Volume 40, Number 3 ~~ First Friends Church of Whittier ~~ Third Month, 2001

Selected Articles: Friends School Nurtures Students Fashion Show Shapes Up Dottie Thwarts Guatemalan Gunmen WFS Offers "Letters and Legends" Senior Sneaks Goes Hollywood Inner City Assistants Share at USFW Western Association Holds Annual Meeting WFS Begins Fall Enrollment Tom Mullen Speaks on Marriage and Relationships Energy Saving Strategies Use at First Friends AFFN to Feature Hats, Old, New, and Future Senior Sneaks to Tour Descanso Gardens Youth Events of the Month Monthly Reports of Boards and Committees From the Pastor Our Prayer List

Friends School Nurtures Students Whittier Friends School began as a vision held deep in the heart of Gwen Woirhaye. She started the school in the Fall of 1974 with 6 kindergarten students. Over 27 years later, with this alternative, holistic approach to learning, the school has become an established, well respected member of the educational community. Based on the understanding that all children can learn through a loving, nurturing environment, WFS is now a K-6 elementary school, teaching in two classrooms. The Primary Class is kindergarten through 3rd, an ungraded, multi-age approach. The Upper Elementary Classroom has students from 4th grade though 6th. Both classrooms have credentialed teachers: Jeanne Love, Primary; and Cathy Behnke, Upper Class; and one full and one three-quarter time instructional aide: Alice Martin, K-3, and Gloria Saunas, 4-6. In an environment creating a consciousness of honor and respect, each WFS student learns how to manage his inner self and bring it to a conscious place. This inner connection gives a new freedom to learning: accessing what dwells inherently within. Students accessing their "center" on a regular basis have a much stronger ability to overcome fear and anxiety. The emphasis among students to honor one another, creates a rich garden of friendships which grows with the school experience. The original name of the school was "The Growing Place,"a phrase which, to this day, defines the foundation of this educational organization. More than anything, WFS represents the qualities of Quakerism: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community and Equality. Following the State of California's educational guidelines, the curriculum revolves around three areas of study as a three year rotation. The first year presents a global study covering the world's population, continents and space. Science connects with this through the study of basic laws of physics. The second year revolves around the "Coming To America" theme which creates an understanding of the explorers, early settlers, colonies and the Revolutionary War in the Upper Class. In the Primary Room the philosophies and culture of Native Americans are explored. Both classrooms study the environment and the different climates and land types: deserts, oceans, rain forests, etc. Students are guided to be independent and creative, seeking many sources of information for their projects, rather than using a narrowly framed text book. The third year cycle has both classrooms studying America during the 1800's, including an in-depth look at the Civil War in the Upper Class and a personality approach (i.e. Harriet Tubman) in the Primary Class. The Primary Class even constructs a fully equipped prairie schooner, built to the exact specifications. At all times the main objective at WFS is to allow the students to tap into an inner guidance, thereby allowing more creativity and relevance in this educational process. If you were to visit us on any given day, you might find us singing funny songs of joy or more serious centering songs; studying a unique science opportunity brought in by one of the students; or having a special art moment by drawing the beautiful skies and surrounding area. We write a lot about what we feel, think, experience, and know. We are well schooled in the basics which form a strong foundation for our educational experiences. Most of all, we are grateful for the opportunity of reaching out to others who may not know about the Quaker way. There is so much going on at WFS! And, thanks to your support, we happily look forward to another wonderful 27 years in serving the precious children, our future. Jeanne Love

Fashion Show Shapes Up Did you once jitterbug to the music of the Big Bands in your saddle shoes? Did you swish around in a poodle skirt or was a mini skirt more your style? What defiant outfits were you wearing in the 60s? What memory does a polyester leisure suit conjure up? The nice thing about a trip down memory lane is that the good old days seem even better. Let us take you on a nostalgia excursion as our models show off the styles of bygone days to the tunes of those times. Come to the Memory Lane Fashion Show Tea sponsored by USFW on Saturday, March 10, at 2 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Relax and dream to the strains of violin music as Lauren and Emily McClean play for your pleasure. Bring your family and your friends for an afternoon you won't soon forget. Child care will be provided. Tickets may be purchased after Meeting for Worship on February 25 and March 4, or at the door on March 10 for a $2 donation.

