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Epistle to Friends Everywhere 2017

Seventh Month 29, 2017

To Friends Everywhere:

There is that of God in everyone, but it lies dormant in us like a seed that has been trampled underfoot. As Quakers we try to become nurturers of the seed and not tramplers of it. If nurtured, the seed will grow and give us new life. As we seek to follow the promptings of God, we will be called to live our lives in new ways.   

~Will Taber

We send you warm greetings from Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative),as we gather at Scattergood Friends School Seventh Month, 25-30 for the 140th annual sessions of our yearly meeting.

This week we have explored the theme, “Building Bridges.” Peter Clay with guests, Christine Nobiss, Plains Cree-Salteaux of the George Gordon First Nation and founder of Indigenous Iowa, and Donnielle Wanatee Bi-we-ni-wa Thunder & Eagle clan from the Meskwaki Nation, an advocate for Iowa and its people, led a panel on building bridges with Native Americans. Tenderlistening and respect among the panel speakers allowed us to hear more deeply, to share their respect and care for each other. Decolonization of our minds and consideration of received history were presented to us with authenticity and care for nurturing relationships among us all.

On Fourth Day we were blessed with a concert and sing-along with Tom Rawson from Orcas Island, Washington. We found our spirits liftedand our hearts energized as we sang our way through the evening. Fifth Day afternoon gave us another opportunity to sing, laugh and open ourselves to theSpirit with Tom. He was a gift for us all.

José Woss of the Friends Committee on National Legislation brightened our days with his warmth, interest in us, and sharing his work with FCNL. He spoke with us about race and mass incarceration on Fifth Day.We much appreciated his invitation to have intimate conversations with one another, sharing experiences of our own racism or how we responded when we have witnessed the hurtful words or actions of another.

Linda Rabben attends Adelphi Friends Meeting in Maryland, is an anthropologist and human rights advocate. She shared her thoughts and experiences with the history of sanctuary and asylum. She encourages Quakersand other faith communities to discern how to respond to the present moment,when many vulnerable people are targets for detention and deportation.

Elizabeth O’Sullivan again led us in Bible study each morning after breakfast. Her approach is fresh, and her passion for her subject engaged andmoved us, as she linked our theme of Building Bridges with her knowledge ofthe Bible.

We greatly appreciated Shirley Scritchfield’s pre-meeting consideration of Moving Beyond Silence on First Day morning.

We are especially grateful for the depth and tenderness of ourconsideration of Scattergood Friends School. We heard the Head’s report of the School, the Farm report, the report from the Academic Director, and the report of the School Committee. We stand with the school community in itsfullness of heart and recognition of the challenges that lie ahead in increasingthe number of students. We are delighted and impressed with the strength ofcommunity and education that the school is providing. We understand the importance of our own outreach, know that we need to share our knowledgewith our communities. We are thankful for Thomas Weber and the entire stafffor their good work. We do not take their commitment to the school lightly.Scattergood Friends School gives the Yearly Meeting purpose and direction.

Our final evening together culminated as always with a talent show planned by the Junior Yearly Meeting and Young Friends. Sharing and laughter brought us to a gathered sense of Light and Love.

We have been singing, visiting, washing dishes, setting tables in the dining room, sweeping floors, serving food, and even doing a little weeding one afternoon in a flower bed. We have found ourselves with open hearts andminds as we have worshiped and learned together. We are grateful that we continue to read and send epistles. We give thanks.

In love,
Deborah Dakin, clerk


141st Annual Session IYMC

2018 Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends (Conservative)
141st Annual Sessions
Seventh Month 24-29, 2018
Scattergood Friends School near West Branch, Iowa

Being Centered in an Uncentered World

Fourth Day/Wednesday through Seventh Day/Saturday: 7:45 a.m. – Bible Study – with Callie Marsh

Third Day/Tuesday: 7 p.m. Finding Truth and Beauty – Jeff Kisling will share his photographs as a focus for how we find truth and beauty in the world.

