"Ticked . . ."

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

As I got on the coach Wednesday morning at YMG (Yearly Meeting Gathering) the Friend from BYM standing by the bus said "You've been ticked." I chuckled and said "I know what you mean by that, but in the States 'ticked' has a different meaning."

This incident reminded me of the difference there are in our languages. Like the word 'ticked' - this Friend meant that she had checked me off on her list - in the US 'ticked' would mean that your angry, upset or 'pissed off!' I knew this Friend didn't mean that she was angry, upset or pissed off at me - or that I was at her.

There have been other words . . .

Tuesday as I was leaving one of the upper floors of the Humanities building, after my 'Scouting and Guiding Conversation' workshop, I decided not to walk down the stairs, but rather take the 'elevator' . . . ugh 'lift!' WHOOPS, I actually said 'elevator' in front of a couple of British Friends . . . I caught myself and corrected myself quickly.

During my quilting workshops I tried to remember that what I call 'batting' here they call it 'wadding.' 

In my Scouting workshop Friends talked about Remembrance Marches - which was something that British Friends had issues with. Which led to some discussion as to how Young Friends might still be able to participate - doing it in a Quaker way. I had to ask if they were 'marching' (giving demonstration of that) and I was told no, they were just walking, so it was more the manor of the walk.

So whilst I've been traveling through England the last couple of weeks, even though we all speak English - not all of our words have the same meaning and in some cases we use totally different words for the same thing.

Some of my favorite phrases are "Mind the crack" a "Mind your step." With Friends one might use the phrase "Mind your words!" In the US we would say "Watch your step" and "Watch your words."

I know that there are a lot of other words I could have used here, but being told that I had been 'ticked' kinda made my day!

 

Walking the Labyrinth . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

After breakfast this morning, I thought of taking another quick walk through the gardens at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, before getting my bags and heading to the car to leave. I did a bit of that and then found myself redirected . .  . to the labyrinth.

OK, why not? I had thought about walking it when I was here on Wednesday and again yesterday, but for one reason or another, I didn't. Someone else was walking it. I didn't know how to do it. It just didn't feel right. However, this morning something was different . . . it felt right to do so.

I found the beginning and started on my way. At some of the curves I stumbled a bit, as I sometimes stumble in life. Sometimes the path became a bit unclear, again as in life I thought.

Along the way I saw the morning dew on the grass . . .

I saw leaves . .  .

I saw tiny flowers growing - some were purple and some were white . . .

I saw one small white feather . . . and a few steps later, there was another.

It was quiet . . .

The labyrinth had a beginning and an end - just as my journey through England has . . . just as in life I thought.

Walking the labyrinth this morning seemed so right . . . Was it the right way to end this journey? Was it the way to begin a new journey? Only time will answer these questions . . . or will it?

It was time to slow myself down and to take a bit of time to thank God for all the blessings of the last two weeks.

A time to think of all my Friends - new and old, those I've met before and those I was meeting for the first time. Friends I have known online, Friends I've blogged with, Friends I met in Peru at FWCC World Plenary last year, Friends from an online course just completed through Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre . . . and oh so many new Friends!

Time to recall all the HUGS, conversations, laughter . . . and sometimes tears.

Thoughts of what does God have in store for me next? When I get home? Next week? Next month? Next year?

I'll wait patiently . . . and listen.



The Ministry of Tissues and Tissue Covers . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV 



Package of tissues

Before I went to Friends World Committee of Consultation World Plenary in Pisac, Peru in January of 2016 I decided that I wanted to make something to take with me that I could give to Friends I met at the Plenary. Nothing big, just a little something that they could take home with them.

I had seen several patterns for making small fabric covers for the travel sized tissues and I thought that would be perfect . . . OK, maybe not so much for the gentlemen, but the ladies could use them. I made about 80 or so from many different fabrics and even sewed a label inside with my name, Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting and FWCC World Plenary, Pisac, Peru 2016 on them.



 

A sampling of tissue covers

The tissue covers and tissues were a big hit! There were several Friends, from around the world that I knew were going to be there that I wanted to give one to, the rest - given out randomly to Friends that touched me in some way - Friends in my Home Group, Friends I had conversations with that I found very deep and touching, Friends that I passed and just wanted to share with. 



One of those new Friends that I met in Pisac, Peru who came from England has become a really good F/friend of mine. We connected on Facebook and chat both publically and privately there. When she found out that I would be coming to England this summer for YMG (Yearly Meeting Gathering) she said I needed to bring tissues and covers with me. OK, easy enough.



