Simply Speaking Jamestown Friends Meeting – 509 Guilford Rd – PO Box 2163 – Jamestown NC 27282

August, 2016 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Light Workers . . . . . . . . . . By: Frank Massey, Pastoral Ministry 336.301.0082

“…’mind the light of God in you,’…’the light’ was identified with Christ as the teacher and led to true righteousness and thus to salvation.” (Moore, Rosemary, The Light in Their Consciences, 2003, p. 81)

“The light of the body is the eye: if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22-KJV)

“Now that I have put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 – The Messenger)

About ten years ago, I decided to entitle my column for Simply Speaking as “Light Workers.” A little of my reasoning was that our Quaker history is full of light imagery. Not only do we find references to light in our Quaker readings, but we also find plenty of references to light in both Hebrew and Christian scriptures. I found 270 references. LIGHT IS ALL AROUND US and flows through us. In the creation story in Genesis in the Bible, where God breathes Life into humanity, God was giving us God’s Spirit as well as God’s Light. God implanted a little piece of Light and Life within each person. God is Light; therefore, we have that same Light within each of us. This same Light shines out from us, giving witness to the world of who we are and whose we are. The Christian scripture is filled with stories of Jesus’ encouraging the disciples and followers to live more fully in the Light, to live up to the Light with which each is endowed. As we live up to that Light, more is given to us to address the darkness and needs of the world. TODAY, THE WORLD NEEDS MORE OF God’s Light and God’s Love. It is easy to become fearful, to allow hate to govern our nature, and to retreat into a community of those “just like us.” As followers of the Living Christ, however, the very One that calls us to be that Light, that

beacon on a hill, we must, we must keep the channels of God’s Light and Love free from all hindrances and obstructions so that Light continues to flow out into the world. As we enter the second half of the year and garner our strength for the fall season within our communities of work, play, and faith, let us keep ourselves free from the fear of the “other.” Let us remain free from division, seeking unity in community which only comes through living in God’s Spirit, Love, Life, and Light.

Your friend in the Light, Frank

“If only you could be yourself." they shouted. So, she did. "You are not like me or anyone I have met!" they screamed. So, she blended. "You are so fake," they laughed. So, the caterpillar retreated to her cocoon to find peace alone. One day, they came to find her gone. She left a message: “God knew I was different and gave me these beautiful wings because he meant for me to fly. You see...I wasn’t meant to be like you. I was meant to be me—better.”

(--Shannon L. Alder)

By: Beth Massey

In September, October, and November of 2013, I wrote a series of columns about the history of music in Friends’ meetings for worship. Aided by Linda Willard’s research and Haverford College’s Special Collections exhibit, those columns highlighted the story of the relationship between music and the Religious Society of Friends from its earliest stages, through the Quietist Period (1692 – c. 1805), and through the 20

th Century.

Re-reading the columns reminded me of some things I had known at that time but which had since been relegated to the back of my mind. The main idea I gleaned is that no matter how stringently we are told by religious authority that singing can be dangerous and distracting in worship, or that we can only do music a certain way, somehow the Spirit makes itself heard in diverse expressions of singing and playing anyway!

Recently, in reading ecumenical writings about music in worship, I find that most faith communities struggle at various times with multiple issues surrounding music in worship. The challenges seem to come with using a new style of musical expression and must be held to the L/light and examined before acceptance. SUCH EXAMINATION IS good—for the music and for the faith community. Why do we sing together? Why do we listen together? How do we benefit from these shared experiences? Singing together integrates multiple parts within ourselves. If we focus on the words, it helps our minds to articulate our faith. The sounds of the music stir our souls through our bodies and our hearts. The physical act of singing, playing, or moving together adds another avenue: non-verbal expressions of love, sadness or grief, reconciliation, joy, praise, and/or celebration. IN MY MIND, THERE IS always the question of whether the music we sing a Jamestown Friends Meeting meets the needs of the diversity of worshipers who gather each week for comfort, challenge, and community. What the meeting’s music ministry can and should do is to listen to the Spirit and do our best to be obedient at we make those choices. We are often amazed at how the music and spoken words seem to work together in ways we could not have planned. In his article, “Music, worship, and the church,” Christopher Hayward of the Jubilee Center in Cambridge, UK, writes, “Music ought to reflect the breadth of Scripture. It is important, given how memorable songs can be, that the words we sing accurately reflect biblical truth, including both thanksgiving for God’s salvation and victory (Exodus 15) and the acknowledgement of human weakness, oppression and

