Scattergood Journal–May/June, 1970

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

Journal, May 26, 1970

I have been reading about civil disobedience lately. Many people set up all sorts of criteria to judge what is civil disobedience and what is not.  One of the most important ideas, to me, though, was that there are times when civil disobedience is the only alternative when a man refuses to be corrupted. These may be the times when we are born again, when we lose life in order to find it. Becoming a Christian requires a radical change in one’s everyday life and attitudes, and I have felt confronted with a choice of taking this way or rejecting it in regard to the draft question. I believe civil disobedience to be necessary, to be positive, and in this case perhaps even to instigate a rebirth.

There are times, often perhaps, when I am not sure. I don’t have all of the logical rational arguments figured out. And yet this is where real faith comes in, I believe. You can pray noon and night and hope someday to receive an answer. Maybe that’s faith.

I believe faith to be the sustaining factor that, when confronted with a difficult decision, supports you when you choose to follow the path that your heart says is right but your mind has not yet figured out, or perhaps is not capable of figuring out. The consequences are most uncertain, but you can endure them if you keep the faith.

June 16, 1970

I saw a television program this evening. A Jewish social worker had a cousin, head of a prosperous business and apparently a devote Jew. It eventually came out that the businessman owned some housing in the ghetto the social worker lived in.

The boy cried. “You told me all about the history and life of the Jews, and you don’t do any of those things.”

KeystonePledge

Civil disobedience training
Peter Clay photo
Martin Luther King, Jr memorial

 

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Nonviolence today

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

Reading the letter I wrote to Senator Harold Hughes when I was a Senior at Scattergood Friends School in 1970 was both a little embarrassing and quite a bit discouraging.  I had forgotten he gave the nominating speech for Eugene McCarthy at the 1968 Democratic convention.

Then in 1973 he announced that, after a long period of soul-searching, he would retire from the Senate when his term was completed. He said that, for “profoundly personal religious reasons” he would seek “a new kind of challenge and spiritual opportunity,” and would “continue efforts in alcoholism and drug treatment fields, working for social causes and world peace.” He said: “Rightly or wrongly, I believe that I can move more people through a spiritual approach more effectively than I have been able to achieve through the political approach.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Hughes

I had forgotten suggesting to him that we turn away from the military and instead develop a nonviolent approach to domestic and international policy. It is sad to think of how different things would be today if we had done that. If we had embraced nonviolence, not only would we have avoided the many terrible consequences of militarism, but we would be much better off regarding race relations and our environment. I must admit my enthusiasm for this has been dampened by our country’s relentless pursuit of militarism, materialism and racism.

Prior to the annual sessions of Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) this summer (2017),  I encouraged the members of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee to read the new book by Chris Moore-Backman, The Gandhian Iceberg, that calls for a national nonviolent movement. The following is from the report of that committee that was approved by the Yearly Meeting:

We grappled with what it means to be peacemakers in a violent society. U.S. politics have descended into deadlocked ideologies, neglecting real imperatives. Our country has expanded its military operations around the world and militarized its local police. State sanctioned violence has killed unarmed people. Denying basic needs for clean water and air, food, housing, education, safety and medical care is also violence.
The witness and commitment of the Water Protectors at Standing Rock inspire us, as does the support for them from Indigenous Peoples all over the world. Nahko Bear, a Native American activist and spiritual leader, told the gathering of youth who had been attacked by dogs the message he was given repeatedly as he traveled around the world: “remember that nonviolent direct action is the way to a successful revolution.” An Iowa Conservative Friend was arrested in nonviolent action protesting the Bakken pipeline in Iowa.
Stories collected by Don Laughlin remind us of the witness of Iowa Quakers who were imprisoned for refusing to participate in the military. We seek ways to share these stories with the wider community.
Members of our Committee were encouraged to study the new book calling for national nonviolent direct-action, The Gandhian Iceberg, by Chris Moore-Backman, who sent us the following message:
I pray that Quakers and others will move to hold bold action far above the careful crafting of right answers. In the end Jesus’ teaching is simple. Letting go of our attachments to our personal status quos is the catch. Intellectual rigor and discernment has its place, of course, but only – I believe – in service to direct, loving action and sacrifice.
We accept the admonition of the Rev. William Barber, who called for us to be the moral defibrillators of our time; to shock the nation with love and justice; to remember that Jesus was a brown skinned, Palestinian Jew; to return to the public square. We encourage Friends to provide witness with peace vigils in public squares and to speak out in print and social media and legislators’ offices.
In 2006 the Yearly Meeting approved the following Minute:
Basic to Quaker belief is the faith that the same Light we recognize in our own hearts illuminates the souls of all other people. This belief leads us to seek nonviolent means of resolving conflicts at all levels— interpersonally, within communities, among nations—and to work for justice as a basis for lasting peace. We find ourselves bound in many ways as citizens of the United States to policies of our government which are abhorrent to us and in violation of our most deeply held beliefs. Our efforts to encourage our government to establish policies that will lead to peace and justice here and around the world have not been adequate to bring about the change which is so urgently needed. The destructive forces unleashed in our world threaten the future of all people and the planet itself. Throughout our history, Quakers have at various times found ourselves called to suffer for beliefs which have placed us in opposition to our government. Based on this history of courageous witness, we challenge Friends to now consider participating in nonviolent civil disobedience.
This call is even more urgent today. We encourage Friends to discern how they are called to bear witness for peace and justice and to support each other in doing so.

