PhYM Delegation Shared Messages during Gathering

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On Oct 26th, Jack, Samantha and I shared a 45 minute spot on the Gathering's agenda. Copied below is my formal message of greetings from India Friends Working Group. Samantha followed this with an explanation of how she came to Quakerism from another faith tradition through her experience as a student at Swarthmore College. She described the loving support she receives from the West Philadelphia Worship Group as well as Swarthmore MM. Jack then concluded this section by helping Indian Friends to understand John Woolman's remarkable role as an 18th century Friend who followed his conscience in working to convince those who held slaves to end the practice.

Archana translated Jack and Samantha's message into Hindi, and Devdas translated mine. All three of us valued the many warm interactions we had with the 75 Friends who attended this five day event, which brings Indian Friends together about every three years.

Scott Rhodewalt’s Message for Friends Attending All India Friends Gathering

George Fox Hall, Itarsi,  Madhya Pradesh

October 2012

I speak first as a Friend who brings you warm greetings from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s India Friends Working Group. Many of you knew George and Lillian Willoughby who stood for peace and love among Friends in India. If George were living he would surely be here today. Mary Arnett, Henry Beck, Anne & Al Briggs, Philip Donnelly, Viv Hawkins and Chris Roberts all send their love and best wishes to you. As clerk of India Friends Working Group, I want to tell you how very much we value our ties with you. Thank you for inviting us to this sixth All India Friends Gathering. We trust and love our history together, with you, as Friends.

My second role is to speak to you as a teacher who is on sabbatical for one year. Wilmington Friends School, where both Devdas Shrisunder and Archana Gour have visited and lectured, is very happy for me to be here with Quakers in India. I teach Global Peace and Justice. This is where 9th standard students learn about Gandhi and King and nonviolent direct action. As a teacher, I also represent my school in a new NGO called Delaware Lahore Delhi Partnership for Peace. This builds people to people relationships among Indians, Pakistanis and Americans.

My third role is to speak as a husband because I learn most about peace and nonviolence from Susan, my wife. Susan is so happy that you are feeding me so well this week – both literally and spiritually. She joins me in thanking our hosts, Mid India Yearly Meeting, for taking such good care of our Philadelphia delegation.

My fourth role is as a father of two sons. Ian, who is 27, lived among Palestinians for the last two years. He is an activist for two causes. One is to end Israel’s illegal military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. The other is to abolish prisons in the U.S. for nonviolent crimes. His older brother Morgan, who is 29, is on trial this week in New York City for nonviolent direct action against the police. It’s because the police target African Americans and Latinos by misusing the “Stop & Frisk” law. I tell you about this court case because Morgan “loves his neighbor” so much that he is willing to risk two years in prison to stop a bad law. Please pray for Morgan this week.

My fifth role is that I am your friend and fellow traveler. Together with Buzz, Francis, Jack and Samantha, we are with you today to learn how to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. You have much to teach us. We can learn how programmed and silent yearly meetings respect each other. We can learn how Friends can forgive each other. We can learn how Friends reach out to others. Thank you for including us in your All India Friends Gathering.