sin deserving the judgement of God (Deuteronomy 32). This variety is borne out supremely by the Book of Psalms, where psalms of thanks and praise sit alongside those of lament and despair. “This balance is not always reflected in Christian hymn and song repertoire. For example, of the 150 songs in Spring Harvest Praise 2002, the most recent music book from the largest annual gathering of evangelical Christians in Britain, I noted that only twenty or so songs engage to some extent with issues of weakness, sin, and suffering. “SOME OF THESE SONGS MAKE only a passing reference to suffering or evil and they all express confidence in God’s transforming power. There is little or no parallel in this repertoire to the almost total despair and questioning of, say, Psalm 88, a psalm which is representative of a literary corpus that cannot lightly be dismissed as pre-Christian. “The practice of chanting the psalms has largely disappeared except in the somewhat rarefied setting of choral evensong. Metrical psalms have been the staple of some denominations and have sometimes been considered the only legitimate songs of praise to God.” We all experience a wide array of emotions and needs. We bring them with us when we come to worship. We need a variety of music to meet those needs, as well as opportunities to practice listening. We communicate with each other and with God when we sing. “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above,” wrote John Fawcett in the 18

th Century

hymn. Music is one of the ties that binds us together in love, stretching and strengthening when we sing, play, and listen together.

Come, sing with us!

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Several of our folks have experienced recent hospital stays or medical situations during the past month, but they are now home and “out and about” again. David Stanfield, Kathy Coe, and Robbie Patterson are doing well—and for this, we are grateful! We continue to hold other shut-ins and those with ongoing conditions in our thoughts and prayers. STEVEN MATTOCKS, son of Tommy and Becky, completed his master’s degree program this past May and is now gainfully employed (which is always a relief to parents)! He is a research assistant with the University of Massachusetts in Amhurst, assisting with research on fish, rivers, and Mother Nature in general. It’s right up his alley; his grandfather, James Mattocks, would have been so proud of him. What is it about Massachusetts? Jacob Farlow also found his way up there, and it looks like both he and Steven are going to end up being “Yankees”! ABBY FARLOW WILL BE leaving for NC State in Raleigh on August 12 to become a full-fledged, first-year student. (I don’t think they use the term “freshman” any longer!) She already has her schedule, has met her roommate, and is ready to start classes on the 17th. We expect to see her when she returns home for week end visits. You know that Frank Barefoot and Frank Massey will be joining her in pulling for the Wolfpack. Enclosed in this newsletter is a questionnaire concerning the possibility of obtaining full-time ministry for Jamestown Meeting. Please give this your prayerful thought, fill out the form, adding any additional thoughts, and place it in the box located in the meeting room foyer by August 21. Ministry and Counsel needs responses from everyone, and all responses are anonymous. If you are unable to print the form from your computer, copies are available at the meeting house. Thank you for your participation. And now you know!

Here we are, counting down once again! Instead of counting the days until we are OUT of school, though, now we are counting how many days are left until we have to go BACK!

While all our young people prepare for a new school year, we should remember that we have preparations being made for all phases of school life: Beginning kindergarten this fall are twins Luke and Eliza Huffstetler; Nella Padron will be starting high school; Abigail Farlow, Noah Jackson, and Wilson Haworth will be heading off to college! Others are Cliff Hazen, Ryan Jackson, Alexa Altizer, Lucas Hicks, and Evan Altizer, who will be continuing with their studies at their current middle school, high school, or college. Let’s be thankful for the joy our young people bring to our meeting. Remember them and their families as they prepare for the 2016-17 school year.

Did You Know . . . ?

