New York Yearly Meeting
of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Volume 32
Number 5 		SPARK
15 Rutherford Place
New York, NY 10003		 November 2001
SPARK (ISSN 00240591)
New York Yearly Meeting News
Published five times a year: January,
March, May, September, November
By New York Yearly Meeting,
Religious Society of Friends,
15 Rutherford Place
New York, NY 10003
212-673-5750
office@nyym.org

Editorial Board: Publications Committee
Editor: Helen Garay Toppins
SPARK deadlines are the first of the month preceding the publication month.

Permission is granted to reprint
any article, provided Spark is acknowledged as the source.

New York
Yearly Meeting Staff
Paul Busby paul@nyym.org
Barbara Heizman
Helen Garay Toppins

Contents

This issue of Spark is dedicated to the events of September 11, the people who died, and those who live.

Quakers at Ground Zero

Drawing of World Trade Center by Noel Sikes
Drawing by Noel Sikes, © 2001 by Noel Sikes. Used by permission.

From the Respite Center

They come with glazed eyes, covered with dust, weary and about to shut down with their whole spirit, mind, and body. Some are working 12-hour shifts and miss their families and children; they're homesick. Alcoholics Anonymous and other Recovery programs are there to help: Some friendly inquiries, a few familiar readings, sharing of experience, strength, and hope, a sense of caring and being cared for--near hopelessness is transformed once more by renewal of faith, acceptance, trust, commitment, and hope.
    A couple of weeks after the disaster, a Red Cross emergency worker identified a need for AA presence at their Respite Center. Demolition laborers, forensic specialists, crane operators and machinists, telephone and gas workers, electrical workers, police officers, firefighters, health professionals, gardeners, and many others are dedicating their time and love to the unspeakably horrible task of recovering and rebuilding. Many of these workers are in Recovery and are physically, spiritually, and emotionally exhausted. Seeing their need, the Red Cross contacted Alcoholics Anonymous, and AA members with experience in organizing and running on-site facilities were put to work. Space close to the site had to be found, security clearances and identification provided for those who would staff such a facility.
    By late September the hospitality room in the Red Cross Respite Center was open, equipped, and staffed. AA members are available at all times, ready to provide a Recovery meeting or just a willing ear to listen.
    I have been assisting with this effort, helping to create a space and experience congenial to the Spirit. My spirit has been deepened through supporting the workers, who are tired, with their spirits and emotions overextended.
    This incredible coming together of disparate disciplines with varying spiritual components, to provide needed services, has occurred under the most extraordinary circumstances. AA support is now available at two Respite Centers on site. With God's help we are able to do together what none of us could have done alone.

An AA member from Brooklyn Monthly Meeting

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From the Recovery Zone

I have been volunteering at Nino's Restaurant, 231 Canal Street. It is the official center that feeds all the recovery personnel. The food is all donated. The AFSC has supplied some of the food. They feed, every day, anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 construction workers, police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, state troopers, members of the national guard, and others.
    On Thursday, October 4th, they had 232 pies donated from the schoolchildren of Canada. Each pie-box cover had a hand drawing or poem to give support and courage to all the victims and those who survived.
    This is one AMAZING OPERATION. Volunteers come in from all over the city. The restaurant is open from 6:00 A.M. to midnight every day. The food is unbelievable. There is a buffet set up with every kind of hot food. We have even had celebrities.
    The donations are beyond description in both quantity and quality . There are two refrigerator trucks out front loaded with every kind of food. Those who eat there stop and write cards of thanks to those who are helping them.
    There will be a continued need for volunteers for at least the next six months. Call (212) 431-5625 if you can give some time.

George Rubin Manhasset Monthly Meeting

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AFSC Responds

With our office less than two miles from Ground Zero, American Friends Service Committee staff and committee members in the New York Metropolitan Region are in a unique position. We smell the acrid air, we hear the screaming ambulances zooming by, we see the military personnel in our streets, and we touch the lives of thousands with whom we grieve for those who have been lost. Our regular routines are disrupted by changes in transportation, by security checkpoints, by funeral processions, and by the disorganization we create in our own lives as a byproduct of our anxiety and stress.
    In the early days following the attacks, we committed ourselves to being present in our neighborhoods. Regional staff, committee members, Quaker volunteers from near and far, and staff from AFSC's Philadelphia headquarters as well as from the other domestic regions came to lend a hand. We ran errands for other relief organizations, purchased needed supplies, and finally settled into a routine of providing a hot dinner every night for the elderly people in a Red Cross shelter at a local high school. When that shelter closed, we joined with a local restaurant to prepare and serve meals to rescue workers. We met with immigrant groups and agencies that support them to find undocumented persons who need help but are ineligible for federal assistance. We provided cash relief to an owner of a small business near the Trade Center who was arranging funerals for two of his employees, arranging medical care for two others, and providing financial support for their families.
    In addition, we worked to counter the backlash being experienced by Muslims, "Arab-looking" persons, and immigrants. We prepared written materials to help explain Islam and Afghanistan. We visited with Arab and south Asian shopkeepers to offer support. We planned forums to explain immigration laws. We are monitoring the detention of immigrants who are being held.
    Early in October, we helped to shape a major demonstration in New York City. We were able to arrange for other Nobel Peace laureates to participate. We are a voice of pacifism in the platforms of the groups speaking out on U.S. response to the attacks. We coordinate volunteers and staff who work with conscientious objectors and people in the military who find that their conscience will not let them fight. We plan and conduct teach-ins at universities. We speak to the media, we write letters to the editor, and we issued a joint statement with New York Yearly Meeting and the Quaker United Nations Office.
    Part of our outreach work includes the distribution of 20,000 buttons showing the twin towers as the center of the peace symbol. Another concern is that justice be brought. We research international law so that F(f)riends understand the options that exist and that may need to be created. We work with our colleagues at QUNO to know how the United Nations can help. We seek to create understanding of the definition of terrorism. We raise awareness of how civil liberties may be sacrificed.
    We are collecting clean, serviceable blankets for shipment to Afghanistan or to the refugee camps on its borders. Funds are also being collected to provide relief to the people of Afghanistan.
    We thank all of you who have contributed time, money or simply support to these efforts. We continue to welcome volunteers in our 15th Street offices.

Lisa L. Gasstrom, clerk
NY Metropolitan Regional Office
American Friends Service Committee

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An Invitation

The YM Coordinating Committee for Ministry and Counsel is offering an interest group at December's Representative Meeting, to discuss committee practices and ask questions of the clerks. This can be an opportunity to expand your knowledge of clerking and business practices. It will be offered Saturday afternoon. For further information contact Ann Davidson, clerk of the CCM&C, at 518-794-8811, ext. 11, or ann@powellhouse.org.

Epistle from the Quakers and Racial Justice Conference

Fifty Friends gathered October 12-14, 2001, for the Quakers and Racial Justice Conference at Pendle Hill. We heard reports from five Friends who had participated in the United Nations' World Conference against Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, and then moved into prayerful work on our own and our Society's racism. This process moved us to write you with the hope, desire and expectation that you will join us in our next steps forward.
    As Friends we are deeply concerned about the lack of attention to racism and white privilege within the Religious Society of Friends. There is no time to delay. The call is urgent. We must step forward as Friends to work together to challenge practices, actions and institutions that reinforce patterns of privilege and racism.
    We have been called as Friends to act out of our consciences and in response to the voices we hear within. We have not listened deeply enough. Our world has cried out to us and as a group we have not heeded those voices from without.
    We cannot continue to participate in the spiritual diminishment of ourselves and those around us. We are called to meet each other as equals. We must take up this testimony with the willingness to follow it to its conclusion. We are called forward now to act as one Society in challenging white privilege and the constant, generations-old diminishment that is the result of racism. To do anything less is, in essence, to disavow our membership in the Society of Friends.
    We invite you from our hearts to join us from your hearts.
    For further information contact Jeff Hitchcock.

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The Yearly Meeting Budget

Proposed Yearly Meeting Budget for 2002

The proposed 2002 budget that will be presented at Representative Meeting December 8-9 may be one of the most challenging the Yearly Meeting has faced. It was drafted before the horrific events of September 11, so in many ways it represents financial needs of a different time. Since then, the threat of war has become imminent, racial intolerance has become inflamed, the economy has become, at best, wobbly, and, most important, Quakers now face a new test of their testimony of peace.
    How these challenges will impact our 2002 budget is a question the Financial Services Committee has been praying and laboring over. When the committee members met late in September to prepare the final budget draft, we were unclear how to proceed. We finally decided, albeit tentatively, to approve a draft that is not unlike the version we presented at Silver Bay this summer, but at the same time, given the new circumstances, we invited each of the Coordinating Committee clerks to reassess their budget needs. We invite Friends to share with Yearly Meeting committees their thoughts on what budget changes may be necessary to meet these new challenges.
    Following is part of the message Financial Services sent to the Coordinating Committee clerks:
    "Clearly, the world environment has changed talk of war, racial and religious intolerance, etc. Many Quakers feel a need to respond to those changes through prayer and various kinds of witness. Since the committee's responsibility is financial, we asked how these changes will or, more correctly, should affect next year's budget. As a result, we ask you and your committees to consider the following:
    "Outreach and Witness: Many Friends are being called to a variety of witnesses in response to both the immediate tragedy and the political and spiritual strains that are resulting from it. In some cases, the witnessing requires new funding. In other cases, Friends are reprioritizing their witness efforts. As a result, funding levels may need to be shifted from one activity to another.
    "Attendance at meetings for worship rose sharply following Sept. 11. Friends and non-Friends sought both a sanctuary and spiritual leadership. That will likely continue for some time. Should we be reconsidering our outreach efforts to reflect that?
    "Income: Keep in mind, too, the economic impact of the disaster. While on the one hand contributions to aid the victims have been most generous, unemployment is rising, and depending on which economist you believe, either we are in a recession or are heading into one. How will that impact Friends' financial contributions?"

