaking of which, I was pleased to receive this letter from an Australian Friend active in interfaith work. Three years ago, I attended the Parliament of the World's Religion gathering in Melbourne and gave talks about the interfaith movement at Quaker meetings in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney, and also at Australian Yearly Meeting in Adelaide. I passed through Ballarat and visited a Friend there. Brigid's letter was not only very encouraging, it also brought back fond memories of the wonderful Friends I encountered during my travels in Australia.

Dear LA Quaker,

Thank you for a good report. I have been following your blog for quite a long while now. I have been living in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia since March (previously I lived in Melbourne)and am a member of Ballarat Meeting.

I write particularly with regard to your interfaith interest. I just wanted to let you know about interfaith stuff with which I am involved. As of last Sunday night, I am President of GreenFaith Australia which is an interfaith environment organisation based in Melbourne established in 2008. I was a founding member of GFA and on its original board. We are currently in discussions with ARRCC (Australian Religious Response to Climate Change) which is based in Sydney with the purpose of working more closely together. I am also a member of Ballarat Interfaith Network and WIN Foundation (Women's Interfaith Network). Next Sunday in Melbourne there is an Interfaith Conference for interfaith networks.

I don't know what is happening in other states of Australia but in Victoria interfaith networks are springing up in local government areas under the auspices of Town, City and Shire Councils. Some networks predate the involvement of local government. Some are quite recent.

There are now moves in Melbourne, under the auspices of the Faith Community Councils of Victoria which continues the work here in Melbourne of the Parliament of the Worlds Religions, to form the networks in Melbourne into regional networks which is an interesting development. In addition interfaith networks continue to move more widely into regional areas of the state.

The other two organisations of which I am a part have no connection with the local government stimulus and came into being quite separately.

Interfaith organisations do not, as a generality, have large numbers but they do have substantial community reach. Interfaith work in our context is not only a spiritual work but a peace work. Victoria has always received large numbers of migrants and refugees who bring with them their religious beliefs and practices. Interfaith networks, along with multicultural organisations which - in the main - are also local government based, are seen to be assisting old Australians and recent Australians in understanding each other. The networks are also vehicles which demonstrate how we can be respectful of each other's beliefs.
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In Friendship,
Brigid