Gallon bag of 80 tissue covers

I made time during the year to stop and cut out fabric, stitch the covers, make labels with my name, Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting and YMG 2017 on them and sewed them in the seams. I made around 80 covers and went to the store and purchased the tissues to go inside.

I've been at YMG for five days now and I find that I have passed out between 30-40 tissues and covers to Friends. Friends I've only known through Facebook or the Quaker Alphabet Blog, a Friend I met this summer whilst taking an online course through Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre and Friends that I've met this week and just had a conversation with.

The first three recipients at YMG were the Clerks. Sunday evening after the business session had ended, I made my way down to the Clerk's table where the Clerk and the two assistant Clerks were standing. I put my tote on the table and took out three packages of tissues, handing one to each of the Clerks . . . the Clerk made a comment about expecting more tears, which I didn't quite understand. I had received the email from the YMG the day before I left to come across the Pond which encouraged Friends to bring something to YMG to share/give to other Friends. I explained that I did not make these after receiving the email that they had already been made and packed. Each Clerk was then able to pick-out the cover they'd like to have.

The Friends in the group I'm with this week got tissues and covers. Friends that have blessed me with conversations have received them. Friends I've seen as I've walked from here to there have received them. Friends I've been in workshops with have also received tissues and covers. This evening, several young Friends also received packages of tissues and covers . . . it just seemed like the thing to do!

Tissues in a cover

I attended a workshop Tuesday afternoon, put on by one of the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre tutors on ministry. On the way back to my room and dinner I stopped at the corner, where two Friends were talking - one from England and one from Bolivia . . . I handed them and another Friend tissues and then offered them tissue covers for them.

As I said earlier, there is no rhyme or reason as to who choose to give the tissues and tissue covers to. Sometimes I choose Friends that I know or have known . . . but most of the time it's just random - call it a random act of kindness if you will . . . this evening I've seen it as a ministry. YIKES!!!! There I go using that "m" word again!

The faces on the Friends that I share the tissues and covers with are priceless, as I hand them the package of tissues first and then dig the bag of covers out of my tote. This brings joy to my heart!

So, last year Friends from around the world received the gift of a small package of tissues and a tissue cover from me . . . this year it's Friends at YMG in England - British Friends, Scottish Friends, a Bolivian Friend, a Friend from New Zealand, a Friend from Canada, a mother & her daughter from Germany, a Friend from Finland and some American Friends.

I traveled to England in part not to merely attend YMG as a visitor, but to participate as fully as I could . . .

I came to YMG to learn . . .

I came to YMG to share with Friends . . .

I've been blessed by Friends here this week . . .

Who's next????

How does this ministry touch those who are on the receiving end????

Where will this ministry go next?????

'O' is for Organ . . .

 "And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

'O' is for organ . . . Western Yearly Meeting is blessed to have an amazing pipe organ in the Meetingroom along with several talented/gifted Friends who play it during Yearly Meeting sessions and other times throughout the year.

As I sat in Yearly Meeting sessions, last July, looking at the organ and listening to Friends play it I decided that I would have to share it with you. The following is the organ's history taken from the posting next to the organ:

"The organ was built in 1899 by August Prante & Sons. It was first installed in the Assumption Roman Catholic Church on Blaine Avenue in southwest Indianapolis and served there until that church closed around 1990. The building was then taken over by St. Athanasius Church, a Byzantine rite congregation which does not use musical instruments. The bellows leather deteriorated and by 1996 the organ was unplayable. Because of a leaking window behind the instrument, the floor under the organ required repair and the instrument was put on the market. The organ celebrated its centennial with a move to its present location & a complete restoration in 1999.

The Prante family were organbuilders for at least three generations. The father, Joseph Charles Prante, emigrated with his family from the Westphalia district of Prussia in 1852. By 1856 the family was in Louisville, Kentucky. Prante built several instruments from a small organ shop at St. Meinrad, Indiana before returning to Kentucky and southern Indiana. By 1896 his four sons were also identified with the business. August died in 1900 and the sons continued the business into the 1920's. There are only four Prante instruments still in existence, all from August Prante's workshop. A twin to the Plainfield organ, also from 1899, is located in St. Phillip Neri Church in Louisville.

The moving and restoration of the organ was carried out by Goulding and Wood, Organbuilders, of Indianapolis. They remarked about the solid construction and good workmanship of the instrument. It consists of 896 pipes in 16 ranks or sets, five of which are of wood and the remaining 11 of zinc and pipe metal, an alloy of tin and lead. Two of the stops are for the pedal keyboard and seven each are for the manual keyboards. Two of the stops are reeds, the Oboe and the Trumpet. The swellbox is elevated at the back of the organ, allowing better projection of the sound. The action of the organ is entirely mechanical, called "tracker action" and the original hand pump projects from the left rear of the organ so that it can be played without any electricity being available. A modern Swiss electric blower is now attached. The colors of the exposed pipes and the stenciling designs, reminiscent of those used at the time the organ was built were selected and applied by Marilyn  Wittmer-Etchison. This Victorian era design and the oak paneling on the case sides allow the instrument to blend into the atmosphere of our 157 year old Meetinghouse."