Budget Details
Now on to the budget that will be presented in December.
    While the total being proposed is 6.6% more than the 2001 budget, in many ways it reflects a major sea change for the Yearly Meeting a sizable increase in spending on spiritual and educational activities. Some examples, Ministry & Counsel's budget, which represents less than 2% of the total Yearly Meeting budget, is being increased 38% to support two programs the Spiritual Nurturance Program (up $800 to $1,450) and the Conflict Transformation Task Group, which is about to launch a conflict-mediation program, is being funded for the first time, at $1,500.
    In addition, the Nurture budget, which represents 33% of Yearly Meeting expenses, is being increased by nearly 19%. That reflects a $4,000 increase, to $12,000, for Advancement; a $13,000 increase, to $70,000, for Powell House, and a $4,500 increase, to $12,500, for Oakwood School.
    The General Services portion which includes salaries, office rent, publications, Junior Yearly Meeting and administrative expenses represents 61% of the budget. Some of the increases are beyond our control. For example, the Yearly Meeting office is situated at 15th Street Meeting House property owned by N.Y. Quarterly Meeting, and the Quarter says it has been charging us far too little for our share of the building's electricity use. Next year that charge rises 414%, to $1,143 a year from $222. In addition, the Quarter says it has been charging us too little for insurance. For 2002, it boosted our share of insurance cost 120%, to $3,300 from $1,500.
    Publications costs are rising 27%, to $28,000. That covers increased expenses for projected higher costs for Spark, our Web and database services and publication of pamphlets that Advancement and Ministry & Counsel expect to adapt from those prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee. Junior Yearly Meeting costs are set to increase by 11%, to $25,000; that reflects the anticipated increase in youth attendance.
    Helping to offset these increases are a reduction in general expense and travel (-23%) and Yearly Meeting officers' expenses (-20%), Nominating Committee (-16.7%) and staff travel (-12%).

Stanley Zarowin, clerk, Financial Services Committee

Proposed Operating Budget for 2002

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Monthly Meetings Respond to the Attacks

Examining Our Lives


Poplar Ridge
We, the members and attenders of Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting (Quakers), mourn with the world over the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We pray for comfort for those who mourn. We give thanks for the courageous efforts of rescue and disaster relief workers. We commend our government for responding immediately and compassionately with assistance and resources for reconstruction. We pray for God's guidance and love for our leaders, fellow citizens, and ourselves as we all deal with the shock, anger and despair.
    We oppose the current preparations for war. War is not the answer for these crimes against humanity. We affirm, as members of an historic peace church, that hatred begets hatred and violence begets violence, and God calls people everywhere to not allow the seeds of hatred to be planted in our souls. We fear the escalation of hate and violence that would occur with acts of war acts that would cause deaths of more innocent victims.
    We believe, although we sometimes fail to recognize it, that there is "that of God" in everyone, including all people of all nations and faiths. We commit ourselves to reach out to those, near and far, whose backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and political beliefs may differ from our own.
    We desire to listen to others with open hearts and minds, with humble understanding and concern, but we affirm that we believe God calls us to seek justice and peace and help create a world free of hatred and oppression. At this time of national tragedy, we are called to comfort those who mourn, to seek justice by the arrest and prosecution of those who perpetrated these acts, but also to examine our own lives for how we may contribute to the oppression of others and the fostering of hatred in the world. It is through this self-examination that we can help create a world based on God's order and not the world's order.
    We agree with the words of Martin Luther King Jr., that violence is "a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy--adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." We pray for God's guidance and love for all of creation, because we believe only through trusting in the Divine Light, that is available for all people, can we truly transform the world.

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Act Through the UN

Westbury
Members of the Westbury Monthly Meeting express our profound sadness at the events of September 11th. We join with all who have been deeply affected by this tragedy and our hearts and sympathies go to all those who died and to the loved ones they left behind. In the wake of this event there is shock and sadness, and emotions run very high. It is human to want to respond quickly, to find those responsible and ensure that this cannot happen again anywhere.
    However, as Friends witnessing to our peace testimony of 1660, we believe that retaliating with violence only breeds more violence and ensures that future generations will live in fear, mistrust, and suffering. We urge our fellow citizens to remember that history demonstrates that vengeance offers no relief, that retaliation can never guarantee healing, and that to meet violence with violence breeds more rage and more senseless deaths. Only love leads to peace with justice.
    We believe it is our duty as a civilized nation to rise above the desire for retaliation and to find a way of dealing with this tragedy that is peaceful and just. We do not ask that we ignore what has happened. Rather we do ask that those who are responsible be held accountable under the rule of law. We ask that our country and the international community act through multilateral auspices of the United Nations rather than encourage the unilateral efforts of our nation, however grievously it has suffered. Further violence and the deaths of more innocent people will not resolve this situation or ensure the safety of future generations. We ask that we lead the world as an example of another way, a better way for all mankind.
    We hold in the Light of God's Love our President and all those making the very difficult decisions that have to be made at this time. We plead with them for calm and a non-retaliatory response. We ask them to give us all hope for a future where good will truly prevail over evil, and where violence has no place. Our goal should be to build bridges of love, respect, and understanding among all people.

Gretchen Haynes, clerk

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War Is Not the Answer

Purchase
The Sunday after the event, during announcements at the end of meeting for worship, Friends spontaneously began to relate their experiences of the 11th. This provided some valuable sharing and debriefing. We are holding meeting for worship on Wednesday evenings at 7:30. Some individuals have participated in relief work, and one went to the peace rally in Washington on Sept. 28. First Day school had planned a program of singing and song-writing; the song the children wrote was focused on the catastrophe. The high school group collected donations for the Red Cross.
    A visitor to a Peace and Social Action Committee proposed, and the Committee enthusiastically endorsed, the painting of a sheet with "War is not the answer." After a couple of false starts, we were able to hold this banner over the bridge over the nearby interstate on Oct. 14 (Sept. 29 was so windy that the banner was uncontrollable, and we joked about "parasailing for peace"!). We got some honking and thumbs-up responses, although not as many as we do with "Peace on Earth" at Christmastime. The Committee has also planned a rise-of-meeting program on "How Can I Respond as a Quaker When Asked About Conscientious Objection?" Rosa Packard, Purchase's counselor for those troubled in conscience by participation in war, has been receiving calls about conscientious objection.
    The First Day school song in part:
    It's a measure of a people when they rise to meet their fate.
    On the stairs we helped each other out, there was no age or race.
    Our faith is built on tolerance, and not on sowing hate,
    Our faith will overcome.
    Refrain:
    The guiding light within will lead us (twice)
    Fear and hatred will not beat us.
    Our faith will overcome.

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Prayers for All People

Poughkeepsie
We, the members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Poughkeepsie, New York, share with all Americans, and people everywhere, shock, horror, and profound sadness following the events of September 11. Like many, we turn to God and to each other for answers and for solace.
    For 341 years Quakers have witnessed against violence and the use of outward weapons as contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Violence begets violence. And so we ask once again: How can we respond to violence in ways that do not participate in and give another turn to the cycle of violence?
    No force or power but Divine love and light can dispel the darkness of evil. We will look for answers not in vengeance but in searching our hearts deeply. We must ask what daring, courageous, even sacrificial things can we do to remove the causes of violence. We believe that there is a divine seed in all people and so our prayers are for all people.

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Near Ground Zero

Fifteenth Street
We write to express our deep gratitude for the many expressions of loving concern received by Fifteenth Street Monthly Meeting, from Friends and meetings far and near, in the weeks following the attack on the World Trade Center.
    By the grace of God, none of us at Fifteenth Street Meeting, or neighboring meetings, were killed or injured in the attack (at least so far as we at Fifteenth Street know), though it's safe to say that we've all been shaken by it. To tell of individual Friends' narrow escapes, forced evacuation from homes close to the Towers, and involvement in rescue and relief work, would be premature; we've only begun to hear one another's stories. Many of us may feel, too, like downplaying what we ourselves have done and seen, awed by the terrible majesty of what must have been done and seen by those that died on that day, especially those that gave their lives trying to save others. Nonetheless it's been remarked repeatedly how glad everyone seems to remain alive, and to find their loved ones and neighbors still among the living; near ground zero we seem to share a sense of having been spared, and a gratitude for the gift of ongoing life.
    With that sense of wonder and gratitude goes a searching questioning attitude as we Friends ask what we as a Meeting and as a Society are now called to do for the city and the world around us. We ask for God's guidance in this, and your continued prayers for us. It is good to know that you are our Friends.
    In friendship,

John Edminster, recording clerk

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Grieved at the Loss of Life

Albany
At their meeting for worship with a concern for business on September 13, Albany Monthly Meeting agreed to endorse a peace vigil sponsored by Rosa House, The Catholic Worker House, and Peace Action on Saturday, September 15.
    The meeting also approved the following statement:
As a Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and as members of the human family and children of God, we are profoundly grieved at the loss of life, suffering and the sorrow which has resulted from this week's events.
    We pray earnestly to the God of love and mercy, whom we worship, for the victims and their families. We are very grateful for those rescuing and caring for those who are injured, comforting those who are grieving and working for peace and reconciliation.
    For centuries Friends have opposed war and all forms of violence. We believe that the challenge before us all is to break the cycle of violence and retribution.