Dottie Thwarts Guatemalan Gunmen Dottie Andersen is a compassionate person with plenty of spunk and courage. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., her family moved to Whittier when she was six. Upon graduating from Whittier College, she worked for a time as a social worker with the Department of Public Services in L.A. But because of her experience as a Youth Ambassador to Guatemala sponsored by California Yearly Meeting, she longed to go back there to help the people. After studying Spanish in Costa Rica, she took courses in linguistics and later trained volunteers in Jocotan and Chiquimula to teach reading in their own Mayan dialect, Chorti. Dottie returned to the U.S. to learn computer skills so that she could work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. One evening, while residing in Guatemala City, she and two friends returned to their living quarters only to find that the metal gate was locked. As one of them was struggling to unlock it in the rain, three masked men appeared from nowhere. One tried to grab the woman at the fence. She jabbed him with her umbrella and slid through the partly open gate. Dottie, seated in the driver's seat and unaware that a gun was pointed at the head of her passenger, quickly backed up the truck. With her foot full force on the accelerator, she rammed it through the gate. The gunman fell backwards, the gun went off in the air, and the three men ran away. "I was afraid of being kidnapped," says Dottie. Dottie now helps a group of people closer to home. She has been involved with the homeless ever since the beginning of November. First Friends will be housing them again from March 18-24. Dottie needs volunteers to prepare and serve meals for about 45 people and to stay overnight. Please contact her if you can help.

WFS Offers "Letters and Legends" Whittier Friends School will host its annual spring fundraiser on Saturday, March 31st. The students will entertain you with "Letters and Legends" from colonial and early Native American times in history. Dinner, dessert and auction will complete the evening. This year, we will add a voice auction and raffles to our regular silent auction and toy table. If you wish to donate an item or service to the auction, please contact Linda or Anne in the school office. Tickets for this event will be on sale after Meeting for Worship on the 18th and 25th of March, or through the school office. Please call (562) 945-1654. Thank you for your support!

Senior Sneaks Goes Hollywood On January 25, twenty-two seniors headed for a world of make-believe. We visited the Hollywood Entertainment Museum for a behind-the-scenes peek at inner workings of movie making. Inside an editing room where films are cut and spliced, we saw the splicer pioneered by Desi Arnez to edit "I Love Lucy." In the sound effects area, volunteers pecked at a typewriter, rang a doorbell, shuffled papers, ruffled material, walked on a hardwood board and more as a silent film was run. To our delight the film was run again with our hit-and-miss sound effects dubbed in. Besides ogling over rooms full of costumes and props, our group walked onto sets constructed for "Star Wars" and "Cheers." We saw how the camera can add outdoor background to scenes being filmed inside the studio. After learning so many tricks of the trade, I will never look at movies the same again. Mary Raymond

Inner City Assistants Share at USFW At the February 1st USFW meeting, Fred Newkirk was scheduled to speak of his work with Inner City Ministries in Long Beach. As Fred found he had another commitment, he was well represented by John and Joan Canada. Joan stated that she was born in the Bronx, one of five children. "We were poor, but decent," she said, "and although the inner city life was difficult, we managed." She had been the operator of a business that failed. As a result, she became homeless, and suffered emotional problems. Joan's father, who lived in California, telephoned her one day and said he wanted her to speak to a friend, Fred Newkirk. Fred invited her to come to California, which she did. And she has been forever grateful. She described Fred as "fearless in any type of situation." Fred introduced Joan to Quaker Meadow and "the Lord opened my eyes to things I had not seen in New York". Joan is a licensed missionary. She and her husband, John, a pastor, operate a recovery home, as well as pastor a church. They serve the homeless, those who are alcohol or drug addicted, and others who are in need. Joan stated, "They flock to Fred because the love of Christ is in him. We appreciate Fred," she said, "and he needs our prayers." John then spoke of his life. He was born in what he called the "Cradle of Confederacy"--Montgomery, Alabama. Growing up in the Sixties and being drafted during the "violent time" of the Vietnam years were stressful and painful and he described himself as angry and violent. While he was in the military he was assigned to Long Beach. There he met Fred and the Friends and later went to Quaker Meadow. For a time he sat back and wanted people to leave him alone. But a pastor (one who had served as pastor in the church Joan attended in New York) spoke and, as John put it, "The Word of the Lord reminded me of many things I had learned in my younger years and my heart began to melt again." John credits the Quakers, who believe that God is in everyone. Besides working with Joan in the recovery home, he is pastor of a New Evangelical Covenant Church in Long Beach. He continues to take people to Quaker Meadow, where lives are still being transformed. John indicated that there is much hostility and violence in the inner city; in fact, a man was shot and killed near the church parking lot just a day or two before. Many are homeless. In Long Beach it is illegal for homeless to keep their personal belongings in shopping carts, so they obtain baby strollers and use them. "Many in the city," John said, "have no clue to where they are headed." He requested we keep Fred in our prayers and also pray for Long Beach inner city ministries. Carl Nelson

