tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post112371272881963215..comments2024-03-22T03:10:08.766-05:00Comments on The Good Raised Up: Ministers: NEYM youth to older FriendsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post-1124459064774539172005-08-19T08:44:00.000-05:002005-08-19T08:44:00.000-05:00Thanks for sharing your personal experience, Peter...Thanks for sharing your personal experience, Peterson. Your account reflects a number of pieces I heard from the Friend I had contacted. <BR/><BR/>I know I have a desire to remain under the discipline of the Spirit, so I might stay humble and be faithful. I find I can do so more easily and more quickly when others around me in worship are also desiring to be under the cover of the same Discipline.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>LizLiz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post-1124425849450311312005-08-18T23:30:00.000-05:002005-08-18T23:30:00.000-05:00Perhaps, given the chance again, the young friends...Perhaps, given the chance again, the young friends who walked out of the worship service, may respond differently today (or next year). They now have the advantage of having processed their actions. <BR/><BR/>When they walked out of worship, it was not in a "huff" or with attitude. Although I was there, I cannot speak to all their initial motivation, but I did witness the humble, loving and careful conversations that immediately followed the action. <BR/><BR/>I felt deeply moved by their integrity and the respect they exhibited towards the adults in the community as they discussed, wrote and presented their minute. <BR/><BR/>They desire extended periods of silent worship with a few spirit-filled messages and the time to sit and reflect on these messages. From the many letters and spoken comments to the Young Friends from adults in the community, the young friends are not alone in this desire.Peterson Toscanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18189029949905668568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post-1124242728442312602005-08-16T20:38:00.000-05:002005-08-16T20:38:00.000-05:00After sitting and reflecting on a number of things...After sitting and reflecting on a number of things--these comments, my original post, and a <A HREF="http://a_musing.blogspot.com/2005/08/among-friends.html#comments" REL="nofollow">similar post elsewhere</A>--I find I am clear to add the following:<BR/><BR/>That I resist the temptation to raise more questions, share other concerns, make additional conjectures about how things came about at that moment in New England Yearly Meeting. I was not there; I cannot know, through immediate experience, how things transpired. <BR/><BR/>Thankfully, the questions and concerns posted here prompted me to check in with a New England Friend, for which I am glad. I have a clearer picture. <BR/><BR/>I hope others will consider being in touch with New England Friends, so that more of us may understand how Friends there experienced the movement of the Spirit.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>LizLiz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post-1124162545710170382005-08-15T22:22:00.000-05:002005-08-15T22:22:00.000-05:00I think the Fox quote goes on to say something abo...I think the Fox quote goes on to say something about being patterns and examples to all peoples and all countries. <BR/><BR/>To walk quietly out and worship elsewhere, followed by a return to engage in respectful dialogue during the business sessions, does not seem to me like a gesture of self-righteousness, but of self-discipline. Perhaps the impatience of youth with shallowness in our larger gatherings will serve us well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post-1124077672900626712005-08-14T22:47:00.000-05:002005-08-14T22:47:00.000-05:00Aj and Robin, nice to see you here.James, your com...Aj and Robin, nice to see you here.<BR/><BR/>James, your comments stretch me, and I know I am having a reaction that I must sit with and listen inwardly for a while. I have done some initial threshing and want to be clear with my response. I sense in me a desire to respond personally (based on some of my own experience) as well as in spiritual integrity (how am I being *asked* to respond). <BR/><BR/>I hope to post an additional comment soon, and I hope you and other readers will check back.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>LizLiz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post-1123945908516293062005-08-13T10:11:00.000-05:002005-08-13T10:11:00.000-05:00While some of the young Friends' observations are ...While some of the young Friends' observations are probably valid, I'm more than a little perplexed by the praise being showered on them in blogworld.<BR/><BR/>Clearly, their criticisms should be taken seriously and reflected on. It is hard work to build deep worship, and all of us need to do our part. In huge gatherings the challenges grow exponentially. If these young people raise awareness of this, something good may be accomplished.<BR/><BR/>But I also wonder if some of the youth might be ripe for eldering over this incident, including eldering regarding what makes for good eldering. Twenty Friends walking out of a meeting in protest over the frequency and shallowness of spoken messages strikes me as a gesture of self-righteousness, impatience and rigidity more than one of faithfulness. It's essentially a statement that "all of you should be as spiritually deep and centered as we are." It won't work, and it won't wash. As Fox said, let us "walk cheerfully over the world answering that of God in every one."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post-1123738588412272052005-08-11T00:36:00.000-05:002005-08-11T00:36:00.000-05:00I shared this news at a Ministry and Oversight Com...I shared this news at a Ministry and Oversight Committee special meeting to consider the state of our meeting for worship on Monday night. Another member of M&O is formerly from Beacon Hill and said, "oh yes, some of those young people are really hard core." Pretty amazing. It was also referenced on Peterson Toscano's blog. <BR/><BR/>You can read about Pacific Yearly Meeting's new ideas at MY new blog: <A HREF="http://robinmsf.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Robin M: What Canst Thou Say?</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10737238.post-1123732987240786702005-08-10T23:03:00.000-05:002005-08-10T23:03:00.000-05:00Wow: weighty (and worthy) words. Look forward to...Wow: weighty (and worthy) words. Look forward to hearing what comes out of this.Aj Schwanzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09038745884456450797noreply@blogger.com