Blog - Comments

Eileen comments on A Quaker Approach to Prayer

Eileen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:09:01 +0000

Thanks, Amy and Pat. You both make good points, and not necessarily contradictory.

Amy Ward Brimmer comments on A Quaker Approach to Prayer

Amy Ward Brimmer — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:43:46 +0000

Although I know that Friends schools can and should do a better job of describing how Quakerism informs ther learning communities, my response to the gentleman who said he learned more with you in 40 minutes than in 10 years at a Quaker school, might be, "Did you ever ask?' How many non-Quaker families really investigate this while their kids are at a Friends school? Not many, in my experience. Just this past year at the school where my daughter goes, they held an information session on Quakerism , the second of such this year. Only one non-Quaker showed up, out of hundreds of parents on campus for conferences. The other 5 or 6 folks were members of Quaker meetings who showed up in support or to see how the school would present Quakerism.
Learning about Quakerism from a culture that refuses to proselytize means that it's a two-way street. I mean, how did any of us learn about it if we weren't born into it? We are called Seekers for a reason.
Keep up the great work, Eileen. I am enjoying your book. -- Amy

Pat comments on A Quaker Approach to Prayer

Pat — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:30:41 +0000

I would say a better job needs to be done educating people about all Quaker ways. I find that in my own church, much is often not explained to newcomers, leaving them to draw their own conclusions or walk away puzzled and scratching their head. As I write this, I think of the scripture which talks about hiding your light under a bushel and when we won't talk to people about our faith and practice, in a way it reminds of this scripture. Why wouldn't we want to educate others?

Steven Davison comments on Minutes of Religious Service

Steven Davison — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:43:33 +0000

Eileen, thank you for this post. I, too, think the mutual support committee is a great idea and I look forward to hearing how it works out. Do you bring your minute with you when you do speeches, as well? And how do you, your meeting and committee, and the folks you minister to, use the practice of endorsement?

Also, I'm very interested in the process that produced the minute. Maybe you talked about this in a previous post. If so, could you point me to it?

Steven

Eileen comments on New Discernment Question

Eileen — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:02:39 +0000

I have decided not to go, for a number of reasons. Although I didn't see Heather's comment until right now, I think her questions were good. I do want to see the places in South Africa that I have been teaching about for the past five years, but even more I want to go to Botswana, which I wouldn't be able to do on this trip. I also want to bring my family, which seemed unrealistic while I was leading a group of college students. The two biggest reasons, though: 1) I just didn't feel led to do it; and 2) it felt like it would pull my energy away from the things I do feel led to do. In the end, I think I let go of the anxieties, but I still didn't feel it was right to go.

So, thanks for everyone's thoughts. More practice with that inner listening stuff.

Eileen comments on Minutes of Religious Service

Eileen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:25:19 +0000

Thanks, Jay. A mutual support committee would not have to be people from one meeting, though we are thinking that if all or most were from our home meeting, it would meet the meeting's obligation to provide oversight and hopefully enliven the spiritual life of the meeting.

As for traveling with an elder, I have asked Friends to serve in that role on a few occasions, but don't always. There seem to be some occasions when that feels really helpful and others when it doesn't feel necessary. With the amount I've been traveling, I don't want to burden others when it's not necessary. I also feels more complicated as I start to earn more money from leading workshops. It is definitely an area of Quaker practice where I have a lot to learn.

Jay T. comments on Minutes of Religious Service

Jay T. — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:41:26 +0000

Eileen

I like your idea of a mutual support committee. Are you thinking all from one local meeting?

When you travel or speak, is it alone? Or have you a personal elder, supporter or anchor there to check in and consult with? Several released Friends in our region (North Pacific and Northwest YMs) are careful to work in pairs.

Heather comments on New Discernment Question

Heather — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:41 +0000

It's funny, Eileen, but not surprising at all (because I see "me" in "you"!), that you are able to outline what the trip would do for your students, but you haven't outlined what it would mean for you. You state that you have wanted to go back for a long time. I'm asking myself - why? What is it that you would want to gain from the trip, what are you looking for, what are your expectations? Is it further connection? Affirmation of the work you have done in Africa? Maybe discerning your motivations would help identify whether the trip would be fulfilling for you.
I love your fear about Three Mile Island. You sound like me! Our family calls it "Korostoffian Crisis Complex" and it can be debilitating at times. A fear that would arise for me is: How would the trip compare to the deep experience that I had previously? Could it affect or reshape the memories I have from the Peace Corps and redefine my relationship with Africa?
All this may be moot - you've probably already made your decision. I'm curious about that.

Eileen comments on The Science of Fear

Eileen — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:14:28 +0000

Thanks, Wendy!

Wendy R. Wolf comments on The Science of Fear

Wendy R. Wolf — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:18:31 +0000

I just discovered your blog, Eileen. I appreciate your perspective and am sharing with my friends. Thanks for sharing! Wendy