The Living Light - Whittier First Friends Church

The Living Light
“...and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14
Volume 53, Number 10
First Friends Church of Whittier
Tenth Month, 2014
We Have A New Pastor!
Summer Mission Projects
Have Good Outcome
This year the Outreach Committee (OC) agreed to
combine two Friends United Mission (FUM) projects.
1) Education for Esther
2) Tower of Books (Empowering Ministries).
These summer projects provided our Meeting an
opportunity, no matter how small, to lend a helping hand
to an existing and a new ministry.
Each week during the summer the Outreach
Committee members kept the four principles of mission
and service in their hearts; Faith, Hope, Love and Prayer.
At the end of worship an OC member asked F/friends to
hold these mission projects in the Light, and to perhaps
give a small financial support of $2.00 per week. First
Friends Meeting began supporting FUM summer mission
projects in 2008. With each passing summer this
meeting’s support has surpassed our Outreach goals.
The Summer 2014 Mission Project program started on
6 July and ran through 7 September. OC is happy to
announce that many F/friends gave weekly or monthly
donations for these two worthwhile projects. In
“Education for Esther” FUM will help girls in all of the
Friends schools of Turkana stay in school by covering
their high school tuition. In “Tower of Books –
Empowering Ministries” we will help support the newly
appointed principal of Friends Theological College,
Robert Wafula.
Not only did our Meeting reach its goal of $600 but
exceeded it by about $100! With deep appreciation and
friendship the Outreach Committee would like to thank
each and every member of our meeting who took time to
be a part of the support of these outstanding FUM
ministries. Without your prayers, love and friendship
these projects would not have been so successful.
– Carrin Bouchard
We joyously
announce
that
Loletta Barrett has
a ns w er ed
the
Meeting’s call to
become our new
sett led
past or
effective October
1. The choice was
approved
at
Monthly Meeting
on September 14.
The
word
“new” seems a bit
incongruous as we first got to know Loletta when she was
our interim pastor in the spring of 2012. She has also been
interim pastor for our neighbors over the hill at Hillcrest
Congregational Church in La Habra Heights and more
recently has had a life-changing pastoral assignment in
South Africa and Namibia.
Loletta received from the Claremont School of
Theology both Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry
degrees. The title of her 2009 doctoral dissertation was
“Community Building and Peace Making Through
Interfaith Dialogue, Religious Education and Social
Justice Projects.” She is ordained by the United Church of
Christ. She also has a BA in Social Work from Indiana
University, an MA from the School of Social Service
Administration at the University of Chicago, and several
years of administrative experience in public agencies.
When she was visiting the parsonage during her
consultations with Meeting committee members, Loletta
was happily impressed by the openness and warmth of the
house. “It will be wonderful for group discussions and
gatherings!” she exclaimed. We know we are looking
forward as much as she is to many such gatherings in the
years to come.
– Elisabeth Elliot
2
Friendly Fare by Lea Wright
New Friends: Welcome to Jude Robert Hickey, who
was born in August to Diego & Juli Hickey. His
grandparents are Jim & Lark Hickey. Congratulations to
the family.
Friends Visit: Preston Mitchell traveled over 700 miles
from Medford, OR to celebrate his 97th birthday in So
Cal. He played his flute during Meeting for Worship
while here. Lynda Bates took a weekend off from her cat
rescue adoption events (see www.fluffbuddies.org or
www.facebook.com/FluffBuddies) to come to Whittier for
a high school reunion, celebrating forty-five years since
graduation. Where does the time go?
Friends About Town: Katarina Ryder always has a
happy smile, but now it is even more special complete
with her new braces! Mindy Van Dorn, Lynda Ladwig,
Karlene Wright, Lou Secord, Lisa Adam, LeeAnn
Thompson and her four daughters enjoyed the music of
Matthew West at the Women of Faith conference at the
Honda Center in Anaheim along with 8,000 others. Wes
Van Dorn’s four-member Indie/Rock band, the
Boulevards, played at The Glass House in Pomona.
Milton Wright received another award for his 1938
Chevy truck, this time at the La Habra High band
fundraiser for the best antique vehicle. Anathea and Elyse
Woirhaye have been focusing their summer on learning
Shakespeare Theater acting at “A Noise Within” theater in
Pasadena. Anathea will continue to attend the
Shakespeare classes in the fall along with continuing her
practice for the upcoming Nutcracker ballet through
Claylee’s Dance Academy in early December. Elyse just
began learning jazz dance at the Academy in addition to
taking on classical Cecchetti ballet lessons which will
have her take a dance exam at the end of her term.
