Quaker Life Navigation: ---- Select a Subtopic ---- Quaker Life Home Advertising Information Subscriptions Invitation to Writers E-mail quakerlife@fum.org Meeting Directory

Dear Reader My memory of rising out of the holy quiet of unprogrammed worship to say, "In the presence of God and these our Friends, I take thee, Jody, to be my wife, promising with Divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband as long as we both shall live," has helped me through some difficult times when I have had to learn how to love. A few years ago, we attended a wedding at another church. I loved the heartfelt manner in which this congregation normally worshiped... but the wedding was awfully perfunctory. The couple was in and out in fifteen minutes, vows repeated, prayer said. Being used to Quaker weddings, my wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and wondered together if the couple ever had a chance to realize that they were married. In her article beginning on page 13, Kate Hood reminds us that the traditional Quaker wedding process is still alive and well. If your meeting tends to rely on a pastor to conduct weddings, I commend our traditional way to you. But, in any case, Mike McCormick's reminiscences of some unusual weddings he has performed remind us that what really counts is not the form, but Christ's presence in the midst. This issue is a cornucopia of treasures old and new. We excerpt from two new collections of John Greenleaf Whittier's poetry. At least for me, it has been eye-opening to meet again this famous "old" Quaker poet. And on the "new" side: what a delight to meet new Friends in Greg Porter's account of the Chicago Fellowship of Friends, and to think with Chris Jorgenson about the up-coming YouthQuake. Ben Richmond

Cover Stories 8 John Greenleaf Whittier: Poems and excerpts from William Jolliff's new introduction Two new collections of Whittier's poems have just come out. Here is Whittier, the anti-slavery advocate and Quaker mystic, whose words we sing in the hymn, "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind." 13 Marriage under the Care of the Meeting Kate Hood It's June, and time to think about weddings. One of the things Quakers do well is to envelop marriages in the loving care of the whole community… 17 Wedded in the Presence of Christ Mike McCormick Of course, not all Quaker weddings follow the traditional path. Mike shares some Quaker wedding stories from the mountains of east Tennessee. 18 Branches on the Vine: The Chicago Fellowship of Friends Greg Porter Be encouraged as Greg takes you by the hand to meet some of the people who make up the Fellowship of Friends. 21 Salsa Christel Jorgenson Chris told this story on herself at YouthQuake '97. 22 YouthQuake-Promise or Threat? Christel Jorgenson Every four years, young Friends challenge and encourage one another's Christian faith at YouthQuake. It's happening this December. Learn about it-and decide whether to support your young Friend's participation. Features 2 Viewpoints 4 Commitments Rethinking the Peace Testimony Johan Maurer 4 News from Friends United Meeting 6 News 24 Reviews More Than Houses, Millard Fuller; No Alternative? Nonviolent Responses to Repressive Regimes, John Lampen, Editor; Something to Sing About World Wide Pictures 25 Bible Study The Touch Jan Hodson 26 Passages 27 Salt and Light Intersections of Passion and Need Bruce Bishop 28 Classifieds 30 Meeting Directory 35 The Back Bench Pray-ers on Trial Tom Mullen

For information about subscriptions, advertising in the print issue and to access other back issues of the magazine, use the "Quaker Life" button, left.

Copyright (c) 2000 Friends United Meeting