WILMINGTON YEARLY MEETING YOUNG FRIENDS EPISTLE 
 7/18/04

 Our theme "Workers Together with Him" suggests that we all have a role to play and our active participation is needed.  We began talking about these issues at Senior High Camp where we identified our individual gifts and brainstormed ways God could use those gifts for His glory and to build His kingdom.  We questioned ourselves, How will we use our gifts to serve God?  And How will we spend our time?

 

 On our way to a service project at Our Father's Kitchen, we heard on the radio a very appropriate song that prepared us to serve God's people.  The song is by Casting Crowns and is titled "If We Are the Body".  The lyrics are as follows:

 

It's crowded in worship today As she slips in trying to face into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know Farther than they know.

 

Chorus:
But if we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way.

 

A traveler is far away from home He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row.
The weight of their judgmental glances Tells him his chances are better off out on the road
Repeat Chorus

 

Jesus paid much too high a price For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ.
Repeat Chorus

 

Jesus is the Way!

 

 There are many questions for us to consider in this song, queries as we would call them.  And we began Yearly Meeting with discussion led by Patricia Thomas about queries.  There was now an opportunity to write queries specific to the Young Friends, if we felt this would be of some benefit.  We felt there was no time like the present and thought if we put it off it would not get done.  The Young Friends developed queries that challenge us to think about our attitudes, behaviors and values in many different areas of our lives.  These queries will be submitted to the Queries committee to become part of the revises Faith and Practice.

 

 After Bible study and group sharing on Saturday morning, we enjoyed a six mile kayak trip on the Little Miami River.  This was followed by an evening session with Melanie Purtell Ross.  Melanie talked with us about asking God for help, like Joshua did.  We, like Joshua, have worries but  he went to God for help and also had the faith that God would truly provide.  Later that evening we also made a "wish list" of activities we would like to try or participate in.  We also talked about potential fundraisers to help us be able to take advantage of these growth opportunities.

 

Those in attendance were: Cody Camp, Travis Camp, Jessica Drinnon, James Godfrey, Michael Woodmansee as well as summer Interns Julie Purtell and Jonathan Goff; and Heidi Friend, Director of Youth Ministries.