• NYYM Representative Meeting Minutes
• State of Meeting Reports Due Feb. 15
• Yearbook Changes
• NYYM Web site
• NYYM E-Mail List
• Join the Worship and Action List
• Prison Rally in Albany
• Retreat for Small Meetings and Worship Groups
• Help Relieve the Suffering in Iraq
• FUM Work Team Opportunities
• QIVP Open House
• NYYM Indian Affairs Committee Increases Outreach
• Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin
• Ecumenical Bridge Building
• Actions for Peace
  • NYYM Peace Gatherings
  • Quakers and the Civil War
  • Opportunities for Friends to Join Peace Team Efforts
  • AFSC Petitioning for Peace
• Conscientious Objection
  • Registration and Conscription
  • Confronting the Peace Testimony
• Worship for Peace
  • Women's Call for Peace at White House
  • Conscience and Peace Tax International
  • Coming to Peace: FGC Gathering
• Pendle Hill Youth and Social Witness Programs
• Pendle Hill Seeking Coordinator
• Young Activists Wanted
• Honoring Our Truth: FLGC Midwinter Gathering 2003
• NYYM Calendar
• Powell House Calendar
• Notices

1. Friends gathered in the auditorium of the Chathams Middle School at 1:30 P.M. with a period of silent worship. Linda Chidsey, Clerk of the Yearly Meeting, read a quotation from Albert Schweitzer and announced the afternoon's agenda.
2. The reading clerk read the roll of the Yearly Meeting and Friends from the constituent monthly and regional meetings rose in response. The total number of Friends attending was 174.
3. A period of silence followed, out of which Christine (Spee) Braun (Old Chatham) spoke of her experience being led to travel to the Middle East in July and August as a member of a Quaker Peace Delegation, under the sponsorship of Christian Peacemaker Teams. Several Friends groups supported her trip. Since her return, she has been giving presentations to Friends groups and others regarding her observations and experiences. From her trip she selected four "snapshots," which gave Friends some insight into the quality of life for Palestinians and the kinds of witness for peace that continue to be made. She urged Friends in the body to call out and support the leadings of Friends in their meetings, as she was supported by her monthly meeting.
4. Elizabeth Enloe, regional director of the New York Metropolitan Region of the American Friends Service Committee, and Lisa Gasstrom, clerk of its Executive Committee, reported to Friends about AFSC's attention to the widening war with Iraq and the long-term commitment AFSC has made to the Iraqi people. Elizabeth Enloe spoke to the increasing closeness--the greatest she has felt in twenty years--in the New York office to the peace witness of New York Yearly Meeting, and to the importance of the activity of local groups all over the United States. She handed the clerk a collection of peace statements from a wide selection of religious groups, assembled in AFSC's office. She has responded to the concerns of her seven-year-old niece and others by saying that many Friends and other Americans oppose a war against Iraq.
5. Linda Chidsey stepped away from the clerk's table to report on the New York State Community of Churches Collegium, where she has shared the Yearly Meeting's minute on the gospel of peace, the 2002 epistle, and information about New York Yearly Meeting Worship and Action Working Group. All NYSCC Collegium members feel growing alarm about and resistance to war. The executive director has expressed the need for Friends to lead the way in peacemaking, as this is our charism. In October, Linda and seven other representatives of NYSCC Collegium called on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in her Washington office. Elizabeth Enloe of AFSC and Jack Patterson of the Quaker UN Office were also part of the delegation. The meeting was lengthy, prayerful, open, and candid. Linda Chidsey asked for Friends' prayers as she continues to work with this group.
6. Carolyn Keys (Montclair) spoke to the meeting and returned her travel minute of July 2000 with endorsements. She has spent some two years in Burundi, working with others to establish a trauma, healing, and reconciliation center. She spoke of the ways in which New York Yearly Meeting has helped this project, making possible the purchase of a vehicle. Twenty-two persons have been trained as counselors; three counseling sites have been opened; two more are under construction. A national congress on trauma and healing was held in August to share experiences and training. Workshops were held throughout the country on trauma and listening skills. Margaret White, also of Montclair, went to Burundi in August to help. Carolyn will return to Burundi in January to train seven more persons and continue her work there.
7. The clerk called on Victoria Cooley (Central Finger Lakes) and Frederick Dettmer (Purchase) to report on the work since July of the New York Yearly Meeting Worship and Action Working Group. Vicki drew Friends' attention to the written report, which has been made available on the Yearly Meeting Web site and circulated to monthly meetings. The work of this group is evolving as Friends respond to their call. So far, research has been carried out on the difficult issues Friends may be called on to face, such as tax exemption, draft, and civil disobedience. The Yearly Meeting's budget for 2003 includes a line for peace action expenses. A gathering of New York Friends was held in August for the purpose of worship and discernment of possible peace action; two more are planned for January and February. The Worship and Action group plans to bring a report and possible recommendations to the Yearly Meeting at the time of April Representative Meeting. Finding the group's work inspiring, Friends asked questions which Vicki and Fred answered. Information about Worship and Action is available on the Yearly Meeting web site.
8. Paula McClure brought forward the work of the General Services Coordinating Committee. At her request, Friends approved the release of $5,000 from the Contingency Fund (in contrast to the $15,000 that was projected in August) for peace activities.
9. Harold Risler, Treasurer, drew Friends' attention to the four-page treasurer's report made available earlier in the day and spoke to a few of its points. Friends received the report.
10. Steven Ross, clerk of the Audit Committee, reported that the audit for the year 2000 has at length been completed. It will be followed by the audit for 2001, which will be expedited by what was learned in the last one. Some terminology has been brought up to date with the help of our auditor. He made several other recommendations to the Audit Committee, which Steven Ross summarized. The committee anticipates further work on our auditing. Friends received the Audit Committee's report. The auditor's report will be available in full form on the Yearly Meeting Web site.
11. Thomas Martin and Arlene Reduto, co-clerks of Financial Services, presented a proposed budget for 2003. Thomas Martin described the steps in the budget-making process from each April to each December. He reminded Friends that a budget is no more than a financial plan, to be drawn up according to the Yearly Meeting's guidelines. The committee tries to be careful stewards of the blessings and gifts God provides for our use. At his suggestion, Friends went into worshipful silence. Then, by means of an overhead projector, Thomas Martin presented two small changes from the printed budget already distributed. After some questions were answered, Friends approved the budget, including the changes. Friends also approved the proportional shares.
    [NOTE: The proposed budget was printed in the November 2002 issue of Spark.]
12. The minutes were read and approved.
13. Friends shared a time of worshipful silence.
14. Rima Segal, Reading Clerk, read the following nomination; Mary Williams, Bulls Head-Oswego, to Oakwood Friends School, Class of 2005. Friends approved. The Yearly Meeting accepted the release from service for the following Friends who so requested: Reading Clerk, Class of 2003, Deborah Dickinson, Butternuts; Assistant Treasurer, Class of 2003, Arlene Reduto, Manhasset; Oakwood Friends School, Class of 2004, Carol Pauli, Cornwall; Powell House, Class of 2005, Mary Ellen Alexander, Brooklyn; Indian Affairs, Class of 2003, Marjean Coghill, Adirondack.
15. The Clerk introduced Judith Inskeep, clerk of Witness Coordinating Committee. Judy, in turn, introduced Rosa Packard who reported on the work being done for conscientious objectors. She handed out a comprehensive brochure, "Conscientious Objectors and the Draft," published by the United Methodist Church, in cooperation with the Center on Conscience and War. She read from Faith and Practice, Advice #14 (page 82). And she offered a spiritual disipline: What are my actual beliefs regarding war? What has influenced me to arrive at these beliefs? How do I act on these beliefs in my daily life? She discussed many witness and networking efforts, including a workshop for counseling on conscience and war led by William Galvin, Center on Conscience and War, at Purchase Friends Meeting, January 4, 2003.
16. Judy Inskeep brought forward a minute from Purchase Monthly Meeting, approved by Purchase Quarterly Meeting. The minute asks the legislature to reconsider a new law in New York State which connects the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to Selective Service registration. The law requires the DMV to either refuse a learner's permit or driver's license to unregistered young men between the ages of 18 and 26, or obtain consent from the young man to register him in order to receive a learner's permit or driver's license. (Full text at: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A05510&sh=t)

