The Living Light - Whittier First Friends Church

The Living Light
“...and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14
Volume 51, Number 7
First Friends Church of Whittier
Seventh Month, 2012
If War Is Not The Answer, What Is?
WFS Students, Teachers And
Supporters Honored
The Whittier Friends School Recognition Ceremony held
the evening of June 15 in the church Meeting Room was a
promotion and a commencement and an awards ceremony. All
but one of the current elementary students will be back in the
fall. John Karr, Katerina Ryder, Bryan Thornhill and James
Tucker will go on to the Intermediate Classes (6th through 8th
grades) which will be, for the first time, offered at WFS.
Kindergartner Matthew Quesada will become a first grader,
Ashley Ryder will advance to the third grade, and Anathea
Woirhaye to the fifth grade.
After Administrator Cassie Caringella’s opening remarks,
the students sang, with their usual good pitch and clarity, “Peace
Like a River.” Next, the Certificates of Appreciation to all of the
parents and the many volunteers who have worked hard for the
school were presented. All of the elementary students took a
turn presiding over the awards, which were named for famous
historical personages, mainly Quakers, but, seemingly running
out of Quaker names, some awards were designated in honor of
other luminaries. For instance, Dan Wright got the Lewis and
Clark Award (this one was distinguished as the only dual
personality award!) This reporter was surprised and delighted to
receive the William Penn Award. Mary Boltz, the Meeting
Secretary, was awarded the Susan B. Anthony Award, and
Candice Ryder, mother of Katerina and Ashley, got the Mary
Todd Lincoln Award for serving the school so long in so many
ways. Unfortunately, space prohibits enumeration of all of the
deserving volunteers who were recognized.
When the awards had been bestowed, the students took
turns reciting one of my favorite John Greenleaf Whittier
poems, “A Dream of Summer.” The poem describes one of
those surprisingly balmy days that can occur in New England
during the winter, when frozen brooks spring to life and the
birds and animals emerge expectantly from their nests. The
Continued on Page 3
This question will be addressed at First Friends
this month by Diane
Randall, the new
Executive Secretary
of
the Friends
Committ ee
on
National Legislation.
She will be in
Southern California
to meet Friends, and
we are lucky to have
her coming to First
Friends for a potluck dinner
at
6 :0 0
p . m.
on
Wednesday, July 11.
She will be speaking
at 7:00 p.m. about
her recent trip to Kenya and how FCNL is lobbying
for peaceful prevention of deadly conflict,
specifically now for policies to support the preelection peace work of Kenyan Friends.
Diane came to FCNL in March of last year as
the fourth Executive Secretary since the
organization’s founding in 1943, following in the
footsteps of Raymond Wilson, Edward Snyder, and
Joe Volk. The experience and skills she has brought
to FCNL come from many years as executive
director of statewide advocacy organizations, a
passion for democracy, a record of achievements in
lobbying and citizen engagement, and a spiritual
grounding in the Religious Society of Friends. She
has been active in the Hartford CT Meeting and
New England Yearly Meeting, and is on the Board
of Advisors of the Earlham School of Religion.
You won’t want to miss this special message
from one of the leading Quaker spokespersons.
— Sue Settlage and Sabron Newton
2
Friendly Fare by Lea Wright
Dear Friends, I love to receive pictures for the Friendly
Fare, and I love to hear about babies, so imagine my
delight when I received this news below.
Friends Travel: Don & Shirley Votaw went to their
great niece’s wedding in Santa Barbara and then stopped
in Atascadero to see more
family including their daughter,
Lynda Ullyott, their grandson
Aaron Ullyott and great
grandkids, Violet May (age 6
weeks) and William (age 2
years). From there they
traveled on to Kings Canyon to
spend a couple of nights before
going home. Here they are with
the Living Light continuing our tradition: “The Living
Light Travels.” Remember, your submissions are
welcome and needed.
Friends Visit: It was nice to see so many visiting
Edingers last month. Siblings Fred, Dave, Linda
Flournoy, and Susan Marshall and many of their family
members were in town for the memorial service for their
dad, Cal Edinger.
Friends About Town: The whole Ryder family appeared
on an episode of the “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” on
TV. The stars of the show Gene & Shannon Tweed
Simmons came to the Ryder home and filmed for their
show as they questioned them about their experiences
with adoption. The show aired twice in June and told a
very touching story about how the Ryders became a larger
family. Ashley Ryder’s cheer program through the City
of Whittier competed at Bell Gardens High School. Her
class won a trophy and she got a “Spirit Stick.” The entire
City of Whittier program won first place in their category
for the ninth year in a row. Dan Wright’s 1919 Chevrolet
“Four-Ninety” was invited to be shown at the prestigious
Muckenthaler Motor Car Festival in Fullerton. Displayed
amid such noted marques as Mercedes Benz, Packard,
Cord, Stutz, and Pierce Arrow, the humble little Chevy
was honored with a ‘First in Class’ trophy in the
“Antique” division. Another car event occurred when Dan
and Milt Wright drove their 1921 Studebaker and 1929
Model
A
Ford for their
annual visit
to a senior
day
care
center
in
Buena Park.
