Sadie ForsytheA Brethren friend of mine was at a conference last weekend, and spoke on a panel that explored “What story can a Peace Church tell?” She is attending Bethany, the Brethren Seminary that shares space and classes with Earlham School of Religion (ESR) in Richmond, Indiana. This collaboration is an unusual opportunity for these two historic peace churches to come together for worship, study and fellowship. In the year I spent working at Earlham College, and taking occasional classes at ESR I felt my time was exponentially enriched by the many perspectives and experiences brought together there. Again, I am thankful for the thought provoking challenges that arise from this connection. What story CAN we as Quakers (particularly young Quakers) be bringing to the world now?

It is easy for me to list off all the ways in which we aren’t corporately living up to our radical heritage. And aren’t taking risks for our faith in the same depth and number as our forerunners. But today I wonder if those critiques don’t represent a failure on my part to recognize all the good work that does happen among us in small ways, that go unnoticed or unappreciated day-to-day. Maybe our witness has changed form or scale, but lives on in relationship building, and intentional living. We may not be loud, but are living out our faith in beautiful ways. Do we smile at the people we pass on the street, or take time to stop and talk with the people we see sitting on the park benches everyday, or offer them a meal?

Today, I am grateful to be living with a group of Quaker young adults who have committed to living intentionally together. Committed to be working to order our lives around living presently, and faithfully. To enable and challenge each other to be making choices that are Spirit-led and not out of some sense of obligation or guilt. We are building a supportive community together, but also treasure the opportunity to offer hospitality and share this model of life with others.

Maybe the story we can tell is that we haven’t stopped believing in the seemingly impossible – that another way of living is still possible. One that is based on co-operative economic structures and believing that simple living is not sacrificial, but making room to appreciate life more fully, uncluttered by artificial individualistic and materialistic desires.

• Do you strive to live with intention?
• Do you make your home a place where others feel welcome and inspired to live more fully?
• Do you take time to notice and appreciate the good things happening in your community despite the on-going news of despair and devastation that we are surrounded by everyday?
• What story do you think a Peace Church can, or should be telling the world?