Stil Time to Register for the 324th Annual Session of NCYM (C)

Theme: How does Truth prosper Among Us?

For people new to Friends, this is an old traditional query some Friends use to take stock of themselves and their spiritual community. It's interesting lingo but plenty of Quakers and Truth thrive in other terms.

Register by July 7 here

 Okay so Yearly Meeting of North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative) overlaps with NPYM annual session.

But there's Bible study led by Ashley M Wilcox  at 5:30 am Pacific Time.

There is also a presentation called Complicating Legacies: Studying Slavery, Equity, and Inclusion at Guilford College Presented by Krishauna Hines-Gaither and Gwen Gosney Erickson

There are also inserest groups and fun / social time. So people wanting to meet some Friends really different from Friends in the Pacific NW might want to check it out.

Purple Chicken Presente with Little Bunny Foo Foo

RantWoman thinks she first learned the Little Bunny Foo-foo song when she was a gawky teenaged drafter at the last minute to be church camp counselor for a cabin full of homesick 10-year-olds.

Yes, RantWoman would agree there is something a little odd to learning a song about (usually herbivorous) bunnies bopping field mice on the head AT BAPTIST CHURCH CAMP.

There is a terrible pun woven into the song's entire premise. RantWoman thinks the pun applies from the outset and wonders what takes the song so long about saying it. Not that RantWoman at that point was likely to confront her elders about wiggy animal stories and a bunny that never seems to get the message. 

chicken, mocha mug

Nor, unfortunately, would RantWoman have been capable either of saying to her charges, "look, tell me about the Rez. I can at least listen" or of confronting elders about hetero-patriarchal expectation that kick-ass women of a certain era would be expected to be sent off to teach among the tribe.

RantWoman is thinking about all this in the same space with concerns about religious education for today and with othering and erasure she hears going on when a Meeting is drafting a minute of concern about anti-Asian violence and kind of forgets to mention families of Asian descent in our very own Meeting. 

At this point, the fluffy purple chicken suggests RantWoman just GO TO BED and save some frets for tomorrow.

Rest In Peace Donald Rumsfeld, Master At 'Lying About The Most Consequential Things!

RantWoman's soul is full of love and centeredness and gratitude for the vast pool of Quakerdom able, thanks to the wonders of Zoom, to participate in the FGC gathering. Why go ruin the vibe writing prickly condolences to a war criminal's loved one?

Oh wait. RantWoman is also arguing with God about leadings and queries and when to throw a snit fit and when just to cry.

RantWoman also repents of EVER wisecracking that "You go to life with the God you've got, not the God you might want.

RantWoman does extend sincere--and judgmental--condolences to loved ones, colleagues...

Video for Pride Month

Sometimes in RantWoman's world of Blog as Quaker Journal, there are things to post out of pure interest without any additional piquant (or otherwise) RantWoman commentary.

Happy #Pride

Before Stonewall

FAN Seeks Policy Engagement Director: another awesome public ministry job posting.

 Posted vebatim with some RantWoman commentary at the bottom

 FAITH ACTION NETWORK — POLICY ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Open until filled. Application review begins August 1, 2021

 

Faith Action Network (FAN) is a statewide, multi-faith 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization through which thousands of people and over 160 faith communities across Washington State build partnerships for the common good. Our network today includes Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Unitarian, Sikh, Quaker and non-denominational communities and individuals, and we actively welcome all. FAN’s team has worked in our first 10 years to build a movement for social justice: educating on issues, organizing advocates, and raising voices of faith and conscience in the state legislature and at local and federal levels.

 

The Policy Engagement Director is a new position for FAN designed to build on strong foundations and deepen policy knowledge and engagement within our network. Embedded in this leadership role are these assumptions:

• FAN is committed to impacting public policy on a state level as central to its mission.
• FAN’s particular contribution in the public policy arena is twofold: advocating on the basis of the deepest values in our faith traditions for justice and compassion; and having a statewide, multi-faith network that can be engaged and mobilized in this work.
• Moving forward, FAN will engage its growing network in the leadership of FAN’s advocacy agenda and bringing faith voices to the table in advocacy coalitions/groups.
• FAN is committed to becoming a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist organization.

 

The FAN Policy Engagement Director will provide leadership in developing FAN’s policy agenda and strategies, with the goal of expanding the role of our growing network in the process of advocacy and policy change.

 

Characteristics, Skills and Experience that will lead to success:

• You have demonstrated knowledge and passion for progressive public policy issues. Two years of Washington State public policy experience preferred. Respect for and ability to communicate along a continuum of policy positions is essential.
• Experience with community/issue organizing will be helpful. Two years’ experience preferred.
• You enthusiastically accept, embrace, and relate to diverse faith traditions, BIPOC/multicultural communities, and secular groups on social justice issues.
• The work of amplifying faith-based voices for social justice energizes you.
• You have a commitment to teamwork and collaboration that is grounded in your capacity for empathy.
• Understanding that FAN is on a journey toward racial equity and undoing white supremacy, you have a willingness to deepen personal and professional knowledge of how these operate internally and externally in public policy and organizations.
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communications skills.
• Experience and skill working to recruit, train and engage volunteers.
• Ability to use technology in carrying out our statewide work. Comfort and proficiency with database use/tracking, social networking tools, and MS Office.
• Bilingual ability is desirable.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and use of an insured personal vehicle as necessary for required travel (with usage reimbursement).
• Flexibility and adaptability! FAN’s work is always evolving in response to the needs of our time, and our success has been in being nimble enough to adapt.
• All relevant education and experience will be considered.