The faith community has been working to build such a movement.  The Rev. William Barber lead the Moral Mondays movement, using mass demonstrations and civil disobedience to bring about change in the North Carolina state government.  That movement spread, and I was involved in Indiana Moral Mondays.

The Poor People’s Campaign has grown from that movement.  Following are the principles of this campaign:

  1. We are rooted in a moral analysis based on our deepest religious and constitutional values that demand justice for all. Moral revival is necessary to save the heart and soul of our democracy.
  2. We are committed to lifting up and deepening the leadership of those most affected by systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, and ecological devastation and to building unity across lines of division.
  3. We believe in the dismantling of unjust criminalization systems that exploit poor communities and communities of color and the transformation of the “War Economy” into a “Peace Economy” that values all humanity.
  4. We believe that equal protection under the law is non-negotiable.
  5. We believe that people should not live in or die from poverty in the richest nation ever to exist. Blaming the poor and claiming that the United States does not have an abundance of resources to overcome poverty are false narratives used to perpetuate economic exploitation, exclusion, and deep inequality.
  6. We recognize the centrality of systemic racism in maintaining economic oppression must be named, detailed and exposed empirically, morally and spiritually. Poverty and economic equality cannot be understood apart from a society built on white supremacy.
  7. We aim to shift the distorted moral narrative often promoted by religious extremists in the nation from personal issues like prayer in school, abortion, sexuality, gun rights, property rights to systemic injustices like how our society treats the poor, those on the margins, the least of these, women, children, workers, immigrants and the sick; equality and representation under the law; and the desire for peace, love and harmony within and among nations.
  8. We will build up the power of people and state-based movements to serve as a vehicle for a powerful moral movement in the country and to transform the political, economic and moral structures of our society.
  9. We recognize the need to organize at the state and local level—many of the most regressive policies are being passed at the state level, and these policies will have long and lasting effect, past even executive orders. The movement is not from above but below.
  10. We will do our work in a non-partisan way—no elected officials or candidates get the stage or serve on the State Organizing Committee of the Campaign. This is not about left and right, Democrat or Republican but about right and wrong.
  11. We uphold the need to do a season of sustained nonviolent civil disobedience as a way to break through the tweets and shift the moral narrative. We are demonstrating the power of people coming together across issues and geography and putting our bodies on the line to the issues that are affecting us all.
  12. The Campaign and all its Participants and Endorsers embrace nonviolence. Violent tactics or actions will not be tolerated.

You can sign up, as I did, to be involved in this campaign at https://poorpeoplescampaign.org/

SONY DSC

 

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Scattergood Journal–May 17, 1970

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

Dear Senator Harold Hughes,

First I would like to say I strongly support you and Amendment 609 to cut off funds for the war in Indochina.

I know not the effect of writing this letter. It will provide you with no new information, I’m sure, and yet in the midst of cries that our government is not responsive to the will of the people, I feel people have a tremendous obligation to express their opinions to their representatives and to participate to the greatest possible extent in selecting those representatives. If the government is unresponsive, we the citizens are to blame.