Western Association Holds Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of the Western Association of the Religious Society of Friends (WARSF) held its annual meeting on Saturday, February 3, following the talks by Tom Mullen. As you are possibly aware, WARSF was formed as a vehicle for Whittier First Friends to retain membership in Friends United Meeting after the Whittier Meeting became independent of Southwest Yearly Meeting. All members of First Friends are automatically members of WARSF. Other meetings or individual Friends may join WARSF to retain membership with FUM. The Bakersfield Quaker Meeting is a member, and there are a number of individuals who have joined with us. Approved for additional terms to the Board of Oversight are: William Wright, Linda Flournoy, Dorothy Kakimoto (Berkeley Friends), Dick Stotler (Bakersfield Quaker Meeting), and Rolene Otero of Orange County. Clerks were approved as follows: Convening Clerk: James Cradler, Assistant Convening Clerk: Linda Flournoy, Recording Clerk, Carl Nelson, Financial Clerk, William Wright. WARSF is associated with Friends Committee for Consultation, Section of the Americas; American Friends Service Committee; and Friends Committee on National Legislation. A new policy on appointments was adopted: No more than one member per family may be appointed to the various boards and organizations, and appointments are not limited to those who can pay their own way (when attending meetings held in other locations). Future issues of The Living Light will carry information of interest to WARSF members.

WFS Begins Fall Enrollment It's spring recruitment time at Whittier Friends School. Applications will begin to be accepted starting in April for the 2001-02 school year. We will be advertising in the local pre-schools and churches as well as the newspaper, Chamber of Commerce, and our website. Brochures and other information are always available. Please call the school office at (562) 945-1654.

Tom Mullen Speaks on Marriage and Relationships At the annual Quaker Forum, held February 3 in Fellowship Hall, Tom Mullen shared with his audience what he referred to as "The Seasons of our Lives." In both morning and afternoon sessions, Tom discussed our relationships, one with the other, in marriage as well as other personal relationships. He carried the theme through the various stages of our lives, including the passing of loved ones. Tom always laces his talks with typical gentle humor, and we were not disappointed in this respect. Having just completed his thirteenth book, entitled A Very Good Marriage, Tom used the subject of the book as a basis for his talks, although he branched out into other areas of relationships, one with the other, as folks live their daily lives. On Sunday Tom brought the message from the pulpit, and on Monday he participated in the Life Story Writing Class.

Energy Saving Strategies Use at First Friends What we've done over the years: Halved wattage in the Meeting House. Halved lights in Fellowship Hall. All exit lights with energy-saving bulbs. Reduced wattage in Founders Court pole lights. Low-voltage garden lights in Founders Court, plus timers. Seven new energy-saving furnace/AC over Fellowship Hall and office wing. Heat pump for Sharpless Building. Energy-saving furnace/AC for infant room. Timers for all four Fellowship Hall units. Energy-saving bulbs in parking lot. Energy-saving night light around Fellowship Hall. Attic plenum replaced with ducts in Fellowship Hall and the office wing. Blinds over windows in Fellowship Hall. Organ with high efficiency 3 HP blower motor instead of conventional 5HP. What we all should keep in mind: Turn off heating/cooling units when finished. Turn off lights when finished. Set thermostats to 68 degrees for heating (a higher setting does NOT heat any quicker). Set thermostats to 76-78 degrees for cooling (any less, and half the people are too cold).

AFFN to Feature Hats, Old, New, and Future All Friends Fellowship Night Wednesday evening, March 14, will feature a rollicking good program of Hats­Past, Present and Future, together with solos by Bob Hughes and B. J. Perriguey, and a choir of First Friends young people directed by Alpha Overin. Alpha has put together what will doubtless be an interesting and unique program, with hats of all descriptions, modeled by some of our young people, as well as those who are "somewhat more mature." Even George Davidson will don headgear as he accompanies the singers. You are promised an evening to remember. This is one of those popular "potbuck" programs. You are asked to bring a salad or dessert, if convenient, and drop a dollar in the basket. If you cannot furnish food, please come anyway and dine for a $3.00 donation. The committee will furnish the main dish and beverages, and you are requested to bring table service if possible. Child care will be provided. The time is 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14. The place is Fellowship Hall. There'll be a spot for you at the table if you do one simple thing: make your reservations by signing up in Founder's Court, or call the church office at (562) 698-4607.