This year I am not attending/participating in Western Yearly Meeting sessions as I am across the Pond traveling around England (see the blogs I'm publishing about that journey). Instead . . . I'll be attending/participating in YMG 2017 with over 1,300 British Friends and guests! So whilst I'll be missing hearing this beautiful organ being played this weekend . . . I'm enjoying visiting 1652 Territory/The Lake District and the beginning of my visit to YMG and seeing old Friends and meeting so many new Friends.

Western Yearly Meeting is truly blessed!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

'O' is for "Old Maid's Puzzle" block . . . A fairly simple block, often taught to beginning quilters. This block only contains squares and half-square triangles. The colors you choose and how you arrange the blocks will have an impact on your finished quilt.

This block also appears to look a lot like the 'Fox and Geese' block. Perhaps this is yet another one of those blocks that has multiple names.

Making several of these blocks and rotating them in different ways can give the illusion of a new block. Adding sashing or placing the blocks on point achieves even more variations.

I don't have a photo of my "Old Maid's Puzzle" block with me, so I'll have to post a photo when I get home.

 

Ministries in Action . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

 

This morning, as we rode the train from Paddington Station (in London, England) on our way up to Heathrow Airport, I got to thinking about several situations that happened to us whilst we were out and about yesterday . . .

 

The first happened to us on the east side of London. After traveling some time by double decker bus and stopping for breakfast we walked around looking for a fabric shop that a Friend had found online. We arrived at the destination only to find that that shop had closed and that it wasn't believed that they had relocated. Bummer! BUT . . . we were redirected to the west side of London where we were told there was a whole street of fabric stores!

 

The second situation occurred during our train ride, to the west side of London. A young Asian man had mistakenly gotten on our train instead of another.

 

Not one, not two but three of his fellow passengers offered him help! All talking to him and pointing to the map above the windows several times showing him where we were and where/when he needed to get off and switch to a different train to take him to the airport. All working together to help this stranger get to where he needed to be.

 

A member of our group, who is familiar with the train system, offered him help. She knew where he needed to get off and told him to get off the stop after we did.

 

A young man sitting next to him offered help. He too was getting off before the other young man needed to get off and would have stayed to help, but would have been late to where he was going.

 

And a woman sitting next to him also offered help. After a while, she said she wasn't in any hurry so she would ride to the end of the line with him and make sure he got there. 

 

The third situation happened after we got off the train . . .

 

We arrived at our stop and looked down the street - yes, just as we had been told on the east side of London, this street was full of fabric shops! BUT . . .  where to begin?? I was the one looking for fabrics, specifically cottons that I could take home and use in some sort of quilting project or projects. The Friend leading our little group noticed the two Jehovah Witnesses standing nearby and approached one of the ladies and asked her.

 

We were told that we might find what we were looking for in the 'market' across the street or in one of the many shops down the street. We walked a ways through the 'market' and didn't see anything fitting what I was looking for, so we went back out to the street and started searching there.

 

After a walking several blocks and checking out several fabric stores, we found a very nice little spot to sit and rest and have cups of tea, coffee and bottles of water.

 

About two or three shops later I found some floral calicos that I thought I could work with and I purchased five and a half meters altogether for what I thought was a very fair price.

 

So, ministries in action??? Yes!

 

The young lady/ladies at the location of the original fabric shop we went to that redirected us over to the west side of London, shared their knowledge with us.

 

The three strangers on the train all working together helped the Asian passenger get to where he needed to be.

 

And the Jehovah Witness who gave us suggestions as to where we might find the fabric I was searching for.

'N' is for Numbers . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV



‘N’ is for Numbers . . . it’s all about numbers!

Friends use numbers in place of names for the months of the year as well as for the days of the week. So, instead of saying today is Monday many (not all) Friends would say today is Second Day, and instead of saying June Friends would say Sixth Month.

This can be traced back to the use of numbers in the Bible – one example is when the women went to tomb, the Bible says they went on the First Day.

We talk a lot about other numbers . . . the number of members in the Monthly/Local Meeting and the Yearly Meeting. The number of members on committees – having enough members to get the work done, but not too many, enough so that no one member or group of members are overly burdened with too much work to do.

Numbers . . .