This
has
become
a
tradition over the past several years, with the clients and
staff looking forward to dressing up with appropriate hats
and bonnets, posing for photos and listening to old time
music, while reminiscing about “the old days.” Sadly,
because of state budget cuts, the future of this day care
center remains in question. This may have been their last
chance to share with these folks.
School and Work News: Congratulations to Anna
Wright, who was offered, and has accepted her first
teaching job. She will be moving to Liberal, Kansas
where she will be teaching 6th grade. Amanda Jackson,
granddaughter of Bob and Sabron Newton, graduated
from elementary school in Burnsville, Minnesota.
Amanda enters the sixth grade in August of the 2012-13
school year. The three Woirhaye kids have all
experienced graduations this year. They will all be
attending Whittier Friends School next year. Cedric
graduated from Andrews elementary and is going on to
7th grade at WFS. Anathea goes from WFS elementary
to WFS intermediate (5th). Elyse graduated from WFS
preschool into WFS elementary. At the WFS recognition
ceremony two of The Living Light staffers, Bob Newton
and Mary Boltz, were given tribute for their ongoing
support of the school. Christy Tavernelli received a
grant from the Hurford Center for the Arts and
Humanities at Haverford College to work for the summer
at the Library Company of Philadelphia (which was
founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731. It is an
independent research library housing an extensive
collection of rare books, documents, and art works from
17th-19th century America.) Christy is living in an
apartment on campus, and continues to love being in
Philly. Noah Avirom graduated from Williamette
University in Salem, Oregon. His degree is in Music with
a minor in Arts, Technology, and Multimedia. There are
big changes in the McIntosh household this summer.
Anne resigned from her position as Community
Development Director at the City of West Hollywood and
is taking the summer off before starting up her planning
consulting business again in the fall. Bedford was on a
one-month hiatus between jobs. He is the Vice President
for Advancement at Claremont Graduate University
starting in July. They are really excited to be back at
Claremont. Anne got her Bachelor’s degree from Scripps
College and Bedford worked for more than eight years at
Harvey Mudd College. Steven Caringella has been
enjoying popping Kettle Korn again, and can be seen this
summer at the concerts in the parks in Whittier.
Special prayers for these Friends who are recuperating
from some difficult health issues: Fred Torres, Lynda
Bates, and Eric Haynes.
Friends Sharing News: I love receiving emails with
Friendly Fare news. This month I received a special
message from Albert & Carol Langley not with news,
but just appreciation for the Living Light. You can help to
keep the Friendly Fare going. Email me a quick note and
tell me your news. Send to Lea at [email protected], or
deliver to me at church on Sunday. See you next month!
3
Task Group Displays
Committee Descriptions
WFS Students, Teachers, and Supporters continued
older students had memorized their passages and the
younger students read theirs forthrightly.
Recognition of staff and school committee was next
on the program. The students again sprang
enthusiastically into action handing out awards. Then
they sang a rousing rendition of “Ain’t Gonna Study
War No More” that had the audience spontaneously
singing along. Finally, the students got around to
honoring each other. Their certificates were named for
characters in children’s fiction. Katerina’s Primrose
Reason Award was named for a character in “The
Phantom Toll Booth.” In giving and receiving their
awards on stage, the long-term friendships made over
several years together in their remarkable one-room
school were evident.
After Teacher Alicia Atkinson’s closing words, the
students sang, with great feeling “We Are Young”:
Tonight
We are young.
So let’s set the world on fire.
We can burn brighter than the sun!
Students, staff, proud parents and gratified school
supporters recessed to a well-laden reception table in
Founder’s Court.
— Bob Newton
WFS Thanks Annual Giving
Campaign Supporters
A big thank you from Whittier Friends School to
those who helped us fulfill our goal of providing
quality Quaker education to our students. We especially
want to thank those individuals who gave to our
Annual Giving Campaign for the 2011-2012 school
year. The Annual Giving Campaign supports our
scholarship fund. In the “Simplicity” category: Lester
& Ruth Marshall, Dr. & Mrs Collin Cooper, Barbara
Cóte, Randi Hetrick, and George & Carrin Bouchard.
