Quincy is a growing community in North Central Washington, not too far from Wenatchee. As we drove around the community we got the feeling that the place is really growing and bustling. Now if you’re from Seattle or Portland or Rufus, you might not use the word “bustling”, but “growing” would be a very appropriate description!

Read more of Gar’s travelogue from around the Northwest in his pdf Newsletter Tid Bits.

This issue includes articles on:

• Quincy Friends
• Ed Marston
• Rufus New Works Retreat
• Hayden Lake’s Send-Off Party
• Pastor’s Conference

First Denver Friends Church is seeking a part-time music director beginning June 1, 2008. The position is approximately 16 hours per week. For more details and an application packet please contact Chuck Orwiler, 303-455-7604, Orwiler@qwestoffice.net.

Download or read the April Keeping Current.

        It is also available in Spanish.

Articles in this issue:

• Honoring Authority of God and Caesar ~ Betty Kelley
• Prayer and Praise notes
• Greetings from Shawn McConaughey

April 2008
Some nights I worry. Not often, but occasionally. Maybe I’m hyper from too much activity, food, or ego stroking. I should drift off to sleep, but I don’t. Did I lock the car? Do I hear a faucet dripping or is it rain pattering the windowpane? Will the war ever stop? Why don’t they return my call? This pain in my back, is it angina, arthritis, or acid reflux?
So I flip- flop side-to-side seeking to get more comfortable. I fluff pillows and untangle blankets. Then I opt for practical strategies, like staring at the sky until I get drowsy. Like munching a cracker, which often works (whether physical or psychological, who knows)! Continue reading …

Greetings! I’m Leslie, clerk for the Board of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. I wanted to let youthworkers know of important area gatherings that the board is hosting.

The board would like to create a vision for youth ministries in NWYM and need your help doing this. We are interested to know two main things - What do you feel like God is calling you to do in youth ministry? and, How can NWYM assist either locally or yearly meeting wide?

The youth sponsor from the meeting where you worship should receive a letter with the date and time of said area gathering. Please feel free to just show up at your area gathering. Here is the list of area gatherings with dates. Contact me with any questions you might have - at Leshodg at gmail dot com.

Newberg Area, along with Hillsboro & Tigard
April 13, 3-5 p.m. (concluding with a meal)
North Valley Friends

Salem Area
April 20, 3-5p.m. (concluding with a meal)
Silverton Friends

Portland Area
April 27, 3-5p.m. (concluding with a meal)
West Hills Friends

Southern Oregon Area
May 18, 3-5 p.m. (concluding with a meal)
Medford Friends Church

Inland Area (North Idaho, northeast Wash.)
June 22, 3-5 p.m. (concluding with a meal)
Hayden Lake Friends Church

Puget Sound Area
June 29, 3-5 p.m. (concluding with a meal)
North Seattle Friends

Southern Idaho Area
July 13, 3-5 p.m. (concluding with a meal)
Caldwell Friends Church

Colin Saxton, General Superintendent will clerk these meetings. What comes out of these meetings will shape our vision for youth ministry in the northwest - I want to do what God is calling us to do and am excited to hear it!
Thanks - Leslie

Out of my mind…

NWYM Superintendent

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Jesus

As I write on this day after Easter, I am mindful of the costly nature of God’s love and the lengths God went to in order to redeem a lost world and broken humans like you and me. What an amazing grace!

I suspect the cost to Jesus was even greater than we sometimes imagine. Beyond the agony of death, I wonder if the sheer grief of seeing human suffering—especially suffering caused by human evil—was overwhelming, disappointing and deeply frustrating. Continue reading …

April 25-27, at Twin Rocks Friends Camp, The Journey retreat will explore many aspects of our relationship with God and others in a biblically-based manner. Root causes of personal identities and relationship problems will be explored, and how to practice the Presence of Jesus will be experienced. The Journey combines worship, lectures, testimonies, and healing prayer to model and encourage collaboration with the Lord in pursuit of the health and wholeness He offers.

The cost is $150 person, with an additional $40 if you desire one of the lodge rooms (limited space available). Contact your local church or the Yearly Meeting office (503-538-9419) for a brochure and registration form.