West Hills Friends

Mike read John 21:15-22 and reflected on the connection between hunger and risk: hungry people are more inclined to take risks. How can those of us who are well-fed take more risk, so those who are hungry need to take less?

Ruba brought the message on the 6th anniversary of her first visit to WHF. She read Galatians 5:22-23. Paul wrote to the Galatians in the context of a heated conflict, instructing them to cultivate the "fruit of the Spirit." Because we can perceive the stakes as higher, it often feels *harder* to embody patience, gentleness, humility (et al) with those we know best. How is God cultivating the valu...

For the message, Mike read Luke 17:21-24, and reflected on the unique way human beings shape the environment that shapes us in return. This is true in the physical world (e.g. we eradicated smallpox from our environment) and in the social world we create for one another (e.g. we have created an environment in which people are treated differently based on the color of their skin). What is the envir...

While affirming the usefulness of social media, Alyss reminded us that community ultimately requires a face-to-face connection.

Kristine brought the message, after Ruba read Song of Songs 15:6-7. Kristine reflected on the way her husband was transformed by love. Ted died a year ago; but before his death, his heart was opened by the love of fellow veterans and those who participated in an annual Native American camp. Kristine left us with these queries: How can you open your heart to whoever is dearest to you? How can you c...

For the message, Mike read Luke 15:25-31. Although we Quakers are inclined to see flamboyance as prideful or even dishonest, Mike suggested there are ways to be flamboyant with integrity. He offered the examples of the father who greeted his prodigal son with a ring, sandals, the best robe and a feast; and that of Mary, who poured expensive perfume onto Jesus’ feet, then wiped them with her hair....

For the message, Mike read Romans 14:1-4. He reflected on the overwhelming need that surrounds us: War, Hunger, Poverty, Racism… the list is endless. Remembering that we serve God and *not* the need can help prevent us from feeling overwhelmed. We don’t need to do it all. We only need to do what God asks us to do. Jesus who said, "Whatever you’ve not done for the least of these you’ve not done for...

For the message, Mike read Matthew 20:20-28, and suggested we might find unexpected power in servanthood. Darth Vader and Gandalf are icons of power, but they also saw themselves as servants. We’ll probably serve best where we are most powerful (e.g. the eye serves the body by doing what it’s *best* at doing). How can you align your power with something larger than yourself, so it is less and less...

Anthony Munson brought First Word. He read a poem about his experience interacting with the local police as a person of color.

Here Elijah speak about God's abundance, and how we all have a seat at the table.

West Hills Friends is a Quaker meeting in Portland, OR. You can find out more about us at westhillsfriends.org

Steve M. read James 2:14-18 & 1 John 3:18, and brought the message. Steve, who serves as local director for Habitat For Humanity, offered this vision of his work: "To put God’s love into action by building homes, community and hope." Steve had some good statistics for us, like one in three Portland homes is purchased with *cash* (a sign that the purchaser is an investor, rather than a homeowner)....

For First Word, Jen S. addressed housing concerns in SW Portland. She encouraged us to expand our sense of "belonging" to those who are seeking shelter in our neighborhoods.

For the message, Mica read Luke 10:30-35, and described her own experience as a Good Samaritan. On Thanksgiving, Mica and her son left the family gathering in search of a Starbucks. Although they couldn’t find coffee, they did provide transportation to a homeless woman (who fell asleep in the backseat). Mica described a wonderful sequence of misadventures. In thinking about this experience, Mica u...

For the message, Greg read Mark 8:27-29 and reflected on his conceptualization of God. Rather than acting directly to intervene in world events, Greg conceives of God as moving indirectly through a divine influence on human will. Greg finds this concept of God more relatable.

For the message, Greg read Mark 8:27-29 and reflected on his conceptualization of God. Rather than acting directly to intervene in world events, Greg conceives of God as moving indirectly through a divine influence on human will. Greg finds this concept of God more relatable.

For the message, Mike read Revelation 21:2-4, and reflected on the power of touch. Touch is our first language, and can communicate at a place deeper than words. God comes to us in the eloquence of our first language. God enters the world as a baby who needs to be held. Touch is the only language that babies know. And this is how God arrives among us. Have you tried connecting with God in a place...

For the message Mike spoke about the concept in improvisational theatre of, "Yes! And..." The idea that we are participants in the act of creation with one another, that we help further the story with a, "Yes! And..." How does "Yes! And..." speak to us as a spiritual community at West Hills Friends?

For the message, Mike read I John 4:16-21, and reflected on our country’s obsession with security. We have the largest military budget, the highest incarceration rate, and body scanners at the airport. Now, for reasons of "security," we balk at welcoming a small number of refugees despite the overwhelming crisis. As peacemakers, can we reverse the momentum of fear?

We welcomed Reverend Tara Wilkins from the Community of Welcoming Congregations and pastor at Bridgeport United Church of Christ to speak to us! Here is her message.

KD read John 10:27. She told the story of Pastor Molly, who found herself leading a Sunday school class on the potentially divisive topic: "Voice of God." Before the lesson, everyone heard God’s voice in a different way. But the only way to hear God’s complete voice is when we listen to one another. How do you hear God’s voice? When has God spoken to you through the voice of someone else?

Mike read Matthew 5:43-45 and reflected on what it means to "learn from our enemies." From our enemies, we can learn strategies for survival or we can use their different perspective to gain a larger picture of the Truth. Can you make the leap of love to learn something new about yourself, about your enemy, about the way God is working in the world? What have you learned from your enemies?

For the message, Ruba expressed her love for Mary Poppins: "Mary Poppins is my Harry Potter." In the world of Mary Poppins, things don’t happen the way we expect. The Kingdom of God also overturns our expectations. Ruba read parables from Matthew to illustrate the surprising Realm of God. She invited us to consider how these parables inform our sense of God’s activity in our lives and in our commu...

In part II of Carole Spencer's presentation on "The Dark Side of Quakerism" we hear more about our Quaker prophets, and how they were often dismissed or disowned. In this installment we hear about Quakers role in suffrage movement.

Mike Huber on Power & Authority by West Hills Friends