School and Work News: Over the summer, Cedric
Woirhaye attended 5 weeks of summer school at Bosco
Technical Institute (a college prep high school)
introducing him to the five technological areas of
potential study. After his first quarter as a freshman, he
will have to decide which of the five to choose to study
during the remainder of his years as a high school student.
He was very excited to have recently attended his very
first high school dance and is overall, very happy
attending Bosco for the educational opportunities it hopes
to provide. Jasmine Sturr completed her summer’s
research in Baltimore and has returned to college at
Redlands. Tom Van Dorn has finally been hired as a full
time employee at the City of Azusa after five years of
part-time work.
Friends Celebrate: Bill & Marygene Wright celebrated
68 years of wedded bliss. Tim & Neva Root enjoyed a
nice get-away when they went on an anniversary trip to
Rancho Santa Fe.
Friends Remember: Sympathies to Marilyn Fant whose
father, Lawrence Roop, died 8/30 in Vallejo CA at the age
of l01 in the home in which she grew up. Marilyn has
made frequent driving trips to the Bay area all this past
year to visit him and supervise his care.
Friends Travel: Jean Sponsler flew to Oregon during the
last week in August to visit her niece and family in
Eugene. It was much cooler there so Jean had a nice break
from So Cal heat. Vikki Kendrick had an unexpected
guest in Ocean City NJ.
Tammy Van Dorn,
traveling across the
United States as an
i n t er n a n d s a l es
r ep r es en t a t i v e f or
Krochet
Kids
International, had a
business call in Ocean City. Tammy’s mother Mindy Van
Dorn had alerted Vikki that Tammy was travelling in
New Jersey. Nonetheless, Vikki was surprised to see her.
“Ocean City is a tiny island,” she said. ”I couldn’t believe
Tammy actually had business here.” Vikki had lunch with
Tammy and her colleague Kelsey, and they squeezed in
an hour at the beach before the KKI girls had to get back
on the road. The only disappointment was that Tammy’s
friend (and Vikki’s daughter) Christy Tavernelli could
not join them, as she had just moved and started a new job
in nearby Philadelphia. Tammy has now returned home
from her travels much to Mindy’s delight. Elinore
Petoletti traveled to Kansas and met lots of friendly
people, saw rolling hills and green trees, and many
wonderful museums: CW Parker Carousels, the World of
Oz, Ike’s Boyhood Home/library/museum, Greyhound
(dogs), the end of the Chisholm Trail, Flint Hills and the
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Brown v. Board of Education
Site, Watkins museum, Steamboat Arabia museum and on
and on. Her group of travelers was small (15), but very
compatible. The whole ABCDE Woirhaye family
(Anathea, Brendon, Cedric, Deanna, & Elyse) was very
grateful to have spent a week at the Oregon Shakespeare
Festival, a week at Laguna Beach and ended their summer
happily at Green Valley Lake. They were also happy to
have as guests the Ryder, Whitehead, Dhawal, and
Wemmerus families with many other family friends
along on their beach and lake trips.
Remember to take the Living Light when you vacation
so we can continue our
tradition: “The Living Light
Travels.”
Friends Sharing News:
Help to keep the Friendly Fare
going. Email me a quick note
and tell me your news. Send to
Lea at lealouw@gmail.com, or
deliver to me at church on
Sunday. Avalon & I will see
you next month!
3
Friends School Families
Spruce Up The School
A Fun-Filled Year of Learning
Begins at WFS
On Saturday, August 16, WFS preschool, elementary,
and intermediate families joined forces to beautify our
classrooms in preparation for the upcoming school year.
This annual event began at 9 a.m. with the moving of
chairs, desks, and tables to the lawn for a thorough
cleansing. Next, the preschool toys and other educational
manipulatives (including an impressive collection of Lego
Bricks) were washed, rinsed, and sun dried. Windows
were scrubbed to a sparkling shine, inside and out, and
carpets were thoroughly vacuumed. This year, in an effort
to promote good environmental stewardship, as well as
demonstrate consideration for our children’s good health
and well-being, teacher Alicia Atkinson mixed up an array
of all-natural cleaning products using simple ingredients
such as vinegar, lavender oil, and lemon juice.
As more school families arrived, they chose from a
posted list of jobs. Parents and students worked side by
side. Some sorted and organized books and other
donations. Others tidied up the lunchroom and
classrooms. Still other hard-working volunteers poured
and raked new wood chips into the play structure area.