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Learning about Islam

Bulls Head-Oswego
In response to reports of backlashes against Muslims in America, the Bulls Head-Oswego Monthly Meeting is planning a potluck featuring area Muslims that is aimed at learning more about the Islamic faith.
    On September 22, members of our meeting organized a peace rally in Rhinebeck, NY. A front-page article in the Sunday Freeman newspaper reported on this event the next day.
    On September 27, a letter to the editor approved by the members of the Peace and Social Action Committee was published in the Opinion page of the Poughkeepsie Journal. The letter is as follows:

In wake of the violence, pray for lasting peace
We grieve at the tragic loss of life caused by the violent events of 11 September 2001 and are grateful for the expressions of sympathy from individuals and leaders from around the world. We believe that now is the time to break the cycle of violence and vengeance. The people that carried out these acts of hatred dehumanized their targeted victims. The US must not respond with its own dehumanizing acts of terror and war. We fear that many of the innocent people that would be affected by attacks led by the US have already been subject to recent war(s) and the resulting miseries of sorrow, hopelessness, and poverty. We do not want to compound existing miseries with new onslaughts of US attacks. Survivors of such attacks would almost certainly experience new or intensified feelings of resentment and blind anger directed at the US. We now know like never before what it feels like to be survivors. Rather than perpetuate the cycle of violence, let's work for true justice by working diplomatically in the international community to bring individuals responsible for these criminal acts of violence before the courts of law and public opinion. We hope that people of all faiths will join in praying that the legacy of 11 September 2001 will be a renewed commitment to peacemaking.

The Peace & Social Action Committee, Sam Simkin, clerk

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Barbara Lee Votes No

Old Chatham

The following are letters from Old Chatham Monthly Meeting to Representative Barbara Lee and the imam of a mosque in Troy, N.Y.

    Representative Barbara Lee
    426 Cannon House Office Building
    Washington, DC 20515-0509

    Dear Barbara Lee:
    Old Chatham Monthly Meeting (Quakers) wishes to express our deep appreciation for your vote against granting wider war powers to the President. As members of the Religious Society of Friends, we seek nonviolent solutions to all conflicts and repudiate war under any circumstance. We were dismayed that there was only one such vote in Congress and awed that you had the courage to cast it. We commend you for staying on the path you think is right, despite enormous pressure from all sides.
        We hope and pray that others in Congress will come forward to urge restraint and encourage diplomacy over war in finding solutions to terrorism around the world.
    Peace,

    Elisabeth Grace, clerk

    Imam Moktar Magrouhi
    Muslim Community of Troy
    2339 15th Street
    Troy NY 12180

    Dr. Moktar Magrouhi,
    Old Chatham Monthly Meeting (Quakers) wishes to extend to you and the Islamic community in the Capitol District our deep feelings of friendship and warmth. As members of the Religious Society of Friends, we believe that there is that of God in every person and we seek that Light in all of our relationships. Although we may not know one another personally, we are neighbors. We share with you the same faith in meeting violence with nonviolence, bigotry with tolerance, and hatred with love.
        We also offer our active support in any education and outreach efforts to increase understanding and the recognition that we live in one world. Please [contact our meeting] if we can be of service in these efforts.
        Peace,

    Elisabeth Grace, clerk

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Afghani Relief

Oswego Worship Group
For several weeks after September 11, I was in the doldrums not knowing what to do or where to turn, unable to focus clearly on anything, worrying about what heinous thing our national leaders would devise as "revenge," and crying at the thought of the harassment that might befall any person in our country of Arabic descent and any Muslim. I pondered on the things our nation has done and is doing that engenders the kind of hatred demonstrated on September 11th. Having been a Peacenik from way back, and never before at a loss for things to do or say in the face of national or international crises, I now felt as if I had been hog-tied. Along with the grief I was experiencing, I also felt guilt at not doing anything. Okay, so I am almost 75; okay, so I don't have the energy or zip I once had, but it finally dawned on me there is something I can do. I'm going to throw myself a 75th birthday party and ask folks to bring checks for Afghani relief in lieu of gifts for me. That's something I can do, and it is a kind of witness, if a mild one, and will place squarely in front of my friends the opportunity to give aid to all those people in Afghanistan who have been suffering for over 10 years and most likely will suffer more at the hands of our country. That's the best I can do right now.

Barbara Steinkraus

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The Canine Crew Sat Alone


We are called where we are. I was at the New York Metropolitan Regional Office of the American Friends Service Committee two weeks after the September 11 attacks when a call came for volunteers to help at Nino's Restaurant on Canal Street. Nick Nino has been feeding uniformed officers free 24 hours a day since the disaster.
    My sister Marilyn Showers and I both happened to be in New York City--a rare happenstance--so we took a subway one evening to Canal Street.
    Large floodlights (loaned from Yankee Stadium, I heard) kept the street as light as day, highlighting the darkness around. We could glimpse, as if off-stage, the lights around Ground Zero glowing in the smoky haze.
    People off-duty sat in folding chairs around a large folding table in a gypsy-like scene reminded me of Carmen, but there was no music. Down the block, some people who looked as if they might live in the area sat on milk crates and played cards.
    At the restaurant's door, the officer on duty, perched on a high stool, pointed to another door where we needed to get our volunteer badges. A young woman there copied our driver's licenses. We pinned the copies and name tags on our T-shirts. The officer at the door waved us by. Later that evening, when I had gone out one door and was coming back in the front door, draped in dirty apron, he said cheerfully, "What? You still here?"
    Marilyn donned a white baseball cap and served food. She stood behind the large chafing dishes with several other volunteers, each with a large spoon they used to fill any plate stuck out at them. Sometimes the room was full of officers, sometimes not so full, as shifts came and went.
    Every man and woman--and there were many women--was loaded down with radios, telephones, guns, and who knows what all attached to their wide thick belts. Their ages ranged, but some of the midnight crew looked quite young in their crisp haircuts and clean-shaven cheeks.
    The officers would sit and chat and have a drink of lemonade or coffee. Marilyn had enough time to hear some of their woes; the canine crew, she said, sat alone and were the quietest at least that night. Another crew was cleaning up tables, sweeping, keeping the place welcoming. Behind them was a crew making salads and more drinks, and doing other light kitchen duties.
    I went into the galley cooking kitchen. As soon as Mary Susan discovered that I could work alone and organize eggplant slices, flour, eggs, and bread crumbs into appropriate layers in large pans, I was left alone to bread eggplant for four hours. Several of the younger people, concerned for my sanity, they said, offered to loan me their Walkmans. It was my shoes they should have worried about. There is still breading mixture in the crevices in my soul.
    Mary Susan rides the train into NYC from Huntington every Tuesday and Thursday evening. She and her husband work at home with their three young children in tow, and her work is lighter at the moment, so he is babysitting and she is volunteering.
    Mary Susan reminded me of an energetic but gentle, thoughtful, and competent hoyden. Someone didn't show up at 10 P.M., so she scrubbed counters in the kitchen. She had earlier cut a five-gallon pail of onions, and as soon as she had a clean spot, she set a middle-aged man to cutting garlic for three or more hours. She helped everyone find a job.
    Nick was gone for a few hours a nap, I hope but then seemed everywhere, quietly, surely keeping watch, helping, reminding, but wasting no effort or words. He was very thankful for the check AFSC had sent him.
    Later, I cracked 150 dozen eggs with an actuary and an immigrant from the Dominican Republic that is, until the young man from the Dominican Republic, a regular at Nino's, decided I could also crack eggs unsupervised. Then I cracked, and the actuary beat and strained. If I needed to get another 30-dozen carton from the refrigerator truck parked outside, I tapped some young man on the shoulder to help me with the door.
    "You ever been here before?" he asked. "Me neither. You just do what needs to be done, huh?"
    My observation was that what was needed most of all is volunteers who have patience, elbow grease, and a sense of humor. It helps, too, to be able to catch on quickly and to problem solve as you go along. I wish I could volunteer on a regular basis one or two nights a week to help to give the continuity that's so important for things to run smoothly. The 9 P.M. to 3 A.M. shift was good. The chef leaves for the night, there's lots of cleaning up to do, and lots of stuff to start for the morrow. At 2:30 A.M., things seemed to me reasonably under control, until what time, I don't know.
    My journey in New York wasn't quite over when Marilyn and I left Nino's.
    Someone had suggested that to be helpful, I should just ask quietly, "What effects has the attack had on you?" then listen.
    On Friday morning, I took a taxi to Port Authority. I asked the question, and the cab driver talked, quoting Aristotle, Alfred North Whitehead, and Edward Said. He was Greek, grew up in the Bronx, was drafted and spent two years in Vietnam. He said that war is the craziness of humankind.
    When the ride was over, I gave him the fare and a reasonable tip he had helped me nicely with my luggage and had given me clear instructions as to what I should do when I walked into Port Authority. He handed the tip back to me and said, "I owe you for listening so well."