In the “Community” category: Ted & Mary Marshburn,
At the June Monthly Meeting, attendees approved First
Friends Church committee descriptions for the Business &
Finance Committee, Christian Education Committee, and
Outreach Committee. Descriptions for two more
committees are to be approved at Monthly Meeting in July
— the Pastoral Committee and Trustees. The documents
containing these descriptions are in a white 3-ring binder in
the church library.
It is expected that members and attenders will preview
drafts before coming to Monthly Meeting, and carry any
questions or concerns directly to the respective committee
clerk. For the next few Monthly Meetings the Continuity
Task Group may continue to provide hard copy of draft
documents, but the group hopes to eventually phase this
out. Approvals come easier when people come prepared.
In the interest of communication and efficiency, please
note that all committee descriptions include a requirement
that draft minutes be distributed to each committee member
within one week of the meeting covered, that approved
minutes be placed in the church file within one week, and
that agendas be distributed one week before each scheduled
committee meeting. The goal: no First Friends Church
committee meeting should take more than 90 minutes — if
everyone comes prepared.
Finally, the Continuity Task Group meetings are
structured so that the first agenda item after review of notes
of the previous meeting is “Report on Assignments.” Then
follows discussion of any new issues that have been
referred to the group, or have arisen out of its work. And
the last item is “Assignments for the next meeting,” where
members explicitly state what each one has agreed to do
before the next meeting. The group hopes to engender a
“small group” spirit of engagement and achievement in our
committee work. This process has had this effect on
members of this group!
— Rob Settlage, Continuity Task Group Recorder
Ellie Bewley, Marilyn Fant, Ella Tiffany, Norma DeLise,
Bob & Sabron Newton, and David & Pier Avirom. In the
“Integrity” category: Dan & Lea Wright. In the “Equality”
category: Anonymous, Lloyd & Marie Kaneko, and Gwen
& Mahlon Woirhaye. And in the “Peace” category:
Brendon & Deanna Woirhaye and Bill & Marygene
Wright. We also received a sizable scholarship donation
from Friends Council on Education. Several students and
their families benefited from these scholarships this year
and we are so pleased that we can offer assistance. Lastly
we want to thank Earl Walker and Quaker Missions West
for their support. The stamps you saved and gave to Earl
were returned to the school as a generous donation.
— Cassie Caringella, WFS Administrator
4
Sneaks Visit Junior Blind Center
On Thursday, May 24, fifteen Senior Sneaks piled into three
vehicles and drove to a residential area north of LAX to tour the 8acre main campus of Junior Blind. This youth-serving facility dates
back to 1953 when Norman Kaplan set out to provide a safe place
to play for visually impaired children.
Five years later, he and his volunteers were offered and took a
99-year lease on a 40-acre campsite in Malibu, where a full summer
of week-long camps with hiking, swimming, campfires and crafts is
still being offered to blind and multi-disabled children and their
families.
The site we toured, in western Los Angeles, was once a military
academy. Acquired in the 1960s, it now has classrooms,
dormitories, cafeterias, offices, gym, and infirmary ringing a large
grassy plaza. A “sensory playground” has flowerbeds and textured
walls decorated with objects which chime. Next to it is a therapy
pool with the water just four feet deep. There is no other facility
like this west of the Mississippi.
Thanks to generous donors, specialized services are provided to
infants, children, teens and adults “at no cost to families.” The
infant/family program takes help into the homes of babies age 0-3.
Mobile units provide free vision screening in low-income areas to
3,000 children a year.
Relatively new is short-term rehab for newly impaired adults,
some of whom come in by day while others live in for a few
months to learn independent living skills, including how to use
orientation canes, how to navigate the campus and neighborhood,
how to shop or catch a bus. They are introduced to the latest
technology, including watches which speak the time. Job-seekers
can get a haircut in a campus personal care salon. Seventy per cent
of the blind are unemployed, but phone banks offer jobs. Only four
per cent of the “blind” see nothing at all, we were told.
The school on the premises serves ages 3-21. Some of the
teachers are blind themselves. The students and staff encountered in
the hallways were very friendly. An after-school program is also
offered. There is a Braille library but computers and modern
technology are replacing Braille. However, to be considered
literate, a blind person must know Braille.
Seventeen school districts of the L.A. area
work with Jr. Blind. They do not refer children
if they can be successfully mainstreamed.
Some students go into an affiliated group home
after they finish school. The dorm is reserved
for 40 children ages 5-21 with multiple
disabilities who can not be cared for at home.
