To All Friends Everywhere,
In celebration of God's simple gifts, 293 women from 26 Yearly Meetings gathered for the 41st Triennial Sessions of the United Society of Friends Women International at the Marriott Greensboro-High Point Hotel in Greensboro North Carolina USA, July 8-11, 2004. We came together from four countries to share together in the joy of Christ, and to seek together God's will for our global sisterhood of Friend Women. We enjoyed the gracious hospitality of the women of North Carolina Yearly Meeting (FUM) amid the beautifully colorful setting of North Carolina.
The theme of our gathering focused our attention on "simple gifts" - Faith, Hope, Love, and Joy - gifts given unconditionally by God as described in James' epistle:
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17 KJV)
Through Bible study, plenary speakers, prayer, music and workshops, we shared the gifts of God with each other. We received the gifts of laughter, of sorrow, of compassion, of love, of commitment, and of hope in the presence of God.
We were blessed to hear the testimony of women serving as field staff, to share their joys and concerns, and to uphold them in prayer. We were encouraged to hear the witness of USFW groups called to ministry in each place. We rejoice that God continues to call women to faithfulness in all places and times, and we come together to celebrate the abundance of God's blessings in that call.
Our dear sister Edith Ratcliff passed away in 2003, and we remembered her with sorrow for her loss and with gratitude for her tremendous faithfulness. Her long life of service in Kenya touched countless Friends in Kenya and around the world. We remembered her boundless energy, readiness to share, inner strength, powerful healing prayer, and zeal for Jesus. Edith's heart was with the women of Kenya and her greatest desire was for the women to embrace a spirit of accountability for what God has given us. Her parting wish for all Friends everywhere was that they would open themselves more fully to the Holy Spirit's empowerment, which will make us ready for service far beyond our own abilities. Edith's death has left a gap that cannot be filled, but we rejoice that God continues to call women to the harvest and that her example can inspire us to answer the call.
We heard testimony of how God is calling women into deeper relationships across the divisions of culture, race and economic resources. Just as FUM has committed to global partnerships, we find ourselves called to live the testimony of community by embracing God's gift of sisterhood. We receive Christ in each other through intervisitation, hospitality, and spiritual sharing. Our of that overflowing gift, we find ourselves led to share our abundance to uphold the hopes and visions of our sisters.
From this Joyful gathering of Quaker women, we call upon all Friends everywhere to know one another in the generosity of Christ, coming together through intervisitation, giving and receiving, in order to answer God's call to minister in this deeply needy world.
In Christian Fellowship,
Ann Davdison, President
United Society of Friends Women International