Letter from clerk identifies hopes for way forward

In a letter to the gathering at Eugene this last weekend, Doreen Crail, presiding clerk at West Hills, listed six “things I believe we would expect for any new yearly meeting or affiliation.” Four of the items address issues of inclusion and equality:

• It is of utmost importance that any and all members of WHF are allowed to fully participate and provide leadership in any affiliation level meetings, committees, etc.
• We have amazing released pastors who have many gifts. We would want to collaborate only with others who value and appreciate these individuals as much as we do.
• It is a priority for relationships to be respectful and communication transparent.
• It is important that diversity is respected and people are safe from the judgment of others.
• There would need to be a commitment to follow Quaker process and decision making.
• It seems we may not want to participate in an arrangement where an individual or committee has authority to tell our local meeting what we should or should not do, but WHF has not discussed this topic.

The entire letter is available online.