“Goalball,” a competitive international
sport for the blind, in which players wearing
padded uniforms roll a large heavy ball with a
bell inside, is played in the gym. Annually in
April on the central grassy lawn they host the
Junior Blind Olympics in which visually
impaired youngsters from California and
neighboring states compete in a variety of
athletic events. Other special events during the
year include a haunted house at Halloween and
a carnival in December.
Much enlightened about the services
available for these special needs, the Sneaks
posed for their group photo and headed home,
stopping for a Sizzler salad bar lunch on the
way.
— Sabron Newton
Come To AFFN For
More On Disneyland
Behind The Scenes
Last year we enjoyed hearing Michael and
Elisabeth Elliot speak about their experiences
working for Disneyland Entertainment. This
month, on July 25th, they will be telling us
more about the theme park, including things we
may have wondered about but were afraid to
ask!
Please join us for good food, fellowship,
and an interesting program. This will be a
Complete Pot Luck dinner at 6 p.m. in the
Fellowship Hall with the program to follow
from 7 to 8 p.m. There will be time for
questions. Sign up in the church patio to bring
a Main Dish, Salad, or Dessert. Drinks and
Bread will be provided. Please bring $1 per
person with food or $3 per person if you do not
bring food but plan to join us for the dinner.
All are welcome.
Note that this AFFN is on the 4th
Wednesday of July. Michael will have returned
from China and will relate to us some of his
experiences with the expansion of Hong Kong
Disneyland.
— Ted Marshburn
July 2012
2
1
10:00a Meeting
for Worship
11:15a Quarterly
Meeting of
Clerks
5:00p Book
Study-Library
3
7:00a Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
4
9
8
10:00a Meeting 10:00a
Quiltmakers
for Worship
11:15a Monthly
Meeting
5:00p Book
Study-Library
10
7:00a Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
9:15a Trustees
7:00p M&C
11
12
6:00p Potluck,
Speaker is
Diane Randall,
Exec Sec, FCNL
15
Living Light
Deadline
10:00a Meeting
for Worship
5:00p Book
Study-Library
17
7:00a Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
18
23
JHF/YFF to
10:00a
Quaker Center Quiltmakers
at Ben Lomond
10:00a Meeting
for Worship
5:00p Book
Study-Library
24
7:00a Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
25
Living Light
Folding
6:00p AFFNThe Elliots on
Disneyland
26
27
JHF/YFF return
home from
Quaker Center
28
29
10:00a Meeting
for Worship
5:00p Book
Study-Library
31
7:00a Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
27
28
30
16
22
30
10:00a
Quiltmakers
Belated
To these friends whose
Birthdays were in June. You’ll
find the July Birthdays in the
June issue of The LivingLight.
Jack Adam
Raquel Allen
Alene Burke
Liam Burke
Nancy Cramer
Iris Harris
Ellen Hatcher
Taylor Hays
5
6
7
13
Friendly Fare
Deadline
14
8:00a
Alternatives to
Violence Project
Workshop-Pt I
20
21
8:00a
Alternatives to
Violence Project
Workshop-Pt II
Staff Holiday
Editors
Compose
Living Light
19
6:00p Family
Summer Picnic
Bryce Marshall
Joe Mendoza
Bob Newton
Hubert Perry
Jack Phinney
Tom Purkiss
Shane Purkiss
Ethan Purkiss
29
Klane Robison
Amanda Settlage
Sharon Sturr
Bella Sturr
Wes VanDorn
Shirley Votaw
Diane Wemmerus
Sarah Wood
If we've missed your
birthday, we apologize
(and happy birthday)!
We're working hard to
keep our birthday
calendar up-to-date so
please let us know if
we're forgetting
anyone.
Thank you!
how to operate puppets. They were delighted to find that
they too could make a puppet perform. Later they learned
to make paper-cut-out puppets at Svev’s crafts table.
Many people contributed to the wonderful evening of
The children giggled as they were cuddled by Miz entertainment. Chef George Bouchard turned out one of
Francis, the singing flamingo and Carmen Miranda, the his culinary masterpieces. Mary Marshburn created the
cha-cha-ing duck elegant table decorations. Nancy Cramer, Sharon
in an hilarious Huffaker, and Mindy Van Dorn helped with set-up and
a u d i e n c e - clean-up. The 48 tickets sold at $15 each will give USFW
p a r t i c i p a t i o n another big boost towards its fundraising goal.
puppet show in
Fellowship Hall
Quaker Youth Pilgrimage
the evening of
May 24. Franklin
Jasmine Sturr has been selected as a Youth Pilgrim.
Haynes’ Puppets She will join 27 other young Friends from the Americas,
followed
a Europe and Middle East for the four week program.
gourmet meatloaf Beginning July 12 the
dinner with all the youth gather for travel to
trimmings.
