Friends United Meeting

2005 Triennial Sessions

July 13-17, 2005

Des Moines, Iowa

“And the Lamb shall overcome.”

Revelation 17:14

Plans have been underway for three years for this event, which gathers Friends from around the world who are affiliated with Friends United Meeting.

Since the conference is being held in Des Moines this summer, friends are encouraged to take part in the educational, spiritual and fellowship opportunities that will be available throughout the five days of the conference. Special speakers, music,

Bible study times, workshops, worship--both programmed and unprogrammed, Des Moines area tours, and much more,  will all be a part of the conference.

            The Triennial Sessions, including meals, will be held at the Holiday Inn Airport located at 6111 Fleur Drive in Des Moines, which is entirely reserved for the Triennial sessions. The hotel is a family-operated and special-needs accessible hotel.

            There are campgrounds available in the Des Moines area for those who prefer that alternative. Programs for the youth and children are being planned and childcare for children up to age five will be provided.

            Registration and conference information is included in the January/February 2005 issue of Quaker Life, or from the church office. This information includes a listing of all workshops, speakers, schedules and costs, campground information, etc.

The Perfect Valentine

The day of expressing one’s love in a card, a warm smile, a tender kiss, and saying “I love you” is shared by all. Long ago, Jesus, a Gift of love, was portrayed beautifully and dramatically as He hung in silence, in compassion. He expresses His love in every essence of life. He is Hope for the hopeless, Help for the helpless, Courage for the fearful, Life for mankind. He is love!

Accept Jesus, the perfect Valentine, and

wade in the depths of His love!

Valet Parking

            Our high school Sunday School youth are now providing valet parking on Sunday mornings from 9:15-9:30 a.m. and 10:15 -10:30 a.m., and will retrieve your car after worship. They will coordinate this service with the ushers. Only licensed drivers will actually be driving your cars! J

            We trust many church attenders will avail themselves of this service after a month or two of tiptoeing across the snow and ice that accumulates on the parking lot!

            Many thanks to our youth for providing this service!

Ushers Needed for Triennial

            BLFC has been asked to furnish ushers for one day for the FUM Triennial Sessions in Des Moines, July 13-17, 2005. Three men have already volunteered but an additional usher and an alternate are needed. Our day to provide ushers is Thursday, July 14, from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.  Please see John Good if you have questions or desire to help usher or be an alternate.

Opportunity to Send Youth to CQH

            Quakerdale is planning to send fifteen youth to camp at Quaker Heights this summer.  Friends are encouraged to consider helping with the $200 per youth cost. Plus there is a cost for the salary of an overnight Quakerdale staff person to be on the campgrounds. There are already some funds in place from earnings from an endowment account. If you want to contribute to the remaining need of approximately $2,500, please contact Dave Holm, Director of Spiritual Life at Quakerdale, by letter or email no later than early April.

Children’s Church

Our February lessons will involve learning about Moses and praising God.  Service projects will be to emphasize the local food box and give thanks to Glenwood nursing home workers. Children, age 5 through grade 5, are welcome to join us on February 13 and 27.

Liberty USFW

            Liberty USFW will hold a potluck Sweetheart Supper at the church on Wed, February 9^th beginning at 6:30 p.m. All adults are invited to attend this fun filled gathering! A sign up sheet will be circulating to sign up, or you may contact Kay Feltz, Darlene Bradley or Rosalee Patten if you plan to attend.

All-Church Skating Party

            Christian Ed will host another skating party at Skatetown in Marshalltown on Sunday, February 13^th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Invite your family and friends to join us for this fun evening. Kids will skate free. Everyone is invited to meet for pizza at Zeno’s at 4:30 before the skating party. Everyone will be responsible for their own pizza.

Bangor USFW

The Bangor USFW will have a workday at the church Tuesday, February 15. The ladies will gather around 9:30 a.m. to make baby blankets with the fabric that was  found under the lift last month. Bring your scissors. A soup lunch will be provided by Betty and Meg.  Lesson and business will begin around 2:00. 

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

            Everyone in the church is invited to take part in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? on Sunday, February 20^th by either hosting or being a guest for the noon meal following Worship. Sign up will take place the first two Sundays in February, and guest and locations will be revealed on Feb. 20^th. Be daring, take a chance and have some fun!

Monday Night Bible Study

We’re now in chapter 16 of the book of Luke and welcome others to join us 7:30 on Mondays. We’re meeting in homes during the winter months, so watch the bulletin for the location each week.

Vacation Bible School News

            The Christian Ed. Committee is seeking an individual or a team of individuals to be director/co-directors of our upcoming Vacation Bible School. Please contact any Christian Ed. member if you feel led to help fill this need. Planning needs to start soon for this mission event for the children of our church and local area.