    Purchase Quarterly Meeting has asked that the Yearly Meeting endorse this minute. After a discussion of support, voicing concern for other states dealing with this kind of law, the Meeting endorsed the minute and directed the Clerk to write a cover letter to accompany the minute which will then be sent to Friends groups and government officials who received the YM Gospel of Peace Minute following 2002 Yearly Meeting.

17. Judy read a travel minute for Rosa Packard, approved by Purchase Monthly Meeting and endorsed by Purchase Quarterly Meeting recognising Rosa's personal witness and willingness to travel with a concern for Friends' peace testimony, in particular speaking to issues for conscientious objectors. The Meeting approved endorsing the travel minute.
18. Judy reported on the Sharing Fund. The goal for 2003 is $74,401.00. The following committees and requests are covered under the Sharing Fund: Barrington Dunbar, $23,500; Black Concerns, $4,700; Indian Affairs, $6,101; AVP, $6,000; Latin American Concerns, $5,700; Peace Concerns, $4,150; Prisons, $8,000; Right Sharing, $4,250; FCNL Representative, $2,000; Witness Activies Fund (Support Grants, Emergent Needs, Friends Peace Teams), $6, 000; Section Expense, $4,000. Friends received the 2003 Sharing Fund goal as outlined.
19. The Clerk introduced Carol Holmes who reported on Friends Traveling in the Ministry. Carol summarized the traveling ministry of Nadine Hoover, Denise Sherman and herself. The three have visited many Monthly Meetings and worship groups within the YM and Carol spoke of the ministers and ministry in our meetings. She quoted Thomas Kelly, who spoke of being lifted up, not only by God, but by those we know, by the outgoing bonds of prayer, love and support. Carol was led to the Traveling Ministry by a message she received, "feed my sheep." And her travels to our meetings have taught her, we have good news.
20. The Clerk introduced Sanford Segal who brought a travel minute for Mary Kay Glazer and Mark Moss, approved by Rochester Monthly Meeting. Mary Kay and Mark travel with a concern for couples enrichment, supporting all committed couples, thereby strengthening meeting communities and families. Rochester Meeting joins with Mary Kay and Mark in their belief they are doing important peace work. The Meeting approved endorsing the travel minute.
21. The Clerk introduced Joanna Komoska, Clerk of the Ad Hoc Committee on Staffing and Structure. Joanna reported on the work of the Committee regarding the concerns for the staff of NYYM. In the report, the committee asks us, "How can we enhance trust in our committees, our clerks, our Yearly Meeting, trusting that they serve our interests well, and that there is a reciprocal love among us, working with the Spirit and offering refreshment from our small separate conditions?" Friends received the report.
22. The Clerk introduced Paula McClure representing the Liaison Committee, and then the Clerk stepped aside from the clerks' table. Paula read the following report and statement.
    At April Representative Meeting the Ad Hoc Committee on Staffing and Structure presented in its report to the Meeting a draft of a minute seeking to authorize the Yearly Meeting Clerk to speak and act on behalf of the Yearly Meeting between Yearly Meeting gatherings. It was anticipated that this minute would be brought to our session at Silver Bay in July, but at that time other concerns took precedence. In October, officers of the Yearly Meeting and representatives of the four Coordinating Committees served as a Clearness Committee meeting with Linda Chidsey, Clerk of New York Yearly Meeting, and are bringing this statement to the attention of the Yearly Meeting at December Representative Meeting. No action is requested.