By: Martha Mattocks

An invitation to Jamestown Friends Meeting’s family

Join Sara (Clawson) and Nick Pearse

after meeting for worship, August 7, 2016

for a fellowship reception Celebrating their recent marriage

Lunch provided by Susan Samuelson,

with catering by Salsaritas (Mexican buffet)

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Two dates of personal note this month: August 12 and August 30. In the United Kingdom, the 12

th day of August is referred to

as the “Glorious Twelfth,” so called because it’s the first day of the season for shooting grouse. This is an activity that meetings with much approval amongst the upper classes over there in Albion. It’s not a pleasant day for the grouse, of course, but members of the English landed gentry don’t allow that sort of thinking to detract from the glory of the gunfire and its attendant avian annihilation! Personally, I’ve never felt an urge to shoot grouse. I wish each of them could remain as free as a bird on every day of the week, but especially on August 12, which is the day I’ll reach my 67

th birthday. It’s on a Friday this year, just as it

was in 1949 when I arrived on this mortal coil, weighing in at 8 lb. 12 oz., having no idea that I’d eventually live on another continent four decades later. I’m happy to have made it this far on my earthly journey.

. . . . . . . . . . Apropos my spiritual journey, August 30 marks the anniversary of my first attendance at Jamestown Friends Meeting; so now seems an appropriate time to reflect upon my Quaker experience to date. Looking back to this time last year, I recall that I’d become weary of the brand of religion I’d experienced up to that point with its relentless regimen of rules, rituals, and rhetoric. I recognize that many people relish, and even rely upon, that sort of regulation; however, it’s one that I’ve found to be disappointing and debilitating. So, when I discovered that Quakerism offered me the opportunity to connect with God in community, yet still allowed me freedom of thought and freedom to speak my thoughts without being shunned, ostracized, judged, or condemned because of my “wrong thought patterns,” I was favorable impressed.

. . . . . . . . . . The Quaker approach of allowing people the freedom to seek God, and perhaps discover something about themselves as they do so, constitutes the main reason why I’ve continued coming regularly to Jamestown Friends Meeting for the last 12 months. With that in mind, it’s perhaps interesting to consider the noble provisions for free speech and free exercise of religion enshrined in the First Amendment to the US Constitution, and then reflect upon the paradox that eventually emerges! In a

civilized society, I daresay one might reasonably expect all therein to be free. It is evident to me though that many religions—including mainstream Christianity—while claiming to be a civilizing influence, often aggressively oppose and condemn freedom. Moreover, the condemnations are comprehensive: freedom of thought may be condemned as heresy; freedom of speech may be condemned as blasphemy; and freedom to act may be condemned as sacrilege. Where is any kind of freedom in this suppression of thought, word, and deed? The question illuminates the paradox: freedom of religion produced religionists, and religionist routinely seek to curtail and restrict individual freedom, even to the point of subjugating the human spirit that years to be free.

. . . . . . . . . . From a mainstream Christian viewpoint, I suppose Quakerism could be described as being “on the edge of the inside,” inasmuch as it is rooted in Christ-like simplicity and peacefulness. Yet it allows the kind of freedom of thought and freedom of speech that mainstream Christian faith communities cannot tolerate. Their doctrinal definitions are perceived to be written in stone and are invariably attended by a systematic or apophatic (negative) theology that cannot be bypassed or refuted. They are endorsed by claims of biblical inerrancy and/or infallible authority—a constricting combination which leaves no room for further revelation, development, or growth. To me, it’s not at all unreasonable or impolite to state that the model of mainstream Christianity is that of a courtroom wherein people are called upon to account for their wrong thoughts, words, and deeds. They are judged with a one-size-fits-all standard and are made to suffer some form of punishment in order to satisfy a harsh, and sometimes even Draconian, interpretation of righteousness. Quakerism, on the other hand, seems to offer a picture of a hospital wherein one is received with compassion and empathy, even in the case of self-inflicted wounds. The remedy for a return to righteousness is rest and reflection, thereby allowing recuperation to take place slowly.