Much was accomplished is a very short time. By noon it
was time for a pot-luck lunch and the first parent meeting
of the year. Then the cleaning resumed until 3 p.m.
“dismissal.”
Part of what makes WFS school so special is the great
amount of parent participation. Back-to-School Parent
work day is just the first of many opportunities parents
have during the school-year to get involved and show
their support for the school. For example, parents help
chaperone monthly field trips, sort and pack nuts for the
fall fundraiser, serve as kitchen helpers for the Chili
Cook-Off and Spaghetti dinners, and work the Parking
Lot and Uptown Yard Sales, to name a few.
“We couldn’t do it without the help of our parents,”
says Intermediate Teacher, Cassie Caringella. “Since we
have a relatively small student body, we count on
everyone’s help.” The benefit for the parents, of course, is
that they get to be directly involved with their children’s
school and become personally invested in making WFS
the best it can be. Additionally, working so closely
together all year brings us together as a school family. We
thank the Meeting for supporting our school in so many
ways and are grateful for the impact WFS has on our
children’s lives.
– Candice Ryder
Early morning clouds lifted and the sun beamed forth
on the first day of classes at Whittier Friends School,
Wednesday, September 3. Four students reported to the
Intermediate Class under Teacher Cassie Caringella, with
two more to attend part-time. There were six Elementary
Class students under Teacher Alicia Atkinson. Fourteen
preschoolers had begun a day earlier under Teacher Cindy
Edmunds.
Concentration this fall will be on U.S. history, human
biology and health. The students began immediately
preparing a presentation for Whittier Friends School
Sunday at First Friends Church, September 14. The
traditional event was titled “Fruits of the Spirit” (see
article on back of calendar page). An eagerly awaited
special event was the school trip to the Los Angeles
County Fair which occurred in late September. On
October 26 they will stage their Chili Cook-Off benefit
dinner (see page 6).
What did the Intermediate students have to say about
going back to school after a fun-filled summer vacation?
Anathea Woirhaye, 7th grade, said: “We’re glad to be
back.” Avon Dhawal, 7th grade said: “Hope it will be
fun!” Hunter Collins, 7th grade added: “It will be!” and
Ashley Ryder, 5th grade, just said: “Yay!” Part-time
Intermediate students Shreeya Dhawal (4th grade) and
James Tucker (8th grade) were not available for comment.
WFS students look forward to another year of
learning adventures and we at First Friends will enjoy our
participation with them.
– Bob Newton
Dear First Friends, Once again it is Stewardship time. I am writing this to entice all of you to read your Stewardship
letters joyfully when they arrive and send back your Intention for Giving card with your Faith Promise. We are all on
the First Friends journey and opening a new chapter in our beautiful Meeting. I am excited for the changes that are
coming and look forward to something new.
– Pat Garland, Clerk of Business and Finance
4
Elliots and Guests Bring “The
Magic Kingdom” to AFFN
A privileged peak behind the scenes of Disney’s
Magic Kingdom is becoming an annual treat for All
Friends Fellowship Night goers. At the first AFFN
gathering of the fall season on September 10, Elisabeth
and Michael Elliot once again gave Friends a look at some
of the daily (and nightly) operations of the world’s largest
and most famous entertainment company.
Michael is a master electrician and technical designer
at the Disneyland Resort, and one of the many people
responsible for lighting systems at the Park. His career has
taken him to Japan and China to help build Disney parks
in those countries (everyone in the world wants a
Disneyland!). A year ago, Michael reported to an
enthralled AFFN audience his experiences working on
Hong Kong Disneyland. This time, Michael described an
all-Disney technical conference which featured, among
many projects, the technology behind the realistic snow
animation in Frozen. At first glance, this may seem a
simple thing, but Disney animators had many challenges
in recreating snow “behavior.” For instance, how do you
get snow to stick to the boots of the characters as they
walk? While “talking shop” casually with another
attendee, Michael found that he was talking with Dennis
Muren, the multiple Academy Award-winning special
effects supervisor of Star Wars, among other film classics.
Elisabeth works for Disneyland as a coordinator of
Guest Talent Programs, a performance and educational
department at the Resort. She and over a hundred
colleagues shepherd various theatrical and musical youth
groups from all over the world through intensive
workshop and performance preparation experiences as
well as their own performance on a Disneyland stage.
