Quaker AWPS New Version 2 Dec 05

AWPS New Version 2 Dec 05

AWPS Epistle, November, 2005

 To Friends Everywhere, Amongst the colorful trees of autumn, 60 Friends from various countries were called to gather at KwangLim Seminar House for the Asia West Pacific Gathering. In this country of “the land and the sea” which has been dominated by great powers, we were welcomed by Korean dancers. Hearing the gongs and drums speaking to each other gave us a feeling of freedom and joy. Very quickly a special atmosphere of unified warmth and intimate sharing developed, as we all felt drawn together in the Spirit. Bridges were built, space and time disappeared, we endeavored to understand each other so that words and languages became unimportant, for our eyes showed the love we felt for each other, We are all different lamps, but shed the same Light. The theme “Building Peace and Living our Quaker Testimonies in an Environment of Conflict” was a serious challenge, as Friends from different Quaker backgrounds struggled to understand the situation of the unification of Korea, as well as being made more aware of other conflicts and oppressions throughout the world. This was emphasized by the depth of worship which arose during an Epilogue where origami cranes, the bird of peace, were placed on a map of the world, bringing individual concerns into our awareness. As we worshipped on Sunday at the Seoul Meeting House, many Friends were brought to tears as we heard the pain caused by the troubled history between Korea and Japan, but we also heard leadings towards harmony and friendship. We came to Seoul to find new Friends, we go from Seoul with many new friends, new commitments understandings and new visions. 2 Editorial Dear Friends everywhere, this edition of AWPS is packed full of reports from the Section Gathering in Seoul, South Korea. There are still more outstanding, which will be published in future newsletters. We would love to include hundreds of photos also to show the wonderful flavor of this shared time together in the autumn colored hillsides north of Seoul.

 Tom Coyner has a website with 100 photos of the gathering– go to 
http://seoulman.smugmug.com/gallery/977215

– for some very action packed as well as very scenic shots. The Gathering was made possible by the small group of Friends in the Seoul Monthly Meeting, who through Herculean efforts brought together the aspects of transport to and from Kwanglim, accommodation, food, information to participants, office and spaces for meetings. We visitors were given an exposure to Korean culture, including music, drumming, religion and politics. Thank you dear Friends in Seoul. Keeping the momentum alive until our next Gathering in 2008 is critical, and needs involvement from Friends everywhere. We who have worshipped together through FWCC Gatherings, can share the many flavors of Quaker practice in our home meetings. At Seoul we had unprogrammed, semi-programmed, Evangelical, Bible/Christ centered, and Universalist Friends– all eager to share insights, and to listen to the Truth shining in the eyes of Friends from other traditions. We were humbled to learn of the suffering for peace made by Korean peacemakers, and the actual discrimination against Christians being experienced by Indian Quakers. In Japan, Quaker numbers are falling, but we rejoice to learn that new Friends Churches are being established in the Philippines. There is so much to learn from each other. We believe we have been given the Light of understanding and truth, through God’s Holy Spirit. May we stand joyfully and powerfully in God’s love, caring for one another by appreciating one another’s concerns. See Minute 13 for suggestions on how to implement this in your meeting or church. In Love and Peace, Valerie Joy, Associate Sectary, AWPS.

REPORT ON THE FWCC ASIA-WEST PACIFIC SECTION
GATHERING, AT SEOUL, KOREA, 3-8 NOVEMBER 2005

Around 60 Friends from Korea, Japan, India, the Philippines, Hong Kong,
Aotearoa/New Zealand (A/NZ), Australia and USA gathered at the KwangLim
Seminar House, north of Seoul, for the Gathering of the FWCC Asia-West Pacific
Section. The theme of the Gathering was “Building Peace and Living Our Quaker
Testimonies in an Environment of Conflict”. Each element of this theme was fully
explored during our time together.
The nature of the environment of conflict, fear and distrust, both within our region
and the wider world was brought home to us in the country reports from various
yearly meetings. As well, the experience of Indian (along with African) Young
Friends in being denied visas to participate in the World Gathering of Young
Friends at Lancaster in August 2005, gave further recent evidence of the prevailing
international climate of suspicion. This provided an uncomfortable reminder of the
experience of Friends from these regions in attempting to participate in the 2004
Auckland Triennial. The problems faced by Quakers in countries where they are
minorities in an (often very hostile) dominant culture, were vividly illustrated by
presentations that explored the nature of these problems in India, Korea and Japan.
We were further reminded of the legacy of conflict through the setting for our Gathering. The complexities of the issues surrounding reunification in Korea were explored at length in an address by Jeong Se Hyun, the Chairman of the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation. A more personal and concrete understanding of some of these issues was conveyed to us by a visit to the demilitarized zone.
The human rights dimensions of the struggle for a democratic and just Korean society, were brought home by the presence of Professors Joon Park and Kim Nak Jung
who collectively spent over three decades in prison, as a result of their impressive
witness for these causes. We were also encouraged to think more widely as to the
nature of human rights and the means by which they can be promoted at all levels,
from the local to the international, in Helen Bayes’ presentation on a “quick Quaker
human rights stir fry”.
Joon Park was with us for the whole of the Gathering and provided much of the
interpretation from and into English, Japanese and Korean during various sessions
of the Gathering. He also presented a very illuminating analysis of recent trends in
Korean theology and its relationship and relevance to Quaker faith and practice 
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Professor Kim Nak Jung joined us on our visit to the demilitarized zone and was able to
explain the manner of his remarkable crossing of the DMZ to North Korea carrying his
proposals for Korean reunification to the North Korean leadership. Later on, in an evening
keynote address, he outlined his experience in promoting Korean reunification and a vision through which the Korean experience may provide the basis for a new world culture
of peace and harmony.