. . . . . . . . . . Thanks to the Jamestown Friends community, I think I’m on the road to recovery. I’m now considering whether it might be time for me to discharge myself from the hospital and become a Quaker outpatient!

UPWRITE By: Mick Curran

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The Jamestown choir collects old cell phones and printer cartridges which they sell to the Ecophones Program recyclers, raising money for music expenses. Brenda Haworth, who is in charge of this project, has discovered that this program also accepts the following: Laptop computers; MP3 players (Apple iPod, Microsoft Zune, Sandisk); Creative Digital cameras; camcorders; handheld game systems (Sonly PSP, Nintendo DS lite, Nintendo DS original, Nintendo Gameboy Advance, Nintendo Gameboy color). If you have any of these items you want to “trash,” get in contact with Brenda (336 882 3054 – BGH@northstate.net) and make arrangements to donate them to benefit the choir.

. . . . . . . . . . Snow Camp Outdoor Theater's "Pathway to Freedom" is a powerful, enjoyable way to learn about the history of Quakers in North Carolina. If you're new to Quakers/Friends, if you've never seen this production, or if you've seen it but just want a refresher course on not only the history but the people and the emotion of one of the most divisive moments in our state and Society history, consider a drive out to Snow Camp the first week of August. Go to their web site to see this summer's schedule and to buy tickets. http://www.snowcampoutdoortheatre.com/

. . . . . . . . . .

Jamestown Friends United Society of Friends Women takes a break from meetings during July and August. Regular meetings will resume in September. Before the next meeting, however, reservations are due to attend the NC Annual Gathering, which will take place at Deep Creek Friends, Yadkinville, September 17. Reservations ($12 fee) are due by September 10 to USFW State Treasurer Janet Robbins, 1604 Shore Rd, Yadkinville NC 27055. If you plan to go, let Martha Mattocks, JFM’s USFW President, know and maybe make arrangements for car-pooling.

. . . . . . . . . . Be sure to reserve October 8, 2016 on your calendar as the day to help with the fall yard and bake sale.

August 1 Seth Huffstetler August 12 Antonella Padron August 3 Eliza Huffstetler August 12 Mick Curran August 3 Luke Huffstetler August 14 Courtney Hazen August 4 Jesse Harris August 17 Heather Harris August 6 Bobby Yount August 18 Margaret Harris August 9 Keith Charles August 27 Robbie Patterson August 9 Linda Willard August 31 Robyn Huffstetler

According to Susan . . . . . (Bulla, that is)

Some farmers were standing around shooting the breeze one day when the topic came around to animals and their distinguishing traits. The group agreed that the dog was probably the most loyal animal and the mule was undoubtedly the most stubborn. Farmer Jones piped in, “You know, I believe the friendliest animal is the goose.” The others wanted to know how he arrived at such a conclusion. “Well,” Farmer Jones replied, “I was standing out in the field the other day and a whole flock of them came over my head. Wouldn’t you know every single one of them honked and waved”!

Name That Quaker

By: Linda Willard

Which North Carolina governor affirmed

rather than swear an oath of office?

(Answer found on another page)

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Quakers for Kids

The Chrysallis

Joshua loved summer because summer was the

beginning of all good things: sunny days, bike rides,

no school, and sticky, drippy popsicles. He especially

loved summer because he could explore his backyard.

He liked to find bugs and spiders and anything else

that creeped or crawled. He put them in glass jars and

poked holes in the lids. He watched them move and

slide and flutter. They were his treasures and he kept

watch on them every chance he got.

ONE DAY, JOSHUA CAME ACROSS something

strange hanging off a leaf of the sycamore tree. It was

odd; it was small like a rose bud, but firm like a snail's

shell. He thought about how nice it looked, so

different, so strangely-shaped. It reminded him of silly

putty but in the shape of a shell from the beach.

“What is it?” he thought to himself, “and what is it

doing here?” Joshua thought about taking it off the

tree and finding a home for it in one of his jars.

He couldn't add it to the spider jar, though, with all

the eight-legged things, because it was much too

simple. This thing didn't have any legs, let alone eight.