Senior Sneaks to Tour Descanso Gardens Ah! Tulips and daffodils! When I think of these flowers I know it must be spring - or almost. Thursday, March 29, we are going to have a Tram Tour of Descanso Gardens. Mary Marshburn guarantees? this will be a beautiful morning with the tulips and daffodils in full bloom. The tram ride will cost $5.00. Afterwards we'll have lunch at Conrad's in La Canada. Please meet in the back parking lot at 9:00, but be sure to call Shirley Votaw first to get a spot reserved.

Progressive Dinners 12:15 - 5 p.m.: JHF - March 4; YFF - March 18 On April 28th, the JHF/YFF groups are planning a day trip to San Diego, taking Amtrak and spending the day at Sea World. The fee will be $46 ($35 up to age 11). It is necessary that your reservation is confirmed and fee (in full) is paid by Sunday, March 25. Friends are always welcome and scholarships are available for those with financial needs. Call or email Deb and Randy regarding this activity and to help with the progressive dinners. Debbie and Randy Hays Return to index

Board of Trustees Report Trustees clerk: Don Votaw Completed projects since last report: Found and repaired earthquake damaged rain water drain line in front of Sharpless building. Installed four emergency lights in office, foyer, and Meeting House. Planted 10 flats of ivy on west side of Meeting House. Painted and carpeted upstairs of Christian Education building. Approved a contract to replace the roof of the Meeting House. Approved the use of our facilities for outside groups and for members personal use. Next meeting of Trustees: Third month 13th Christian Education Board Report Clerk: Lea Wright Youth Sunday - March 25 Need for back-up Sunday School (second adult) helpers and teachers. Interest expressed in another blood drive. New format for the opening of First Day Classes. All grades meet for a 15-minute time of "devotional singing". Next meeting: March 20 Monthly Meeting Report Clerk: Bob Secord Most important decisions made and/or points discussed: We will house the homeless from March 18 through March 25. Volunteers are needed to serve meals and/or stay overnight. Approved the plain language versions of the Permanent Endowment and the Ministries Endowment. Next meeting: March 11 Return to index

Query on Spiritual Growth (From Western Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice) 1. Do you strive for the constant realization of God's presence in your life? The queries are self examination questions that enable us to probe deeply into our own spirituality. If we take them seriously in our devotions, they can be a spur to our development as Christians, helping us to mature in the faith. This first query on spiritual growth undergirds all the others. If we allow God's presence to be active in our lives, then all the queries will fall into place. Actually, I don't know that I would use the word "strive" to describe our pursuit of God's presence. God's presence is a gift. It is not so much "striving" as it is "receiving." God's presence is already here for us. Recently I went to a site on the Internet that said, "Simply click on the 'Pray' button and transmit your prayer to the only known location of God." The site claims it can send prayers via a radio transmitter to God's last known location, a star cluster called M13 which they believe to be the oldest one in the universe. It also happens to be the place where the site believes that God began the "Big Bang" explosion that started creation. So God must be there. Our faith says that we don't have to send our prayers to M13, that God is here now. God is an inescapable presence in and around our lives. The writer of Psalm 139 has experienced this reality in his own life: Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there? If I take the wings of the morning, and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." This is the story of the Bible: -- God walking in the garden with Adam and Eve. -- God telling Moses that he would be with him when he confronted Pharaoh. -- God leading the Israelites by a pillar of cloud by day and by fire at night. Even when God is not mentioned in the stories, you know that God is there, making his purposes felt. And of course, the Christian story says that God took on flesh and walked among us in the person of Jesus Christ and that Christ is present with us through the Holy Spirit. Paul puts it wondrously when he writes, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27) God is always here for us. What we have to do, to use Brother Lawrence's phrase, is to "practice the presence of God." Be alert to God in daily life. For example, those "coincidences" may be God working out his purposes. Those hunches may be God speaking to you. Pray. Read the Scriptures which tell us the stories of God's presence with others. Then we will begin to experience the truth that God is the one in whom "we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) Rex Jones Return to index

Josephine Dockstader Phyllis Cobbs Paul Secord Jim Mills Florence Hinshaw Goldie Waldron Helen Paik Reah McCurdy Mary Wanner Helen Vanover Peggy Anderson Gladys Compton Hazel Jessen June Noble Lyle Gillis Paul Stauffer Mary Albano Delleen Pickup