      "In recognition of the extraordinary times in which we are now living and the need for a Quaker voice to speak truth to power as events unfold, officers of New York Yearly Meeting and representatives of the four Coordinating Committees served as a Clearness Committee meeting with Yearly Meeting Clerk Linda Chidsey to discern the extent of her role in speaking on behalf of the Yearly Meeting between sessions. This Clearness Committee approved of and supported Linda Chidsey's leadings as Clerk of New York Yearly Meeting to join with other Friends' groups and the New York State Community of Churches Collegium in statements and actions, including speaking to the press, which articulate our historic peace testimony and are in keeping with Faith and Practice, other Friends' testimonies, and relevant Yearly Meeting minutes and speak to current events. Whenever possible, reference should be made to these sources. It is anticipated that Linda will, wherever possible, act in consultation with staff, officers, and Coordinating Committee representatives."

    Friends received the report and statement, affirming the wisdom and good heart given shape by our Clerk.

23. The Clerk introduced Benjamin Frisch, Clerk of Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas. Ben announced a conference being offered by FWCC in January 2003, "Peace Witness in a Time of Crisis: A Friends' Consultation." This is a special conference being held to consider a Quaker response and peace witness to the growing threats of global war and terrorism. NYYM named the following Friends to attend: Paddy Lane, Butternuts; Frederick Dettmer, Purchase; Sarah Mandolang, Alfred; Eric Snare, Bulls Head-Oswego. If financial support is required, monies from the Peace Initiatives Fund are available. Full information can be requested from Ben Frisch or found at their Web site: www.friendspeace.org.
24. The minutes of this session were read and approved with minor corrections. Friends settled into a peace-filled and thankful worship.

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State of Meeting Reports Due Feb. 15

This year we hope you will share the joys that have enriched your worship group or meeting life. There is much to celebrate within New York Yearly Meeting Friends! Secondly, we ask you to share some of the concerns your meeting or worship group has dealt with or continues to work with this year.

That's it! Share your joys and concerns with CCM&C.

The state of the meeting report should be a searching self-examination by the meeting and its members, of their spiritual strengths and weaknesses and of the efforts made to foster growth in the spiritual life. Reports may cover the full range of interests and concerns but should emphasize those indicative of the spiritual health of the meeting.

Please return your state of meeting report to the Yearly Meeting office no later than February 15, 2003. Feel free to e-mail them to office@nyym.org.

Ann Davidson, clerk CCM&C

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Yearbook Changes

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NYYM Web Site

Paul Busby NYYM Web site administrator

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NYYM E-Mail List

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Join the Worship and Action List

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Prison Rally in Albany

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Retreat for Small Meetings and Worship Groups

Cofacilitators Deborah Fisch and Jean-Marie Barch will create opportunities for group work and individual sharing in response to concerns raised by participants. Coordinator of the Traveling Ministries Program of Friends General Conference, Deborah Fisch has visited widely, responding to requests from individual meetings. Jean Marie Barch, a member of the FGC Ministry and Nurture Committee, and incoming clerk of the Committee for Ministry on Racism, recently facilitated a workshop for the highly successful FGC conference Nurturing the Meeting Community: Attention to the Care of the Meeting.

The weekend includes time for hiking. On Saturday night, Deborah Fisch will join others leading us in song. Bring your instruments! Childcare is available with three weeks' advance notice. To register: call Powell House at 518-794-8811, write to 524 Pitt Hall Road, Old Chatham, NY 12136; or e-mail info@powellhouse.org. Their Web site is www.powellhouse.org. The weekend is cosponsored by the Yearly Meeting Advancement Committee and the Coordinating Committee for Ministry and Counsel. Questions about the weekend? Call Jane Berger at 914-631-3697.

Powell House has received a large grant from the Advancement Committee to support this retreat. When someone from your meeting registers, they should just let Powell House know how much assistance they need. Early registration is advised.

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Help Relieve the Suffering in Iraq

• 4 wrapped bars of soap
• 1 plastic bottle of shampoo (13-24 oz.) in a sealed plastic bag of its own.
• 1 tube of toothpaste (at least 8 oz.)
• 4 adult-sized toothbrushes in original packaging
• 1 hairbrush
• 1 wide-tooth comb
• 1 fingernail clipper
• 1 box of adhesive bandages (at least 40; assorted sizes preferred).

Seal the storage bag. It may take some careful arranging. The shampoo may require a one-gallon storage bag for itself.

Pack a number of bagged family kits in a sturdy carton and enclose a completed form and a check ($5.00 for each kit, if possible) to help defray shipping costs. (To receive a form to include with your kit, contact AFSC, New York Metropolitan Regional Office, 212-598-0950 or download it from the AFSC Web site at www.afsc.org.)

Seal carton and mail to: EMAP-Iraq Health Kits, American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA 19102.

Helpful hints:

Chain drugstores carry all items plus storage bags for approximately $25. Shopping at a discount or factory outlet and buying in bulk can be much cheaper. This can become a group effort by having each participant buy a number of one item (5 hairbrushes, etc.) and then having the whole group assemble the family kits together.

By arrangement with AFSC-Philadelphia, taking the cartons of kits to AFSC could become a field outing that would include a visit to AFSC's offices and Emergency Material Aid Program, plus Quaker sites around the city.

Anne E. Wright, AFSC NYMRO

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FUM Work Team Opportunities

The following teams are srill in the planning stages:

• Belize, 1 week in spring
  Construction and building repair
• Belize, 1 week in early June
  High school and college music and drama team needed
• Ramallah, 2-3 weeks in late summer
  Work team to Ramallah Friends School

For more information, contact FUM, 101 Quaker Hill Dr., Richmond IN 47374; 765-962-7573; www.fum.org.