The Gift of Encouragement

            One of the most powerful things one person can share with another is encouragement. Encouragement can stop a suicide, a divorce, and countless other tragedies. A word of encouragement can heal someone who is broken and wounded. It can give someone the courage to keep trying.

            Our world is full of negative, bitter, uncaring people who can’t say anything good about anyone or anything. The people of God should be a radiant contrast to the people of the world. We should bubble over with the joy of the Holy Spirit. We should find it easy to be positive and uplifting. Are you an encouragement to those around you?  Share your Christian joy!

            The Thursday morning Ladies Bible study group is currently studying the book, Encouraging One Another. New attenders are always welcome! Come join the ladies at 10:00 a.m. as they look in God’s Word for encouragement and direction.

Christian Concert in Conrad

            Jaci Velasquez, Christian singing artist, will give a concert Saturday, April 9, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the BCLUW Gym, Conrad, sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church (Jodi Simons) of Conrad and Christian radio station KNWW, Waterloo, Iowa.

            For more information or for tickets, reserved seating @ $15.00, call 641-366-2402.

House of Compassion

December & January Reports

In December we served 48 guests vegetable beef stew, peaches, bananas, cookies & ice cream. Volunteers were: Tom, Vi, Fern and Neil who provided food or donated funds; Betty and Fern, who prepared; Mary S, Chuck and Ann with their son Eric, his wife Tammy, Levi and Paige who served; Vi, Wayne T and Reg were on clean-up. Several children really enjoyed the ice cream treat of M & M Mint or Twix Candy Bar! We learned tonight that the dishwashers had delay buttons. When they were set they wouldn’t run until around midnight, after everyone had taken their showers. 

Someone brought in sweet rolls and Dutch letters from the Jaarsma bakery, which we took up to the shelter after a quick taste. You never know what you’ll find in the homeless shelter kitchen! Jean provided monitors. A man and 3 teenage boys, who were working off community service, stayed the night.

January 29 we served 40 guests hot pork sandwiches, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans w/bacon, asparagus, fruit, and pumpkin bars. Volunteers included Sharon KJ, Vi, Fern, Tom, Ann and Chuck, Bess, Veronica, Reg who donated food or money; Betty, Fern and Wayne who prepared; Vi, Ann, Shirley, Kenny and Bess who served; Tom, Don and Shirley who cleaned up and Joe and Kay who reported having a quiet night in the shelter with 6 men. A more detailed report is on the bulletin board.

Our next responsibility is February 26, another Saturday opportunity. We’ll return to Thursdays in March. Thanks to everyone for their support of this ministry.

The Library Ledge:

Marriage Builders

            Did you know a visit t your church library could improve your marriage? It’s true! During February the window ledge will display books to help you better understand your mate, spark romance, or develop deeper communication. 

            A Very Good Marriage by Tom Mullen is an inspiring collection of thoughts on what it takes to love and stay married for an extended period of time. Within this beautiful but humor filled story, there are clues for those seeking to commit to marriage for life.

            60 One-Minute Marriage Builders provides ideas for how to use just a few minutes each day to improve your relationship.

            Dating Your Mate includes 130 fun, cheap ideas to inspire your romantic side.  Check out these and others on the library ledge!

Chicago Fellowship of Friends - Prayer Concerns

           Since BLFC Missions Committee selected the CFOF as our mission project to support for a year beginning last April, we felt we should share these prayer concerns that were in a recent letter from Steve and Marlene Pedigo.

The Cabrini Green neighborhood where CFOF is located has been on a fast track of change and redevelopment for the past two years. Many buildings have been razed and new housing construction is flourishing. Many long-time residents are leaving and new residents settling in. Other entities, including some large churches, are joining this redevelopment, offering programs and facilities that mirror the CFOF programs, but with much greater capacity and funding. This fact is an occasion for praise!

Prayer Concerns:  The Chicago Fellowship of Friends Monthly Meeting, 12/12/04 approved laying down the mission of the Young Friends After-School Program on 5/27/05. Approval was also given for the FOF Oversight Board to have discretion over the disposition of Young Friends assets. In the event the building is sold, it was approved on 1/2/05 that the proceeds from the sale of the building and its assets will be given to Western Yearly Meeting.

            It was approved that the Chicago Fellowship of Friends would continue as a programmed Friends Meeting without a paid pastor for meeting for worship. Various individuals from the Fellowship of Friends will be asked to provide leadership. The ability to move forward on this basis as a meeting will be evaluated at a called meeting for business on 4/17/2005.

            The Pedigos will focus their leadership upon pastoral ministry and the Young Friends After-School Program. They assume the superintendency of Western Yearly Meeting on 7/1/05.

Please continue to pray with them as the Chicago Fellowship of Friends seeks clearness over the future of the meeting.