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North Valley Friends

North Valley Friends

Justice

cropped-header.jpgNate Macy, 2/26/17

Nate looks at God’s desire for justice

in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“True godliness doesn’t turn men out of the world but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavours to mend it.” ~William Penn

 

Part of our mission is to encourage active, Christ-centered justice, peacemaking and reconciliation both locally and globally. There are numerous concerns and means to address them.

We are involved with concerns around the environment and stewardship, national and local legislation,local and  international peace making and community building, and providing tangible assistance to those in need in our community. For more information contact the church office.

 

Peace testimony at North Valley Friends

Forms for conscientious objection 
Resources for active peacemaking 
Christian Peacemaker Teams 

 

Peace testimony at North Valley Friends

The peace testimony emerged among Quakers as a conviction about what it means to follow the way of Jesus Christ. Friends are keenly aware of how the cause of Christ has been falsely used to rationalize political expansion by military means, and we speak clearly to the fact that carnal warfare is opposite to Christ’s way.

 

But though Friends oppose warfare, we are also quick to pray for and support military families and those serving in the military. We pray that those in the war zone will come home healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally—and be rejoined with equally healthy families.

 

Same goal, different philosophies

Friends desire peace with complete agreement, but it is fair to say that not all Friends are of one mind about how to most effectively avoid or end war. Some feel a strong defense would decrease the likelihood of a military challenge or injustice. Others recall the tragic results in history that follow the proliferation of arms.

 

Quakers received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 for their peacemaking endeavors, and Friends seek to contribute to peace locally, nationally, and internationally.

 

Is peacemaking just about opposing war?

Peacemaking is not simply refusing to fight. It also involves the inward spiritual fruits of love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). It means working constructively to bring peaceful solutions to tense predicaments. Peacemaking involves being reconcilers between estranged parties, whom God loves equally.

 

Friends’ peace witness is based on our allegiance to the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus. In working for peaceable means to peaceable ends, Friends historically have sought alternatives to violence. But this does not imply disengagement from the world or doormat passivity. Jesus’ clear call to love our enemies has the potential to change the world and make society more just and stable. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and Friends seek to take His word to heart.

 

Adapted from “Friends as Peacemakers” by Paul Anderson , professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University. Used with permission.

Concerning Human Rights

“And this is the word of the Lord God to you all…be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people and to them. Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one.” ~ George Fox

 

As Quakers, we witness to the dignity and worth of all persons before God. We repudiate and seek to remove discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, or class. We deplore the use of selfish ends to gain unfair advantage, and we urge political, economic, and social justice for all people. We consider civil order most just when conscience is free and religious faith uncoerced.