The nature in which Quakers are actively engaged in promoting peace, social justice and
understanding, was outlined and explored in a number of sessions of the Gathering. Topsy
Evans and Linley Gregory outlined the important work being conducted by QUNO in
their Geneva and New York offices respectively. We heard about the work of the Alternatives to Violence project, in A/NZ and elsewhere from Linley Gregory, the A/NZ aided
programme of training for a group of Indonesian police from Claire Gregory and the work
of Quaker Service Australia from Ronis Chapman and Alan Clayton. A number of other
initiatives for peace and social justice with which Quakers are closely associated, also
gained our attention. These included a presentation from Joon Park on the emerging work
of the Korean Non-Violent Peace Force such as its launch of a peace boat on the Han
River estuary. Christina Gibb (Aotearoa NZ) provided a graphic portrayal of the work of
the Christian Peacemaking Team in Hebron (Palestine).
Three themes were pursued in some detail in an interest group format. These were: The
nature of the environmental crisis and our responsibilities in relation to this (Julian Stargardt and Seiichi Kondo), Quaker Essentials (Barbara Mountier) and Intervisitation
(Michael Corbett).
A recurring theme across a number of sessions of the Gathering, and also in home group
discussions, involved the issue of Young Friends and their role in our Society. Epistles
from the World Gathering of Young Friends in Lancaster and the follow-up Gathering at
Kanamai in Kenya were read eloquently demonstrating the commitment, energy and compassion of Young Friends. Concern was expressed about our limitations in terms of being
able to attract greater numbers of younger persons to Friends and in retaining those who
do. It was recognized that we must seriously involve Young Friends in all areas of our activities and include them at all levels of our organizational structures including that of
FWCC representative.
Within the Gathering itself, there was strong evidence of guidance from the Light in the
bridging of difference and effecting reconciliation. All who were present at Sunday Meeting for Worship at the Seoul Meeting House were deeply moved by the strong and heartfelt reaching out between Japanese and Korean Friends in terms of past oppression and
atrocity in a wondrous interchange of apology and forgiveness.
In a keynote address, Nancy Irving, the FWCC General Secretary spoke of the various flavors of Quakerism, referring to the different traditions of worship that exist across our re

our region. These flavors were sampled and tasted throughout each day’s activities from the early morning meeting for worship to the evening’s epilogue. The
responsibility for hosting meeting for worship revolved between different Yearly
Meetings and, as a result, we were exposed to the worship experience of the programmed, unprogrammed and evangelical traditions. A similar programme of
hosting of evening epilogue saw an exploration of the cultural heritage of the
countries represented at the Gathering in music (particularly song), movement
and other forms of imagery and expression. This often provided opportunities for
deep inward reflection. For instance, our Japanese Friends produced many dozens of origami cranes inviting us to place one on a specific area on a map of the
world which attracted our prayers. The resultant ministry, which explained the
reason for a particular choice, was poignant and moving.
In our periods of daily reflection and discussion in our home groups, we were
able to explore themes in great depth. This spirit-led process of search and exploration helped foster a deeper understanding of the bases of our religious life and
its relationship to our interaction with the world. It also led to new friendships
and an appreciation of the constraints faced by many Friends in different Yearly
Meetings within the Asia-West Pacific region. Other events, including the
nightly music session preceding Epilogue and a very successful concert, also assisted in this process of bonding and deepening friendship.
The success of the Gathering owes so much to the enormous generosity of time,
spirit and resources given by our Korean Friends from Seoul Monthly Meeting.
While very small in number, our Korean Friends were superlative hosts. Any
problem that arose was dealt with swiftly and with graciousness and understanding. Our hosts were also very keen to provide an introductory appreciation of
Korean culture and society. The proceedings opened with a demonstration of
Korean folk music and dancing. Later we were provided with opportunities to
visit local sites of importance including the National Arboretum and a prominent
local temple.
In a keynote address to the Gathering, Elizabeth Duke reminded us that we are
not called upon to bear guilt for the past, but are called to take responsibility
now. We are called to hope. The reports presented and deliberations of this Gathering, provided cautionary reminders of the difficulties and challenges for our
life of the spirit and work in the world. The current political and social environment, both within our individual nations and internationally provides many challenges. However, we were also provided with heartening and affirming examples
of progress in many areas of peace and social justice, giving us hope for the future. We leave Seoul with new ideas and fresh hope for building peace and living

our Quaker testimonies in an environment of conflict.