How many do we need for the program/event to go forward?

How many campers can we handle during any one week of camp?

How many campers will attend Adventure Camp?

How many Counselors and CIT’s (Counselor in Training) do we need for the week?

How many game stations will we need?

The use of numbers for the months and days of the week just happens and it only affects non-Quakers . . . trying to figure out what we’re talking about, sometimes.

A lack in the number of members in the Meeting or Yearly Meeting and/or in committees is a concern that we would spend time worrying over.

Another number that Friends might worry over would be how much money is in the treasury/bank account. How much money is coming in? How much is needed to cover our budget?

Many times we spend way too much time worrying about the numbers . . . not just as a faith body but personally as well.

Take a few minutes this week to think about all the numbers in your life and in the life of your Meeting/Church. How many of those numbers do you take for granted?

Just for fun . . . How many Quakers does it take to change a light bulb?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Floral print with solid purple
made for my oldest daughter

‘N’ is for Nine-Patch . . . Traditionally, nine-patch was one of the first blocks taught to new quilters . . . and as it turns out, other than the quilt I made back when I was in college (embroidered blocks), the first quilt block I was taught, by a couple of the quilting Friends in my Meeting, was a nine-patch!

Very simply put a nine-patch is a block that consists of nine equal squares, with the squares sewn into three rows of three squares each. This quilt block is very traditional and versatile. You can make your squares, and thus your blocks, any size you want! Cut your squares 1.5-inches and make tiny 3-inch blocks . . . OR cut your squares 10.5-inches and make large 30-inch blocks!

Different patterns seem to immerge as you mix light and dark fabrics together and solids and prints. If using a larger print – you might ‘fussy cut’ those squares or use that print just in the center of your nine-patch. Nine-patch blocks are fun and easy to cut and make – there’s nothing difficult about them. Easy enough to piece by hand or machine – the choice is yours.

My first nine-patch block

As I said earlier, the first block I was taught was a nine-patch by some Friends in my Meeting that was during Vacation Bible School. Our Christian Education Committee thought it might be good to add some classes for the adults/parents to participate in (a way to increase our attendance). One of those classes was quilting. Each participant was given 18 squares of fabric – 9 print squares and 9 solid squares. We stitched them together by hand, which took a couple of days – even taking it home each night to work on it. After our two nine-patch blocks were stitched together, marked a quilting design in each of the solid blocks, basted the nine-patch to a piece of batting and then quilted the design. The two blocks were then hand-stitched together and stuffed to make a pillow. Well, I knew I had some of the print fabric in my stash at home and I decided I wanted to make two pillows instead of one and to use pillow inserts instead of batting. Well, I have my two nine-patch blocks quilted and ready for the backings . . . all I need to do now is to put my hands on the print fabric I have, which I’ve seen it a time or two over the years, and finish my two pillows.

Pair of nine-patch pillows
High School graduation gift to a friend

I’ve made several nine-patch pillows since, and given them away as gifts, these are usually 12-inch pillows – some just as is and some with borders and eyelet lace ruffles. As you can see, all of the nine-patches here use only two fabrics.

I’ve also made two quilts that have nine-patch blocks in them. You can check them out here:

http://ishallfindgrace.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-is-for-affirmation.html

and here:

http://ishallfindgrace.blogspot.com/2015/07/i-is-for-integrity.html.

Both of these are quilts I made for myself and use.

This post is truly ALL about numbers . . . 

Pair of nine-patch pillows
Graduation gift to a Friend

'M' is for Mission Statement . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

 

‘M’ is for Mission Statement . . . I had been working on three totally different ideas for my “M” post when a fourth idea came to me during Meeting for Worship while visiting another Meeting recently when a member of that Meeting got up and spoke. This Friend talked about the need of having a Mission Statement. I got a scrap of paper out of my pocket and made a couple of quick notes for later as it hit me that this might be a better option for my “M” blog post. So here goes . . .

 

Most, if not all, businesses and organizations have a mission or purpose statement. That is a statement that lets others (the public) know who they are and what their purpose is in a nutshell, or brief statement, if you will. The mission/purpose statement will appear on printed materials, websites and the like. A mission or purpose statement can, and should be used, by a business or organization to keep themselves in check – something that they can refer to, as needed, to make sure they ARE doing what they say they will.

 

As the Clerk of Friends Committee on Scouting I’ve been asked several times over the years what our mission statement is. During our Annual Meeting in March of 2012 we reviewed and updated our committees’ Bylaws and while doing so renamed it Operations and Procedures. This included updating our Purpose Statement, which now reads:

 

Friends Committee on Scouting serves to encourage and promote the faith, history, and testimonies of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) through religious education programs for Quaker Scouts/Guides and other similar youth organizations. It does this through the development and promotion of:

 

·     Quaker Religious Awards for young Friends involved with Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts USA, Camp Fire USA, and other applicable American youth organizations, as the Committee may determine.