I write about a deep concern of mine–conscription. Under the present draft law I, a Quaker and a pacifist, would be classified as a conscientious objector. Last November I registered and applied for conscientious objector status, with strong reservations as to the morality of such a system. I wasn’t sure enough of my position to warrant breaking the law at that time.

I am sure we all agree that we try to make our laws in accordance with what is referred to as the “higher law”. And yet we often feel that taking a completely idealistic stand is not practical, at least within the context of the present world situation, so we compromise. Now I do not condemn compromise in itself, but I do reject an attempt to subvert my conception of the higher law to the laws of men. Therefore I believe I would refuse to be inducted into the armed forces, even as a conscientious objector. This is an act of civil disobedience. I do not mean to show disrespect for law in general, but in this case I believe we have made a grave mistake and I do not believe I would be helping this country by doing something I believe to be morally wrong.

I also feel obligated to propose an alternative. I believe the United States should develop a nonviolent approach to domestic and international policy, refuting not only infantry soldiers, but all armaments–missiles, bombs, etc. The power of nonviolence has been proven many times, the most well known being India, and the civil rights and antiwar movements in the United States. I know this sounds far-out in the light of Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Middle East, the arms race, etc., and yet due to these very same situations we are beginning to realize that military force is just not effective. I would urge you to read such books as The Power of Nonviolence by Richard Gregg. Really, I believe this is realistic. The only requirement is that we keep the faith, daily.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey A Kisling

U.S. Capitol
Civil disobedience training
FCNL
FCNL
FCNL
Draft–It’s Your Choice
U.S. Supreme Court
White House

 

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Scattergood Journal–Kent State Massacre

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

Journal May 5, 1970

Revolution?

It seemed as though the activist anti-war movement was almost dead. The Vietnam Moratorium Committee closed its offices due to lack of funds and interest, contending that activities would continue on a grass-roots level. As far as most of us were concerned it seemed American withdrawal was going well. The campuses were relatively quiet.

April 30,  President Nixon addressed the nation.  The subject–Cambodia. The North Vietnamese had been attacking South Vietnam from sanctuaries just across the border in Cambodia. In fact, North Vietnamese moved to hold a good share of the country. Prince Sihanouk was ousted (not by North Vietnamese). The President had decided that the sanctuaries must be destroyed if withdrawal were to continue safely (a few days earlier he had announced the withdrawal of 150,000 by next spring). South Vietnamese and American troops entered Cambodia. President Nixon contended that this was not widening the war, it was a necessary step to the completion of American withdrawal. Last night at a press conference he said all American troops of all kinds would be out of Cambodia by the end of June.

Since that address it seems as though the country has been in a state of upheaval–but this is judging from the reactions of students at the University of Iowa, though some 350-400 colleges have been closed by strikes, fear of violence, or desire to participate in political action.

At first, the reaction of Congress was the main area of dissent.

Then Monday, May 4, 1970, four students were killed by national guardsmen at Kent State.  Wednesday, after attending the usual silent vigil downtown Iowa City, Bruce and I ate lunch near the Old Capitol on the campus, listening to speakers at a rally (2,000). The four scheduled speakers protested the Cambodian situation but urged students not to act, or react, violently. Thursday 150 students were arrested for ignoring a court injunction against disturbances and some for breaking into the Old Capitol.

Yesterday the computer center was closed down due to a bomb scare, and last night the old armory was burned, though it is not certain that students did it. Today there were supposed to be mass demonstrations in Washington and around the country. I haven’t heard about that, yet.

I wish those who would use violence would re-direct their efforts toward peace through nonviolence. They contend that they have tried nonviolence and it hasn’t worked. If it hasn’t, I believe it’s because we haven’t worked hard enough at it. I can’t help but feel that those who use and advocate violence have mixed motives. No, I guess I don’t feel that way. I think I can see that their frustration with our society could lead them to violence.  But…  I just don’t know. Sometimes I wonder if resorting to violence isn’t necessary, though I’ve never decided that it was. It’s another case of the ends and the means. I think we have to move toward reconciliation, not polarization, and that requires that we recognize that we are all in the same boat, and I think we are. And yet one can’t go so far toward trying to attain reconciliation that one betrays his beliefs and principles, even temporarily.

