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Friends United Meeting |
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September 2000
News from Friends United Meeting
REINS OF GENERAL SECRETARY PASS
Goodbye to Johan--Welcome to Wayne
Johan Maurer, General Secretary of FUM for seven years, has moved to Portland, Oregon, to join the pastoral team of Reedwood Friends Church. Johan will be preaching half time and leading the adult education for the meeting. Under his arm as he arrives will be copies of all FUM curriculum available for use in local meetings. Wayne Carter has been named by the FUM Board as Interim General Secretary through December 31, 2000. Wayne brings years of experience to FUM, beginning his service with FUM just two years after the present building was opened. Serving in pastorates in Indiana, Western and North Carolina Yearly Meetings, Wayne has also served as Presiding Clerk of FUM from 1996-1999.
THINK ON SUCH THINGS
Maria Armenia Yi Reyna, Clerk of Cuba Yearly Meeting
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 NIV)
Think on Such Things--this excellent recommendation from the Apostle Paul is what I have not ceased to do since I received communication from John Myers asking that I write on the theme, "Friends in Cuba," and about the celebration of our Centennial. Prior to this, I have only written articles for publication on strictly technic/economic themes since that is my specialty. But how important it is now to write about something that occupies so much of the thoughts of us as Cuban Quakers. What great expectations, plans and hopes we have!
I. Missions and the Need for Preparing Workers
Our hearts are filled with gratitude because the work of many brothers
and sisters has produced fruit, with a perfect balance between prayer
and action. This year, we will recover one more mission (see translator's
note)--Las Cala-bazas, on the road to Las Tunas. A group is gathering
there, anxiously awaiting for Friends to return. Among them is a former
student from one of the Friends Schools in Cuba. Two seminary students
are taking responsibility for the care of this congregation, and the neighbors
also receive medical attention from one of these young people who is also
a doctor. In Bocas, a family of two seminary students is taking care of
the chapel built by the efforts of the Monthly Meeting in Velazco and
several work teams from FUM. Two other missions that students are serving
are Retrete and Floro Perez. Las Delicias will soon need pastoral leadership,
and, because of this, we consider it very important to prepare leaders
and pastors.
Our principle challenge is to expand the work of Friends throughout the whole island, fulfilling Jesus' command to "go and preach the Gospel to every creature. "This was the goal of the [Friends] missionaries who came to Cuba. The people here thirst for God and clamor for our help, and we are able to help them. In many places the main source of entertainment is drinking alcoholic beverages which consequently only brings the destruction of individuals and even homes. However, the church can reach even into those places and a change is perceived. We worship Jesus in peace because harmony reigns in the neighborhood; we serve Him and proclaim Him.
Now what is Cuba Yearly Meeting doing to prepare pastors? Our "Good Shepherd" seminary continues to prepare leaders as an extension center of the University of Costa Rica, which provides teaching and academic help through the Martin Luther King center. The classes are held in our Yearly Meeting center in Gibara, under the supervision of the Yearly Meeting Evangelism Commission. Thank God for our pastors, leaders, and faithful members that have worked in our field in Cuba, and for all of those who have prayed, especially those Friends who were missionaries, and those who continue to be concerned and make us objects of their love. These different persons all have the same joy and desire to help us.
II. Helping our Neighbor
We share the love of Jesus with others when we tell them that He was a
man like us, saw our conditions and experienced our problems. But it is
even better when, like Him, we extend our hands to others and help them.
In all of our Monthly Meetings, we have given aid to the needy. We thank
God for the brethren in different places and countries that have contributed
for this purpose. Also, the medicines given by these friends have been
distributed to church members and people of the community in general.
This has been an important work organized by the Yearly Meeting and the
Monthly Meetings.
III. Children and the Church
We are sure that the work of Christian Education with children is not
in vain, not only because of the seed that is sown, nor for the Christian
principles we may instill in them, but also because they are little lights
who can shine in their homes and carry the Gospel to their parents, brothers,
grandparents and family in general. "Unless you change and become
like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 18:3) With this objective, we developed Sunday Schools, Vacation
Bible Schools, and Family Camps with different classes.
IV. Preparations for our Centennial Celebration
A Centennial Planning Committee was formed. Since our celebration is to
be all-inclusive, at the Monthly Meeting level different activities are
being planned. The celebration will culminate in Gibara November 11-14,
with the theme text, "Show us the way in which we must walk, and
the work we must do." (Exodus 18:20) Round-table discussions,
presentations, and speakers will give us a historical vision of the work
of Friends in Cuba, missions, evangelism and service. Other activities
include morning worship (on the morning of the 14th it will be on the
sea shore), recreation time, celebrations of the different Monthly Meetings,
and a night of poetry and music. On the 14th we will rejoice together
to celebrate the birthday of our Church. These activities will be at our
Yearly Meeting Center in Gibara, but we also have some activities planned
in the community. We hope that many Friends can visit us from different
parts of the world and from different Yearly Meetings. We would like for
them to share the history of how they have become involved with Cuba Yearly
Meeting.
We are on the threshold of celebrating one hundred years of blessings, with many experiences, and with a church that is alive and dares to do anything. To be able to celebrate these years means we are alive, and to dare anything means we are trusting in the Word of God that says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). We have hope that we will continue to move forward. Let us remember that God is able to do things that no one has ever dreamed possible. We may hear many answers that say it is impossible--then let us think:
With the Red Sea on one side and the army of Pharaoh on the other, the people of Israel believed they would be annihilated. They had never heard that God could part the waters before, but God opened the sea and they were able to cross securely.
When Jesus preached to the multitude of 5,000, the disciples asked themselves where they could get enough food for all those people. But Jesus blessed five loaves and two fish, and there was enough for everyone, with leftovers.
When Paul and Silas were in jail in stocks and chains, it seemed impossible for them to escape. But God prepared an earthquake, opened the doors of the prison and loosed their bonds. Paul and Silas were set free.
These thoughts are a part of my analysis and reflection for a message given at the opening of our last 73rd session of Cuba Yearly Meeting. Our text was: "But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned" (2 Timothy 3:14), and our theme was "Walking with Christ in the Centennial." Now I can also say that besides thinking and trusting in God, it is important that we also be more than spectators. We need to be active participants. As the work of Friends in Cuba grows, we will give to our neighbor our love, which is the love of God that never fails nor leaves us frustrated. God loves us with an eternal love, and we are supported by His eternal power.
(Translator's Note: Maria is using the term "Mission" to describe a preaching point or a dependent congregation, and to distinguish between it and a Monthly Meeting. This is a term used by Cuban Quakers. After the revolution, they lost several of these properties and buildings which were confiscated by the government. Now the government is returning some of the land and what is left of any buildings, and once more a congregation is gathering together at these points.--Paul Enyart)
Copyright (c) 2000 Friends United Meeting
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