Sharon Hoover, Alfred Monthly Meeting

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The Horror of This Event Calls Us

Rochester
Rochester Friends Meeting held called meetings for worship September 11and 14, 2001. At its regular meeting for worship on September 16, over 120 people attended, about 40 more than usual. Attendance at meeting for worship has run higher than usual.
    We had scheduled an adult religious education session on the topic of Community for September 16. Instead of talking, however, we lived it. Children and adults gathered outside the meetinghouse and drew pictures of peace in chalk on the sidewalks. We sang hymns of peace; then some of the adults gathered in the community room, where copies of advice for parents in responding to terrorism were available, statements received from around the world were posted, and copies of the AFSC and FCNL statements were distributed. Two laptops were set up with Internet connection to the FCNL Web sites, allowing rapid communication with members of Congress. Each person was also invited to write three sentences to our leaders. These became the basis for a letter to our leaders by Peace and Social Action Committee.
    The letter, below, was approved by the Meeting. A copy has been sent to our nation's leaders.
    Our prayers go out for you and all those who carry the responsibility of guiding our nation during this time of deep sorrow. We commend the President and Congress for the restraint exercised in responding to acts of terrorism. We believe the President's securing the support and cooperation of other countries is essential for the elimination of worldwide terrorism.
        We appreciate our national leaders' emphasis on maintaining tolerance instead of further inflaming ethnic and religious hatred. When evidence clearly identifies those responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11, we urge that the evidence and the persons charged be brought to justice under law and due process, including international law, for judgment of guilt and determination of punishment.
        We do not want to allow our sorrow, anger, and hurt to cause us to confuse vengeance and retaliation with justice. Doing so would make us as morally reprehensible as the terrorists. We ask that our country's efforts to apprehend the terrorists be conducted in a spirit of respect and compassion for innocent civilians who lands have already been ravaged by war. We know that they are people whose homes and governments have been destroyed and now live in poverty, hunger, and despair. We ask that justice be sought in a spirit of civility and cooperation with other countries in such a way that it engenders good will from people of all religious traditions.
        The horror of this event calls us to remember our humanitarian values and consider how deeply our nation's past actions may have contributed to the conditions that have turned people bitterly against us. We must ask ourselves if we have responded in a humane way to the economic, health, and political needs of people throughout the world. The only successful "war" against terrorism will be a "war" that attacks the circumstances that spawn and maintain it. Our long-term success will only be found in a policy that creates a multinational effort to eliminate the causes of terrorism, an effort that will continue long beyond our present crisis.
        We know that even if we remove every source of hatred, we will not prevent all future acts of violence. There are those who will hate, even if every source of injustice is eliminated. But if the world can show it will carry on, creating stronger, most just, more benevolent international community that crosses all lines of religion, race, and nationality, then terrorism will have failed.
        In peace,

    Donna Bisset, clerk

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English, Arabic, and Pashto

Schenectady
We cooperatively paid for and signed with a number of other local churches a full page ad in the Schenectady Gazette urging the continued welcome and nurture of all ethnic groups who have their homes in our community, especially Muslims and particularly Afghanis. The text of the full page ad was in English, Arabic, and Pashto.
    One Friend contacted the mosque to offer any support and assistance that might be needed, and another Friend prayed outside the mosque on the national day of mourning, September 14, with the encouragement of the Imam.
    We are preparing a public statement of our testimony of peace and nonviolence in protest to the bombing and other retaliatory violence imposed by the USA, which will be sent to local newspapers and national-level elected officials as well as the President.
    One Friend has been engaged in First-Aid training for rescue workers.
    Several Friends are wearing the NYYM peace button during their daily lives and encountering opportunities to witness against violence.
    Many Friends are making individual contributions of time, money, and other resources.

David Gerhan

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A Packed Meetinghouse

Wilton
"I wish this was a wedding" was one response to the soberly packed meetinghouse here in Wilton on the first First Day following the attacks of September 11.
    Wilton Monthly Meeting has responded to the ongoing crisis in ways similar, I am sure, to other meetings:
    Beginning the evening of the 11th and continuing for two weeks, our meetinghouse was open from 7:30-8:30 P.M. for anyone who needed a place to worship, pray, or vigil.
    We held a Called Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business on September 30 to focus solely on how Meeting felt led to respond to the unfolding events. It was well attended and we worshipfully heart-stormed up a list of possibilities two pages full. Some of them were to rework the Wilton Peace minute into specifically contemporary relevance; to help bring over a (possibly motherless, as there are many already) family from Afghanistan and help them become established here; to be available to assist in draft counselling (one old Friend returning to us to volunteer to head this ministry up); to educate ourselves on Islam and the Koran (including enlisting the aid of a local university professor); to connect up with Muslim faith communities in our area to see if we might be of use to them; and to write letters of support to Representative Barbara Lee of California (Congress' lone dissenting vote in the rush to retaliate); and ordering a lot of little applicable-to-car-antennae United Nations' flags and lapel pins.
    Most of those who stayed to the end of the meeting signed up to work on some of the actions. We are having another Called Meeting to follow up on these possibilities (some have been going forward already) and to seek clarification on which actions Meeting members and attenders are truly led to.
    A half dozen or so from Wilton Meeting attended a poorly advertised town meeting in nearby Norwalk with our U.S. senator and congressman. Several spoke to those gathered, one Friend asking, as is our custom, to speak out of the silence following a moment or two in which the previous speaker's contribution could settle in. This practice of the "peculiar people" that we are caught the attention of one reporter.
    Connecticut Friends School quickly put together and sent off a truckload of supplies to the relief workers in NYC and has also been studying Islam.
    Today one of our First Day School classes, studying Islam, put together information packets to give to the adults following worship. Next week they will be visited by a representative from the local Muslim community.
    I hope some of the suggestions God has made to us may be of use to others and we all look forward to hearing in Spark of what others have heard from God.

Tyler Griese, clerk, Wilton Meeting

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Quakers in Harlem

Morningside
Morningside Monthly Meeting prays and will actively work for widespread awareness of the alternatives for war. Although there is no military conscription enforced in this country at present, young men are still required to register with the draft service. We support those who would choose to stand against this as conscientious objectors to war. We commend Congresswoman Barbara Lee for standing up against a mandate for violent reaction.
    On Monday and Thursday, we gather at 6:00 P.M. to take part in a one-hour Quaker peace vigil, standing in a line of silent prayer under the banner of QUAKERS FOR PEACE. We meet in front of 55 West 125th Street (#2 or #3 subway to 125th Street this is at Malcolm X Blvd. (Lenox Avenue). This building houses a number of federal offices including recruitment centers.

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Muslim Outreach

New Brunswick
Dear Friends of Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam Inc., Old Bridge, New Jersey:
    A key belief for Friends (Quakers) is that there is that of God in all people. With this strongly held tenet as a basis of our way of life, Friends are deeply pained at current reports of abusive treatment of our fellow human beings because of group identification by religion or other ethnic attribute.
    During these stressful times, we hear of misplaced anger in our country directed in particular against Muslims, whether they are fellow Americans or not, against others who are mistaken for being Muslim, and against foreigners in general. Although the New Brunswick Friends Meeting is a very small group, we want to find ways to help alleviate any distress your community members may be experiencing as a result of such ignorance and blind hatred.
    Many of us would be pleased to visit your house of worship, to invite a speaker to explain aspects of Islam to our community, and to assist in whatever other ways we might be of help. Some ideas that have arisen include accompanying your community members who may be hesitant to shop alone during these times, or perform other normal daily tasks, and maintaining a witnessing presence at the entrance to your mosque when you are in session. We would be open to other ideas as well, if you let us know. With our small memberships, we may have difficulty providing as much help as we would like to in our hearts; however, we would welcome the opportunity to work with others of various faiths in the area, to join forces in defense of our common humanity.
    If you are not comfortable with any of these ideas, at least know that we reach out to you in friendship, and wish you peace in these difficult times. Of course, we would welcome anyone who is inclined to join us any time in our contemplative form of silent worship in our simple meeting house, in which there are no icons or other religious symbols on display, and no programmed religious service. We meet 10:30 Sunday mornings. Our meeting house phone is 732-846-8969, where you can leave a message, or you can write to me at the above address.
    In fellowship,

Jeffrey Aaron, clerk, Ministry & Counsel Committee

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Friends from Around the World Reach Out to NYYM

From Australia


Here is a brief snapshot of what regional meetings and local meetings around Australia have been doing after the events of Sept. 11. (The abbreviation RM stands for Regional Meeting.)