(Note: Another student rally at Jackson State College in Mississippi resulted in the death of two students and 12 wounded when police opened fire on a women’s dormitory.
The route through Cambodia used by North Vietnamese troops was called the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
I remember the chaos and fear on the University of Iowa campus in those days after the Kent State killings. We had no idea what armed troops on campuses meant.
It really disturbed me to see militarized police and vehicles on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, after Michael Brown was killed.  I don’t know why I didn’t think about Kent State at that time.)

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Queries–Personal Responsibility

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

“Life is meant to be lived from a Center, a divine Center–a life of unhurried peace and power. It is serene. It takes not time, but it occupies all our time.”  Thomas Kelly

ADVICE

Historic testimonies of the Society of Friends against taking oaths, joining secret organizations, gambling and using addictive substances grew out of efforts of Friends to live with integrity and consistency. To swear an oath implied that one is obliged to be truthful only under oath. Joining secret organizations, gambling and using addictive and/or consciousness altering substances were recognized as practices which diverted resources from useful purposes, distracted attention from the Inner Light, and placed obstacles in the way of Friends seeking to lead lives of integrity. We recognize the spirit of these testimonies and endeavor to apply the same principles in our lives today.

Honesty and simplicity are essential parts of personal responsibility. We manifest our commitment to Truth in all we do. We can have joy and beauty in our lives without allowing material things to dominate them. We need to free ourselves from distractions that interfere with our search for inner peace, and accept with thanksgiving all that promotes fullness and aids in service to the divine Center.

QUERY

• How do we center our lives in the awareness of God the’ Spirit, so that all things may take their rightful places?
• How do we structure our individual lives in order to keep them uncluttered with things and activities? How does Meeting help us examine our personal lives for simplicity?
• Do we choose recreational activities which foster mental, physical and spiritual health?
• How are our lives affected by tobacco, alcohol and drug use? What can we do to deal with problems resulting from their use? What can we do to recognize and deal with unhealthy ways we treat ourselves?
• How do we ensure that we act with fairness and integrity?
• Are we sensitive to our own use of language which may be offensive or oppressive to others?

My response

In terms of living life at the center, I’ve been writing on my blog for almost 3 years now as a spiritual practice. This has made me listen more closely to the Inner Light, because each morning I try to discern what the spirit is saying to me,  and how to express that.  I eventually realized I was beginning each day asking “what are we going to do and write about today?”

The advice warns about the dangers of material things. Martin Luther King warned against three major problems in today’s society—materialism, militarism, and racism.

The query, “how do we ensure that we act with fairness and integrity?” raises questions about the overconsumption of fossil fuels, water, and other resources by our society.

We too often accept the materialism embraced by the society we live in, with personal automobiles, large homes, etc. Our economic system is built on the need for continued growth, which means ever increasing consumption of finite, nonrenewable resources.  There is no integrity in anything we do that adds any amount of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. The very survival of future generations depends upon us to stop adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere immediately. The concept of simplicity in this context is crucial in terms of returning to a lifestyle that is not dependent upon extravagant use of resources, especially energy and water.

The query regarding fairness, integrity, and consistency also raises questions about privilege and structural racism (one of the things Martin Luther King warned about).

We would do well to ask ourselves “what is there in my life that someone of another race can not have or experience?”

Bear Creek meeting
Imhotep and JT
Rasul, Diop and Imhotep
#NoDAPL
Evalyn Kellum and Diop Adisa
Bear Creek meeting
Jpeg

 

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Scattergood Journal — April 19–30, 1970

Posted on December 2, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

(Note: I think it was Bob Berquist’s idea that those of us who were concerned about the Vietnam War visit with random people in West Branch to find out what they thought about the war.  I remember being very apprehensive about this idea, but Bob seemed to think it was a good idea, so a small group of us did.  I remember walking up to houses and awkwardly saying we were Scattergood students who wanted to know what they thought about the war.  We were stunned to find people were universally unhappy with the war and wanted peace as soon as possible. I remember how much this impressed me, that we shouldn’t have preconceived ideas about people and what they believe.  I wish I had done a better job of remembering that, many times since then.  Another example of the education we received at Scattergood.)

Journal April 19, 1970

The basic idea of reconciliation is oneness, recognizing how much alike we all are, rather than purposely seeking and promoting our differences. I believe one of our most important tasks is to spread this realization of oneness as far and as fast as possible. We are dependent upon one another. Popular concerns about pollution, necessitating acquaintance with ecology, makes us painfully aware that not only are we dependent upon one another, but we are dependent upon nature to a much greater degree than formerly recognized (note: by our non indigenous culture).

