WARSF The Western Association of the Religious Society of Friends
(WARSF) provides a way through which Friends Meetings,
Churches, or individuals may enjoy a relationship with Friends
United Meeting. It also permits those long associated with Friends United Meeting to enjoy an unbroken, continuing relationship with FUM. The Association is an affiliate member of FUM. Berkeley Friends Church continues its affiliation with FUM as a member of WARSF.
Did you Know?From the Living Light
( First Friends Church. Whittier)
*From January 16 thru 26, 300 Quakers gathered in Auckland, New Zealand for the 21st Triennial of the Friends World Conmittee for Consultation (FWCC).
*These representatives and observers came from 81 yearly meetings & associations of Friends from around the world.
*There were 32 languages represented although the only official translations were in English, Spanish and French.
*The theme "Being faithful witnesses: serving God in a changing world" was reflected throughout the sessions, stimulated by plenary presentations including one by Jean Zaru from Ramallah.
*Worship was central to the gathering with twelve scheduled times and began each Meeting for Business.
*Each participant was part of a Worship and Sharing Group which met for 90 minutes on each of 7 days. This provided individuals with a "family" in this large gathering.
*FWCC serves Quakers in a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status at the United Nations in New York and Geneva. The work includes human rights, the environment, disarmament, prevention of violent conflict, and the Decade for a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World.
*FWCC is represented at the World Council of Churches (WCC) with Eden Grace of New
England on the Central Committee. WCC has named this as the "Decade to Overcome
Violence." Copies of the FWCC Triennial study booklet on the theme may be requested from the church office.Berkeley Friends Church is connected to WCC thru the Westem Association of the Religious Society of Friends (WARSF). .
At the February 21 Annual Meeting of the Western Association
of the Religious Society of Friends (W ARSF), the following were
selected to serve for the coming year: Clerk, James Cradler, Whittier
Meeting; Assistant Clerk, Louise Secord, Whittier Meeting;
Recording Clerk, Faith Jansen Brewer, Berkeley Friends Meeting;
Financial Clerk, William Wright, Whittier Meeting; Board Member:
Dena Kiouses, Bakersfield Quaker Meeting; Board Member: Dottie
Andersen, Whittier Meeting; Representatives: FCNL - Tim Root,
Whittier Meeting; AFSC - Rob Settlage~ Whittier Meeting; FUM
Louise Secord, Whittier Meeting; FWCC - Jeanette Norton, Orange
County Meeting
WARSF is the organization by which individuals and meetings
may become members of Friends United Meeting (FUM). Inquiries are
occasionally made by individuals and friends meetings ori
organizations about membership in WARSF. The by-laws indkate that
any individual or organization must have close attachment to Friends in
one way or another to attain membership. It was decided that
individuals can continue to apply for membership; however, the
question of entire meetings must take more study. Some of these
meetings could be far removed from the West Coast, and WARSF is
not in a position to provide overall assistance such as can be provided
by Friends United Meeting.
- Carl Nelson