West Hills Friends

Nathan Meckley reads the first several verses of John known as the prologue, where rather than talking about a birth and childhood, the author casts the coming of Jesus into the world in cosmic and eternal proportion. We reflected on the passage using the practice of lectio divina.

Laura Simmons talks about confronting the temptation to write off those who write us off.

In his message, Nathan Meckley spoke about how rather than joy being manufactured, it visits us. We receive it as a gift. Have your experiences of pleasure, of happiness, and of joy been similar emotionally or spiritually or how have they been different? From where does the gift of joy come to you, especially during difficult times? And, to borrow from C.S. Lewis, have you ever been surprised by j...

In her message, Kay Ellison asked the question how did Jesus handle living under a regime? And can I learn something from what Jesus did?

Stephen Deatherage offered the message on Sunday Nov 23, 2025. Stephen reflected on Moses and the Midianites, on current political figures, and on an imagined afterlife where we meet those we wronged and finally understand that love was the point all along.

Nathan Meckley invited us into Advent by reminding us that hope is not a feeling but a choice; a tenacious, even wild “bird in the soul” that we practice by living as people who choose hope.

Gil George shared that integrity, for her, means knowing herself and her values, and living in a way where her identity, actions, and intentions remain aligned with those values even though it is always a work in progress.

Nathan Meckley reflects on how the word Friend carries both depth and aspiration for Quakers. Nathan asks us to consider what it means spiritually and relationally when we call someone friend or Friend. What does it mean to you when you call someone, lowercase, friend? When you call someone, capital F, Friend—what does it mean to you? Is your relationship with Truth, with Christ, with God, friendl...

Nathan shared a message and reminded us that this season, from Halloween through All Saints and All Souls Day and Día de los Muertos, invites us to pause and honor that “the visible here and now is just a fragment of a much larger spiritual reality.” He drew on the image of “a great cloud of witnesses,” and invited us to remember those who came before and listen for those who will come after, runn...

Doreen Crail offers a First Word about how she’s been learning to turn down the noise, limit her doom-scrolling, and focus her thoughts and prayers on what is true, lovely, and joyful. She’s learning to listen and rest in God’s presence, hearing the quiet reminder, “Relax, I’ve got you.”

Nathan reflects on autumn as a season that calls us to spiritual attention and reminds us of the wisdom in nature. Just as a tree’s hidden colors appear when chlorophyll rests, the beauty and truth within us can emerge when we pause and rest.

Nathan Meckley reflects on wearing a cross made from spent shell casings to the rally, and explores the cross’s history as both a symbol of suffering and transformation. True faith involves embracing the cross's rough edges and living into the daily, uncomfortable work of spiritual transformation.

Nathan Meckley shares that the story of the ancient Jews, and the core founding story of the biblical narrative is not the oppression, but their deliverance. Because they could tell their story in all of its fullness, then they were able to make their offering with gratitude. Is there a story of “your people” that gives you hope & strength? For which you’re grateful? As you hold your own story in...

For the message, Zac White of Multnomah Monthly Meeting drew from scripture, Rumi, and Mary Oliver. Zac invited us to approach prayer as a quiet attunement to the Spirit already present within and around us.

Nathan Meckley reflects on the Jewish High Holy Days as a time of repentance, renewal, and starting over, with ourselves, others, and God. He reminds us that true atonement means repairing the breaches in our relationships and world, living out justice as “what love looks like in public.”

Rosalie Movius shared a First Word about the lessons she’s learned over 40 years of quilting.

Laurie Schaad shares a First Word about a tense encounter during the early days of the Iraq War, where she responded to hostility by affirming she was “on the side of humankind and life.” Later she experienced a spiritual sign through her car key that confirmed this as the “key'“ guiding truth she lives by.

Nathan Meckley reflects on John Donne’s reminder that “no one is an island,” connecting it to the Quaker belief that there is that of God in everyone. In light of recent violence and division, he shares the struggle of living out compassion even toward those who cause harm, and reminded us that our deepest values may still call us to it. He closes with queries: How does the witness of Jesus Christ...

Nathan Meckley reflects on how different things are suitable for different seasons. Our clinging to the forms of the past or anticipating the future can cause suffering, preventing us from being fully present to the season in which we are right now. Quoting Simone Weil: “Absolute, undivided attention is prayer.” He closes with queries: “How has the Spirit been a guide through different and changin...

In his message, Nathan Meckley reflects on the feeling of overwhelm after moving to Los Angeles for grad school. About what in the world or in your life are you experiencing anxiety, fear, or sadness? Are you aware of a spiritual practice or resource that could be helpful? When you have been overwhelmed or in distress, have you ever experienced a "strengthening hand"? Was it offered? Did you reach...

In his message, Johan Maurer reflects on Quaker silence as a space of great freedom and great trust, and as shared Douglas Steer’s image of silence as a portico into God’s presence. Johan describes silence as “spiritual oxygen,” sharing his own experience in a meetinghouse 51 years ago.

In his message, Johan Maurer, member of Moscow Meeting in Russia, describes church as “people, gathered around the living God, learning what it means to live with God at the center, and helping each other learn.”

Johan Maurer explores the “salt and light” of Quaker identity and shares stories from Quaker relief work in Russia. Photo: AFSC

Johan Maurer, our guest from Sierra-Cascades YM of Friends, speaks about early Quakers Katharine Evans and Sarah Cheevers. Have you heard or felt a leading to represent Quaker testimonies in a place of bondage? What does “bondage” mean to you today, in spiritual, social, political, or economic terms, and what is God’s word in response?

Mica Coffin uses the image of the cross to contrast the turmoil of ego and fear (the horizontal bar) with the grounding presence of God (the vertical pole), calling for a stillness that reconnects them to divine peace.