When we visited people in West Branch, talking about the war, we found that almost everyone is really concerned for peace, we are just divided as to how to attain this peace.

When I turned in my draft card it was not the individual against the establishment. The (draft board) clerk was not only friendly, but concerned. She tried to show me the legal way of opposing war. She gave me a chance to reconsider, but admitted that it had to be a personal decision.

There is a God, and He is one, and we, individually, strive to attain a oneness with Him and our fellow man. (Note: apologies for gender)medicine-wheel

(Note:  As I’ve learned these past few years, the Circle is a fundamental symbol of Native American culture, of how we are all connected to each other and to Mother Earth.)

 

April 20, 1970

I must write this in the dark, as there seems to be no other time anymore. I have read that it is easy to develop this skill, and useful in prison.  Prison–the thought often haunts me though not really scares me. Recent Supreme Court decisions have made the delinquency regulations void, so my future is rather up in the air.

What is my future? This evening, just after lights out, I spoke to Steve–wondering if it were possible for a felon to be a lawyer. He wasn’t sure, having considered the question himself, with no research, though. I know he is considering going into law, and he said he had considered this question in relation to his draft status.

I have become interested in law recently because of Supreme Court decisions and my studies of human rights and international law.

April 28, 1970

After seeing a film about Dr. Martin Luther King I am once again impressed with the truth promoted by him, by Jesus, Gandhi, satyagraha, Quakers… who say if you are afraid to risk your life for the truth, you are already dead.

Isn’t a prison term, relatively short at that, a small price to pay when compared to the burden of an uneasy conscience?

April 30, 1970

Can one be open minded about something that one values highly, or that has cost one a great deal? I made a decision about the draft. I value that decision and it will probably cost me a great deal, indeed it already has. I have been afraid to question this decision, this commitment, because the cost of a mistake in this matter would be very great. I made this decision because I thought I was certain enough about my beliefs that my conviction in them would pull me through. I have been afraid to re-examine these beliefs because it would be very difficult to take the consequences while I felt that the actions that led to these consequences were a mistake.

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Vietnam War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial

 

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Scattergood Journal — April 13-14, 1970

Posted on December 2, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

April 13, 1970

I have looked forward to beginning a new volume of a journal. I have just finished an experiment with the first notebook, which was initiated at the beginning of this, my Senior year, at Scattergood School. I am fairly pleased with the results of the first volume, but feel I made some errors. The reason for beginning, and continuing, the experiment was to have a record of my growth spiritually, and to try to promote this growth by writing down my thoughts. But as it happened, I spent more time writing down the thoughts of others. I enjoy re-reading these passages, and could perhaps continue a collection of other’s thoughts in another volume. Many have more profound thoughts than I, or at least express them more eloquently than I. But as I look over my first volume, I find my own writing more valuable to me, and believe the more I write, the more clear and meaningful my thoughts and writings might be. My hope is that this volume will be entirely my writing.

I have always been a serious student. I have always been interested in science. The first area I remember studying out of class, on my own, was atomic and nuclear physics, an interest I have yet today. (Note: you might imagine how disconcerted my parents were when publications from the Atomic Energy Commission routinely arrived in the mail.)  I spent a good deal of time studying chemistry. I had biology my first two years at Scattergood. My freshman year I worked with protozoa, and my sophomore year with bacteria during my free time. It strikes me now that I have always been interested in the fundamentals-the building blocks. Last year, thanks to my math teacher, I develop an interest in computer programming. Last summer I worked with Don Laughlin at the University of Iowa Hospitals writing computer programs. Last year I studied differential calculus, and this year integral calculus on my own.

I am motivated and independent in my areas of interest. At present I am doing independent projects instead of going to class in two classes–German (reading Die Bibel) and physics (computer programming of mechanics problems, involving calculus).  (Note: that involved writing a computer program to calculate the paths of three planets based upon the gravitational effects on each other, including a crude graphical plot of their orbits).

