I feel the need to kick at the ashes, trying to find if any embers are left.
For instance, consider Johan Mauer's and Chuck Fager's disconcerting reports this week on the breakups of NWYM and NCYM.
What happened back in camping days when we kicked apart the last few sticks of an old fire? It went out.
What's happened with Indiana Yearly Meeting since its split several years ago?
I just urled over to West Richmond Friends Meeting to see how the New Association of Friends is faring.
But the NAF website states "new-association-friends" could not be found.":-(
Hopefully, that is just a temporary glitch in their Internet connection, not a comment on their new yearly meeting.
And what is the word from the get-together at Hillsboro Friends Meeting in Oregon, as NWYM is kicked apart?
Last weekend a few meetings (being "released" by NWYM) gathered for a time of silent worship and sharing.
I wonder what if any new direction for them came to light.
Last I heard Friends United Meeting has had to greatly reduce its staff. What's happening, if anything, there?
So much FUMing, so little Fire.
Tragically, it appears that current crises are going to end down like past grievous splits among the Friends, such as the Orthodox versus Hicksite breakup in the 19th century.
See Quakers in Conflict: The Hicksite Reformation by H. Larry Ingle
and Quakers in California (about their split apart) by David C. LeShana.
Hopefully, NWYM and NCYM's splits will be different, will be able to go against
the historical past and fire anew, becoming a blaze of Light,
but all the wrong now doesn't make it look good.
And what of Friends General Conference?
There have been some new directions in the FGC. Does anyone have new information about those yearly meetings?
Some Yearly Meetings appear to be only Friends in name. Since California Yearly Meeting's negative departure from Friends United Meeting over 20 years ago, any centering on Friends' theology and ethics in that yearly meeting has long ago died, only cold ashes left.
And maybe even the ashes have been swept away.
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
