West Hills Friends

For the message, April read Luke 10:29-37 and told a story that explored the atmosphere of conflict in a small cafe. After witnessing recent disasters and shootings, we are inclined to focus on whom to blame. However, Jesus doesn’t talk much about the robber in the parable of the good Samaritan. April left us with these queries: How do you deal with your feelings in the aftermath of a tragedy? How...

For the message, Mike read Matthew 25:19-28. It would be a mistake to think that this parable is about the accumulation of wealth. Jesus isn’t really talking about money. He’s talking about work. The servants who do the work are rewarded with more work. Mike drew a parallel to the work we do to become aware of privilege and asked, "What is your work to do?"

Greg brought First Word, reflecting on his call to return to full-time work after a midlife sabbatical. After the election results were final in November or 2016, Greg felt a clear but surprising call. Almost a year later, Greg knows the leading was genuine; it has brought joy.

For the message, Mike read Matthew 5:8 & Luke 11:37-42, and reflected on what it means to be "pure." If to be "truly chocolate" is to be pure chocolate, then to be "truly yourself" is to be your pure self. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God;" If you want to see God, be your real self. Show up where you are most truly yourself. What is the most real thing in your life...

For the message, Ruba read Romans 7:14-25 & 2 Corinthians 4:5-7, and reflected on our flaws. Ruba noted, "I have my good flaws and my bad flaws." Bad flaws are the ones we try to keep hidden. Jesus was compassionate toward those with visible flaws, and confronted those who presented themselves as flawless. God is able to heal the flaws we don’t hide. What are the broken places in our lives? What m...

For the message, Mike read John 19:25-27 and reflected on our need to belong. Too often, we settle for belonging in an institutional category rather than belonging to each other. What categories matter the most to you? Are there categories that alienate you? What would it look like if we really belonged to one another?

Eric M. brought the message. He read Exodus 25:30 and reflected on what biblical images of bread might reveal about God’s economy. Eric illustrated the ambiguity of miracles with a story about bread that came and went at a local synagogue. He also told the story of Jesus feeding the multitude and his own experiments with scarcity and plenty with school supplies and cinnamon rolls. Eric asked us to...

During the first word time slot, Mark said a blessing over three of our young adults who are off on new adventures. Some red yarn was passed throughout the congregation and during the prayer everyone stood, holding the yarn to symbolize the ongoing connection we have to one another.

For the message Mark P-R read Genesis 12: 1-2 and reflected on the idea of failing magnificently. Using his story as a backdrop, Mark wondered what might be possible of the Church standing on the edge of change and buzzing with creative energy.

For the message, Laurie S. read Psalm 139:1-14. Laurie reflected on ways we hide parts of ourselves from one another in order to feel like we’re part of the group. As an act of trust and faithfulness, Laurie disclosed to us that she experiences the memory of herself as a disciple of Jesus. She wants to tell her story in a community where she is safe and loved and recognized. Laurie’s queries inclu...

For First Word, Elijah showed us a lightbulb the he found on the beach during the WHF Retreat in 2016. Finding it felt like an affirmation of the Light in our community.

For the message, David P. read from James 5 and reflected on the spirituality of work (including unpaid work). The choices we make in the mundane hours of our everyday work shape our experience of the Light. David talked about this in the context of his own work over the last decade: developing a drug to combat malaria. David’s spiritual life has been enriched by the risks he’s take at work, by hi...

For the message, Mike read Matthew 5:38-42 and reflected on the American cult of punishment. Jesus challenged the conventional morality of restrained retaliation. Instead of limiting our vengeance, Jesus told us: "Don’t resist an evil person." How is that supposed to work? Who are the people you’d like to punish? What would it look like if those same people were healed? Do you think we might have...

For the message, Elijah read John 1:14 and reflected on the spiritual value of physical bodies. As a trans person, Elijah has felt disconnected from his body. Although we proclaim that Jesus was born in a human body, the modern church has been suspicious of physical bodies. Having bodies gives us an experience in common with Jesus! How do you notice God at work in your body or in the tangible worl...

Pat M. brought First Word, reflecting on her first visit to WHF. She and Carol returned because they saw people were willing to share deeply. Pat participated in two different yearly meetings before coming to WHF. She has decided to attend annual sessions this year, to help build a community that shares deeply and lives in love. Pat closed with quotes from the current Friends Journal.

For the message, Julie surprised us with a quiz and read I Corinthians 11:15-17 and Matthew 5:9. Julie pointed out that water is *liquid* at room temperature, but each individual water molecule is neither solid, nor liquid, nor gas. By adjusting the scale, we change the categories! In a similar way, we can see ourselves as individuals but we are also part of something much larger in scale (which P...

For the message, Adam H. recited a passage from Calvin Miller’s, "The Singer." At age 8, Adam started a mentorship relationship with Shirley Brendlinger at Reedwood. He works with her to prepare recitations; his favorite was a recitation from Viktor Frankl. Adam ended his recital with these queries: What is "The Song?" What does this material teach us about the nature of God’s love?

For the message, Sarah B. read from Ecclesiastes and reflected on her experience with Care Committees at WHF. Sarah has observed that different people bring different gifts to the process, and working with the community in this way helped Sarah see herself in a new and healthier way. The work of deep listening and speaking authentically in community is "spirituality at its best." Sarah invited us...

Doreen Crail brings us the message at WHF. For more information about us, please visit our website westhillsfriends.org

For the message, Sarah read from Acts 2 and reflected on her belief in magic. Sarah has experienced magic in the outdoors and in deep experiences of wonder. Magic is the ability to be here now. The world can feel like a sad song on repeat. The story of Pentecost is a reminder to pay attention, a nudge toward wonder and new life. Sarah gave us these queries: Are you open, ready, here now in this mo...

For the message, Elijah reflected on what we can learn from the communal behavior of geese, who encourage the leader, take turns leading, and protect the weak or injured. He ended with the query, "How can we encourage one who is straying from the path of love?"

For the message, John Munson introduced Francisco Aquirre on behalf of the Peace Committee. Francisco spent 81 days in Portland’s Augustana Lutheran Church to avoid detention by I.C.E. To avoid the threat of detention, Francisco’s son returned to El Salvador — and was murdered. Francisco has been in the U.S. for 21 years, and his case is still pending. He fears for his life if he is forced to retu...

For First Word, Mark PR reflected on navigating awkwardness. As a youth pastor, Mark is very intentional about creating opportunities for youth to be their truest selves, despite the awkwardness of doing so. It helps to name: "It will be awkward, and that’s okay."

For the message, Amanda read Luke 10:38-42 and reflected on the daunting, rewarding work of parenthood. Amanda finds that motherhood can be like a distorting mirror: enlarging parts of herself — like her sense of anxiety. Amanda is learning to acknowledge her anxiety, and then move intentionally into the next moment. This moving to the next moment helps her be present and connect with others. Aman...

For the message, Stephen read from Genesis 1 and Matthew 27. He also read from the lyrics of Leonard Cohen’s "Anthem." The cross is a symbol of Roman power. Stephen told a fable about Caesar; The Emperor stepped through time and space, and found himself in contemporary Portland. Caesar saw an ornate building on the Park Blocks, topped by a crucifix. Caesar was amazed by how completely people had e...