Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Quaker Street: end of the road?
Quaker Street was my first blog, started at the back end of August 2005. I wrote on it, off and on, for three years. It details the highs and lows of parts of my life over that period, in particular focusing on my Quaker life and experience.
For now, I'm working predominantly on other projects, including the day job, in which I work to help others publish writing and other work related to their Quaker experience.
Thanks for stopping by.
Peace and light,
Jez
8/10/8.
For now, I'm working predominantly on other projects, including the day job, in which I work to help others publish writing and other work related to their Quaker experience.
Thanks for stopping by.
Peace and light,
Jez
8/10/8.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
East Africa Yearly Meeting North 2007 epistle
Our Friends in East Africa Yearly Meeting – North (Quakers) have different views about homosexuality to many Quakers in Britain Yearly Meeting
For many months, while the Anglican Church tackles these issues, the Quakers have been giving them quiet consideration.
One of the main points of contention for British Friends, was whether or not to publish the EAYM-N(Q) epistle. In the end they chose not to do so. It was a difficult decision and questions about the suitability for publication by Quakers in a Quaker book remains difficult not least because very few people have seen the epistle.
In this situation we need to take a long-term approach in mind with how we respond to our differences, even where they are hurtful and seem fundamental. If we are open with love when we approach someone saying, 'we think you are wrong', we need to be open with love to hear what they have to say back. We need to create avenues of support for Friends within their Yearly Meeting who suffer from epistles such as this, just as their epistle can be a support for Friends in our Meeting who are homophobic.
Anyway, the epistle:
To friends everywhere,
We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This message comes from East Africa Yearly Meeting of friends North (Quakers) Conference held from 22nd to 26th August 2007 at Friends secondary school Sipala 5 km north of Webuye town, Western Kenya whose inhabitants are mixed farmers in a hot and wet climate.
Our 20th Annual conference attended by 585 registered delegates drawn from all parts of the Yearly Meeting sparked off at 3:55 pm nourished by the Clerk John Walukhu through dedicated Christian expectations in his opening remarks.
Being a meeting for worship for Business, our these, derived from Exodus 14:15, “Tell the Israelites to go ahead . . .” explored by Area Superintendent Pastor Japheth Pepela stimulated spiritual harvest among delegates. Along with the stated motivation were other teachings through topics like, Discipleship, teamwork, Church growth, Civic education on public funds, alternatives to Violence and Rural Service Programme – all led by integrated local facilitators.
Business as one of the components was covere through approval of Financial report and administrative formalities. Various dignitaries from many parts of Kenya joined us at this conference. Other friends from all over the World came to us through epistles meant to be of high morals to emulate. Thanks a lot to Meetings that adhere to morals of great value before God.
This yearly Meeting got absolutely disgusted with some FUM member yearly Meetings; (Canada, Baltimore, New England, North Pacific and New York) if not some monthly Meetings within the yearly Meetings, that write to us pages and pages of Epistles containing no spiritual information to pass on to our members BUT ONLY their immoral sexual mannerisms of Gay and Lesbianism.
One example is, an epistle from Canada Yearly Meeting that quotes a Friend from Uganda yearly Meeting to have read Romans 1:8-32 during FUM General Board Meeting held in Feb. 2007 as having offended them. Why should they be offended?
That is what the Bible says. That behaviour is unnatural; unheard of even in wild life and blasfamous [sic].
“I will build my church . . . . . . . . . . .Matthew 16:18
In the 19th century we respected and honoured whites (Europeans / Americans) for opening up the word of God and hence light to Africa. The same whites in the 21st century are now deviating us from the very word of God into darkness toward hell.
The second last paragraph in the same epistle from Canada Yearly Meeting announces a decision to only send funds to FUM for 2008 on designated and special projects rather than the general fund. Are they bargaining for Evil?
Even with this affluential influence they want to impose on God fearing people, as indicated in the proceeding paragraph, let them be guided that further dialogue about Biblical interpretation is NOT warranted on EVIL matters as such.
I earnestly ask God fearing yearly meetings to repeatedly preach the Gospel to our lost friends.
God bless and lead us the divine way.
Yours at struggle,
James I. Mugalaval
General Secretary
E.A.Y.M.F. North Y.M
For many months, while the Anglican Church tackles these issues, the Quakers have been giving them quiet consideration.