The Woodbr ooke Quaker
dinn er - t hea t er S tu dy
C ent er
in
event
was
a Birmingham, UK. This is
fundr aiser
for followed by a week in
United Society of Yorkshire to experience
Friends Women.
the places where George
At the start of the evening’s entertainment, organizer F o x t r a v el e d a n d
Carrin Bouchard explained the history and goals of preached during the
USFWI’s mission work. Her mother, Audine Coffin, was 1650’s. The youth then
President of the Whittier Meeting chapter in the early travel to the Netherlands
1990s. Various benefit dinners and special events at First where Fox spent time
Friends over the years have raised thousands of dollars for with the Dutch in 1677 and 1684. After a week devoted
the Lugulu Hospital and Friends Theological College in to a service project there, they cross back to Newcastle
Kenya, the West Bank Ramallah Friends Schools, and the and Birmingham for another week among British Friends
Boys School in Belize. The goal of the current fund effort before returning to their homes on August 13.
This program calls youth to an opportunity to
is $4,000. As of March of this year they were within
develop their relationship with God, gain understanding
$1,100 of their target.
Puppeteer Vsev Krawczeniuk (a Ukranian name of Quaker process, explore Quaker history, experience
pronounced “Sev Kravchenyook”) escorted his friends different Friends traditions and forms of worship, form
Dodger the Juggling Rabbit, Sparky the Flying Fire Dog, community and lasting friendships, and participate in a
and a host of other characters who did amazing tricks at service project.
Cassie speaks from her time as a Quaker Youth
the command of their skillful master. The children sitting
in the front row got to shake hands with and hug these Pilgrim from Whittier in 2000: “The program included
lovable characters, to the great enjoyment of their parents much of that planned for Jasmine in 2012. I found the
QYP program to provide the promised experiences and
and the audience.
These puppets made their first appearance at First meet the Friends World Committee aim of ‘connecting
Friends in 1999 at a previous USFW event. Since the Friends, crossing cultures, and changing lives’. In the last
original puppets were introduced to school and church 12 years I have maintained contact with a number of my
groups about 20 years ago, the Franklin Haynes show has Pilgrim Friends and have met them again at gatherings of
gained considerable fame in the Southland. Three full- Young Friends.”
At the June Monthly Meeting, Jasmine was approved
time puppeteers with more than 300 puppet characters, all
created by Haynes, perform for civic, school, church and to represent this church with a Traveling Minute to
private events, and are in great demand at holiday time. introduce her and carry our greetings to Friends she will
Six to eight puppets perform in each event, appropriately meet. You can support her with prayer, personal
encouragement, and financial contribution to the First
scripted for the audience.
After the characters took their curtain-call bows, Friends Church designated Youth Travel Fund.
— Cassie Caringella and Bill Wright
director Vsev invited the children to the stage to learn
Puppets Provide The Fun At
USFW Fundraiser
5
All Friends Go On Safari With
Deanna’s Travelogue
Deanna Woirhaye experienced a strange feeling of
intense joy and clarity as she awoke before sunup on her
first full day in Africa. She had arrived in Nakuru, Kenya,
after two strenuous days of travel (by herself, through
Istanbul) to an unfamiliar world of unknown challenges.
Yet she felt quiet assurance that her mission would be
fulfilled.
To a large All Friends Fellowship Night gathering on
June 13, Deanna told of her participation in the 6th World
Conference of Friends, held April 17-25 on the campus of
Kabarak University. Her narrative, filled with love and
humor, and embellished with some of her beautiful slides
and videos (she took 3,000 photos!) held her audience
spellbound.
As one of two official delegates from the Western
Association of the Religious Society of Friends (WARSF),
Deanna was the only representative from Whittier among
the 850 attending Friends from around the world (half of
them Africans). The conference, on the theme of “Salt and
Light—Friends Living the Kingdom of God in a Broken
World,” was organized by the Friends World Committee
for Consultation (FWCC). Deanna greeted other delegates
from California: Brian Young, pastor of the Berkeley
Friends Church (the other WARSF representative), James
Healton, pastor of Sacramento Friends Community Church,
and Sarah Rose House-Lightner and Anthony Manousos of
Orange Grove Meeting. Her assigned roommate was
Elspeth Wollen from Britain Yearly Meeting..
Conferees could choose among 43 “Thread Groups,” or
topic-structured discussion groups, but were assigned to
“Home Groups” which met for an hour and a half daily for
a closer, more spiritual association. Deanna chose two
Thread Groups. One on “Experiment With Light,” led by
two British Quakers, focused on Light Meditation (holding
topics in the Light) and seeking and listening to the Still,
Small Voice for true inspiration. The other was “Being Salt
and Light in the 21st Century,” led by two British Friends
who said theirs was “a Liberal Quaker perspective.” This
group needed language translation for mutual
understanding and emphasized the need for openness. Its
focus was to consider finding a better means of translating,
across the vast cultural and religious diversity in the world,
how we experience “God” so that we are all speaking the
same language.
