10 Aug 2007
Dear Friends:
With reference to the report on the BYM Website, I too attended all the
same FUM meetings and workshops, except for the retreat in July, as did
John Smallwood and Rachel Stacey. I found John and Rachel both to be
weighty and thoughtful Friends and affirm their report. Their facts are
accurate and insightful, in my opinion, and their report is tender and
considerate. I thank them for their devotion to the world of Quakerism.
One point I would like to revisit is the corporate model to which their
report referred. Although my association with FUM has not been very
long, my observations are that conducting business in the manner of
Friends and observing Quaker process is almost non-existent in the FUM
General Board meetings. Experience in my monthly meeting and yearly
meeting has shown me that, when we follow Quaker process, business can
take a frustratingly long time but the outcomes are usually loving and
to the greater good. Steamrolling over a minority of Friends left in
pain weakens the structure of the organization and its effectiveness
rather resolving its issues. I did not note that the FUM Board uses
silence or asks for Divine Guidance in helping to discern a third way
to resolve differences. If we had committed to Quaker process,something so
precious and unique, we might not find ourselves in the painful place
we are today. Or, perish the thought,if we had actually admitted that what
we were doing was a form of voting, the issues would be put to rest.
You can't have it both ways - corporate and Quaker.
This leads me to suggest that Friends in FUM come from separate
cultures, not just in Africa but in North America as well. We speak
different Quaker "languages", hold different values dear to our hearts,
use entirely different business practices and are accustomed to
different traditions. We come together three times a year and don't
really "know" or understand one another. That is why the Strategic Plan
focused on "Identity" starting two years and thousands of dollars ago.
and it is this issue that still has not been resolved. The FUM Board
spent so much money on a talented consultant to lead the Board in
creating such a plan but, as far as I can see, we have not moved off
square one.
"Is FUM a coalition of yearly meetings coming together, respectful of
differences, to work with those in need? Or is FUM an organization with
a specific theology that they are committed to spreading?" This was the
question first raised in February 2006, this was supposed to have been
the focus of the July Retreat and this is the question today. Until the
Board is willing to address this with authenticity and be totally
honest about what direction it wants to choose, yearly meetings will
not know what to do, FUM will continue to not know who or what it is and it
will likely not flourish, in spite of all the good intentions. You can't
have a dog sled move forward when the dogs are pulling in different
directions.
FUM is filled with talented and committed staff persons and I pray that
their leadership finds a more loving and inclusive approach so that
this organization can revitalize and continue its important work.
Love and Light,
Lisa Stewart
Palm Beach Meeting
SEYM