Elisabeth brought three of her fellow coordinators to
AFFN. Max Gentzler, a retired printer, came with his
wife, Judy and told amusing stories of the instant
problem-solving that has to be done to get a group ready
for their performance. For instance, when a concert band
member forgets about his shoes, Max may have to
“remake” his athletic shoes—with black tape!
Sue DeVillez is a former high school and private
dance instructor turned performance coach for youth
marching ensembles. Some of the groups, such as
marching bands, get the thrill of marching down Main
Street USA. During the busy holiday season, these include
many of the bands which march in the Tournament of
Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.
Mohammed Jaffrey not only works with performing
arts groups but also with students in science, art and
student leadership with the Disney Youth Education
Series. For instance, he and his colleagues bring the
properties of motion alive by helping groups build their
own model roller coaster. Recently, he went to the
Ecuadorian Amazon as part of a Disney volunteer
community-building mission. It is fair to say that
Mohammed has more big things in his future—he was
named VoluntEAR of the Year at the Resort and is now a
semi-finalist to become one of two Disney Ambassadors,
who serve as the Resort’s international “Emissaries of
Goodwill” as well as media representatives and official
hosts to Resort guests.
All four Disney Cast Members told intriguing stories
about their experiences, which have included everything
from soothing agitated “stage parents” to the thrill and
challenge of stage managing a marching band of 650
musicians! They also spoke of Walt Disney, his impact on
American culture and his implicit mission to educate
youth that continues to this day.
The pot-luck supper that accompanied our behind-thescenes Disneyland adventure was an outstanding buffet
with summertime fruits. Following the program, Friends
visited with our guests from Disney and expressed their
great appreciation to them, Elisabeth and Michael and to
hosts Ted and Mary Marshburn.
– Bob Newton
Learn About Pumpkin
Carving At AFFN
Join us for All Friends Fellowship Night on
Wednesday, October 8 to see a presentation of photos and
videos of spectacular Wright family pumpkin carvings
compiled from Dan Wright’s archives going back over a
dozen years. This is the first time documentation of this
exhaustive body of work has been assembled together in
its entirety, sure to amaze and inspire. You may never
look at Jack-o-lantern carving the same way again!
Join us in Fellowship Hall for potluck dinner at 6 p.m.
with the program to follow from 7 to 8 p.m. Please sign
up in the courtyard if you plan to attend, and bring a main
dish, salad or dessert and $1 or $3 per person if you do
not bring a dish. Drinks and bread will be provided. There
is no charge for children 12 or under with parents.
October 2014
Sun
Mon
Tues
Schedule for Sundays
Unprogrammed Worship—9:30a
First Day Classes—9:30a
Meeting for Worship—11:00a
5
12:30p
Quarterly
Meeting of
Clerks
6
7
1:30p Writing 7:00a
Class
Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
9:15a
Trustees
7:00p
Handbell
Choir
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
1
2
7:00p Quaker 7:00p Choir
Men’s
Rehearsal
Evening
Group
3
4
6:30p Friday
Family Flicks
presenting:
Harry Potter
and the
Sorcerer’s
Stone
8
6:00p AFFN
9
7:00p Choir
Rehearsal
10
11
12
13
12:15p Monthly
Friendly
Meeting
Fare
Deadline
10:00a
Quiltmakers
1:30p Writing
Class
14
7:00a
Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
7:00p
Handbell
Choir
15
16
Living Light 7:00p Choir
Rehearsal
Deadline
7:00p Quaker
Men’s
Evening
Group
17
18
19
20
1:30p Writing
Class
6:00p
Monthly
Mission
Monday
21
7:00a
Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
7:00p
Handbell
Choir
22
23
7:00p Choir
Editors
Rehearsal
Compose
Living Light
7:00p Quaker
Men’s
Evening
Group
24
25
27
10:00a
Quiltmakers
1:30p Writing
Class
28
7:00a
Spiritual
Growth &
Quaker Men
7:00p
Handbell
Choir
29
30
Living Light 7:00p Choir
Rehearsal
Folding
7:00p Quaker
Men’s
Evening
Group
31
Halloween
Whittier
College
Sunday
3:00p New
Century Singers
Concert
26
12:15p
Outreach
Meeting
12:15p WFS
Chili Cook-Off
Alicia Atkinson
Judith Austin
Glenus Bateman
Christopher Berardino
Jude Berardino
Stacy Bouchard
Betsy Bradley
Robert Browning
Charles Browning
Wanda Caldwell
Barbara Carty
Joy Creelman
Susie Cush
Kim Haynes
Nathan Jones
Adam Kawamura
Ruth Marshall
David Marshburn
Paul Marshburn
Anne McIntosh
Ron Memmelaar
Kara Peterson
Suanne Ramirez
Kathleen Robison
Sharon Rollins
Maureen Russell
Vi Smith
Beth Strader
Jasmine Sturr
Kathryn Weber
Loren Woirhaye
Michael Wood
Anna Wright
Bill Wright
Kirk Wright
If we've missed your
birthday, we apologize
(and happy birthday)!
