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tive Americans.
The MOWA Choctaw Center appreciates receiving the Box Tops for Education and Campbell's Soup Labels. They send thanks to those who help with the Adopt-a-Student program. Tuition is $70/month for elementary students and $35/month for preschool. Their newest needs-list includes children and adult clothing (all sizes), clothes for school uniforms (khaki bottoms and white or dark green tops), new underwear and socks, shoes in good condition, household items, small appliances, towels and wash cloths, sheets and pillow cases, spiral notebooks, toothbrushes and covers, head lice shampoo, crayons, markers, and colored pencils. Their address is P.O. Box 449 McIntosh, AL 36553. <[email protected]> 251-829-6507
Friends World Committee for Consultation Report
By David Finke
Impressive developments to report from the annual meeting in Philadelphia of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, section of the Americas, held the weekend of St. Patrick's Day.
Our recent IYM presiding clerk Elizabeth Mertic was confirmed to be Clerk for the Section for this next period. She will convene at least 3 meetings of the Executive Committee before the next annual meeting (Houston, TX), and will bring her skills as recent Treasurer of the section to advisory work with the Finance and Development committees.
Besides contributing a Clerk, we are represented to FWCC by Nancy Wallace, present for her first meeting and serving on the Visitation Planning committee; David Finke, co-opted to clerk the Naming committee and co-clerk of the new Youth committee; and Jeannette Baker, working on the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage.
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Mary Lord, known to us by recent visits to IYM as a staff member of FCNL and as clerk of Quaker Volunteer Service and Witness, gave a very moving keynote address in the historic 15th St. meetinghouse. (See article by Newton Garver, representative from NY Yearly Meeting for summary of Mary Lord's address.) (The address in full is available at: http://www.quaker.org/fwcc/Americas/MaryLord.html
The convergence of the current military/political situation, the challenge of Mary Lord's address, and the decision to lay down participation in a dormant "New Call to Peacemaking" led an ad hoc group to bring a proposal which was eagerly accepted, with commitment of many Friends, both weighty and new, to work on its implementation. The recommendation as approved reads:
"FWCC Section of the Americas urges Friends churches and meetings worldwide to pray and listen deeply to God's leadings for our response to the growing dangers of global war and terrorism, and reach out to faith communities in our own area. FWCC Section of the Americas will call a special conference as soon as possible for Friends' response to the growing dangers of war and terrorism. Friends in the Section are encouraged to consult and collaborate with traditional peace churches and peace branches of other faiths about common action. We empower the working group to act on behalf of the Section."
Contact person for the upcoming conference will be Rolene Otero ([email protected]), who welcomes other Friends' help in organizing.
In my view, one of the most impressive contributions to looking at Friends and their Peace Testimony came from Latin American Friends, growing out of their worship. They bring us much greater knowledge of what it is to work in atmospheres of terror and repression, while maintaining a vibrant, life-giving faith.
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