ordination Posts

• Chris M. gets a digital camera (and shoots interpretive Braithwaite?)
  I stood so my shadow placed a band of darker contrast against the brilliance of the rest of the scene. At that moment, I so wanted a capable camera. So, a few weeks later and thousands of miles later, I got one.
  (tags: comment)
• Amanda thinks forty year olds wear expensive boots
  Unfashionable? Yes. Pricy? Ethical? No.
  (tags: comment)
• Jeanne looks back at the social class privilege quiz
  And as I've read each response.., I have seen such deep compassion and caring that I can't see it as a competition... As I've read each post, people have become their stories, and not their 'score.' I hope you've had a chance to read all the responses.
  (tags: quaker quaker.witness)
• What Canst Thou Say?: Slacker housekeeping?
  Am I suggesting that our six year olds should be chopping firewood for eight hours everyday? No. But I am recommitting myself to do the life-supporting housework with my children that will challenge their muscles or coordination or brains or all three...
  (tags: quaker quaker.family comment)

Over a new-to-me blog called The Quaker Dharma there's a post calling for us to The Let Our Light Shine Brightly. He makes some very good points like "It’s worth explaining what Quakerism is" and "true outreach is an act of spiritual hospitality." He also tells a few stories. Here's one about passionate younger religious he's known:

I came to Quakerism from Buddhist study. I also worked for an international Buddhist organization for two years. These are experiences for which I am deeply grateful. Teachings for which I am deeply grateful. I saw twenty something year olds who took Buddhist ordination vows and shaved their heads. This was deeply moving and was a joy to share their sense of union at having committed to a path. These kids were flying to India to take teachings. The commitment level was unbelievable. Some of them went on month long silent retreats. Quakerism, especially now, in these times could speak to many. Unfortunately we hide it and thousands and thousands of people in their twenties and thirties go without a spiritual home.

A few weeks ago I got a bulk email from a prominent sixty-something Friend, who wrote that a programmed New Age practice popular in our branch of Quakerism over the last few years has been a "crucial spiritual experience for a great many of the best of our young adult Friends to whom [Liberal Friends] must look for its future" and that they represented the "rising generation of dedicated young adult Friends." Really? I thought I'd share a sampling of emails and posts I've gotten over just the last couple of days.