We're working hard to
keep our bir thda y
calendar up-to-date so
please let us know if
we're forgetting anyone.
Thank you!
Friends School Sunday Marks
WFS 40th Anniversary
Mission Monday done the
Wright Way
Whittier Friends School 4th grader Matthew Horbino
and Intermediate School teacher Cassie Caringella
welcomed worshippers to Meeting on Friends School
Sunday, September 14. The service was carried out almost
entirely by the students. 8th grader Avon Dhawal read the
keynote Scripture, Galatians 5:22-23, which enumerates
“Fruits of the Spirit,” setting the theme for the service.
The worship message consisted of quotations from
famous personages such as Martin Luther King Jr. and
Mother Teresa on the transforming power of spiritual
attributes, such as kindness, faithfulness and self-control.
These statements were read by Avon, Matthew Horbino
and Matthew Quesada. Elyse Woirhaye gave the offertory
prayer and read two additional quotations. The offering
was collected by ushers Anathea Woirhaye, Hunter
Collins and Shreeya Dhawal.
Ashley Ryder led the Children’s Message, asking the
large group of youngsters (the whole school population
plus others): “What is your favorite fruit?” and “What are
the fruits that you don’t eat?,” then introducing the
concept of fruits of the spirit. Additional quotations by St.
Francis de Sales and Norman Vincent Peale were read by
Hunter and Anathea, rounding out the students’ portion of
the worship message. Then the whole WFS student body,
including preschoolers, lined up with the choir to sing
Handel’s anthem “My Song Shall Be Alway.”
A second part of the worship message took the form
of a statement by Brendon Woirhaye, a member of the
school’s first graduating class 40 years ago, read by
Lynda Ladwig. Brendon credited WFS with helping him
d ev elop
the
discipline and
r es p e c t
f or
learning that has
resulted in his
successful career
in
high-tech
communications.
Lynda
herself
has
been
a
strong
school
supporter, having served on the School Committee. She
gave a thumbnail sketch of the school’s development
since it was first conceived by the First Friends Religious
Education Committee.
During the open sharing period, several worshippers
rose to tell of their gratitude to WFS for giving an
excellent education to their children or grandchildren.
Matthew Quesada and Elementary Teacher Alicia
Atkinson asked for introduction of guests and
Five Wrights most certainly do not make a wrong.
Milton, Donna, Dan, Lea and Philip Wright joined Lynda
Ladwig in the school playground on Monday evening
September 15 to sand a picnic table and prepare it for
painting at a future date. With the sanding project behind
us we moved to repainting some of the worn yellow lines
that designate the hopscotch area, redefined the tetherball
court and other areas that needed to be defined by the
distinctive yellow line. Satisfied that our little group had
done right by the school we continued our fellowship
around the water cooler filled with ice water on this
September evening with the temperature still in the 90s.
Next month’s Mission Monday will take place on
October 20, 2014 and our efforts will benefit the Whittier
First Day Coalition. In addition to the Emergency
housing that First
Day can make
available they also
provide transitional
living space. This
allows additional
time to those who
have demonstrated
willingness
and
determination to
move toward self
sufficiency. After a
job has been secured
an individual can
retain their residency to accumulate sufficient funds to
acquire permanent and stable housing.
One of the necessities in running a household
whether for your own family or for a community in need
is towels, yes, that’s right, bath towels, wash cloths, hand
towels. First Day is willing to take used towels that still
have some life in them. So, come join us in Fellowship
Hall and bring a towel or two. You may be surprised by
what a little creative fun, a few towels and great
fellowship will produce. If you can’t make it on October
20 at 6 p.m., but would like to help with a donation of
towels, they can be dropped off in the church foyer or
given to Lynda Ladwig.
– Lynda Ladwig
announcements and closed the meeting with a short
prayer.
After the rise of Meeting, everyone was invited to
take their courtyard refreshments to the school for an
open-house visit.