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QIVP Open House

To learn more about QIVP and to get directions, visit our Web site, www.qivp.org. If you plan to attend the Open House, please write to info@qivp.org or call 518-392-0891.

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NYYM Indian Affairs Committee Increases Outreach

At Silver Bay, in 2001, we invited representatives from Haudenosaunee Nations as our guests so that all interested might meet with them and hear their perspectives on history and tradition as this relates to the current land-claims issues. In 2002, we continued that effort by inviting those with other perspectives to present their views, with the faith that we could all reach a space of common understanding. Through a series of worshipful meetings, we did reach points of common ground. The process was slow and gentle, and touched places deep within us all.

We reached out to all Hau-denosaunee Nations to discover schools and educational efforts so that we might fulfill our minuted commitment to support a Native American educational program and a Native American museum program. We were especially impressed with the efforts of the Mohawk to preserve their traditions and culture and felt moved to support the Akwesasne Freedom School and Kanatsiohareke.

The Akwesasne Freedom School teaches its students in Mohawk, stressing tradition and culture throughout the curriculum. Holidays celebrated follow the traditional Mohawk sacred times. We have been invited to visit, and hope to do so soon.

Kanatsiohareke is a working museum that teaches the Mohawk language as well as other aspects of traditional life and culture. Sybil Perry and Susan Wolf visited their annual summer festival and made contact there with Kay Olan and Tom Porter. Plans are being made for a weekend program specially structured to increase the understanding and appreciation of all committee members for Mohawk culture.

We have been participating in Deep Roots, a network of Indian Affairs Committees from Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and New England Yearly Meetings. In May, we hosted a gathering on Staten Island with the theme Building Native American Community within the Urban Setting. We had the generous help of the American Indian Community House. Our guest speaker, George Stonefish, was lively and fascinating. As part of the weekend, we all attended a powwow at the American Indian Community House and shared in traditional foods and dancing.

We are striving to make the initial formal offering of the Marjorie Sexton Scholarship through Onondaga Community College. We have found that a simple desire to award a scholarship can be challenged with a lot of red tape! Criteria have been set, and steps are being taken to finalize the actual offering process. Friends have donated funds earmarked for this special $1,500 scholarship. We hope that we will continue to receive earmarked funds so that we can offer this scholarship on an annual basis.

Our stipend program continues with increased success. We offer modest stipends to Native American students to help them meet needs they face through their studies. The maximum award is $500, but a more typical award is $250. Our outreach efforts have expanded this year with spectacular results. We made a connection with Amerinda, a network that supports Native American artists, and placed an ad in their newsletter. We established a working relationship with the American Indian Community House in New York City so that they refer worthy students to us. We also made contact with Native American SUNY, Western Consortium, and they are helping publicize our program. The result is that students from all Nations and all locations are now reaching out to us for stipend assistance.

We continue to offer our support to those efforts that have arisen from past leadings: Blossom Garden Friends School in western NY, AFSC's Akwesasne projects that strengthen Native American culture and enterprise, and FCNL's Native American program. We are exploring our connection with the Associated Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs, a more evangelical outreach.

This year has brought deep spiritual rewards and has broadened our experience and understanding of Native American cultures. We look forward with excitement to the year to come.

Sue Wolf, clerk

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Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin

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Ecumenical Bridge Building

When FWCC was founded, just before World War II, Friends in many parts of the USA and Canada were in separated yearly meetings, and meeting through FWCC activities helped the work to heal the splits. That initial work has been done, but there are still the challenges of theological misunderstandings, even intolerance at times, and the missed opportunities to work together to address the needs of the world. Another major concern during FWCC's early years was the threat of war and the role that Friends could play in trying to mediate to prevent it. FWCC was involved, right from the start, in the founding of the United Nations Organization.

Over 60 years ago, international travel was rare, and mass access to electronic communication was unknown. Episodic large gatherings were still a major means of communication. However, participants in such events were predominantly from Europe and North America. At the 1952 World Gathering of Friends in Oxford, England, for example, there were four representatives from Jamaica, one from Cuba, and none from Central and South America, despite the success of mission work in Latin America. The Section of the Americas is much more representative now, but I still wonder if the voices of Latin American Friends, and their priorities, are heard fully. I think, world wide, there is an inevitable tendency for agendas to be dominated by particular cultural groups with ready access to resources. How can we examine our own structures to guard against this?

Now that we have e-mail and conference calls, is there still a need to meet? In view of the environmental damage caused by aviation, should we stop meeting internationally? These are issues that we must wrestle with, both within the Section and throughout FWCC. My view is that we should re-think the ways in which we do business, and be very focused about our gatherings. However, no "virtual" experience can have the potential to be life-changing, and faith-building, in the way that time spent in a different culture, listening deeply, can be. I also believe that specific and focused gatherings can be powerful in the development of ministry and service. The World Gathering of Young Friends and the Women's Theology Conference are two such events whose influence, I would argue, are still felt in many places today. So we need to be imaginative in our planning, and open to the work of the Spirit.

Research shows that faith communities grow when their focus is on service to the surrounding community, rather than on keeping themselves together. But FWCC is not a service agency. What should its contribution be? Concern for reconciliation among Friends, and the desire to meet Friends from different cultures, while still very important, are somewhat limited if they remain the primary organizational aims. There is now a transcendent need for Friends to share their faith with each other and others, to try to offer hope and alternative visions for a world in a precarious state. I am excited about the potential contribution of FWCC's Friends Peace Witness in a Time of Crisis, on the weekend of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at Guilford College.

Those who make decisions that affect us all, in terms of military and economic power, are organized globally, and Friends and other churches need to find ways of grouping together in similar ways to speak to the issues. The problems of the world, such as war and peace, ethnic conflict, economic justice and injustice, environmental sus-tainability, power and powerlessness, and addictions, including consumerism, are spiritual challenges about which Friends, along with other churches, have something to say.