 

·     The Quaker Religion in Life Award for young Friends involved with Girl Guides of Canada and Scouts Canada.

 

·     Quaker resource material for faith-related badges for youth members of other Scout and Guide organizations throughout the world.

  

FCS also seeks to:

 

·     Inform Friends about Quaker Scouting/Guiding.
 

·     Represent the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) to the various national and international Scout/Guide organizations throughout the world.
 

·    Serve as a networking opportunity for Friends involved in Quaker Scouting/Guiding Recognize adult volunteers with the various national Scout/Guide organizations throughout the world with the “Friends Emblem”.

 



A little closer look . . .

There are three more Quaker Mission/Purpose Statements that are part of my Quaker faith that I will also share here:

First from my Meeting, Mooresville Friends Mission Statement, as found on our monthly newsletter:

 

“Our Mission:  As members of the Religious Society of Friends, we believe that Jesus Christ can speak to the conditions of all people.  Mooresville Friends Church seeks to become a place of renewal, healing, comfort, and love in the community.   We exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, by reaching out and sharing the love of Christ with the wider community, equipping Christians to minister as members of God’s Kingdom, and encouraging Christians to live a victorious, spirit-filled life.”

 

Second from my Yearly Meeting, Western Yearly Meeting of the Friends Church Purpose Statement:

 

“Seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Western Yearly Meeting equips Friends Meetings in the Gospel of Jesus Christ by exercising mutual care and extending cooperative ministries. Through various expressions of our Christian faith, we strive to inspire ministry and the release of gifts of leadership.”

 

And Third from Western Yearly Meeting Outreach Board, of which I am a member, I found the following mission/purposes listed in the 2016 Resource & Minute Book:

 

“This Board has two main duties. The first is to promote outreach projects throughout the yearly meeting. The second is to be good stewards of the assets we receive from our trust fund distributions.”

 

The Friend who spoke in Meeting for Worship went further than having a Mission/Purpose Statement for the corporate group and talked about having a Personal Mission Statement. An interesting thought to ponder.

 

We all have a mission in our lives, a purpose if you will, but I’m wondering how many of us, Friends or not, have ever sat down and really thought about what our mission or purpose in life is. How many of us have sat down, like a business or organization and put that mission or purpose down in writing? Sad to say that I’ve not done that . . . something to consider doing.

 

A Squirrel!

This last Wednesday when we returned to the Meeting House after lunch to continue sewing and quilting I looked up and saw something on the top of the Meeting House. What was it? We had recently had the roof replace, could the high winds have knocked some shingles loose? Looking a bit longer I realized that it was a squirrel! OK, not uncommon for squirrels to be up on the roof, but this one didn't appear to be moving. Was he/she stuck? Scarred? I had plenty of time to go into the Friendship House across the parking lot to grab my camera and take quite a few pictures. An hour or so later when I looked out the window this little squirrel was gone. But as I got ready to publish this post I was looking for pictures, and these came to my mind as they seemed to fit. As I said above, we all have a mission in our lives . . . so did/does this squirrel! If nothing more than to make us pause for a bit Wednesday to wonder 'What is that up there?' and then to wonder 'Is he/she stuck/scared?'

 

Think about it. What is your mission or purpose in life? Is it to make others pause for a bit and wonder 'What's up?' OR 'Am I stuck/scared?'  God knows what it is, but do you?

 

Writing this has reminded me of a song that we taught the students in Weekday Religious Education classes (third and fourth graders) “God Has a Plan”:

 

“God has a plan for you and me:

Only He knows what we can be

Follow His teachings and learn to trust

God has a plan for us.”



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 





2012 'Monkey

Wench' block

‘M’ is for Monkey Wrench . . . same name – different look. Monkey Wrench is another one of those quilt blocks that isn’t just one block – that is our quilting group at Mooresville Friends Meeting has made Monkey Wrench quilt blocks twice but they have totally different looks to them.



2016 'Monkey
Wrench' block

Monkey Wrench is one of the quilt blocks that is said to have been used in quilts used along the Underground Railroad here in the United States. Either alone or in a quilt with blocks of many patterns, it was a sign to the slaves to gather the tools they would need for their journey to freedom. Tools that could be used to build shelters, help determine direction, used as weapons to defend themselves (such as a Monkey Wrench), etc.


Who would have thought that I could talk about squirrels and monkeys in the same blog post and have it make some sense????