Quakers urged to be the change in Kenya
Speakers urge Friends to ‘get up and get involved’
Quakers from around the globe have been encouraged to revive the enthusiasm of early Friends for living out their values and changing the world around them. The World Conference of Friends has heard passionate reflections on the theme of ‘Being Salt and Light: Living the kingdom of God in a broken world’.
The gathering took place from 17 to 25 April in Kabarak University in Kenya’s Rift Valley. It was organised by the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC).
‘Unlike the early Christians or early Quakers, we have failed to do our job to be salt and light in the world,’ said Quaker theologian Esther Mombo, from St Paul’s University in the Kenyan town of Limuru. She urged Friends to ‘get up and get involved’.
The title of the theme refers to Jesus’ encouragement to his followers to be ‘the salt of the world’ and ‘the light of the world’.
‘It is clear that both salt and light operate by associating with the thing that they want to change,’ said Esther Mombo. ‘Salt cannot improve the food unless it goes in the food and changes it from within. Light cannot show the way unless it encounters the darkness.’
Filipino Friend Carmela Lao said: ‘If we really want better changes, well, we must be the change ourselves.’ She encouraged Friends to ‘change our communities into the likeness of the kingdom that is yet to come – a place for peace, understanding and unity’.
Visitors to the event included the former president of Kenya, and current chancellor of Kabarak University, Daniel arap Moi. He told the assembled Quakers that ‘Christians should be more active and go out there to spread the word of God just as Jesus did’.
His visit was not without controversy. As he entered, some Friends observed local cultural traditions by standing up for the ex-president. Others, concerned either with the testimony to equality or with Daniel arap Moi’s actions when in power, remained in their seats.
There have also been other tensions at the gathering. An epistle from a group of gay, lesbian and bisexual Friends was reported to have been torn from the wall on two occasions, prompting emotional discussion of differing views about same-sex relationships.
Several contributors spoke of the shared values of Friends from different traditions, who can work together to have an effect on the world. Liberal, evangelical and conservative Friends are all represented at the conference.
‘I do not understand clearly about liberal Friends but I know they are my Friends,’ said Pradip Kumar Lamichhane, a Nepalese evangelical Quaker. ‘I do not understand clearly about Friends’ various beliefs, but I believe we are one.’
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