Justo Gonzalez, the Cuban American Methodist, wrote in 1994: "Racism . . . the dispossession of peasants . . . the exploitation of women [are] all part of the same picture . . . closely related to our present consumer society, where human beings are seen as either the means of production or agents of consumption, and where the poor are valued according to how much they produce, while the rich are valued according to how much they consume."

I would love to see a consultation that is representative of all the Friends in the Americas discussing such a topic, and I would like to see it hosted in a Latin American country. I believe that religious community is formed when people work together, whether it is physical work, or wrestling with faith-based issues. I believe in starting where the energy is. Things begin to happen when there is a locally felt need which is addressed in a culturally appropriate way. We are interconnected, globally, in both positive and exploitative ways, but we often need help in seeing the links.

Margaret Fraser is the new executive secretary of FWCC, Section of the Americas. She joined Friends in Britain and, after studying for a master of divinity degree at Earlham School of Religion, she served for seven years as dean of Pendle Hill, the Quaker study center in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.

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Action for Peace

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Quakers and the Civil War

The Hicksite Baltimore Yearly Meeting was one such body. Its territory included many places that were to become some of the most bitterly contested battlefields of the U.S. Civil War. A series of excerpts from the Baltimore minute books of 1861 to 1865 record, in their own words, their testimony and their trials in these years of trouble. This exhibit presents them for purposes of remembrance and reflection in our time.

Chuck Fager, director, Quaker House, Fayetteville, N.C.

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Opportunities for Friends to Join Peace Team Efforts

Peacebuilding in Colombia
FTPT sent a delegation to Colombia last June to explore training persons to lead Alternatives to Violence Project workshops in communities torn apart by civil war. The Mennonite Church and many peace organizations expressed strong interest in this training. In late spring or early summer 2003 a second eight-person exploratory delegation will travel to Colombia to conduct AVP workshops and to lay the groundwork for an ongoing peace team presence. Spanish-speaking Friends with AVP experience are being sought to participate. To learn more, contact: Val Liveoak, 338 Plush Mill Rd., Wallingford PA 19086, 610-627-1941.

Christian Peacemaker Teams
FPTP works in partnership with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). CPT has established long-term peace teams of trained peaceworkers in such places as Palestine, Colombia, Chiapas, and Vieques. The work of these teams is supplemented by many short-term delegations who visit these conflict zones. The teams carry out nonviolent witness, human rights protection efforts, and person-to-person reconciliation outreach. Many Friends have participated in these efforts. To learn more contact Christian Peacemaker Teams, Box 6508, Chicago IL 60680, 312-455-1199; www.cpt.org.

Peace Brigades International
FPTP also works in partnership with Peace Brigades International (PBI), which sends teams to Indonesia, Colombia, and Mexico. PBI team members carry out nonviolence training and accompany persons who are in danger because of their work for peace and human rights, in order to provide the protection an international presence brings. To learn more contact Peace Brigades International, 428 8th St. SE, 2nd fl, Washington DC 20003, 202-544-3765, http://www.peacebrigades.org/usa.html.

Every Meeting a Peace Center
FTPT encourages every meeting to think of itself as a peace center. This means having a clear plan to help meeting members and others in the community decide how they can work for peace and reconciliation.

Last year a binder, Every Monthly Meeting a Peace Center, was distributed to monthly meetings. The binder had information on the spiritual basis of the peace testimony, opportunities with AFSC and others, and resources on conscientious objection. Also, the Peace section of the NYYM Web site, http://www.nyym.org/peace/, is an excellent list of links to the Web sites of organizations working for peace.

Another option for local peacework is to participate in the Alternatives to Violence Project and the Help Increase the Peace Program. Both of these efforts teach nonviolent ways to resolve conflicts. For information on AVP: AVP, 60 Leber Rd., Blauvelt NY 10913; phone: 661-886-1076; avp@avpusa.org; www.avp.usa.org, or contact avpnyso@aol.com. HIPP information: Kathryn Liss, HIPP Network Coordinator, 4806 York Rd., Baltimore MD 21212; phone: 410-323-7200; KLiss@afsc.org.

Finally, FPTP urges meetings to support peace team members with clearness committees and financial support, as well as speaking opportunities to report about all that they have learned through their work.

David Easter, Albany Monthly Meeting

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AFSC Petitioning for Peace

• CCNY, Tuesday, Jan. 14
• Virgin Megastore (on 14th Street), Tuesday, Jan. 21, and
• Queens College, Tuesday, Jan. 28.

She will also be glad to join monthly meetings in their vigils, protests or petition times as well, and to provide AFSC resources like flyers, posters, buttons, background material and… Cheshire. She is available for speaking engagements, trainings, or workshops, for service on panels or as moderator, and to help out in whatever way you need and she can.

Among the many antiwar activities of local staff, Elizabeth Enloe, regional director, was arrested on Dec. 10, 2002, at the US Mission to the UN, along with 98 others, for praying on federal property (well, for trespassing). Several other Friends were also arrested and briefly incarcerated, as well as many people of faith (and some atheists) in an act of civil disobedience organized by the New York Forum of Religious Leaders and the National Council of Churches. The expectation had been that two police vans full of people would choose to do CD. But as about 250 other demonstrators watched, seven vans were filled with the 99 civil disobeyers.

They are due in court on January 17; if you think you would like to be present to provide visual support, contact the office to get the time and address of the courthouse.

A new network of organizations committed to nonviolent action to protest war and promote peace, with a commitment to democratic processes, has been formed and welcomes meetings and other organizations. It is called, appropriately enough, the New York Non-Violence Network. AFSC called it together to galvanize the local peace community. The Network includes many familiar organizations like War Resisters League, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Peace/Action, local churches, several meetings, and about a dozen other groups.