Canberra
    The clerks sent a letter to the prime minister and leaders of the other parties on Sept. 18, asking that Australia disassociate itself from vengeful retaliation, support international processes, and ask for an overhaul of how our world is organized to bring more personal and community freedom for all. A letter to the editor, Canberra Times, was sent on Sept. 19.
    Canberra Friends are involved in a range of peace, interfaith, and multicultural events. The Children's Meeting and Young Friends were especially evident in making and holding banners at a rally in Canberra on Sunday, Sept. 30.
    The children prepared a card for 15th Street Meeting in New York and made peace candles to share.
    Canberra RM has been seeking to support Muslims in Australia and attended a dinner given by the governor general for leaders of Canberra's faith communities.
    Canberra RM is approaching the Canberra Times with an article about Friends' views of the current situation and encouraging others to join in their meetings.

Queensland
    Darling Downs Recognized Meeting has prepared letters to the prime minister, the U.S. ambassador, the leaders of political parties, the minister for small business (a Darling MP), local newspapers, and The Australian, urging leaders to pursue just settlements through peaceful means.
    Queensland Regional Meeting clerk was asked to produce similar letters for Brisbane Friends to sign after meeting for worship on October 14. The clerk was asked to develop a process for rapidly informing Friends about upcoming peace rallies and other events.

South Australia
    A letter of support was written on Sept. 13 to Imam Selim in Adelaide, on behalf of SARM. Friends were present at a peace vigil on Friday Sept 21.
    Approval was given at October RM for a letter to be written to the U.S. ambassador to Australia expressing RM's sympathy for the American people.
    Kathy Bodnar, Copper Triangle Recognized Meeting, writes that "letters of support to the Muslim mosques . . . in Adelaide were written, and we took them along to meeting a few weeks ago and the 6 people there were happy to add their names. We had a lovely reply from the chief Imam at one of the mosques."

Sydney
    Sydney Regional Meeting clerk sent a letter of support to American Friends on Sept. 13. Northern Rivers Friends have been on a peace march, and there is a groundswell of feeling within Sydney of the need to stand beside Muslims to show support.

Tasmania
    Tasmanian Friends have been holding a peace vigil at Salamanca Market each Saturday morning for an hour and are joining in with other peace activities.

Victoria
    Northern Suburbs Local Meeting wrote a letter of support to the local Imam on Sept. 16, and put out a special edition of their newsletter, The Meeting Place, which offered a helpful resume of Quaker public statements.
    Some Victorian Friends have been present at public actions for peace, and continue to explore ways to become involved in the coalition that has developed since Sept. 11.
    Victoria Regional Meeting is working on a letter to the prime minister from the Peace and Social Justice Network.
    Regional Meeting has authorized the VRM Peace and Social Justice Network to advise the clerk and assistant clerk on any urgent action that may be required on behalf of Friends.

West Australia
    A number of WARM Friends have become involved in the Network for Justice Not Revenge, a Perth-based action group.
    Perth Friends are also exploring setting up "listening posts" in appropriate public spaces in Perth, including the weekly vigil at the Perth railway station. These "listening posts" will bear the legend "Quaker willing to listen."
    The clerk of WARM has written to West Australia Islamic communities, including the Afghan community, expressing concern and friendship.

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From Latin America

At this time of pain and sorrow we offer our prayers asking that God will grant you all peace, strength, and wisdom to join with others, wherever you are, seeking light and forgiveness amidst yesterday s tragic events. We grieve with you, and encourage you as we all hold to God s promises of peace and love.
    In God s Peace, on behalf of Latin American Friends,

Loida Fernández, executive secretary

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From Lebanon

Brummana Monthly Meeeting is a small one so no letters were sent, but special prayers were held for the many innocent people killed. All articles and letters received from Quakers all around the world were posted for every student to read at Brummana High School.
    In Peace and Love,

Sabah N. Baz

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From Republic of Congo

It's with great bitterness that we have heard through the way of waves length, and have seen on the screen, the terrible acts, unhuman and sad and gloomy which happened in your country, made by the people that we qualify them like ignorant or the enemies of the value of the image of God in man.
    In fact, tear up and pull to pieces by the barbarous and cruel event, the Evangelical Churches annual conference of Friends in Democratic Republic of Congo (Quakers) joined their hands together for bringing their sad condolences to you.
    We know that it's much hard to identify the shock that you are suffering at the moment but we are deeply engaged in prayer for you and remained convinced that only God the Creator of man in his image can comfort and is able to do it to you.
    May the souls of the dead remain in peace.
    With the deepest sorrow,
    On the behalf of the Annual Conference of Friends in Democratic Republic of Congo, B.P. 476 Bujumbura-Burundi or B.P 69 Cyangugu-Rwanda; cadic@cbnif.com.

Mkoko Boseka, legal representative

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From Norway

Norway Yearly Meeting was one of the supporting organizations in arranging a torch light procession in Oslo on 25th September. Appeals were made calling for justice not revenge. About 2000 people participated. The event was not advertised. A Friend, Bjorg Berg, held an appeal at a torch light procession 21st September in Tonsberg under the banner peace and freedom, not terror and war.
    There may have been other initiatives where Friends have been involved that I have not heard about.
    For the record Norway has 151 Friends spread over the country.
    In Friendship,

Penny Heymans, clerk, Norway Yearly Meeting

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From Burundi

People of Burundi have been saddened by the tragic events of September 11 in your country. Many have expressed condolences to us personally as they would if a member of our family were involved. Indeed, we are all involved, as the far reaching aspects of this tragedy unfold and more names of victims are released.
    An interfaith memorial service was offered at the U. S. Embassy Residence in Bujumbura, with more than seventy in attendance. It was impressive to witness the presence of high ranking officials of the Burundian government who came to express their condolences and solidarity with Americans in Burundi. Missionary Kenneth Johnson brought an inspiring message on the need for a Christ-like response.
    At the chapel hour at the Great Lakes School of Theology on Wednesday, September 12, Alvin Anderson expressed a Friends view of reaction to such mindless massacre. At the Sunday afternoon English Fellowship, Anderson spoke on the case of Joseph in Egypt, who told his brothers that though they intended to harm him, God worked it out for the good. Joseph's example of forgiveness instead of revenge was a model Friends can emulate in today's crises.
    The American Quaker presence in Burundi includes missionaries David and Mae Kellum from Mid America Yearly Meeting; volunteer teachers at the Great Lakes School of Theology Richard Lakin from Northwest Yearly Meeting and Alvin and Lucy Anderson from Evangelical Friends Church-Eastern Region; and Carolyn Keys from New York Yearly Meeting, directing the Quaker peace initiative of the Reconciliation and Trauma Healing Center in Burundi.

Alvin L. Anderson

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From Japan

Japan Yearly Meeting presents our deepest condolence to the victims of the disastrous attacks by terrorists.
    Most of the allied nations have expressed the support and assistance to the USA military scheme against the terrorists. Japan is no exception. In this situation Friends in Japan have more responsibility to keep peace in the world, since our constitution is based on peace, avoiding any forms of military aggression.
    What we can do at a national level:
  1. Send messages to the representatives of the Diet.
  2. To have a meeting in the community to make public opinion in the direction of peace, rather than retaliation by military force.
  3. To hold a special meeting for worship to remember and pray for the victims during our yearly meeting session in November.

Yukiko Backes, clerk

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From Ramallah & El-Bireh Friends Schools

I know many of you are anxious about Kathy and the staff and children of Friends Schools in Ramallah/El-Bireh and the many friends that some of you have in the West Bank.
    Fortunately, at the moment, casualties are light. There have been few deaths although there have been a number of injuries among Palestinians and Israelis. Any incident of violence in Israel and Palestine on Israeli citizens is now being responded with even more draconian measures than previously. Community punishment for the individual acts of violence now seems the major thrust. The big difference is that Israeli troops are entering Palestinian authority territory with impunity. The world is absorbed understandably with the tragedy of last Tuesday and the USA's impending response to it. Israel feels that it can achieve its intended goals toady without interference from the USA or the European Union. The situation is tense and dangerous in Palestine because of the present political vulnerability of the West Bank and Gaza strip to Israeli incursions into PA territory.
    Over the last ten days, there have been three helicopter gunships attacks on Ramallah of which the most serious was in the early hours of this morning. These are frightening and ferocious events which have taken on in the last few days a routine that has almost become ritual the circling spotter planes, the chopped air sound of the helicopters lining up to their targets which are unknown to us, the shelling of communities with assembling Israeli tanks and the fire and return of gunfire of defending Palestinians. This morning was in response, we understand, to an Israeli settler who was killed and another wounded on the roads near Jerusalem, areas which are designated as under Israeli security control. The closest large Palestinian controlled town being Ramallah, the punishment is meted out here. It is likely that this situation will continue to deteriorate. We expect more trouble tonight but, of course, hope that this will not be so.
    The schools are open and we with all the school staff continue to do our work in this increasingly difficult atmosphere. However, it has to be said that the schools are calmer right now than they have been since the start of the second Intifada. One of the main objectives in our high school this year is to improve the atmosphere of safety, calm, and security. A number of measures have been taken by the high school administration and staff which to date I am very pleased to say are proving effective. There have been necessary improvements and some necessary new building and we have maintained a positive atmosphere, a hope and a vision for a better future. It is a different school at the moment than the one I joined a year ago.
    We have been so grateful for the generous help that Friends and friends in the USA and in Britain have given to the schools. This has enabled us to be more able to help parents financially, to pay for a scholarship for a graduate of the Ramallah Friends Play School in the Amari Refugee Camp run by Violet Zarou this was at Violet's request and a request that we have been delighted to respond to and to help with the budget of Friends Schools this year. We still desperately need your help, friends, but thanks very much for thinking of us. We have excellent Friends Schools here and a mighty work to do. This is such an important witness to peace and peace making and to a Quaker presence in this community.
    As for Kathy and me, we know that this is not the safest place to be right now. However, if Friends have any insight into responding to violence then it certainly will not have any credibility if we choose to run away from it. Whilst the schools remain open, we remain here for at least the period of our contract, which is for three years. We will have to check our state of mind and our circumstances at the end of this contract and FUM and the schools will have to weigh up their needs in relation to our presence.
    Please pray for us all. Let us try what Love will do.