Fourth Day/Wednesday: 2-3:30 p.m. Region Reports from Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) & American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Fourth Day/Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bystander Intervention Training: Centering to inter- vene in injustice. Interrupting instances of interpersonal and state violence while staying grounded in the Spirit -with Lucy Duncan

Fifth Day/Thursday: 2 p.m. Scattergood proposal

Fifth Day/Thursday: 7 p.m. How do we prevent or recover from burnout during times of prolonged uncertainty? – with Geery Howe

Sixth Day/Friday: 7 p.m. – On Clearness, Discernment and Decisionmaking – with Deborah Fisch, Bill and Lynne Howard, Bob Winkleblack and Carol Gilbert

Seventh Day/Saturday: 7 p.m. Annual Talent Show – led by Young Friends and JYM

First Day/Sunday: 9 a.m. Pre-Meeting – Remaining Hopeful in Difficult Times – with Bill Deutsch


PRESENTERS / DISCUSSION LEADERS

Callie Marsch is a member of the West Branch Meeting. She has a Master’s degree in Quaker Studies from the Earlham School of Religion. She does a lot of knitting and reading, and enjoys planting her flower garden.

Jeff Kisling is water protector, community organizer, spiritual , warrior, later, photojournalist, medical researcher, and lumbar bear Creek Friends Meeting.
 
Lucy Duncan works with other AFSC staff to foster strong relationships between AFSC and Quakers. She is a member of Green St., French meeting (PhYM) and became a Friend at Iowa Yearly Meeting (C).
 
Gerry Howe is a consultant, executive coach, and trainer in leadership, strategic planning, and organizational change, and a member of West Branch Friends Meeting.
 
Deborah Fisch, Bill and Lynne Howard, Carol Gilbert, Bob Winkleblack. Deborah is a member of Paulina Friends Meeting, Bill and Lynne are members of Des Moines Valley Friends, (Lynne is co-clerk), and Carol is a member of Omaha Friends Meeting. Bob is co-clerk of Iowa City Friends Meeting.
 
Bill Deutsch is a licensed independent social worker, flower farmer, volunteer, dance musician, on clerk Decorah Friends Meeting.
 

Tentative Agenda for Meeting for Worship with

Attention to Business

Fourth Day/Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. until noon

  • Appointments of Representatives, Caretakers, and YM Committees
  • Midyear Meeting ReportOur IYMc benches
  • Interim Meeting Report
  • AFSC Corporation Report
  • Possibilities Committee Report
  • Epistles from Conservative yearly meetings
  • Selected readings of portions of Epistles from other yearly meetings

Fifth Day/Thursday, 9:30 a.m. until noon

  • FWCC Report
  • Publications Committee Report
  • 2016 Entertainment Committee Report
  • Archives Committee Report
  • Special Needs Committee Report
  • Queries and selected responses

Sixth Day/Friday, 9:30 a.m. until noon

  • Scattergood School and Farm Reports (Academic, Farm, Head, Financial)
  • Yearly Meeting Trustees Report (incl. Scattergood Foundation report)
  • Yearly Meeting Scattergood School Committee Report

Fourth Day/Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. until noon

  • Appointments of Representatives, Caretakers, and YM Committees
  • Midyear Meeting Report
  • Interim Meeting Report
  • AFSC Corporation Report
  • Possibilities Committee Report
  • Epistles from Conservative yearly meetings
  • Selected readings of portions of Epistles from other yearly meetings

Fifth Day/Thursday, 9:30 a.m. until noon

  • FWCC Report
  • Publications Committee Report
  • 2016 Entertainment Committee Report
  • Archives Committee Report
  • Special Needs Committee Report
  • Queries and selected responses

Sixth Day/Friday, 9:30 a.m. until noon

  • Scattergood School and Farm Reports (Academic, Farm, Head, Financial)
  • Yearly Meeting Trustees Report (incl. Scattergood Foundation report)
  • Yearly Meeting Scattergood School Committee Report

Find Scattergood Friends School: 1950 Delta Ave., West Branch.