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Secretary's Report to the Section Gathering in Seoul 2005 

I want very much to give thanks to our hosts the Korean Monthly Meeting. Their co-operation make this year's section gathering possible. I know the amount of hard work that took place, from seeing them hard at work at 10:30 p.m, when I visited Kwanglim in September. Their work in pre-Gathering translation, together with assistance from Japan, is helping us during this meeting, to have real understanding and dialogue. Another group of unsung heroes are: my two support groups behind the scenes:--the international support group and the local support group. These experienced Friends provided me with much needed advice, timely suggestions as well as selfless support when most needed. I would like to specifically mention the names of (though not in any order of importance) Linley Gregory, Helen Bayes, Chris Lawson (in the international support group) and Julian Stargardt, Erik Floyd and David Bottomley (among my local support group), whose counsel and constant up-holding me, made all the difference during the critical initial phase of my assuming the position of Executive Secretary. Furthermore, among my co-workers in the committee, I would like to specifically give thanks to Dilawar Chetsingh, our clerk, Valerie Joy the Associate secretary as well as Topsy Evans whose dedication to serving the section go far beyond the call of duty. There is a saying that one grows into a new position. I have found this very true. For in the last two years, I have personally learned a tremendous amount spiritually as well as practically, about the "business" of our section. I treasure this experience for it has occupied a very important part in my daily life as a practicing Quaker For the opportunity to serve I am extremely grateful. For I love serving the AWPS!  

COMMITTEE TEAM WORK.
One fundamental change the AWPS experienced after the 2003
Auckland Triennial, is the dramatic shift from sole (or nearly sole)
to collective “servant-ship”. For the last two years, there has been
a concerted effort by various members of the AWPS Committee.
We are most fortunate to have a very active Clerk who has been in
the forefront of leading the section. We also have been blessed
with two very capable treasurers who actually did more than their
roles call for. I am personally indebted to the Associate Secretary,
whose able leadership was instrumental in the development of the
Gathering agenda.
The role of job sharing by the Executive and Associate Secretaries
has allowed for further expansion of the work in the Section. We
both have different styles, but agree on the need for the guidance
of the Spirit in all of this work. The different countries can attract
our specialist attention. Certainly, I have made more contact in
Northern Asia, whilst Valerie has focused on Indian Friends. We
consider that Indonesian Friends might require more contacts, and
hope that our involvement there will expand. I am also grateful
that Michael Corbett is providing such strong links with the Philippines Friends and others for their travel in the ministry. In all of
this work, we encourage the team approach. The geographical area
and population is enormous. Our messages of peace and our approach to the resolution of conflict are greatly needed.
HARDSHIPS EXPERIENCED IN AREAS OF THE SECTION.
There have been un-settling political struggles in Nepal. We know
that the Nepalese Friends Church has experienced great difficulties
under the civil strife between Maoist rebels and the government
soldiers.
The effects of natural disasters struck in Sri Lanka & India have
been in our prayers.
Another area of uncertainty is in Indonesia, where the Section
hopes to develop stronger relationships. 

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FWCC SONG by David Evans and Friends
Chorus:From ev'ry nation around the world,
From ev'ry culture we come in peace,
To view our world and banish conflict,
And find the joy, goodwill will bring.
1. Before our breakfast behind the centre
 We climb the mountain to seek the view
 The leaves are falling, the colours brilliant
 Our souls refreshed, and inspired too.
From ev'ry nation, etc,
2. We run from breakfast straight to our home group
 Each morn at nine just after soup
 We share our stories – new friends for all
 Our mighty leaders – right on the ball.
From ev'ry nation, etc,
3. Friends from Japan brought colored squares
 With busy hands they did prepare
 Around the world our cranes we laid
 On trouble spots for peace we prayed.
From ev'ry nation, etc,
4. We went to Seoul on Sunday morning
 To share in worship with new friends
 The silence gives us time for healing
 Space to trust what's deep within.
From ev'ry nation, etc,
5. We went to Seoul to eat some pizza
 No rice or kimchi for our lunch
 Home from Seoul back up the mountain
 Kwanglin's home with this great bunch.
From ev’ry nation etc
6. We came to Seoul to meet our neighbours,
 We came to Seoul to find new friends,
 We go from Seoul with a new vision,
 We go from Seoul goodwill to spread.

From ev’ry nation