– Bob Newton
5
Carol Urner Recognized For
Life-Long Peace Work
During most of her adult life Carol Urner has been an
energetic and outspoken advocate of nuclear disarmament,
as well as a teacher and social worker among the downtrodden populations of many of the world’s poorest
countries. On May 30, 2014, the Congressional Record
printed a tribute to Carol and her “vision for a safer
world” submitted by a congressman from Oregon, her
summer residence. On September 7, Carol was honored
with a special framed certificate of recognition by the
United Nations Association chapter of Whittier, her
winter residence.
The presentation was made at an afternoon garden
party at a beautiful home in the Whittier Hills, cosponsored by the Los Angeles chapter of the Women’s
International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).
For the past many years, Carol has been an officer of
WILPF and a prominent peace lobbyist at the United
Nations and in Washington D.C. Listed among the local
co-sponsors were the Whittier Interfaith Council, First
Friends and several other Whittier congregations.
The program titled “Our Nuclear Future” centered
around the under-appreciated continuing danger to life on
earth from the existence of large arsenals of nuclear
weapons in several nations and the problem-ridden
dependence on nuclear power in many places.
Jacqueline Cabasso, an authority who writes, speaks
and testifies about nuclear weapons abolition, led the
discussion with Carol acting as moderator. Jackie is
Executive Director of the Western States Legal
Foundation, a prominent anti-nuclear advocacy group in
California. Prompted by Carol’s leading questions, Jackie
described the concerns of the international anti-nuclear
movement. She emphasized that this topic was urgently
discussed in the early 1980s, but since the end of the Cold
War has received less and less public attention despite the
on-going danger of nuclearization of the developed
nations. Recent political unrest in Eastern Europe and the
Mideast and alarming nuclear power plant disasters like
Chernobyl and Fukushima have served to revive public
awareness of our common danger.
Jackie and Carol both emphasized that it is essential
to maintain a positive and optimistic approach to denuclearization efforts. Despite disturbing political
developments, they see several reasons to hope that their
message is gaining ground. One is the anti-nuclear
campaign launched by the International Red Cross, which
sees “no effective way of delivering humanitarian
assistance to victims” after a nuclear explosion. Another is
the growth of Mayors for Peace. Founded and headed by
the mayor of Hiroshima, this organization, which now has
6,276 member cities in 160 countries, including 213 in the
U.S. and 32 in California, launched a “Vision Campaign”
in 2009, looking toward a nuclear-weapon-free world by
2020.
After an hour’s presentation by Jackie and Carol, the
attendees, numbering about 100, broke into four smaller
groups for individual discussions over refreshments. The
discussion attended by this reporter was moderated by our
Methodist friend, Bill Miller, well known at First Friends
Church for his pulpit appearances. Bill was instrumental
in getting a feature article about Carol and her life-long
mission in the Sunday, September 7, Whittier Daily News.
He solicited responses from his table gathering about what
reasons for hope they saw for nuclear disarmament and
how we might best build upon them. Each of the four
table-groups reported briefly to a reconvened assembly to
conclude the afternoon’s activities. After the meeting
adjourned, attendees lingered into the twilight to listen to
Holly Overin and her trio sing peace-theme ballads, and to
congratulate Carol Urner on her U.N. Association tribute.
– Bob Newton
Quaker Life Subscription
Announcement
Time to Renew! It is time for our Meeting to renew
our subscriptions to Quaker Life. If you don’t subscribe
to this magazine already, you will want to add your name
to the list. As part of our group, subscriptions cost just
$20.00 per year. To begin a subscription or renew your
current one, forward your payment to the church office.
Checks should be made payable to First Friends
Church with Quaker Life written in the memo field.
Please respond with your payment no later than
November 15.
– Mary Boltz
6
WFS Chili Cook-Off To Be
Seasonal And Scary
Meet Eric Bald: One Of Our
Newer Members
Eric Bald’s father, Louis Bald, immigrated to Canada
from Germany after World War II. His mother, Elizabeth,
from Romania, was a displaced person after the war and
she also found her way to Canada where she met her
husband-to-be. They married in Canada and Eric’s older
sister was born there. But Eric was born after they moved
to California. Eric grew up in Temple City, and attended
its public schools through high school. He received an AA
degree from Pasadena City College followed by
certification as a paramedic at Mt. San Antonio College.
Then from Cal Poly Pomona he received an AB degree in
Botany and Microbiology and later a Masters Degree. He
is a member of the National Honor Society for
Agriculture.
Eric worked as an Emergency Room Technician in
Pasadena and Covina for several years while also in the
Pasadena Fire Department Reserves. Eric is now
employed in the Hazardous Material Division of the L.A.