One week after its first meeting--on Oct. 7--the group staged a highly successful demonstration outside the offices of New York's two senators. To urge them to vote no to handing over war powers to the president, about 70 people lined the curbs dressed in black. The public signed postcards with a "vote NO" message. These were attached to two gigantic postcards addressed to each senator. When full, each postcard was presented to a senatorial staff member. About a dozen protesters chose to commit civil disobedience and were politely arrested and taken away.

Elizabeth Enloe also participated in a meeting with Sen. Hillary Clinton to urge her to reject the senate resolution. She was part of a delegation organized by the New York State Council of Churches that also included Linda Chidsey. It was a deeply spiritual meeting, with the senator joining the group in prayer. Unfortunately, in the end, Clinton voted yes.

Because of the coincidence of being in New York City, media capital of the world, Cheshire Frager has been able to express AFSC's views on nationwide radio and television. She participated in a segment of NPR's "Talking Point," as a voice for faith-based war opposition, and got the "last word" (always a coveted spot) pointing out that there are 23 million Iraqis and only one Saddam Hussein: How many Iraqis will we be willing to kill to get him? She was also featured by Fox Cable News in a story about the conflict between hard-left and faith-based antiwar efforts. There were also some local interviews, including Pacifica Radio.

The office contacted Friends' meetings and schools to urge them to participate in the urgent call of the Campaign of Conscience to make up Family Hygiene Kits for the AFSC Emergency Material Aid Program (see related article, p. 2) to send to hard-pressed Iraqis. There is also a need for emergency funds while the need is so great.

Many meetings and Friends have been extremely active in opposing more war on Iraq, and the Yearly Meeting's Peace Action coordination has been significant for that. AFSC is glad to be part of this broad initiative by Friends, as an ally, a resource, and an organizing factor.

Cheshire Frager, AFSC NYMRO

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Conscientious Objection

All are welcome to come hear about the current war climate and its implications concerning the mandatory registration and the military draft. Resources for additional counseling will be provided. Questions will be taken after an initial presentation. Refreshments will be served.

There is no admission fee, but an advance notice that you plan to attend will facilitate preparations. Last-minute participants will be welcome, without advance notice.

Consider These Realities for Conscientious Decision

• Selective Service Boards are in place.
• Two revised versions of the draft regulations are ready for implementation:
• If Congress authorizes a draft the lottery could be reactivated in one day.
• Under the emergency scenario those called will have only ten days from the date their induction notice is sent to file claims for exemption or deferment or permanently waive their right to all claims.
• Women and health professionals may be included in any new conscription.
• Student deferments would last for only the current semester.
• Legal immigration to Canada now must be applied for from outside of Canada.
• NY State now denies drivers licenses as well as student financial aid and state employment to non registrants.
• Conscientious Objectors can document their beliefs but they cannot apply for status as conscientious objectors at the time of registration. They must wait for a brief window of time to apply when conscripted.

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Confronting the Peace Testimony

This weekend was lightly attended, possibly showing individual NYYM members' feelings of trepidation in dealing with, or in this case "confronting," its historic and religious basis for outward peace witness.

The difficulty in the weekend discussion had nothing to do with the beautiful weather, serene environment, very warm temperatures, and the bright-colored leaves that were late in falling this year. (One of my most favorite Powell House pastimes is to rake and smell the fallen leaves. If I were a few years younger, I would have jumped in the leaves too!) The difficulty in the weekend was in imagining how I might deal with the physical suffering, totalitarian rule, or the threat of death by an enemy of our government or by our government if I would stand by the Peace Testimony and refuse to participate in any way or specify that I would refuse to outwardly fight for the present kingdom of this world. But, in Quaker history, there have been times of "extenuating" circumstances and sufficiently "evil" alternatives where the "obvious" choice of participation in war in some way might cause a Friend to "set aside" the Peace Testimony temporarily, or ignore it totally.

Chuck came prepared with a well-defined syllabus and readings for us prepared in three-ring binders that we would later take home.

History of the Peace Testimony
The Quaker Peace Testimony, conveyed by George Fox to Charles II of England in 1660, was written to allay fears of the Crown, and stated that Friends would not participate in the post civil war plots to dethrone the royal family after Oliver Cromwell died. Friends referred to Cromwell, a Puritan, who gave Friends some quarter in parliamentary government actions, as their benevolent Lord Protector. Fox had turned down a military position offered him by Cromwell in the 1650s. With Cromwell's death in 1658, the commonwealth floundered, and the monarchy was restored two years later. At that time, Fox felt that the Crown did not distinguish between Puritans (who fought) and Quakers (who didn't) and wanted to set the record straight and give the reasons why. The widely circulated portion, included in NYYM Faith and Practice, of the full letter is as follows:

"We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons for any end or under any pretence whatsoever; and this is our testimony to the whole world. . . . The spirit of Christ, by which we are guided is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil, and again to move unto it; and we do certainly know, and so testify unto the world, that the spirit of Christ, which leads us into all Truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, nor for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world."

U.S. Civil War Years
During the weekend, what was very inspiring and beautiful was Chuck's reading from the Baltimore Yearly Meeting letters, advices, and queries from the years before and during the U.S. Civil War. The language was such that one felt these were written by kind and gentle people, torn by the threat of war, not unlike the threat we've felt in the last 16 months and the choices we must make in the time ahead. Chuck has published some of these lovely writings on the Quaker House Web site. Please see: www.quakerhouse.org/civil-war-01.htm.

Lincoln's famous quote about the Quakers' struggle to maintain their peaceful ways amidst the otherwise "obvious" choices between North and South was also read during the discussion. It is attached here, written as a response to a letter from Eliza Gurney.

Your people--the Friends--have had and are having a very great trial. On principle, and faith, opposed to both war and oppression, they can only practically oppose oppression by war. In this hard dilemma some have chosen one horn and some the other. For those appealing to me on conscientious grounds, I have done, and shall do, the best I could and can, in my own conscience, under my oath to the law. That you believe this, I doubt not; and, believing it, I shall still receive, for our country and myself, your earnest prayers to our Father in Heaven.