In her home group, which was internationally very
diverse, they talked, prayed and sang together, and even
discussed homosexuality (a non-topic among the Kenyan
Friends). The Kenyan tradition of “Talking Sticks” was
adhered to — each speaker would hold a small token — a
stick or rock or shell — and then relinquish it to the next
person desiring to speak. Deanna reported having rich, deep
discussions with these Friends, often ending with a
feeling of awe.
Deanna is pictured with a conference attendee with
whom
she
formed a close
friendship, a
K e n y a n
Friend named
Phinike,
whom
she
called
her
“adopted
m o m . ”
Friends communicated with each other every day during
the conference on a “Talking Wall,” or large outdoor
bulletin board, and at meal times in the large university
dining hall. Almost every meal included the ubiquitous
Kenyan staple “ugali” which is a stiff cornmeal mush,
often served with boiled greens.
One whole day was devoted to bus excursions to
places of interest in the Kenyan highlands. A stop was
made at Lake Baringo (one of the two northernmost
freshwater lakes in the Rift Valley). This was also
Deanna’s first on-land crossing of the Equator. Another
day, the conference was surprised to be visited and
addressed by Daniel Arap Moi, Second President of
Kenya and also Chancellor of Kabarak University. On
Sunday, Friends from around the world experienced the
Kenyan Quaker style of worship, with many of the
Kenyan ladies dressed in white. There was much
beautiful a capella choral singing throughout the week.
Through one of Deanna’s fine videos, her audience also
saw and heard the large delegation of Bolivian Friends
present a program of their ethnic songs and hymns. On
the day when the Section of the Americas planned and
led the plenary session, Brian Young gave the opening
prayer. At the final and spirit-filled plenary, all of the
conferees gathered to “weave” their threads into a
binding fabric. Deanna’s video showed Friends of many
nations dancing in a joyous conga line and singing “He’s
Got the Whole World In His Hands.”
After the meeting ended, Deanna went on
conference-organized safaris to two National Parks:
Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. AFFN attendees were
entertained during their bounteous pot-luck meal by a
fascinating slide show of zebras, giraffes, cheetahs and
crocodiles. She also showed videos of the extremely tall,
red-robed Maasai tribesmen, and reported having had the
chance at the end of her visit to meet and pray with some
Maasai Quakers and speak with their pastor.
Fellowship nighters agreed that they had rarely ever
seen such a fine travelogue. Milton and Donna Wright,
who organized the exceptional pot-luck supper (with
ugali!), contributed to a wonderful evening.
— Bob Newton
6
Promotion Sunday
Honors Young Friends
Raquel Allen welcomed Friends and facilitated the
Meeting for Worship on Promotion Sunday, June 10. This was
the annual event honoring our young folks for a year of loyal
participation in First Friends Sunday School.
First came the Children’s Library Awards for reading at
least five books from the Children’s Library during the 20112012 school year, which were received by Ashley Ryder,
Katerina Ryder, Lara Wemmerus, Anathea Woirhaye and
Elyse Woirhaye. Teacher Tish Purkiss gave a special
commendation to Katerina for her many hours of reading to
the younger children to help them gain their certificates.
Lynda Ladwig presided over the Class Promotion
Exercise. The youngest to receive an award was two-year-old
Zoe Overmyer for devoted participation in the Nursery Class.
Her teachers, Jennifer Bermudez and Sarah Garland, were
commended. Zoe’s sister Amara helped her to receive her
award.
Cassie Caringella and Tish Purkiss taught the pre-school
through second grade students. Ashley Ryder, Lara
Wemmerus and Elyse Woirhaye were praised for their
diligence and each received a Bible.
Grades 3-5 were taught by Lynda Ladwig and Barbara
Sprague. Lynda described the year’s activities, which included
decorating their new classroom in the Education Building. The
children studied Quaker history and the story of King David.
Amara Overmyer, Katerina Ryder, Bella Sturr, Anathea
Woirhaye and Cedric Woirhaye proudly exhibited the
magnificent patchwork banner constructed during the school
year bearing the phrase: “God is a Puzzle. Let’s Put It
Together!” This is their response to the query of why we
should go to Sunday School.
The Junior High/High School group teachers Anne
McIntosh and Mel Sturr called their large group of protegés
forward: Austin Allen, Olivia Allen, Raquel Allen, Amanda
Cramer, Samantha Cramer, Emma McIntosh, Rennie
McIntosh, Ethan Purkiss, Jacy Purkiss, Jasmine Sturr, and
Wes Van Dorn.