County Fire Department. His official title is “Hazardous
Material Specialist.” He does inspections, investigation of
crimes when indicated, and at times he also does cleanups.
If contamination is present he will have oversight of a
cleanup. He is deputized as a Health Officer. He
cofounded a biotech company, ProteoNova, Inc. located
in Pasadena. He enjoys outdoor activities including
fishing, boating, hiking, climbing and gardening. He is
said to be a good handyman also.
One day, about three years ago, while at work doing
an inspection in Whittier, Eric noted a Friends church at
the corner of Philadelphia and Washington. This piqued
his interest because during his childhood his home backed
up to the Pacific Ackworth Friends School in Temple
City. The school had a garden with extra land behind it.
Eric asked if he could use some of that land for a garden
Whittier Friends School’s 40th Anniversary festivities
continue this month with the annual Chili Cook-Off
scheduled for Sunday, October 26. For a monster of a
good time, plan to attend this “Science is Scary (And
Fun!)” luncheon at the rise of meeting (approximately
12:15 p.m.).
If you would like to bring food, choose between a pot
of chili, a non-chili main dish, chili toppings (such as
cheese or sour cream), corn bread, or homemade dessert,
bringing enough for 2 dozen servings. Plug in your crockpot at Fellowship Hall as you make your way to church
that day, and then join the school for a great afternoon of
scary science.
Along with the usual chili contest (with gift certificate
prizes!) there will be a Halloween-science-themed
musical performance by preschool through 8th grades and
a science-themed costume parade. Guests are strongly
encouraged to dress up in their best science costumes as
well.
Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning October 6
and must be purchased by Friday, October 24 at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are $3.00 in advance if you bring food, but an
additional $5.00 at the door if you have not brought food .
Tickets at the door will be $10.00, or $5.00 with a food
item. For WFS student performers there is no charge.
P.S.: October 26 will also be the final day to turn in
pre-sale orders for the WFS annual Nut and Candy Sale.
Order forms for the nut sale are available now.
– Cassie Caringella
Upcoming Whittier Friends School Events
Dec 14: FFC/WFS Christmas Dinner & Program
Jan 16: History Day Presentations, grades 4-8
Jan 24: Rummage Sale/Parking Lot Sale
Feb 27: WFS Grandparents Day
Mar 24: Science Fair/Open House
May 16: WFS Spring Event – Dinner, Auction, and Show.
and his request was granted. He grew zucchini and a
variety of other vegetables there. So he was interested in
this “new” Friends Church in Whittier and began
attending our meeting. He became an active member in
April 2013.
Eric married Lanning Zhu in December 2012 and they
are expecting their first child in February 2015. When he
has a chance to travel it may be to the Bay Area,
Mammoth, or China! Eric’s mother, Elizabeth, frequently
attends church with him. His father passed away about 7
years ago. Be sure to say hello the next time you see Eric,
Lanning or Elizabeth and be sure to keep your hazardous
waste out of the landfill!
– Ted Marshburn
7
Loletta Brings First
Fall-Season Message
Loletta Barrett, who served us as Interim Pastor in the
spring of 2012, returned to the pulpit on September 7 as
our candidate for settled pastor. Her selection was
announced by the Pastoral Search Committee at the
August Monthly Meeting and approved by the Meeting on
September 14.
We felt selected by Loletta also as she confided that
although she has provided pastoral service to a number of
congregations in the area in past years, she has never felt
more spiritually led to become a part of a particular
worship community than while contemplating the
possibility of coming to First Friends.
The theme of Meeting for Worship and of Loletta’s
message was “Gathered in Light.” After she spoke to the
children, the day’s Scriptures, from Matthew 18 (“For
where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there
among them”) and Romans 13 (“Let us then…put on the
armor of light”) were read by Ellie Bewley, who clerked
the Pastoral Search Committee.
Proceeding into her message, Loletta stated that while
she was interim pastor she came to increasingly appreciate
Friends’ concept of “the presence in the midst” and our
emphasis on the image of light. She outlined some
fundamental principles which have especially inspired her
since her time with us two years ago:
1. God’s love for us, his children, is limitless and
enduring.
2. We were created to be co-creators of His world.
3. We are called by Jesus to build the beloved
community of God.
4. We are called to be open to the leadings of the
Spirit.
She called us, as Friends and Christians, to be
representatives of Jesus in spreading the light. Such a
perspective on Christianity would seem to mirror, to a
high degree, the most essential viewpoints of Friends.