That didn't work. He couldn't add it to the beautiful

ladybug jar, because it was much too dull. It didn't

have spots, stripes, dots or lines. It was plain and

bare. No, it wouldn't fit into that jar either.

HE COULDN’T ADD IT TO the worm jar, because it

didn't move and was much too still. He didn't think it

would like the dirt anyway. This thing hadn't moved

since he'd found it. No, not that jar! He couldn't add

it to his cricket jar, because it was silent and much too

quiet. What could it do for him other than hang on the

tree and wave in the wind?

Joshua stared at it, craning his neck for signs of life.

"What am I going to do with you? There isn't a jar for

you." He decided to leave it alone and think about it.

The next day, Joshua went to look at his treasures.

Then he thought about the odd one--the one without a

jar--the one hanging in the tree like a Christmas

ornament.

JOSHUA WENT TO THE TREE to see what he should

do but the odd shape one was gone! Instead, there

was a beautiful monarch butterfly standing on its

cocoon. It fluttered its wings, stretched its legs, and

seemed to smile at Joshua, opening and closing his

wings in display. It was stretching from a long sleep,

learning to move his beautiful wings, and taking in the

sunny day.

That simple and plain shape had been a chrysalis!

Joshua had learned in school that a chrysalis was the

home of a caterpillar. Over a matter of days, it

became a butterfly. Amazing! He scratched his head

and wondered in which jar the butterfly would go.

Joshua thought about his jars of bugs.

THE BUTTERFLY WASN’T SIMPLE anymore, but

complicated with a design he'd never seen before!

It wasn't dull anymore, but bright and bold with

colors of yellow, orange, white and black!

It wasn't still anymore. It moved its wings faster

than the worms moved in their dirt!

It wasn't quiet anymore. It was louder in shapes

and design than any cricket was noisy!

THE BUTTERFLY FLEW ONTO his nose and tickled his

cheeks with its wings. Joshua laughed. Then the

butterfly did what the spiders, ladybugs, worms, and

crickets couldn't do in their jars: it flew away!

Joshua loved his treasures as much as he loved

summer. That day, though, he found his favorite one-

the butterfly. The simple, dull, still, and quiet thing

became the most beautiful and the free treasure after

all. (written by Heather Spiva – Sacramento, CA)

1. What does a bee do when it is hot? – He

takes off his yellow jacket. 2. What holds the sun up in the sky? –

Sunbeams. 3. When do you go at red and stop at green? –

When you’re eating a watermelon. 4. What does the sun drink out of? –

Sunglasses. 5. What did the ocean say to the sailboat? –

Nothing; it just waved.

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Jamestown Friends Meeting – August, 2016

Ministry and Counsel is exploring the possibility of full time ministry for JFM and would like input from

members/attendees in this decision. The meeting will have to work out the financial arrangements which will

ultimately fall on the membership and attendees. For purposes of this questionnaire, we assume that we can

maintain the financial obligations of the position. Please share your thoughts and return this form to the box

located in the meeting room foyer by August 21. Feel free to add any other concerns not covered.

1. What do you think Jamestown Friends would gain by hiring a full time minister?

2. Do you feel that Jamestown Friends should have a full-time minister or continue with a part-time

minister?

3. How would having a full-time minister change the responsibilities of our members/attendees?

4. Listed below are responsibilities that may be expected of a full-time minister. Please indicate the

importance of each using the scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being very important; 2 moderately important; and 3

not as important.

bring message on Sunday provide Bible Study; Quakerism class;

Spiritual Formation

_____visit sick, shut-ins

follow up with visitors

maintain regular office hours;

_____provide programs for Young Adults

_____provide pastoral counseling services

be accessible be involved in outreach/community

follow Quaker procedure _____ be grounded in Quaker Faith & Practice

____participate in Yearly Mtg. activities

or committees

Other: (What other responsibilities

would you like to see in a full-time

minister?)

5. Would you be willing to provide additional

support to the meeting, either monetary or

participation in additional fund-raising?

6. Would you be willing to provide additional

support to the meeting, either monetary or

participation in additional fund-raising?

