Transforming Lives: Friends United Meeting Triennial Session

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
-Romans 12:2 NIV

After visiting Wilmington, NC not two weeks ago, on Wednesday of last week I packed my bags to head a little farther, to Wilmington College in Wilmington, OH. This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure of attending the triennial sessions of Friends United Meeting. I was especially excited to attend my first Triennial.  I grew up in an FUM affilliated yearly meeting, and was glad to finally have the opportunity to attend the sessions this year.

Friends United Meeting is an international association of Friends Meetings and Churches, and represents  one of the larger "branches" of Friends. FUM supports yearly meetings in several countries, including the US, Kenya, Belize ad Cuba. It was great to see Friends gathered from all over the world to see old friends, meet new friends, worship together, do business, and meditate on the theme of "Transforming Lives".

I have always found great meaning in Romans 12:2. It was good to come together with Friends through worship sharing groups, devotions, and plenary speakers to study what this verse means for our lives personally, but also as a larger organization. We heard several translations of this verse, and each one seemed especially relevant to the gathered body. We were challenged by out-going General Secretary Sylvia Graves to look at how this transformation would affect our personal and corporate relationships to FUM. Randy Quate, pastor of Poplar Ridge in North Carolina Yearly Meeting (FUM), spoke about how maturing in our faith and spirituality is necessary for this transformation. And Welling Hall, Professor at Earlham College, discussed the often hard to accept fact that the patterns of the world mentioned in the verse are violent and that we are, often without our awareness, complicit in them.

Incoming General Secretary, Colin Saxton

There was a lot of business to do, not least of which was to welcome the new General Secretary, Colin Saxton. He most recently has served as Superintendent  for Northwest Yearly Meeting, and seems really excited to be taking on this new role. In his incoming remarks, he stated that he hoped we could also be excited about this new era for FUM. In a bio for Barclay press, Colin states that, "As a rather hopeless idealist, I am convinced that Jesus really wants us to be joined together in him and to learn what it means to embody his way of life to the world." I personally think this hunger for unity is necessary for anyone who accepts a position of a leadership in this group that includes people with very different views on theology, and the mission of the church as a whole. Another large item of business was celebrating the 50th anniversary of Quaker Life. Katie Terrell, editor of Quaker Life, reported on the last 50 years, and unveiled the 50th anniversary commemorative issue. Other business included hearing reports from numerous partner projects around the world, approving Cliff Loesch as the next Presiding Clerk alongside the other clerks who will serve the next three years, the laying down of the Friends Extension Committee, and much more. As you might suspect, when you only meet once every three years, there is a lot of work to do.

Perhaps the most striking part of the Triennial was the sense of community. I always felt welcome, even as a newcomer. I had so many fruitful conversations, especially over meals, with people whom I would not come into contact with every day.  I seldom find myself in such a diverse group of people, representing different groups in theology, geography, age, and nationality. The diversity in the group was palpable, but seldom a hindrance. I was a part of an especially deep worship sharing group, and enjoyed sharing fellowship with folks in several interest sessions. Friends United Meeting is a group of Friends who struggle with very real differences, and yet they were able and willing to come together, to simply be with each other without animosity.

It was an exceptional experience for me to come among Friends to worship, pray, and be spiritually fed. I felt that the Light was strengthened in me, and I know that all who were present were blessed.



Nathan Sebens '06, Friends Center Intern