West Hills Friends

For the message, Mike read Colossians 3:9-14, and reflected on the way our sense of identity is shaped (at least in part) by the observations others make about us. When we are gathered as a meeting, we need to do the work of seeing each other. By seeing each other in new ways, and naming each other in new ways, we help each other become a new creation. We help form a new identity for one another....

Rosalie brought First Word. Rosalie is both a quilter and the curator of art in our space. She and Jean have installed a new way of displaying art in the hallway, and one of Rosalie’s quilts covers a window in the worship area. The light that makes the quilt beautiful is also hastening its decay. Rosalie is moved by the ephemeral quality of our work.

For the message, Elijah read I Corinthians 12:4-13 and reflected on the diversity of our gifts. How do we know when the Spirit is guiding one person to act on his or her gifts, or guiding the community to act as a whole? What is the "common ground" that holds us together as we serve in different ways? What gifts do you see in yourself and others? How might we set aside preferences to make more roo...

Caryl brought First Word this week, reflecting on "mystery." Mystery implies not knowing. Growing up, Caryl was given answers before she had questions. Now, she wants to live with the questions. Godly Play is well suited to this way of living! Caryl and Jeff are traveling to Cuba to help promote Godly Play.

For the message, Claire read Matthew 7:5-6, and reflected on the importance of confession. In Episcopalian liturgy, confession comes before communion. As Friends, we might find that confession helps us with the work of open worship (which we see as our time of communion). Transformation requires patience and willingness to confess our mistakes, failures and sins. Claire described her own practice...

For the message, Greg read from John 13 and reflected on foot-washing. For us to wash one another’s feet, we must do two things: To wash the feet of others, we must be willing to serve; to receive washing from others, we must be willing to expose our needs. Greg noted that people often come to WHF after a long journey, and that our feet can be a mess. He ended with these queries: What are ways I o...

Mike brought the message, reflecting on the Quaker practice of confronting outward authority. Whether it’s George Fox confronting Pastor Lumpy in Nottinghamshire or later Friends confronting slavery or sexism or militarism, we love to tell our story as one of confrontation. Although this narrative has empowered us to confront social wrongs, it has also given us a legacy of splits and disownments....

Rick Nitti, the director of Neighborhood House here in Portland, talks to us about the work they do to address hunger in our city.

For the message, Greg read Matthew 18:12-13, and reflected on what it means to be "one of the 99." How can the flock care for itself while the shepherd is away? Greg offered examples of how we at WHF are caring for one another; we know we can do this! Having a conversation about Mike’s sabbatical can help us enact longterm changes that empower a broader base of leadership. What gifts can I offer t...

Peter Illyn is the founder and executive director of Restoring Eden, a Christian environmental organization. Peter quipped that he normally speaks for 40 minutes to a hostile audience — so speaking to us was a different experience! Peter read from Psalm 145 and reflected on our relationship to Creation. We’ve always found God’s presence in Creation, but during the Enlightenment, Christians allowed...

David T. brought First Word. As a scientist, talking about the supernatural makes David nervous. And yet he values miracles! David recruited Fiona as his lab assistant, and did an experiment in which clear liquids combined to produce a pink liquid. This happens because of acidity, which may also explain the mechanics behind a miracle like Moses making bitter water potable. David said that water it...

For the message, Elijah read I Kings 19:11-13, and reflected on the unexpected quality of God’s voice. If we expect to hear from God in certain ways, is it less likely that we will hear God speaking in surprising ways (or through an unexcited source)? What might we be missing in worship? How might we respond to God’s invitation to draw closer?

Elaine brought the message. Elaine works as a "restoration ecologist," which means doing science-based home improvement for wild places. Elaine knows that concern for the environment can lead to fear or depression — which ends in paralysis. To move beyond this paralysis, we must deliberately open ourselves to feelings that motivate us toward action: joy, wonder and gratitude.

For the message, Mike read Matthew 9:9-10 and 8:20, and reflected on how frequently we read about Jesus as the guest of someone else. When we provide hospitality, we remain in charge of the space we’re in. Crossing the threshold as a guest requires us to relinquish some of our control. If you want to learn about the dynamics of hospitality, consider spending more time as a guest in someone else’s...

For the message, Darleen read Mark 10:13-31. In three encounters, Jesus upends the the assumptions of his closest friends and followers: By inviting the children, Jesus welcomed people who don’t seem to belong in important spaces; A rich man who speaks with Jesus is asked to give away the very thing that makes him privileged; While affirming that those who sacrifice will be rewarded, Jesus reorien...

For First Word, Wilbur informed us that he was born in 1929 — about the time that global population reached 2 billion. There are now over 7 billion on the planet. How will we feed everyone? Jesus called us to care for those, "to the ends of the earth."

For the message, Mike read Matthew 7:9-12, and reflected on the negotiations we’re inclined to construct around love. Jesus taught us that love would be recognizable as love — no need for special glasses or religious decoder rings. Do you trust in love? When you step beyond the frontier of your own comfort, do you trust in love to bear your weight? Are you asking love to guide you?

For the message, Mike read 1 Samuel 8:11-20, and reflected on the perception and purpose of "institutions." Institutions are a form of social technology; this technology was helpful when all moved to the city and became strangers to one another. In our current culture, we’ve become less sanguine about institutions. How can we — as a community of faith — take a leadership role in creating new ways...

For the message, Mike read from the 2nd chapter of Matthew. Because he is in a position of power, King Herod takes murderous action to defend himself from the "what if" — what if this newborn king is a threat to his rule? Meanwhile, Jesus is among those who suffer from what "what is." As a refugee, he flees to Egypt in the arms of his parents. How do fears of "what if?" keep us aligned with the st...

For the message, KD read Psalm 150:6, and returned to the story of Pastor Molly, and her consternation over how to prepare for Christ the King Sunday. Molly talked to a local baker about the custom of making "king cakes" after epiphany: a figure of Jesus is hidden inside the cake. Although this custom is for a different season, Molly was drawn to the idea. KD asked, "What is your way of praising G...

Claire brought First Word, reminding us of the social upheaval in 1966, and the beautiful response in Leonard Cohen’s novel, Beautiful losers: "God is not dead. Magic is afoot."

For the message, KD read John 4:23 and the first of a two-part Pastor Molly story. After hearing about Christ the King Sunday on the liturgical calendar, Molly felt unprepared for her responsibilities. Seeing her distress, a local Quaker suggested that there is more than one right way to do church. KD left us with these queries: "Why do we worship God in many different ways? How do we know that Go...

For first word our treasurer Mitch talked about how our community uses our funds to accomplish the things we've been called to do.

Alyss shared during First Word about her experiences with learning from her ancestors. She reflected on her relationship with her late mother, and though that relationship was complicated, she now appreciates the many lessons she learned from her mom.

For the message Elijah read from Mark 4:30-32 and reflected on the darkness of the days following the presidential election. How might the Kingdom of God be springing forth from this darkness?