Dear Friends,It is hard for me to believe that in less than three months, I will be in Kenya for the FWCC World Conference! I am writing to say thank you to everyone who responded to my earlier request for support. It was wonderful to receive your emails and cards, and I am grateful for your financial support, your prayers, and your suggestions for scholarships.
Thanks to your individual contributions and a grant from the PYM International Outreach Granting Group, I have raised nearly $700 to help with my travel costs. As you know, my original goal was $1,500, and I am still hoping to raise an additional $800. If you feel led to help support me financially, please email me at ashleymwilcox AT gmail DOT com.
As the the conference gets closer, I would also appreciate your continued prayers.
In particular, I have learned that I will be leading a thread group at the the conference―a three-day workshop for 1.5 hours in the afternoon providing an opportunity for Friends to go deeper into their exploration of the theme: "Being Salt and Light: Friends living the Kingdom of God in a Broken World." My thread group will be called "Convergent Friends: Worship and Conversation," and I have written the following description for the World Conference program:
Where is the life in the Religious Society of Friends? How does truth prosper among us? How can we engage one another across our differences? The term “Convergent Friends” describes a movement of Quakers coming together across the branches of Friends to try to discover the best of our tradition. In this thread group, we will explore different kinds of worship and share how God is at work in our lives. Come prepared to speak from your own experience, to listen deeply, and to be changed by the Spirit present among us.I am very grateful that Lucy F has agreed to be my elder for this workshop, and I ask for your prayers as we prepare to bring this ministry together.
Thank you again for your prayers and support. I feel blessed to have all of you supporting me as I continue to prepare to travel.
With love,
Ashley
