FUM News

Flourishing Friends ‘23–‘24 Cohort Holds Closing Retreat

This year’s Flourishing Friends cohort held its wrap-up and final retreat on May 4, hosted at Carmel Friends Meeting, north of Indianapolis. Flourishing Friends is a program of Friends United Meeting’s North American Ministries department. Facilitated by Scott Wagoner and Colin Saxton, the aim of the program is to give practical tools and coaching to congregations dedicated to assessing their health and tackling some of the challenges they are facing.

Our Thanks to Sussie Ndanyi

Friends United Meeting has been blessed to have Sussie Ndanyi as a dedicated member of our Richmond staff as she pursued her studies at Earlham School of Religion.

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FUM Journal

Awakened in the Word

This poem is one I’ve struggled to write for three years or so. The experience itself is a struggle of longer duration. When I found myself on the Jesus Way again after being a non-believer for forty years or so, I also saw that Christ asked more of me than acceptance of miracles and belief. I feel much ambivalence about what Symeon’s revelation means for me. —Franchot Ballinger

Blinding oneness

I live for those fleeting and rare moments of commUNION, when everything is joined, including me. They are so alive, so vibrant, so red and burning. I never know when to expect them. They just come as a gift, which I graciously accept.

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An Enduring Truth

Throughout our history, the people known as Friends (or Quakers) keep rediscovering an essential and enduring truth: There is one who speaks to our most basic needs and most significant hopes—Christ Jesus the Lord. Both individually and communally, we are learning to know and follow the Voice that guides us in the way we should go. Together, we seek to understand and obey that truth which sets us free. As a people, we share in the experience of that powerful life which makes all things new. Maybe you are searching for an authentic and transforming faith and community to call home—if so, come in and join us as we seek to know and follow Christ.