Your sincere friend, Abraham Lincoln

Conscientious Objection
A list of 59 ongoing wars in the world in 2001 was also included in the binder distributed to the group. The list comes from the Web site http://ndcf.org, the National Defense Council Foundation.

To bring Friends' options in the event of personal involvement or involvement of those close to us in any upcoming war a little closer in focus, Chuck handed out the blank form from the U.S. government Selective Service System (Special Form for Conscientious Objector) which was used during the Vietnam years when he registered as a conscientious objector. He asked us to imagine ourselves being confronted with the draft, and to fill out the form giving our reasons why we would choose to be a conscientious objector in the format the government provided. The question of whether one would help in nonviolent ways (to be a medic or provide background support) or not participate at all was also a distinction allowed by the federal government on this form.

Personal Consequences
From this weekend, I realized that the utter lack of personal fear, and utmost security in one's faith in God, and the belief that the Kingdom of Heaven will arrive here on Earth someday, are necessary to embrace the Peace Testimony. Friends who fully embrace the Peace Testimony may have to suffer in this world at the hands of our own government, our neighbors, or an oppressive foreign invader. This might happen when an "obvious" threat to our lives occurs. As George Fox and early Quakers in England suffered in horrific conditions in prisons, and from many beatings and public humiliations for their refusal to compromise their inner beliefs and outward actions, so have other Friends even endured hangings and other sanctioned killings, who have followed the first Friends in their refusal to participate in war.

One specific example of personal suffering for Quaker beliefs is again from the U.S. Civil War:

A southern Quaker named Seth W. Laughlin, despite over a week of physical abuse, refused to go against his conscience and fight. Finally, he was ordered to be shot. As the firing squad prepared, Laughlin prayed the words of Jesus as he hung on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The men, affected by his courage, refused to kill him. Unfortunately, Laughlin died a few weeks later from injuries sustained when he had been beaten.

The historic willingness of Friends to suffer personally and for each other (by taking other Friends' places in prison, and bearing each other up spiritually and economically) was critical to the survival of our faith. The willingness to suffer in this world is now necessary to the future viability of Peace Testimony. Are we ready to continue?

Glenn Reinhart is a member of Brooklyn Meeting. He may be reached at glennreinhart@aol.com.

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Worship for Peace

The vigil and fast is an urgent call to stop a war on Iraq--a war for oil that will kill thousands of innocent Iraqis, needlessly endanger the lives of U.S. servicepeople, escalate a cycle of violence, devastate the environment, and drain our financial resources.

With this vigil, we create a space in Washington, D.C., for building community, for reflection and sharing. It will also be a base from which to engage in creative actions and education for peace. Each week our actions will draw attention to the real costs of war--civilian casualties, who will be sent to fight, escalating poverty as the Pentagon budgets soar, the proliferation of violence in our society, the environmental devastation.

Please get involved! For more information: women@unitedforpeace.org or call Kristi Laughlin at 202-393-5016.

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Conscience and Peace Tax International

It was most interesting to hear stories of tax witness from many of the more than 100 participants, and of the different efforts to pass legislation recognizing the human right of conscientious objection to military taxation in many of the sixteen countries represented. A panel on Personal Witness was part of the program one evening; Ursula Windsor from England and Gerald Lott from Germany and I gave short presentations. Country reports will be included in the conference report, which will be posted on the CPTI Web site, http://www.cpti.ws. Norway, Denmark, U.S., U.K., Canada, Hungary, Sweden, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Spain, Netherlands, Russia, Belgium, Italy, Japan, and Colombia reported either in writing or orally.

The keynote speaker at a church Thursday evening was Canon Paul Oestreicher, Coventry, U.K. Sessions included panels with officials of the German government interested in civil peace service and civilian-based defense as appropriate uses for taxes redirected by conscientious objectors. Delegations from the conference visited members of the German Parliament and members of the European Parliament who support the concept of COMT.

The board meeting of Conscience and Peace Tax International was held during the conference and welcomed the formation of the UN NGO working group on conscientious objection in New York and the appointment of Derek Brett to work in Geneva as one of the NGO representatives of CPTI. Rachel Brett, his wife, represents Friends at the Quaker UN office in Geneva with a concern for human rights. She is most knowledgeable about conscientious objection matters at the United Nations.

The plenary session of the conference decided upon its biannual project to encourage the UN work of CPTI, asking country groups to organize support for this work in their home constituencies. NGO representatives for CPTI at the UN in New York are Marian Franz, vice president of CPTI and executive director of the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund, John Randall of Scarsdale Meeting, who manages the CPTI Web page, and I.

Mennonite Central Committee has planned a U.S. delegation to Colombia in January 2003 focused on conscientious objection to paying for military taxes. Further information: Titus Peachey, Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S. 12th St., Box 500, Akron PA 17501; 717-859-3889; fax: 717-859-3875, tmp@mccus.org.

CPTI made a decision to collect information about legal cases on behalf of conscientious objectors to military taxation. I have joined the committee working on this and would welcome information from Friends with knowledge of past as well as current cases.

Rosa Packard, Purchase Meeting
NGO representative for Conscience and Peace Tax International

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Coming to Peace: FGC Gathering

Friends will gather in the mountains of western Pennsylvania to explore and discern Coming to Peace in relationship to ourselves, to others, to our meetings, to our world, and in our relationship to the Spirit. The theme grew out of worship sharing related to queries on a vision for the Gathering: How will our presence as a loving community further God's work? What sustains us as a community? How do we live out God's love that includes everyone? On Sunday night Duduzile Mtshazo, a South African Friend, will offer the keynote address.

