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Friends United Meeting |
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March 2002
Commitments
By Retha McCutchen
"The first Five Years Meeting convened at Friends' Meeting House, Indianapolis, Indiana, Tenth month, 22, 1902 at 9 o'clock, a.m." Eleven yearly meetings then submitted reports and names of delegates.
What began one hundred years ago out of a desire for the largest group of Friends to speak with one voice in matters of faith and policy, and then to unite efforts for missions and evangelistic work, continues today under the leadership of Friends United Meeting (FUM). The general board now represents 27 yearly meetings worldwide with central offices in Richmond, Indiana.
In 1993, FUM ratified the continuing commitment to the founding vision. In a retreat clearly led by the Holy Spirit, the Board said: Friends United Meeting commits itself (anew) to energize and equip Friends through the power of the Holy Spirit to gather people into fellowships where Jesus Christ is known, loved and obeyed as Teacher and Lord.
Kenyan Friends sense the call to unity under Christ. Unity has gathered around Friends Theological College—the training ground for East African pastors. The Kenyan yearly meetings and USFWI groups support FTC through financial contributions, nomination of students, and placement of graduates as local pastors. Identifying the need for a common Faith and Practice of East African FUM Friends resulted in preparation of such documents, now nearing completion.
When Friends Eli and Sybil Jones established an educational institution for Palestinian girls in Ramallah in 1889, they could not imagine the Ramallah Friends Schools of 2002. Today, nearly 1000 Palestinian children and youth benefit from their vision.
The work of God through Friends United Meeting is not finished. In 2002 we celebrate our history, yet we must also learn from our history. For example, spiritual disunity in North America, mismanagement of grant funds in Ramallah, and abuse of power in East Africa have clouded the witness of FUM Friends around the world.
The Christian life of Friends is characterized by integrity in a world consumed by money, sex and power. Friends' example of truth telling, humility, simplicity and sexual faithfulness does and will continue to impact the world in which we live. Your world and mine. Our greatest influence/witness is at home—Kenyans in Kenya, Americans in the U.S., Cubans in Cuba, etc.
Join FUM Friends in Nairobi, Kenya, July 10-15, 2002 to continue in praise and celebration of our Centennial while listening to God's call to dream dreams and set visions for the future!
Copyright (c) 2002 Friends United Meeting
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