One of the main points of contention for British Friends, was whether or not to publish the EAYM-N(Q) epistle. In the end they chose not to do so. It was a difficult decision and questions about the suitability for publication by Quakers in a Quaker book remains difficult not least because very few people have seen the epistle.
In this situation we need to take a long-term approach in mind with how we respond to our differences, even where they are hurtful and seem fundamental. If we are open with love when we approach someone saying, 'we think you are wrong', we need to be open with love to hear what they have to say back. We need to create avenues of support for Friends within their Yearly Meeting who suffer from epistles such as this, just as their epistle can be a support for Friends in our Meeting who are homophobic.
Anyway, the epistle:
To friends everywhere,
We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This message comes from East Africa Yearly Meeting of friends North (Quakers) Conference held from 22nd to 26th August 2007 at Friends secondary school Sipala 5 km north of Webuye town, Western Kenya whose inhabitants are mixed farmers in a hot and wet climate.
Our 20th Annual conference attended by 585 registered delegates drawn from all parts of the Yearly Meeting sparked off at 3:55 pm nourished by the Clerk John Walukhu through dedicated Christian expectations in his opening remarks.
Being a meeting for worship for Business, our these, derived from Exodus 14:15, “Tell the Israelites to go ahead . . .” explored by Area Superintendent Pastor Japheth Pepela stimulated spiritual harvest among delegates. Along with the stated motivation were other teachings through topics like, Discipleship, teamwork, Church growth, Civic education on public funds, alternatives to Violence and Rural Service Programme – all led by integrated local facilitators.
Business as one of the components was covere through approval of Financial report and administrative formalities. Various dignitaries from many parts of Kenya joined us at this conference. Other friends from all over the World came to us through epistles meant to be of high morals to emulate. Thanks a lot to Meetings that adhere to morals of great value before God.
This yearly Meeting got absolutely disgusted with some FUM member yearly Meetings; (Canada, Baltimore, New England, North Pacific and New York) if not some monthly Meetings within the yearly Meetings, that write to us pages and pages of Epistles containing no spiritual information to pass on to our members BUT ONLY their immoral sexual mannerisms of Gay and Lesbianism.
One example is, an epistle from Canada Yearly Meeting that quotes a Friend from Uganda yearly Meeting to have read Romans 1:8-32 during FUM General Board Meeting held in Feb. 2007 as having offended them. Why should they be offended?
That is what the Bible says. That behaviour is unnatural; unheard of even in wild life and blasfamous [sic].
“I will build my church . . . . . . . . . . .Matthew 16:18
In the 19th century we respected and honoured whites (Europeans / Americans) for opening up the word of God and hence light to Africa. The same whites in the 21st century are now deviating us from the very word of God into darkness toward hell.
The second last paragraph in the same epistle from Canada Yearly Meeting announces a decision to only send funds to FUM for 2008 on designated and special projects rather than the general fund. Are they bargaining for Evil?
Even with this affluential influence they want to impose on God fearing people, as indicated in the proceeding paragraph, let them be guided that further dialogue about Biblical interpretation is NOT warranted on EVIL matters as such.
I earnestly ask God fearing yearly meetings to repeatedly preach the Gospel to our lost friends.
God bless and lead us the divine way.
Yours at struggle,
James I. Mugalaval
General Secretary
E.A.Y.M.F. North Y.M
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
This Yearly Meeting got absolutely disgusted...
Eventually they made it onto the internet, with Chuck Fager posting the East Africa Yearly Meeting (North) epistles on his blog:
These are the epistles that made a committee within Britain Yearly Meeting decide that not all epistles received should be printed in BYM's own documents. There was a danger, many felt, that publishing them could open Friends up to prosecution under discrimination law.
These are the epistles that made a committee within Britain Yearly Meeting decide that not all epistles received should be printed in BYM's own documents. There was a danger, many felt, that publishing them could open Friends up to prosecution under discrimination law.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
the edge of brockley
This is the border of Brockley and rest of the world. I have no idea what happens on the other side of the bridge, except to say that it probably isn't as cool as what happens in Brockley.
Centre of the world, it is.
Centre of the world, it is.
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