1 Maccabees 9 – This takes up the story left in Chapter 7. King Demetrius [the Seleucid king], hears of Nicanor’s defeat, he sends other generals in. It is 160 BC – when Judas’ men see the huge force coming after them, many flee. They are left with around 800 out of the original 3000.

His men try to convince him to leave the field in the present state of weakness, but he convinces them their reputation requires them to stay. Somehow, they manage to break the strong…

This letter I wrote to a straight Friend after she yelled at another Friend last night on the phone. We were phone banking people who have made a commitment to fight the constitutional amendment on marriage in Minnesota.

Dear Straight Friend,



I’m sorry getting a phone call from another Friend, who wanted to talk with you about having conversations with your friends and neighbors about the…

1 Maccabees 8 – Judas Maccabaeus sends a delegation to the Romans to conclude a treaty with them. The Romans are seen as very powerful but not as oppressive as the Seleucids are. This is the time of the Republic, and the Roman emperors do not assume any divine status as perhaps the Seleucids did. They conclude a treaty promising not to give any aid or comfort to any enemy of Rome and Rome promises a similar intent.

2 Timothy 2 – Paul urges Timothy to “take your…

This week, Leslie Murray shared about Equipo, our spring break mission trip to Mexico, and our attempt to move away from "hit-and-run" missions to partnering with local communities to nourish body and soul of participants from the USA and those we connect with in Mexico.

By William Wordsworth

1 Maccabees 7 – It is 161 BC. Demetrius, a son of Seleucus and older brother of Antiochus IV, challenges Antiochus V and Lysias. Demetrius had been the true heir of Seleucus but had been held as a hostage in Rome; his younger brother had used this as an opportunity to seize the throne. In 161 Demetrius escapes Rome and is here trying to reestablish his authority over the kingdom.

The young Antiochus is killed along with his protector, Lysias, and Demetrius takes the…

Dear Friends:

My favorite Quaker work is “A Guide to True Peace”.  Since discovering it I have dwelled on it and used it as a personal Guide to the prayer of inward silence.  Originally published in 1813 it has gone through numerous editions including ones published as recently as this year.  It has had a big impact on the Quaker Community from which it originated.  

I have been working on a textual history of the “Guide”; comparing each published edition that…

By William Wordsworth

1 Maccabees 6:18-63 - Meanwhile, the garrison around Jerusalem continues to harass the Jews. This site is called the Citadel or Acre. It is a Hellenist garrison established around 168 BC by Antiochus IV [Epiphanes]. It was manned by Seleucid troops and also by some pro-Seleucid Jews who were not sympathetic to the Maccabeans. It is rather easy for me to imagine that there might have been a good many Jews who actually…

Indiana Volcano erupting,.... but where's the magma chamber?

There is about 150 years behind this particular eruption. Thus far pastoral Friends who like to call themselves "Orthodox", and Hicksite/Beanite Friends (wisely) have steered clear of this embarrassing feud.

I'm now 67, and a majority of Orthodox Friends sincerely believe I will burn in hell, so what's to lose ?

I used to visit widely among YM's,  I learned a…

By Edna St. Vincent Millay

1 Maccabees 6:1-17 – Meanwhile, King Antiochus IV tries to take and plunder a rich city in Persia—Elymais—but fails. He receives word that the Jews have used all the plunder they have won to strengthen their towns and that they have torn down the “abomination” in their Temple. He is shaken by both these things and feels that he has failed. He becomes depressed.

The tone of the passage is interesting because he is, after all, the enemy of the Jews; but they seem to see…

We arrived at the end of the day of Staff Retreat in Pendle Hill – so were quickly shown our room, given 10 minutes to spruce up, and taken to Media, the town nearby, for pizza. Then back to our room and to bed by about 8pm here – already 1am in the time zone we’d woken in.

Wednesday and Thursday we were finding our bearings. This place is like Woodbrooke but with some…

Elegy Before Death

Edna St. Vincent Millay



There will be rose and rhododendron

When you are dead and under ground;

Still will be heard from white syringas

Heavy with bees, a sunny sound;



Still will the tamaracks be raining

After the rain has ceased, and still

Will there be robins in the…

1 Maccabees 5 - When the nations surrounding Judaea – also under the control of the Seleucids but more compliant - hear that the Temple has been restored, they “determined to destroy the whole race of Jacob living among them; they began murdering and evicting Jewish citizens” (6:2). In response, Judas makes war on a number of these people: the “sons of Esau in Idumaea” (south of Palestine), and the Ammonites. The warfare described here is what people did back then, but it is not easy…

From Childe Harold's Pilgrimage:

"Apostrophe to the Ocean"

CLXXVIII.



   There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,

   There is a rapture on the lonely shore,

   There is society where none intrudes,                                

   By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:

   I love not Man the less, but Nature more,

   From these our interviews, in which I steal

   From all I may be, or have…

By Thomas Gray 1716—1771

The subject line of a recent e-mail from Friend Jon Watts caught my attention:  Can I Continue to Be A Musician? 

This Quaker singer and songwriter explained he’s at a crossroads after four years of ministry through music and the success of his latest album, “Clothe Yourself in Righteousness.”  Even more than any of his previous works, Jon’s latest explores faithful Quaker practice and serious transformation.  He’s had great turnouts at concerts and good sales of his music. …