Ramallah Update
We are all right and so are the schools, even though the Israelis have come into Ramallah since early Thursday morning. We understand that they are occupying Radio Street and that there are tanks in that part of the town. Radio Street is also under curfew, but the rest of the town is normal. School was canceled from 9 A.M. Thursday, when we were told that Arafat had been given a two-hour ultimatum to hand over the assassin of the minister of tourism, who had been killed Wednesday morning in East Jerusalem. Then it was a 12-hour ultimatum and now it is a seven-day one. There has been sporadic fighting during the day and at night which we have heard from our house and the town but not seen. Some of this has involved shelling rather than gunfire.
    There was school as normal today, although not all the teachers or students could get in. Yesterday morning Colin and I went into Jerusalem at 7:15 A.M. without difficulty and were back here by 10:15.
    We saw very few cars or people on the streets in Ramallah although there was some traffic on the roads going both ways as we left the town. We saw an armored vehicle going into Ramallah with Israeli soldiers. The main checkpoint only took about 20 minutes, much less time than usual. The atmosphere as you can imagine is very tense, and no one knows what will happen but the shops are open here and in Jerusalem.
    There are two things we want to mention which you can do. One is to support Sunbala, a nonprofit organization working to promote self-help craft groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It gives people (mostly women) an outlet to sell their products, which otherwise they wouldn't be able to do. Palestinian women have done beautiful and intricate embroidery for centuries and embroidered products are a major part of Sunbala's crafts; there are also wooden and pottery gifts for sale. There is a shop in Jerusalem, but due to the Intifada there are not many tourists coming to the area.
    So . . . have a look on Sunbula's Web site to see what is on offer before you do all your Christmas shopping. The Web site is www.sunbala.org. Their e-mail address is sunbala@palnet.com.
    The other thing you can do is go to see a film by a Palestinian woman, Frontiers of Dreams and Fears, which came out last May. It is about two teenage girls, one living in a refugee camp here in Palestine and the other in a refugee camp in Lebanon. They correspond with each other and eventually are able to meet across barbed wire. The film is made with dignity and compassion and is very powerful. It is in Arabic with English subtitles. We know it has been released in England and in the U.S. and we saw it here at the end of September. Nicholas Marouf, one of the Friends Schools graduates has a Web site called www.ramallahonline.com, which you might also like to visit. It is a well-constructed and thought-provoking site managed from the USA, where Nicholas currently lives. You should also visit our archives at www.mattsouth.net/ramallah.
    The Schools are in need of your support at least through the 2001/2002 school year. Despite a stringent budget which does mean that we will spend only the minimum necessary to keep the school functioning effectively through these difficult times, we are facing a deficit of approximately 10% of our budget i.e. 180,000 US dollars. This is as a consequence of the loss of students as a direct consequence of the political situation and the freeze on tuition fees which we have had to finance for the last two years.
    It is very evident, now more than ever, that our parents from Ramallah, El-Bireh, and the surrounding villages are for the most part in very difficult if not desperate financial circumstances, often with little or no income and dependent on the goodwill of relatives in the USA. It is our priority to continue, as long as we are able, to provide the schools as a symbol of hope for a secure future.
    This appeal is to the worldwide community of Friends and friends. We have had generous scholarship support mostly from our Friends and alumni in the USA and the UK.
    If you would like to assist the Friends Schools, please contact Friends United Meeting, 101 Quaker Hill Dr., Richmond IN 47374; 765-962-7573; www.fum.org. Please make checks in dollars payable to Friends United Meeting and endorse on the back "for Friends Schools Ramallah." Please indicate how you wished your donation used; otherwise indicate that is a general donation.

Salaam, Kathy and Colin

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From Aotearoa/New Zealand


We mourn with those who have lost family members, friends, and colleagues in the terrorist attacks on the USA. We share their sense of disbelief that the most powerful state in the world has been unable to protect them from a handful of men armed with only boarding passes and small knives. We can understand the wish for revenge.
    But might this be a moment for changing focus to see more clearly what it is that the western world with the USA at its centre, has done to attract this catastrophe.
    US military and economic intervention in a number of different countries has caused unbearable pain and misery. We cast our minds to images of smart bombs being dropped with "surgical precision," killing civilians and destroying infrastructures; sanctions which have killed hundreds of thousands of people: ordinary citizens forced into appalling conditions of life under which people are continuing to die. These deaths also deserve our tears. We need to understand how a sense of despair and powerlessness has led to hatred for the west.
    A retaliation by the USA to last week's tragedy will ensure that the cycle of violence continues. Who will pay the price for what happens next? If we want our children, and theirs, to inherit a safe and civilized world we need to carefully consider how our actions, in the past and in the present, have contributed and will contribute to that future.
    As Quakers we believe and now restate that violence is no solution. We believe that the challenge before us all is to break the cycle of violence and retribution.

Merilyn & Michael Payne, coclerks

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From Britain

On behalf of Britain YM we write to express to you our deep sense of shock at the terrible events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania last Tuesday. We hold you all in the Light of Christ at this tragic time.
    With this letter comes our love and concern for those killed injured or bereaved as the result of this horrific act of inhumanity. We pray for them as those who survive come to terms with the impact of this tragedy and we pray for national leaders, especially those of the United States of America, that they may respond with wisdom and in ways that will heal the hurts of the world.
    George Fox spoke of having a sense of all conditions. We can begin to have a sense of the condition of the hurt, the frightened, the shocked, the bereaved, but it is more difficult to enter into the mind of those responsible for this outrage. Whoever they are, they too are children of God and we pray that we may better understand their hurt and anger and that they may turn away from the hatred and fear which drives them to such acts of wickedness.
    God is with us and weeps with us.

Helen Rowlands & Roger Sturge

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Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you:
I have called you by your name, you are mine.
Should you pass through the sea, I will be there with you; or through rivers, they will not swallow you up.
Should you walk through fire, you will not be scorched and the flames will not burn you. . .
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

Isaiah 43

People of Faith Respond to 9/11

The Dalai Lama's Statement

Dear friends around the world:
The events of this day cause every thinking person to stop their daily lives, whatever is going on in them, and to ponder deeply the larger questions of life. We search again for not only the meaning of life, but the purpose of our individual and collective experience as we have created it and we look earnestly for ways in which we might recreate ourselves as a human species, so that we will never treat each other this way again.
    The hour has come for us to demonstrate at the highest level our most extraordinary thought about Who We Really Are. There are two possible responses to what has occurred today. The first comes from love, the second from fear.
    If we come from fear we may panic and do things as individuals and as nations that could only cause further damage. If we come from love we will find refuge and strength, even as we provide it to others.
    This is the moment of your ministry. This is the time of teaching. What you teach at this time, through your every word and action right now, will remain as indelible lessons in the hearts and minds of those whose lives you touch, both now, and for years to come.
    We will set the course for tomorrow, today. At this hour. In this moment.
    Let us seek not to pinpoint blame, but to pinpoint cause.
    Unless we take this time to look at the cause of our experience, we will never remove ourselves from the experiences it creates. Instead, we will forever live in fear of retribution from those within the human family who feel aggrieved, and, likewise, seek retribution from them.
    To us [Buddhist thinkers] the reasons are clear. We have not learned the most basic human lessons. We have not remembered the most basic human truths. We have not understood the most basic spiritual wisdom. In short, we have not been listening to God, and because we have not, we watch ourselves do ungodly things. The message we hear from all sources of truth is clear: We are all one.
    That is a message the human race has largely ignored. Forgetting this truth is the only cause of hatred and war, and the way to remember is simple: Love, [in] this and every moment.
    If we could love even those who have attacked us, and seek to understand why they have done so, what then would be our response? Yet if we meet negativity with negativity, rage with rage, attack with attack, what then will be the outcome?
    These are the questions that are placed before the human race today. They are questions that we have failed to answer for thousands of years. Failure to answer them now could eliminate the need to answer them at all.
    If we want the beauty of the world that we have cocreated to be experienced by our children and our children's children, we will have to become spiritual activists right here, right now, and cause that to happen. We must choose to be a cause in the matter.
    So, talk with God today. Ask God for help, for counsel and advice, for insight and for strength and for inner peace and for deep wisdom. Ask God on this day to show us how to show up in the world in a way that will cause the world itself to change. And join all those people around the world who are praying right now, adding your Light to the Light that dispels all fear.
    That is the challenge that is placed before every thinking person today. Today the human soul asks the question: What can I do to preserve the beauty and the wonder of our world and to eliminate the anger and hatred and the disparity that inevitably causes it in that part of the world which I touch?
    Please seek to answer that question today, with all the magnificence that is You. What can you do TODAY . . . [at] this very moment? A central teaching in most spiritual traditions is: What you wish to experience, provide for another.
    Look to see, now, what it is you wish to experience in your own life, and in the world. Then see if there is another for whom you may be the source of that. If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another. If you wish to know that you are safe, cause [others] to know that they are safe. If you wish to better understand seemingly incomprehensible things, help another to better understand. If you wish to heal your own sadness or anger, seek to heal the sadness or anger of another.
    Those others are waiting for you now. They are looking to you for guidance, for help, for courage, for strength, for understanding, and for assurance at this hour. Most of all, they are looking to you for love.
    My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