Olivia and Jasmine received special recognition
for graduating from high school this spring. They
each were given a copy of the book Quaker Bible
Reader. A long-time former Sunday Schooler,
Melissa Martinez, was called from the congregation
to receive a special tribute. She completed her
Master’s Degree in Higher Education this spring. Her
career at the University of California at Irvine centers
around helping transfer students adapt to the
challenges of a big university. Melissa received a
copy of Catherine Whitmire’s book Plain Living.
Darrell Warren handed out the Mildred Jessup
Awards. These are monetary awards given to collegebound Young Friends who have demonstrated
Quaker discipline and leadership in high school.
Olivia Allen is headed for Santa Monica College. She
was active in many social concerns activities at
Fullerton High School, including “Pennies for Peace”
and “Safe and Sane Teens.” At Cornelia Connelly
High School in Anaheim, Jasmine Sturr participated
in a drive to raise money for an art program in
Ghana. She is bound for Redlands University. Both
were exemplary participants in many First Friends
activities, including Peace Camps, and were
delegates to the Friends United Meeting Triennial in
Ohio last summer.
The Larry Davidson Award is designed to
encourage and affirm youth of the Meeting who have
been observed contributing and sharing their gifts
and talents with the Meeting and the community.
Austin Allen is a three-sport participant at Wilson
High School in Hacienda Heights and has taken part
in many First Friends activities, including Peace
Camp as a counselor, and the FUM Triennial as a
delegate from First Friends. Jacy Purkiss, an avid
soccer player, demonstrates her faith at La Mirada
High School. She initiated the founding of a peace
club on campus. Jacy was asked by her history
teacher to take the part of advocate for peace during a
class exercise in which all sides of an historical war
were verbally reenacted. If her assignment were 100
per cent successful, all of the students in the class
would receive an “A.” At the FUM Triennial, Jacy
was chosen to present the youth minute during the
final session.
Sunday Schoolers officiated in the main worship
program. Bella Sturr read the Scripture, Matthew 14:
22-33, in which Peter was eager to walk to Jesus on
the water but succumbed to his doubts. Jacy Purkiss
led the children’s message. Her Wonder Box study
object was a bag of mixed seeds: “We don’t know
what they will yield, but we have faith that we will be
able to use the plants for God’s purposes”. Katerina
Ryder’s offertory prayer gave thanks for those who
nurture us. Then the Worship Choir sang the
7
Remembering
Julia York Hockett
Julia York Hockett, who joined First Friends
when she married Bill, died at 94 on April 7 at
Morningside of Fullerton where the Hocketts had
lived for 20 years, survived by her husband.
Julia was a 1938 graduate of Whittier College and
worked for her teaching credientials there. She first
taught in the East Whittier School District. In 1943,
the year of the death of her first husband, James
Shidler, she founded the Hadley Preschool, still in
business today, located on Hadley St. near the
Whittier Marketplace. When she retired from
management of the school, Diane, one of her three
daughters, took over.
Julia was a first cousin to educator Ken Camp —
their mothers were sisters. Her father, Victor Hugo
York, settled in Whittier in 1917. From land he
bought in and around Whittier he extracted enough oil
to form the York Oil Company. He later donated
valuable properties to the city and the Salvation
Army, served on the Rose Hills board, and helped
purchase the site for Presbyterian Intercommunity
Hospital.
Bill, who also attended Whittier College, was
born in Oskaloosa, IA, where his father headed the
Penn College School of Music before moving to
California to head the Music Dept. at Whittier
College, and eventually become the Business
Manager. Both Julia and Bill were active in college
alumni affairs. Printed with the feature article about
her in the Whittier Daily News on April 26 was a
photo taken of them with their college friend, Richard
Nixon, and Pat.
Julia’s involvement in community affairs is
detailed in the article. She was the founder of the
Preschool Association in California and on the
Soroptimist and Salvation Army boards. She helped
with Job’s Daughters, served with the Parks and
Recreation Dept. and Founders Day Committee, and,
in the 1960s, helped save the Bailey House.
Her memorial service was held at the Preschool
on Sunday afternoon, April 29. For those wishing to
remember her, the family suggests a donation to the
“Aunt Julie Scholarship Fund” at the preschool.
Promotion Sunday continued
offertory song, “Fear Not” by John Ferguson with
Amara, Anathea, Bella, and Katerina lending their
voices throughout.