 

Key Responsibilities for the Policy Engagement Director:

• Provide leadership in identifying and developing a core group to work on behalf of FAN to set and evaluate policy goals.
• Identify, train, equip, and supervise network leaders for each of FAN’s policy categories, with the goal of involving them in shaping FAN’s policy agenda, representing FAN with our coalition partners, and directly advocating with legislators and other policymakers.
• Take lead in FAN interfaith advocacy day(s) planning with staff and volunteers to help advance our network’s engagement with FAN’s policy agenda.
• Coordinate closely with any lobbyist that FAN may contract with during the legislative session.
• Build relationships with elected officials and coalition partners.
• Work closely with FAN regional organizers and volunteers to expand FAN network and further FAN’s policy agenda.
• Report policy developments regularly to FAN staff and Governing Board and prepare policy updates for FAN communications.
• Represent FAN at public events, and update FAN staff/volunteers on policy issues in advance of events, as needed.
• Work with FAN staff and volunteers to strengthen the annual cycle of events, FAN’s Annual Dinner, and other convenings.
• Work in collaboration with Governing Board and staff to further FAN’s goal to be an anti-racist organization.
• Be an active team player, doing whatever it takes to move forward FAN’s mission.

 

Salary range: $60,000-$70,000 plus health/dental insurance and paid vacation and sick leave.

This is a full-time, overtime-exempt position. FAN offices are located in Seattle, with regional organizers throughout WA; for this position, you will need to have easy access to Puget Sound region and Olympia. Policy Engagement Director will report to and be supervised by the Executive Director. We anticipate this position will begin early Fall 2021.

To apply, send a resume with a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and your relevant experience and skills to apply@fanwa.org.

 

Faith Action Network is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. FAN is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, relevant disability, marital status, veteran status or national origin.

3720 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98134 • (206) 625-9790 • fan@fanwa.org • www.fanwa.org

 

RantWoman comments:

--Much as RantWoman respects and values Faith Action Network RantWoman is WAY too charm-challenged to do what is needed. That will not stop RantWoman from trying to contribute as she is led / as she is able. By "contribute," RantWoman means encourage members of faith communities to widen their horizons to include transportation and environmental considerations. A tough stretch.

--Speaking of transportation, another "driver's license required" posting. Question at the interview: "What would be the mileage reimbursement budget. Here's how I propose to make it work..."

Seriously, the looks like an important position so Go For it!

Purple Chicken Presente: preparations for summer Zoomathons

other desk clutter

Meet The Fluffy Lavender Chicken. 

This fluffy lavender chicken has now been designated RantWoman's official emotional support chicken and visual motif as RantWoman prepares for this summer's various upcoming Zoomathnons. 

RantWoman is happy to know a couple homes where live chickens are part of the household. RantWoman is especially happy occasionally to receive fresh eggs from a flock with several different breeds of hens. Still  a flock of actual live emotional support chickens sounds like too much for the computer lab. 

This chicken, though, is a present from someone in an "I want to give you a present and I really don't care whether a fluffy purple chicken is a present you would think to ask for. But Enjoy!" In the realm of curious help that may or may not be totally helpful, RantWoman is just going to run with that, especially since the chicken is now one less thing to trip over in RantWoman's apartment. 

The chicken share's RantWoman's certainty the world is entitled to RantWoman's opinion and is likely aid and abet TantWoman as she  composes a number of posts which may or may not get posted before the actual events to which they refer.

Consider for instance this list of NPYM Annual Session Interest Groups

Other readers who do not use screen readers may not even notice headings. RantWoman nowever is extremely grateful there are two layers of headings so that RantWoman can skip to a specific item.

 RantWoman is also grateful to see both themes about taking care of community AND about Quakers doing good in the world.

Beyond that, RantWoman is going to save some all disabilities all the time meditations and let the season at least until after even events inflaming RantWoman's opinions have occurred. Stay tuned!

Fourth Saturday Worship JUNE

Fireworks.
How is Way opening?
What of faith Hope Love?

Invitation to Beat the Heat and join Fourth Saturday Worship at the Zoom coordinates at the end of this post.

 Fourth Saturday worship is intended to begin with silent worship with an invitation to consider the muddle below.

June is about travel or not travel and gatherings and different flavors or Pride. July for RantWoman also features Independence Day, several death anniversaries and, this year, a major birthday RantWoman is still not sure how to handle. 

Zoom makes possible all sorts of conundrums about eldering. One's nostrils may or may not be one's best feature. If your Zoom image were dominated by nostrils or random body parts or peculiar motions, would you want someone to let you know OR are Friends simply supposed to accept that God is glad to have people in worship however they arrive and maybe people should fuss less about nostrils? 

Are there special things one does at Gatherings that can be replicated at home to make the Zoom experience more like in-person just without lengthy travel.

What matters most in a worship group where Friends are expected to wade into many dimension  of anii-racism?

There is definitely still time to join evening events for the Friends General Conference Gathering; RantWoman thinks most readers with eyes that function better than RantWoman's are going to be able , faster than RantWoman can what other participation options they might want to grab onto. 

There is still time to register for North Pacific Yearly Meeting Annual Session

RantWoman particularly recommends the numerous Interest Groups, with special thanks to the webkeeper for headings to make it easy for RantWoman and her screen reader to navigate without having to read the whole page. 

Join Zoom Meeting Fourth Saturday Worship

In Light and Faithfulness

RantWoman