From East, take I-80 to Exit 259, Go north on X40 about 1⁄2 mile. Go west (left) on F44 for 3 miles. Go 1⁄2 mile south (left) on Delta Avenue.

From West, take I-80 Exit 254 into West Branch. At 4-way stop, go east (right) on F44 for 2 miles. Go 1⁄2 mile south (right) on Delta Ave.

Map and more directions at: http://scattergood.org/our-school/maps-and-directions

Program         Online registration           Registration          Unattended minor


Burt Kisling Memorial

Dear Friends,

Burton KislingIt is with deep sadness that Bear Creek Friends share news of Burt Kisling’s passing on March 21, 2018. With his kind heart and welcoming spirit, he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Birdie, Jeff, Jon, Randy, Lisa and the extended family, as we hold them in the Light. A memorial service of remembrance for Burt Kisling will be held at Bear Creek Friends Meeting, near Earlham, Iowa, on Saturday April 14th at 10:30 a.m., with lunch following worship. in peace, Jackie Leckband on behalf of Bear Creek Friends

Memorial            Photo Gallery


Wanda Knight obituary

Whanda Knight

Wanda Florene (Standing) Knight, 90 of Indianola formerly of Earlham passed away at her home on Sunday, July 22, 2018. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, July 31st at the Bear Creek Friends Meeting House, rural Earlham. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bear Creek Friends Meeting House.

Wanda was born to Arthur and Lydia Standing on April 30, 1928 in Earlham, Iowa. She and her sister Reva, older by two years, grew up on a farm in Earlham, Iowa, where their family attended Bear Creek Meeting and was part of the Quaker (Society of Friends) community.

In high school Wanda attended Scattergood Friends School, where she met Roy Paul Knight. The two were students at William Penn College for a short time before being married on August 30, 1947, in the Bear Creek Meetinghouse. The following year their first child, Ronald Pat (1948) was born, followed by Pamela Kay (1950, married Tom Madden), Paulette Ann (1954, married Jim Green), Nicholas Scott (1961, married Carrie Harris), and Thomas Kurt (1964). 

After living for some time in Indianola, the Knights moved to the century farm where Wanda had grown up in Earlham and where they grew alfalfa and raised livestock. Roy established the Knight Building Company, and Wanda helped with the business while running the household. She was active in the arts community and loved to draw, paint, sew, and sing. She was involved with the Society of Friends throughout her life, including working with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).

Wanda and Roy moved to the Wesley Village in Indianola in 2001. After Roy died in 2005, Wanda continued to enjoy friends and family and was an active part of the Village community. 

Wanda was a loving spirit with an enormous heart. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was an inveterate jokester and prankster. She was a mother and friend to many. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. 

Wanda is survived by her five children and their families, including fourteen grandchildren and a bevy of beautiful great-grandchildren, as well as her brother-in-law John Griffith and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Roy, her sister Reva, her sister-in-law Frances Lee, her brother-in-law Laverne, and others.

Latif and the Wall of Kindness

From Scattergood Friends School Committee:
Another student from Afghanistan has now found Scattergood—he is a great match for our Quaker community and is trying to find a way to be a part of the school. Latif B. lives in Kabul and is deeply interested in helping others in his country, especially those in need. Here is link to a New York Times article about how Latif with friends created the Wall of Kindness in Kabul: The New York Times KABUL JOURNAL

Latif’s family does not have money for his tuition or transportation so we are looking for sponsors so Latif can attend Scattergood. To procure a visa the U.S. Government requires he ensure there are sufficient funds for all three years of school. We already have received pledges for nearly one third of the amount needed, and are seeking other individuals and organizations to make three-year pledges so Latif can experience this Quaker educational community that would nurture his both his mind and his generous soul.

Read the attached document for more about Latif’s story and how to help, and please pass this along to organizations or individuals who could help make this dream come true! Contact Thomas Weber, Head of School, to discuss sponsorships: tweber@scattergood.org or (206) 794-8595.