The worship message was given by Olivia and
Jasmine. They expressed their gratitude to First
Friends Church for sustaining them and guiding them
Becky’s Byline
The Kingdom of
Heaven is Like…
On Sunday, July 1, we begin two
things: our summer schedule with
worship starting at 10 a.m., and a
series on the parables of Jesus
entitled: “The Kingdom of Heaven is
Like…” As we prepare our hearts and minds for this series I
thought I would explain two things: “the kingdom of heaven”
and the word “parable.”
The kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God, two
synonymous terms, refers to the here and now, not sometime
in the far off future or after we die. The kingdom of God is
what Jesus imagined as the in-breaking of God on earth. It
would be a place where justice and righteousness prevails; a
place where the priorities of God, not the priorities of
governments, triumph.
Jesus often introduced parables by saying: “the kingdom
of heaven is like…” So what is a parable? A parable is a genre
of teaching stories that was common in the time of Jesus. As a
speaker, I know that people are more likely to remember
stories than three points and a poem. Jesus offered his parables
with a unique twist or unexpected turn in them. His parables
make us stop and think. Sometimes the meanings are unclear. I
have found a parable can mean one thing to me this year and
quite another thing the next time I read or study it. Parables
mean different things to different people.
Come and share with us this summer. I hope to explore the
parables in a relaxed seminar setting where you are free to ask
questions. Men are released from coats and ties. Join us as we
pause and reflect on some of the teachings of Jesus.
in their development. They spoke of activities and youth trip
experiences that enable them to learn about life and their own
spirituality. Olivia stated that, like Peter, she is eager to walk
on water, but full of doubts. She trusts that the faith she
learned at First Friends will carry her through. Olivia added “I
will take the faith I learned here wherever I go.” During her
high school years, Jasmine says, she grew in the Quaker faith
and is able to distinguish and articulate what she believes. She
learned to find her voice. “The important lessons that growing
up at First Friends have taught me are that even if I begin to
sink, as Peter did, I can trust that Jesus will always catch me,
and that when I need God all I have to do is open myself up
and listen.”
Amanda and Samantha Cramer were Meeting for Worship
greeters. Austin Allen, Emma McIntosh, Ethan Purkiss, Wes
Van Dorn and Cedric Woirhaye donned lapel carnations to
collect the offering. At the rise of meeting, the promoted
Young Friends lined up to receive the well-wishes of
worshippers.
— Bob Newton
8
The Living Light
First Friends Church
13205 Philadelphia St
Whittier, CA 90601–4303
Return Service Requested
Periodicals
Postage Paid at
Whittier California
The Living Light
USPS 316-320
Issue Date: Jul;y 1, 2012
The Living Light is published by First Friends
Church, 13205 Philadelphia Street, Whittier, California, 90601-4303. Periodical postage paid at Whittier,
California. Send address changes to First Friends
Church at above address.
Becky Memmelaar .........................Pastor
Bob Newton...................................Editor
Mary Raymond ...............Advising Editor
Sabron Newton .................... Copy Editor
Lynda Ladwig.........................................
..............Christian Education Coordinator
Russell Litchfield ....................................
......... Dir of Music Ministries & Organist
Mary Boltz.............. Office Administrator
Lorenzo Mora ..........................Custodian
Telephone 562-698-9805
FAX 562-698-1127
www.firstfriendswhittier.org
Whittier Friends School Staff
Marie Kaneko ... School Committee Clerk
562-945-1654
Senior Sneaks News
Senior Sneaks is taking a break until October 2012. Shirley is working on
some great possibilities for outings for next fall. Have a great summer!
“Growing Where We Are Planted”
Whittier Friendly Neighbors Peace Camp is celebrating its 17th Anniversary.
Camp begins August 13 and continues through the week, ending August 17. The
cost is $50 with a $10 discount for each additional child in the same family.
Register by July 15 and receive a 10% discount. Call the church office to have a
brochure and registration form mailed to you.
Outreach Committee Plans Worship Service
The Outreach Committee will coordinate a special Meeting for Worship on
August 12, 2012. In order to raise awareness of our outreach, representatives from
four local organizations that First Friends supports financially will give the message
and be available at rise of Meeting to speak with Friends about their ministries. The
focus will be on their personal call to ministry. The organizations are
Intercommunity Counseling Center, Interfaith Food Center, Women's and
Children's Crisis Center, and H.O.W. House. Please mark your calendars. More
details will follow in the August Living Light.
— Russ Litchfield
Please
remember in
prayer
those Friends
unable to
worship with
us regularly.
Peggy Anderson
Arden Bode
Audine Coffin
Monica Dean
William Hockett
Gerry Jansen
Esther Morris
Alice Newsom
Alice Rosenberger
Ami Troedsson
Mary Wanner