News and Epistle from the Joint NFF/Wider Fellowship of Conservative Friends Gathering at Clackamas, Oregon, 7th Month, 2011

Dear Friends,

Greetings from the joint gathering of the New Foundation Fellowship and the Wider Conservative Friends Fellowship in Oregon.  We met at Clackamas Park Friends Church 7-9, Seventh Month (July).  The gathering included Conservative, Evangelical and Liberal Friends with a number who have no formal association with Quakers.  This was a fruitful mix as good questions were asked of one another and helped all of us to sharpen and clarify our understanding and language.  Folks came from around the Northwest and from Colorado, Illinois, Texas and New York. We were also blessed by the presence of four wonderful children who our lifted hearts with their joy.

Several presentations were given that fed into discussion and worship:

• Lucy Davenport gave some history of the NFF movement and a sampling of stories, particularly about the life and work of Lewis Benson.
• Isabel Penraeth gave a strong testimony of the necessity to live in moment by moment obedience to Jesus.
• Arthur Berk exhorted us not to forget or forgo the proclamation of the Gospel to all people in whatever way the Lord opens to us.
• Dan Davenport pointed to the office of Jesus as Prophet as integral to understanding the Gospel proclaimed by early Friends and the early Church.
• The group considered together how to approach both Evangelicals and Liberals with this message about who Christ is and how he works among us.

Our worship grew more precious during the Gathering.  The waiting deepened and there was powerful ministry in prayer, exhortation, encouragement and gentle love to one another.

Those of us in the Northwest will be looking for additional opportunities to worship together in Christ’s presence and to encourage one another to faithfully walk in obedience.