One of the reasons Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, was my first choice was because it had a good independent study program. Also it is small and a Quaker community. I have been accepted there and plan to attend. Of major concern to me lately has been the Selective Service System, something I will undoubtedly write more about later. At the time I turned 18 years old I was struggling to decide whether to be a non registrant or to apply for conscientious objector status. At the time I chose to do the latter. But after continued thought, I returned my draft card January 2, 1970. My parents and I had not communicated well and they were upset. We agreed that if I were to write a letter asking the draft board to let me reconsider, they would let me make my own decision after I had been in college for a while.

April 14, 2017

High moments of my life are the feelings of contentment and oneness when discussion deeply serious and important matters with F/friends. We had such a discussion about the draft this evening. The stand I take on this issue is the result of years, at least months, of painfully weighing alternatives and trying to determine where my beliefs lead me. It represents a tremendous growth and change in mind and spirit. My stand is often lonely and painful in one sense, when others are hurt by it. But in another sense I feel I am less lonely than most in the world. I have developed some strong convictions and beliefs, and a feeling, deep inside, that I am on the right track in life. But it is always wonderful to gather with those who feel as you do. One gathers strength from this bond of concern for and consensus with one another.

I have learned to value and draw upon this sense of concern, if not always consensus, in Quaker meetings. I greatly appreciate the silent Quaker meeting for worship.

Bear Creek meetinghouse
Scattergood Peace Walk 1969
FCNL: Scattergood Peace Marches
Hickory Grove meetinghouse at Scattergood
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Scattergood Journal–March 1970

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

Journal, March 18, 1970

Finished first of two dress rehearsals tonight for “The Dybbuk” by S. Anski. That may be one reason I haven’t written more lately. It’s been very hard work. I had many lines to learn and a difficult part, Reb Azrielka, who tries to exorcise the dybbuk (Ron Ellyson).  (Note: I remember my lines covered 12 pages of single space typing). On top of all that, I’ve got a sore throat. Well, spring vacation begins this weekend.

I’ve learned of summer school at Pendle Hill. One of the courses deals with journals. I’d really like to go to that one.

I got a nice letter form Lois Doty, who I stayed with in Minneapolis last year during the Junior trip. I had sent her a copy of my paper on education, a subject she is  very involved in.  She says:

“I enjoyed and agreed with many of the points you brought out in your paper on education. I have felt for a long time that the only valid reward for learning was the act of learning.

Too often adults feel that young people can’t handle things in depth so they don’t even attempt to expose anything in depth. Thus young people end up feeling that life is shallow and sometimes give up trying to explore or discover any depth or meaning in life.

Orin this year as an added Income Tax protest, besides refusing to fill out income tax forms, has listed 13 dependents for withholding.  We still hope to sell our house and move to the country or maybe to Canada if things get too awful.”

March 30, 1970

I was reading my CCCO (Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors) Draft Counselor’s Manual this evening. In a court decision Warren vs. U.S. a distinction was made between (1)  one’s  freedom to think and (2) one’s freedom to act in connection with religious freedom under the First Amendment. The court ruled that while one’s right to believe was protected, one’s right to act could be restricted.

April 1, 1970

This evening we saw the movie “Rebel Without A Cause” (James Dean). I guess I was moved by this film because of the conflict of the youth and their parents.  I have been thinking more about the draft and I wish so much that my parents could support me. They try to tell me you don’t have to be idealistic, that the whole matter won’t be important in 10 years, unless I have to go to jail. But what Jim was trying to say (in the movie) and what I have tried to say is the ideals are crucial now and how we act on these ideals now will largely determine the quality of our lives in ten years.

“I think that the worst kind of fear or dread, is the fear that you yourself will fail to act according to your conscience. That fear is now gone. I am one of the freest men in the country. Can you understand that?”  James Taylor Rowland, Draft Resister

April 9

Heard Dr. Benjamin Spock speak today at the University of Iowa on “Dissent and Social Change”. No new ideas. Also saw film by Committee for Responsibility about Vietnamese children war victims sent to the U.S. for treatment. Physically sick after seeing those pictures.

 

(Note:  I remember spending hours in the darkroom making about 100 prints of this photo we took in the cemetery across from the School, for the program for “The Dybbuk”.  Someone else cut the tile for the inked heading at the top of the program. I also remember how someone thought to hang a white sheet across several strands of clothesline, so the images from a film projector appeared on three separate surfaces, seeming to float in the air. The director was Nancy Duncan)

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Photo on front of The Dybbuk program

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Requesting your queries

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

As I’ve been writing lately, some Friends of Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) feel this is a time we could revise our advices and queries, and the Ministry and Counsel Committee has encouraged us to do so.