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Monthly Meeting Minutes

Summary Seventh Month, Third Day, 2016

As submitted by Kate Suko, Recording Clerk (To be approved Eighth Month, Seventh Day, 2016)

Paragraph from Sixth Month minutes, re. Ministry and Council’s and Finance Committee’s exploring full-time pastor position, rewritten

Position to be based on availability of NC Yearly Meeting three-year grant

Request has been submitted to Church Extension Committee

Minute to be sent to Extension Committee with request to continue process

Stewardship/Finance Committee – Clarence Mattocks Committee may explore issue of low number of Christians in Taiwan Library Committee – Clarence Mattocks

Committee has met once Committee considering priorities

NC Yearly Meeting Discussion

Representatives named to Yearly Meeting sessions August 12 – 14: Frank Massey, Clarence Mattocks, Binford Farlow (?), Jewell Farlow (?)

Letter sent to Executive Committee expressing Jamestown’s sense of the meeting (see Simply Speaking, July issue) – read aloud

Discussion concerning central authority, how to interpret scripture

Expression from Frank Massey: hope that JFM’s representatives will not stand aside during sessions

General Notes Bill Beeson Byrd, member of meeting since

1974, died 6-16-2016 Wednesday event fellowship meal only to be

held monthly during summer

(Answer to “Name That Quaker” – John Archdale, one of the Lords Proprietors and a colonial era governor, “affirmed” when he took the oath of office in 1695.)

Make Your Plans to Be There

FCNL Annual Meeting to Be November 10-13 Where will you be two days after the November elections? Join hundreds of Quakers and friends from around the country in Washington, DC for four days of advocacy, conversation, and worship, November 10-13, 2016. In a critical moment of transition for our federal government, our time together in community and discernment opens us to the “fresh incursion of the Spirit.” We’ll lobby together; we’ll learn what Friends across the country ask of us; we’ll lean in to the possibilities for our persistent, prophetic, and powerful advocacy. All are welcome. (FCNL website)

Treasurer’s Report

(as of May 31, 2016) Compiled by Ronnie Hicks, Treasurer

Contributions/Revenues (actual) $29,528 Contributions/Revenues (budgeted) $29,150 Expenses (actual) $29,121 Expenses (budgeted) $29,153

Simply Speaking is published monthly for

Jamestown Friends Meeting 509 Guilford Road, PO Box 2163

Jamestown NC 27282 Phone: (336) 454 3813

E-mail: JamestownFriends@aol.com Editor: Louise Richardson; Managing Editor: Wallace Sills

Columnists: Frank Massey, pastor; Beth Massey; Martha Mattocks; Mick Curran; Wendy Mattocks

September deadline – August 25

Jamestown Friends Meeting - August, 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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3 National Watermelon Day

4 US Coast Guard Day

5 Summer Olympics begin

in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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7 Fellowship meal

(celebrating Clawson/Pearse marriage) Monthly Meeting

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9 Quaker Richard Nixon resigns as US President – 1974 Book Lover’s Day

10 National S’Mores Day

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12 NC Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions – Camp Caraway

13 NC Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions – Camp Caraway

14 NC Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions – Camp Caraway

15 Relaxation Day

16

17 Mid-Week Fellowship Meal – 5:45 p.m. Committee meetings

18

19

20 Choir retreat – 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Susan Samuelson’s home

21 Birthday of Thomas Garrett, Underground Railroad worker - 1789

22

23

24 Choir rehearsal – 7:30 p.m.

25 Simply Speaking September deadline

26 Women’s Equality Day

27 Open Door Shelter

meal – 5:00 p.m.

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29 Traditional Guilford County Schools begin 2016-16 year

30 Toasted Marshmellow Day

31 Choir rehearsal – 7:30 p.m.

Looking ahead: September 10 – Saturday -Chicken Barbecue Fundraiser – 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. September 18 – Sunday – Fall Re-Connect – 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. (Christian Education/Music Committees)

August is Family Fun Month, National Picnic Month, and National Eye Exam Month.

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