tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post2633993402570122591..comments2023-09-06T09:41:32.189-04:00Comments on Meeting Jesus / Finding Peace: Grieving a LossBillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063175711541546350noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post-71789733721808458252010-01-23T20:43:07.733-05:002010-01-23T20:43:07.733-05:00Bill, I'm curious as to the nature of this con...Bill, I'm curious as to the nature of this controversy in WYM, although it's been a little while since you discussed it.<br /><br />In true Quaker style, all the links and discussions I've located so far talk <i>about</i> the controversy without explaining what it <i>is</i>.<br /><br />What is the disagreement?kevin robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07336902422644197456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post-84820425661428298502009-08-27T22:32:50.505-04:002009-08-27T22:32:50.505-04:00It's clear to me that Friends on all sides of ...It's clear to me that Friends on all sides of the issue <b><i>care</i></b>, and I certainly don't know what is or has been involved, since I am not a part of Western YM.<br /><br />But just as in a marriage that has hit a rocky spell and both partners need time to reach deeply into their faith in God, I would want to know to what extent Friends are willing to sit in the discomfort for a while, let go of any hoped-for outcome, and invite the Spirit in, to be close, and to show everyone a Third Way?<br /><br />It's a rhetorical question so no need to answer. I just wonder if God is starting to break through to a number of yearly and monthly meetings, because there are a number of issues and topics that are creating pain and even outrage...<br /><br />We are all one. You are all in my thoughts and prayers today.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Liz Opp, <a href="http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">The Good Raised Up</a>Liz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post-34513947307313585242009-08-27T21:53:14.706-04:002009-08-27T21:53:14.706-04:00The doctrine in the first lines of the cited text ...The doctrine in the first lines of the cited text from WYM Faith and Practice is clear and cogent, and the present circumstances show why early Friends avoided such doctrinal statements. Holding such perceptions as "essential" leaves no room for investigation of other perceptions that may in no way preclude a devotion to God and to Christ, and that seems to be the question under consideration. Does the Yearly Meeting stick with its statement, or is there a different perception that is being voiced which may or may not violate living in the Way embodied and taught by Jesus.<br />Your point is well made when you say, "For me, integrity in the Yearly Meeting needs to include being who we claim to be. If our description of who we are is not accurate, then the action of integrity is to propose changing it. Instead, I hear people defining and redefining words and phrases in order to “proof-text” a preference. If a person wants to see a Yearly Meeting organized around theological diversity or any other basic principle, then that proposal needs to be presented to the body for action. Then Quaker process can do its work. I would suggest that "a way forward" should seriously consider a re-examination of the Faith and Practice statement as a requirement. Jesus did not say, By their doctrines ye shall know them."<br /><br />In His Love,<br />NateNatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07004334102672210987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post-33212914234310971262009-08-27T18:29:56.447-04:002009-08-27T18:29:56.447-04:00I dislike "proof texts," but if I had to...I dislike "proof texts," but if I had to choose some they would be from what Jesus said about our relationship with God and with each other (paaphrased as well as my memory permits). "Just as I am in the Father and the Father in me, so shall I be in you and you in me." "Greater things than I have done you shall do also." ( It is not the one that says Lord, Lord that follows me but one who does my commandments - Love God, Love everyone, including your enemies.)<br /><br />It seems to me that hese are at the core of Friends - Christ HAS COME in all his offices, including Prophet, Priest and King. Christ has come to teach his people himself.Tom Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12194918323559385371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post-53257601911985802382009-08-27T18:14:24.223-04:002009-08-27T18:14:24.223-04:00The meeting on Sunday is open to all. 5pm at Danv...The meeting on Sunday is open to all. 5pm at Danville Friends.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17063175711541546350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post-77107539808872372672009-08-27T17:45:42.565-04:002009-08-27T17:45:42.565-04:00Grief over no sense of the meeting I appreciate. ...Grief over no sense of the meeting I appreciate. I understand and support your grieving. I, like Brent, wish that a meeting for a way forward was open to all members of WYM.friendlywayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17777107553763480834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post-21517851371926836282009-08-27T15:31:03.557-04:002009-08-27T15:31:03.557-04:00I appreciate Bill's post -- he is a wise, good...I appreciate Bill's post -- he is a wise, good, and thoughtful man. We two, however, have very different views, it seems, on the nature of what is happening. And I hope it is understood that I am advocating one theological position over another -- I am not. I, myself, am fairly Orthodox Quaker -- I believe in the Trinity, atonement, miracles, etc. I do not agree with the ultra universalist position or the narrow fundamentalist position that sit at the exteme ends of Friends faith.<br /><br />I, too, am grieving. I am grieving over a Yearly Meeting that I loved for its breadth of caring and diversity now becoming a battleground.<br /><br />I wish the Yearly Meetinghouse itself would be a place where a Meeting for Worship could be held for ALL Western Friends to join to talk about a way forward. I think all of us feel as if we have lost something valuable.Brent Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01351957537347562545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222101907210941253.post-37583011838803483312009-08-27T13:55:22.272-04:002009-08-27T13:55:22.272-04:00Goodness -- I've been following the WYM story ...Goodness -- I've been following the WYM story and (as it happens) I work around the corner from the menu posted.<br /><br />It was quiet, erratically managed and now out of business. Not an omen, I hope.Scott Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03838480302407811239noreply@blogger.com