Dalai Lama

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Behind the Walls

Yohannes Johnson (Knowledge), former clerk of the Green Haven Quaker Worship Group, wrote from Great Meadow Correctional Facility on September 19:

        It is with sadness that I write you this letter, because of the current world events unfolding. I do not know if anyone I know that worked in the World Trade Center is all right, because I have yet to receive any letters in response to my inquiries. Things here are tense, as can be expected, due to the many personalities among staff and prisoners. I never realized the enormity of our collective ignorance and intolerance of others (nor the amount of disrespect many of us have for one another).
        I participated in a group session last night (9/18) in the organization I serve as chairman (African Cultural Organization). I am happy to say that everyone present (22 prisoners, 1 volunteer) expressed their sorrow and prayers for the innocent lives lost even though some said that, for the most part, America got what was coming to them for all of the interference they imposed upon many other countries. And while many stated there was a need for a response, everyone agreed that care should be taken to be sure those responsible are the only ones held accountable. I was asked why I did not allow the group to speak about current events last Tuesday. My response was we did not know enough to respond to what had happened, and I wanted to be sure everyone had some sense of awareness of the gravity of the situation. . . I counseled a young prisoner whose mother worked in the WTC; another prisoner who was concerned about his children and how they would be affected as they live in the midtown area with their grandmother; and still many others who expressed fear and concern about what would be people's response and reaction to their religious belief as members of the Islamic faith (a fear justified by local and national news reporting)
        There was a prayer service on Friday (9/14) called by the new Protestant Chaplain and the Islamic Chaplain in recognition of the national day of prayer.
        The leaders of all the prison's inmate organizations met with the superintendent and other officials to hear the superintendent respond to letters he received concerning requests from the general population wishing to donate blood and money for the victims in New York City. He stated that while the State had laws which forbid prisoners from donating blood, he agreed that prisoners should be allowed to donate money to one of the many funds set up to collect such. As of the date of this letter the prisoners' organizations had donated $1100. Other donations from groups and individuals were expected to add to that total.
        I pray calmer heads prevail, in spite of what is or can be expected to happen.

Note: Knowledge had received from a friend $50 for his birthday. He plans to give $30 of that to the fund.

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We are Called to Another Way

The events of this morning in New York City and Washington, D.C. make me keenly aware that violence knows no boundaries and that security is an illusion. To witness the collapse of the World Trade Center was to confront not only our vulnerability as a nation in spite of our power, but also the personal vulnerability of each of us to events and circumstances that overtake us. My heart goes out to those who have been killed or injured, and to their stunned and grieving families and friends.
    Our President has vowed to hunt down and punish those who are responsible for these depraved and wicked acts. Many are speaking of revenge. Never has it been clearer to me than in this moment that people of faith, in virtue of the Gospel and the mission of the Church, are called to be about peace and the transformation of the human heart, beginning with our own. I am not immune to emotions of rage and revenge, but I know that acting on them only perpetuates the very violence I pray will be dissipated and overcome.
    Last week I was in Dublin where I found myself convicted by the photograph of a young girl in Northern Ireland being taken to school amid taunts and expressions of hatred because she was Roman Catholic. I know the situation in Northern Ireland is complex, and that religion is a convenient way of ordering hatred and justifying violence, but the tears running down the little girl's terrified face spoke to me of all the violence we commit in word and deed against one another.
    Expressions of concern and prayer have poured into my office from many parts of the world, in some instances from people who themselves are deeply wounded by continuing violence and bloodshed. I pray that the events of today will invite us to see ourselves as a great nation not in terms of our power and wealth but measured by our ability to be in solidarity with others where violence has made its home and become a way of life.
    Yes, those responsible must be found and punished for their evil and disregard for human life, but through the heart of this violence we are called to another way. May our response be to engage with all our hearts and minds and strength in God's project of transforming the world into a garden, a place of peace where swords can become plowshares and spears are changed into pruning hooks.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate, the Episcopal Church

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Christian Peacemaker Teams

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) laments the untold loss of human life resulting from the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon and the crashed plane in Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001.

Call to Prayer Walk
    In this time of crisis, CPT urges supporters to respond with prayer and creative nonviolence. Specifically, churches are encouraged to stop worship as usual on a Sunday and publicly walk in a silent prayerful procession for rejuvenating the nonviolent imagination among God's people.
    We invite congregations both within and beyond U.S. borders to join with other churches and groups in walking distance (1 kilometer, 1 mile) to a public place to:

  1. reflect on what it means to be a Christian in this age;
  2. remember the past, present, and future victims of war, terrorism, and violence;
  3. renew our commitment to walking in Jesus' way of nonviolence both locally and globally and to personally "getting in the way" of comfortable analysis and unjust structures that lead to violence.

    Inviting the media to participate in this walk can help create space for interpreting our convictions to the broader community. Prayer Walk resources including liturgy suggestions and tips on planning vigils and working with the media are available from CPT (cpt@igc.org or on the Web at www.cpt.org).

Enemy Loving
    CPT is in ongoing communication with our teams in Hebron, West Bank; Barrancabermeja, Colombia; Chiapas, Mexico; and Esgenoopetitj, New Brunswick. We have been observing and learning about reducing oppression, injustice, and violence for years.
    The Biblical injunction to "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44-45) is often deemed "unrealistic." It is certainly "unrealistic" to think we can successfully seal off an entire country to terrorist attacks. Indeed our most realistic hope for safety comes from working to make sure that everyone in the world community is treated fairly and being just as willing to give our lives in pursuit of loving the enemy as the terrorists were willing to give their lives to kill the enemy.

Our Conviction
    CPT calls upon congregations and individuals to actively and publicly discourage vicious behavior, damaging rumors, and vengeful foreign policy, recognizing that any further loss of human life only escalates this tragedy.
    We pray for strength and encouragement for emergency rescue workers trying to save lives. We hold the victims, the survivors, and the perpetrators of these actions before God. We remain alert to the possible plight of and encourage personal contact with those neighbors in our communities who may bear the brunt of collective blame or be vulnerable to attack. We rigorously seek the underlying truth behind the violence at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
    In order to create space for the Spirit to work the mystery of healing and transformation, we embrace the hard work of prophetic engagement with a world caught in cycles of violence and seek ways to explain our commitments to our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, family members, and friends.
    Christian Peacemaker Teams is a program of Brethren, Quaker, and Mennonite Churches. CPT. PO Box 6508, Chicago IL 60680; 312-455-1199; Fax 312-432-1213; cpt@igc.org; www.prairienet.org/cpt.

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Oakwood Friends School

Dear Friends in NYYM,
    Greetings from Oakwood Friends School. I am writing to share with you the sentiments and actions of our school community as we begin this new school year amidst international conflict and violence. World events have created a complex convergence of forces, compelling us to look outward to learn more about our global neighbors and national policies, and to turn inward to gather the strength and light of the spirit.
    In these frightening and confusing times, the mood around the Oakwood campus is both somber and purposeful. Many people are speaking about loss. There is laughter to be heard, but it is not as hearty as usual, and there is a clear sense that many students, faculty, and families are feeling fragile.
    We were extremely fortunate that no Oakwood family members were lost in New York or Washington or the plane crash in Pennsylvania. Nonetheless, several members of our school community have close friends who died, and we all have in our minds the awful images of the events on September 11th. You may have heard that the husband of Poughkeepsie's mayor was killed; he worked in a building near the World Trade Center, and he may have ventured into that area to assist survivors during the time of the building's collapse.
    Since September 11, we have held a number of special Meetings for Worship and community meetings. Students and faculty alike have spoken poignantly of the tragic events, expressed fears of further violence, and wished aloud for peace and understanding. The silence, too, has been especially deep. I think we are all very glad to be in a Quaker community at a time like this, where the natural response to tragedy is to come together in worship. We are all grateful to be able to turn to this customary format of sharing in a time of fear and sadness.
    Students and faculty have generated a variety of projects to respond to the terrorist attacks. Earth has been tilled for a memorial garden, and several students have created artwork that now hangs in the meeting room. A group of students organized a collection to support rescue workers and families in need, funded in part by a car wash and a band concert. Other students are writing letters to the editor and to politicians. Students who are old enough will be participating in a blood drive in the coming weeks. Teachers have taken time from their regular course syllabi to address the need for information and discussion on the events in Afghanistan and beyond. The Oakwood community has responded to violence and sadness in energetic, practical, and reflective ways.
    The wider independent school and Quaker school communities have been very supportive over the past month, and electronic communication has been a wonderful tool. We've received helpful messages, position statements, editorials and press releases from the National Association of Independent Schools, the Friends Council on Education, the American Friends Service Committee, and other Quaker groups. A Quaker list-serve has been a forum for exchanging ideas among Friends schools.
    As we move through the days and weeks ahead, I hope we can all continue to hold in the Light those families who have sustained terrible losses, here and abroad, mindful of the fact that many continue to be victims of violence and grief.
    Sincerely,