I’ve made a number of attempts to try to do so myself and, more importantly, to encourage others to do so as well.  Several people have made some very helpful comments on the unofficial Facebook group page related to Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative).  It feels to me that sometimes the discussion gets a little sidetracked from the actual usefulness of a specific query, but I am glad the discussions are occurring.

Stepping back a little from talking about a specific query, I’m wondering what Friends think about the best process to move this along.  We’ve had a discipline revision committee do a lot of work to come up with our new Faith and Practice.  The advices and queries are included in that, which is the responsibility of the Ministry and Counsel Committee.  That committee has asked the monthly meetings to include any suggestions they have for revising the advices and queries in their report of their query discussions.

Realizing most of our monthly meetings are both busy and don’t have large numbers of active members, it seems continued exploration of this in the unofficial Facebook group could offer one of perhaps several ways of making progress on this. I’m wondering what you think about a couple of scenarios.

One might be to come up with a template to help monthly meetings as they have their discussion about this.  That could involve including and expanding on the useful discussion that has occurred in the unofficial Facebook group. Statements from other yearly meetings and Quakers about the purposes of queries could also be included.  And perhaps suggestions for different ways to come at this, such as Marshall Massey’s suggestion to think about our own past significant experiences, and how a query could be written that expresses that. Rather than trying to start with a question, start with the experience itself.

Another scenario would be to continue the discussions we have started on the Facebook group.  Then as people are led, they could take some form of some of those queries that speak to them back to their monthly meeting for consideration there.

I would assume there would also be the possibility of forming a committee similar to the discipline revision committee to work specifically on the advices and queries, although I have the impression many of us feel it is useful for each monthly meeting to be having these discussions as an expanded part of the regularly occurring query considerations.

Hickory Grove meetinghouse at Scattergood
Bear Creek members
Bear Creek meeting
George and Deborah Standing
Standing family 1900
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Bear Creek meetinghouse

 

 

 

 

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Scattergood Journal — February 1970

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Jeff Kisling

February 1, 1970

I finished reading Dag Hammarskjold, a Spiritual Portrait by Sven Stolpe. The book increased my interest in and admiration of the man who I can identify with in part. Not in his apparently vast intellectual capacities and reserves or his creative writing talent, but in aspects of his life. In his youth, apparently, he found it difficult to talk with his peers-they couldn’t understand him. He therefore only answered what was specifically asked of him, and only asked for information he knew others could give him. He spent much time reading and questioning himself. He followed a lonely path others didn’t even recognize as Christian. And then, when called into public service, he knew the time had come and he gave himself to the task.

I feel similarly in my search for meaning in life. It’s hard to communicate with anyone about it. And yet I have begun to find meaning in life, I believe, at times, and have followed a lonely path, tried to follow the path of Jesus.

“When all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could I tell what to do, then, o then, I heard a voice which said: there is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition.”  George Fox

February 18 Wednesday

Five of us, with Kent van Zant, went to the silent vigil in Iowa City today.  It was around 30 degrees and rather windy, but much worth the trouble and inconvenience.

Those of us in the social concerns group have been fasting today. The Laymen Concerned about Vietnam and Fellowship of Reconciliation are sponsoring vigils (Wednesdays) during the Easter season.

February 21, 1970

I got my letter of acceptance from Earlham College today. At first I was very happy–acceptance at a college is acknowledgement of certain achievements. One is also relieved, secure in the knowledge that, if one desires, he can attend classes and have room and board at a place and in an environment agreeable to him.

And now I have gradually been drawn back to my question as to the validity of this type of education.

I was talking to Dave Barrett this evening. He graduated last year, has turned in his draft card, and for the past year has just been traveling around. That’s what I’ve been considering doing this summer.

I felt very close to my friends today as they congratulated me for being accepted. I will always be grateful to Scattergood for providing me the opportunity to develop such deep personal relationships with such fine kids.

February 28, 1970

Last night attended a dinner and discussion “toward a community to resist the draft” at the meetinghouse/AFSC office in Iowa City. It was very nice to get together with people  much like yourself who think much like you do.

Scattergood Friends School Class of 1970
My Senior class at Scattergood Friends School
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