Junior Gathering is preparing an exciting and enriching program serving over 300 children (infants through eighth grade) with the dedicated attention of 130 friendly adults. The High School program is for teens who have completed ninth grade and are enthusiastically searching for a spiritual and meaningful community. Adult Young Friends form a community of those who are young at heart, are looking for a supportive community within the greater Gathering, and are no longer in the High School program.

Registration information for the Gathering will be available in the spring of 2003. Work grants and scholarships for first-time attenders and others will be detailed in the Advance Program and on the FGC Web site at www.fgcquaker.org. For more information: FGC, 1216 Arch St #2B, Philadelphia, PA 19107; 215-561-1700; fax: 215-561-0759; www.fgcquaker.org; gathering@fgcquaker.org.

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Pendle Hill Youth and Social Witness Programs

A summer of service-learning and spiritual enrichment.

Lead and learn with a group of 12 young people ages 18-24. Volunteer as a service intern at an urban nonprofit agency. Share in Pendle Hill's multigenerational community of seekers, scholars, mystics, and activists. Engage in dialogue on topics like social justice, ecology, spirituality, and diversity. Explore spirituality in Quaker meetings, reflection groups, meditation, yoga, gardening, and journaling. And discover leadership in yourself.

Youth Camp for High School Students, July 6-13

A weeklong enrichment program for ages 15-18

Highlights of the program include a two-day workcamp, justice education through group discussions, and workshops with young people from across the country; meaningful service projects at Pendle Hill; meeting for worship and journaling; and art projects in Pendle Hill's arts studio, games, a campfire circle, a swimming field trip, and other community-building activities.

Social Action and Social Witness Internships, September 2003-June 2004

Seven internships are available for committed social justice volunteers to work 20 hours a week on a service project, live at Pendle Hill, and participate in the Resident Program (taking classes, using the arts studio, etc.). The internships provide tuition, room, board, health insurance, and local transportation costs.

Off-campus volunteer work may include community service work, local social justice program support or coordination, or administration and direct action for particular local and/or national causes. Internships are available for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience, from young adults to seasoned and skilled activists. The Richard I. McKinney Social Witness Scholarship is specifically for an African-American activist or young adult.

For information and applications contact Julian O'Reilly, Youth and Social Witness Programs Coordinator, 338 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford PA 19086; e-mail: julian@pendlehill.org; 800-742-3150; www.pendlehill.org.

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Pendle Hill Seeking Coordinator

Skills and abilities needed for this position include:

1. Creativity and discernment in planning programs and selecting leaders to serve Pendle Hill's mission, meet needs in the Religious Society of Friends and respond to changing and differing interests among potential participants.
2. Persuasiveness, tact, and reliability in relating to potential program leaders.
3. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
4. Ability to juggle multiple responsibilities at once and to complete them on schedule with flexibility and good humor.
5. Willingness to work weekends when needed. Compensation time off is provided.
6. Ease in meeting, welcoming, and interpreting Pendle Hill to short-term program participants.
7. Comfort in working in cooperation with many staff and under the supervision of the Dean, who has responsibility for the overall curriculum.
8. Familiarity with trends and issues impacting the Religious Society of Friends, including Friends meetings and their members.

Inquiries or resumes should be sent to Laura Beatty, 610-566-4507, ext. 131 or 800-742-3150, ext. 131; laura@pendlehill.org. Application deadline February 28, 2003. Pendle Hill is an equal opportunity employer. Persons of color and Quakers are especially encouraged to apply.

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Young Activists Wanted!

We need a young person from each yearly meeting to act as an FCNL contact. If that applies to you, we will mail you brochures and flyers outlining ideas for a variety of projects that your meeting may wish to explore. FCNL contacts receive FCNL's Washington Newsletter and a monthly letter-writing kit to share with their organizations. They can keep up-to-date on legislative issues with the Legislative Action Message via e-mail. Sign up online at www.fcnl.org. They can also request FCNL Info Line messages that include project ideas, resource offers, and other news. Students can sign up to be on FCNL's Young Adult e-mail list on the Web site as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to receive additional materials or resources. I can be reached at 202-547-6000 ext. 140; toll free at 800-630-1330 ext 140; jennifer@fcnl.org.

Jennifer Chapin Harris, FCNL Young Adult Program coordinator

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Honoring Our Truth: FLGC Midwinter Gathering 2003

Their Web site also has information on marriage minutes and other minutes that affirm same-sex unions or commitments among Quakers.

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Notices

Sally Arteseros - Fifteenth Street
Deborah Brozina - Fifteenth Street
Kathleen Carver-Cheney - Fifteenth Street
Danielle Cheney - Fifteenth Street
Hattie Herman - Manhasset
Stephen Liporati - Manhasset
Enoch W. Nixon III - Poughkeepsie
Charles Ritchie - Albany
Russell Sutherland - Westbury

MARRIAGES

Maurice D'Shawn Coleman, member of Brooklyn, and Vicky Lynn Gravels, on October 12, 2002.
Jill Anna Figlozzi, member of Easton, and Eric Mason Smith, member of Haddonfield, on August 24, 2002.

DEATHS

Arthur Willis Post, member of Westbury, on November 23, 2002

TRANSFERS

Melissa Demian to Bulls Head-Oswego from Cambridge and Peterborough, UK

BIRTHS/ADOPTIONS

Alexander Douglas Smith Brancato, on May 30, 2002, to Valerie E. Smith, member of Jericho, and Mark F. Brancato.
Rachel Marjorie Ruth Hewitt, on September 22, 2002, to Mia Kissil Hewitt and Mark Hewitt, members of Summit.
Elijah Kojo Badu Randall, on November 11, 2002, to William Randall, member of Scarsdale, and Tennille Randall.
Caroline Yizhou Strakosh Walz, on September 4, 2002, to Kathy Strakosh Walz and John Strakosh Walz, members of Summit.