Peter F. Bailey, head of school Oakwood Friends School

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We Opened the Meetinghouse on 9/11

The [Mt. Toby] meetinghouse was open from 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on September 11.
    Worship sharing has been held weekly for those who wanted support and an opportunity to grieve.
    The Meeting revised and approved "Peace Now," a statement drafted by W. Mass. AFSC and other community organizations, at a called Meeting for Business on September 16. We had copies available for individuals to sign on to.
    The clerk participated in an Amherst interfaith service on behalf of Mt. Toby on September 16.
    Copies of statements from other Quaker organizations (FCNL, AFSC, NEYM) and from individuals were available at the meetinghouse.
    The clerk attended a program at the mosque in W. Springfield representing Mt. Toby on September 21.
    70 letters were sent to President Bush one First Day.
    A member set up a Web site for W. Mass. AFSC and updates it daily.
    A group went caroling in downtown Amherst singing peace carols.
    Members represented Mt. Toby at a Leverett meeting to discuss discrimination against local residents.
    Petition drive to get "Democracy Now!" on WFCR (public radio station).
    Mt. Toby Friends participated in a demonstration at Westover Air Force Base.
    First Day school children included victims in their prayers.
    A Mt. Toby banner was hung at an October 13 demonstration against National Missile Defense that called for peaceful responses to the terrorist activities.
    On October 14 we approved "A Call for Peace" as a statement for Mt. Toby.

Mt. Toby Monthly Meeting, Leverett MA

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William Penn House

William Penn House is responding by helping to organize Quaker efforts in Washington and by providing inexpensive lodging to Friends and others who need to come to Washington to lobby or demonstrate peacefully. The William Penn House Board of Directors has urged me to spend staff time to help direct organization of these demonstrations.

Errol Hess, Director, WPH

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Peace Plans

The National Coalition for Peace and Justice (a coalition of national peace groups which includes AFSC, FOR, WRL, Pax Christi, WAND, and others) has called for a National Day of Peace Response on the seventh day of each month.
    For more information and organizing ideas visit AFSC's Web site at www.peaceresponse.org.

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How We Care for One Another

A Message from CCM&C

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:8-10

This is a time of mourning, fear, anger, confusion, and uncertainty. Perhaps at this time it is difficult to remember that God is with us always. How do we care for one another when we feel overwhelmed? How can we tend our own wounds?
    For some of us it is too hard to center into the stillness of God's love when we are alone. Someone you know is afraid to leave the house. Others seek comfort in groups. Can we find solace in the community of Friends? Are we offering a place of safety with others who are seeking answers?
    A wise person once told me that there are only two emotions: Love and Fear. How can Friends accept the fear they are experiencing while answering to "That of God" in one another?
    It is in a community of corporate worship that Friends can begin the work of healing and restoration of the Spirit. Some of us may be questioning our Faith as we feel the inner struggle to strike back in anger or to sink into depression and inaction. Some of us want to "Do something - anything" to change the situation to make the government cease aggression.
    We need to take the time to worship together, talk about our fears, and feel free to express our anger and our survivor-guilt. Some meetings may be able to help themselves and their communities by providing opportunities to openly talk in the format of worship sharing or worshipful conversation. Can we find peace in a "Retired" meeting for worship where vocal ministry is minimal?
    When we attend vigils and gatherings do we inform the community that Friends are present and holding the testimony of peace as a beacon of the Spirit? Do we reach out to the community through the media to welcome visitors and guests to our meetings? Are we able to hear messages of anger, love, fear, and hope?
    Members of the Coordinating Committee on Ministry and Counsel are available for support to individuals and Meetings.

Ann Davidson, clerk
Kate Lawson, assistant clerk

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Ministry of Presence

Messages from the Clerk of NYYM
Dear Friends,
In the weeks since September 11th, I have often been struck by a quality of "presence" among Friends, both as a manner of being, as well as responding.
    A number of years ago I was introduced to the term "ministry of presence". As I have experienced it, a ministry of presence means being open and fully present to another or to a situation such that we become available to respond, or refrain from responding, as the Spirit would lead. We are alert fully awake and present in a centered, non-anxious, and loving fashion. We are called to "listen" deeply, in all modalities, prayerfully attentive to how God/Christ may be at work in current circumstances and in the lives of those with whom we seek to be present. I have learned that a true ministry of presence requires a keen awareness of our own inward condition.
    This is the ministry that comes to mind when I read of those early Friends who dwelled together in the power of God, and who were sometimes led to "travel in gospel love", open to the movement of the Spirit. I hear it embodied in the words of John Woolman:
    "Love was the first motion, and then a concern to spend some time "
    This is the quality of ministry I feel I've observed repeatedly in the weeks since September 11th. Time and again Friends have expressed a deep desire and need to acknowledge and live into the full range of connection with one another connection with family and Friends in our local meetings, across the Yearly Meeting, and beyond; connection with the broad spectrum of individuals and groups in our communities; connection with the person sitting alongside of us on the subway, the family who has lost a loved one, the child in Afghanistan, the young soldier from Iowa.
    Some Friends have felt called to remain close to their monthly meetings, and some have felt led to travel to worship and be present with Friends in New York City or elsewhere. Some have felt called to a pilgrimage to "ground zero", to be present to and in some way "touch" the suffering there, and so bear witness. Some have taken up, with renewed vigor, the peace and social witness work to which they have long been called; some have been drawn deeply into prayer, acknowledging the Mystery, assured of the redemptive power of God's love.
    To bring a quality of presence to our relationships, as well as to situations where we are most immediately called, feels like a significant ministry in these times. It's a ministry that bespeaks a relationship with the Eternal Presence, one that acknowledges that whatever we may be called to do, we do before the face of God.
    In closing, I offer the following:
    In what ways may each of us be called to the practice of the Presence?
    In Peace and Fellowship,

Linda B. Chidsey, clerk, New York Yearly Meeting

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Clerk's Corner

I believe we have all experienced, and so are in some measure aware of, the deeper rhythms of spiritual life - times when we are called to silence, solitude and prayer, and times when we are powerfully impelled to spirit-led and spirit-fed action.
    Thomas Merton has written that contemplation is the spring that feeds the out-flowing stream of action. If we do not return regularly to the spring, the stream will begin to dry up, our actions will become lifeless.
    In the midst of all that we are experiencing in the aftermath of September 11, and the multitude of ways in which we may feel ourselves called to witness to our faith, Friends may be finding it difficult, even impossible, to set aside time for quiet prayer and meditation. Perhaps it's a luxury we feel we cannot afford at this time; perhaps it's a practice to which we have never been drawn.
    I write now to lift up a concern that it is precisely in times such as these we need more than ever a corporate discipline such as was known to early Friends as "times of retirement" - the daily practice of prayer and meditation, a time of waiting upon the Lord.
    And so I am emboldened at this time to encourage Friends to take time apart for the purpose of prayer and reflection; to study the Scriptures and other readings as will inspire and instruct; to wait in the stillness, listening for how God may be at work in these difficult and troubling times. Drinking deeply from the spring, we are nourished and strengthened for what we are called to do, prepared for the journey ahead.
    In closing, I offer the following queries:
    Are we taking time for daily communion with God?
    Where have we experienced Christ/God present among us?
    In what ways may we have experienced the peace that passeth all understanding?
    Are we authentically seeking, both inwardly and outwardly, to live in the life and power that takes away the occasion for all war?
    What is coming to us in times of stillness and prayer?
    Peace and blessings,

Linda B. Chidsey, clerk, New York Yearly Meeting

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Croton Valley Book Sale

Please join Croton Valley Friends for our annual book sale that will be held on Sat., December 15, from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Friends and patrons alike look forward to spending a few quiet hours perusing books, drinking hot cider, and enjoying a cozy fire in the fireplace. Proceeds from past sales have been donated to Quaker and local service organizations. This year, a portion of the proceeds will be designated to help cover the cost of some major renovations that the meeting is undertaking.
    Croton Valley Meeting welcomes your participation in any manner you see fit. Your support might take the form of donating books, collecting book donations made by others, helping with the setup of the sale, offering to work a few hours during the sale, providing baked goods, or helping us to find organizations that welcome donations of the books that remain at the end of the sale. This last point is of particular concern to us. We would like to direct leftover books to those who can make good use of them. In past years, we donated remaining books to the bookstores that support the Field Library in Peekskill, to Grace Church in White Plains, and to educational programs at Sing Sing and Bedford Prisons and at a shelter for homeless people. If you know of other programs that have particular book donation needs, please let us know. For those who would like to donate books, Croton Valley Friends will be glad to accept donations at Quarterly and Representative Meetings.
    Croton Valley Meeting is at 210 Meeting House Road, Mt. Kisco NY. For more information, or to volunteer to help our effort, please contact Jennifer Johnson.

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