Loletta’s visit coincided with the return of the fall
Sunday worship schedule, and also the return of the choir,
which sang Wonacott’s “God Is Here”. Long-time
member Preston Mitchell, who was visiting, played the
lovely “Ashokan Farewell” on his flute. Bill Wright in the
open worship was moved to read the text of one of his
favorite hymns, “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.”
After the rise of Meeting, Friends gathered to renew
their acquaintance with Loletta in a joyous reception in
Fellowship Hall.
– Bob Newton
Tribute to John G. Whittier
Winds Up Summer Worship
The faith of John Greenleaf Whittier was the theme of
the last summertime Meeting for Worship, held August
31. Bill Wright’s message on the life and work of the
Quaker poet was interspersed with readings by Bill and
others from some of the best known Whittier poems.
Bill acknowledged an essay by Rufus Jones on
Whittier’s religious faith as the source for much of his
message material. Whittier was an ardent abolitionist and
many of his early poems, written from 1830 to 1860,
reproached the institution of human slavery. Other poems,
such as “Our Master”, read by Elisabeth Elliot,
paraphrased Whittier’s deep personal faith in a loving
God. George Bouchard read “The Eternal Goodness,”
familiar to Quakers as a hymn text, one of seven hymns
based on Whittier poems in the older First Friends
hymnal. Bill read at length from one of Whittier’s bestknown religious poems, “The Brewing of Soma” which
contains the passage beginning “Dear Lord and Father of
Mankind,” familiar as a hymn to most Protestant
churches, as well as to Friends. Bill read the entire text of
the hymn.
The effectiveness of Bill’s worship message was
enhanced by the intimacy of the small circle of chairs in
Fellowship Hall, which has been our venue during the
month of August. During the open sharing period Anne
McIntosh expressed gratitude for the leading to try this
smaller, closer worship mode.
Oboist Evan Sanchez made a fine contribution to this
extraordinary Meeting for Worship by playing J.S. Bach’s
“Airoso,” accompanied by Russ Litchfield on the piano.
The simple setting lent itself to appreciation of the music
of this fine young instrumentalist. Evan will head back
this month to the Guild Hall Conservatory in London to
begin his second year of study under a renowned oboist.
Thanks to Russ Litchfield for his part in our unique
experiment in Friends worship.
– Bob Newton
8 Return Service Requested
Postmaster: send address changes to:
The Living Light
First Friends Church
13205 Philadelphia St
Whittier, CA 90601–4303
Periodicals
Postage Paid at
Whittier California
The Living Light
USPS 316-320
Volume 53 Number 10
Issue Date: October 1, 2014
The Living Light is published monthly by First
Friends Church, 13205 Philadelphia Street, Whittier,
California, 90601-4303. Periodical postage paid at
Whittier, California.
Bob Newton...................................Editor
Elisabeth Elliot...............Associate Editor
Sabron Newton .................... Copy Editor
Lynda Ladwig.....Acting Associate Pastor
..........& 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
Peace Café To Return
On Saturday, November 22, Fellowship Hall will once again be turned into a
simple coffeehouse known as the Peace Café. JoNita Beede and Holly Overin, two
of our own creative song writers, will host another evening of song, poetry,
photography, and art, along with specialty vendors and educational information on
peace and social justice issues. Lending a helping hand will be Carrin Bouchard,
who will oversee and serve a simple meal with tea, coffee, drinks and desserts. The
doors open at 6:00 p.m. and close at 10:00 p.m.
Donations received during this event will cover the expense of hosting the
Peace Café any additional funds will go towards scholarships for the Summer 2015
Peace Camp. Peace Camp is offered to children of our meeting and the community
to teach conflict resolution, how to fellowship in love, and how to treat our planet
with kindness. At 8:00 p.m. there will be a 15 minute power point presentation
sharing the why behind and importance of teaching peace to the youth
The Peace Café event was created to offer a place where one can walk in, learn,
sit, and share with others in peace. JoNita and Holly want to invite more people to
share their gifts in music, art, words or dance, and to connect with other
organizations which work for peace, justice, or humanity. If you know of a person
or organization that might like to attend or participate, please give them our flyer
with the details and contact information.
– Carrin Bouchard, Outreach Committee
Please
remember in
prayer
those Friends
unable to
worship with
us regularly.
Peggy Anderson
Judith Austin
Audrey & Carlos Bailey
Helen & Jack Carlisle
Jack Phinney
Maureen Russell
Vi Smith
Ami Troedsson
Gerry Wolfe