Dear Friends and Family,

God gives so many wonderful surprises!  Who would have thought three years ago that interfaith work would become a central focus of our lives?  We began with a simple 8-week interfaith study and potluck at Walteria UMC (see our letter), and now look where we are...!

Anthony has become increasingly involved with interfaith work. For the past two years he has served on the Board of the South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC) and has helped to organize numerous events, the most noteworthy being an interfaith youth "icebreaker" that drew 60 + participants and was written up in the Daily Breeze, our local newspaper. He fasted during Ramadan this year and has been asked to be a resource person for Quaker Meetings seeking to promote dialogue and friendship with Muslims. He has also become an active member of a progressive peace organization called the Interfaith Communities Uniting for Peace and Justice (ICUJP). This organization attracts some of the most committed peace activists and spiritual progressives in the LA area. We also attend local interfaith events, such as the Peninsula Interfaith Luncheons.

Anthony continues to edit Friends Bulletin as well as publish articles in both British and American Quaker periodicals. He also led a successful campaign to raise funds so that Friends Bulletin can continue to publish books. In the upcoming year Anthony plans to focus on ecological/spiritual concerns as well as on intefaith peacemaking (the two are of course interrelated). He has had meetings with Friends from two important Quaker environmental organizations, EarthLight magazine and Earthcare Witness, and feels a deepening concern about the ecological future of our planet.

Anthony also continues to serve on the Board of Pendle Hill, the Quaker center for Study and Contemplation near Philadelphia. He travels east twice a year to connect with various Quaker organizations and to spend time with his sister and her family. (His niece Emily and nephew Demetrios are doing well, and are making their uncle very proud with their love of reading and museums.) This year Anthony spent several days in Washington, DC, where he visited lots of museums (including the wonderful new American Indian museum). While staying at the William Penn House on Capitol hill, he visited and was extremely impressed by the newly renovated "green" office of Friends Committee for National Legislation.

As you can see, we have a new addition to our household, a 20-year-old Korean student named Crystal Park. She is studying at a local community college and is being sponsored Rev. Chang Soon Lee and his wife In Sook Lee (Rev. Lee pastors Walteria UMC’s Korean congregation). Since moving into our house this summer, Crystal has been a delightful presence. She is an enthusiastic Christian, loves film, children and food (especially Korean food), and is fun to be with. We feel blessed by her company.

We have good news about our other students. Hye-Jeong gave birth in May to a baby boy named Maximilian. The baby is thriving, and Hye-Jeong is back teaching at her music school. Anna is going through an important transition in her life and we are looking forward to a happy outcome.

For her part, Kathleen has been expanding her interest in church/state relationships by becoming more active in political action.  Her church has graciously received her encouragement to write letters to congress and the state legislature regarding cuts to food stamps, and essential services to the poor. We’ve attend candlelight vigils to mourn the loss of lives in Iraq, prayed monthly for peace in Israel/Palestine, and started serving Free Trade coffee at church to support fair wages for coffee growers.  $2,400 was raised for victims of Hurricane Katrina, and $1,000 for the tsunami, in addition to our regular support of a missionary to Bethlehem and Church World Service!

Children at the weekly Kids Club continue to be a focal point for us.  Vacation Bible School was twice as big this year, and weekly Kids Club is both a challenge and a joy, as volunteers help us teach Bible stories, prayer, and how to show love through mission giving.  Kids set the tables each week for the Community Hot Meal, which Walteria UMC has sponsored for 16 years.  It’s a miracle that a church of 50 members can generously serve 80-110 low-income guests with delicious home-cooked food each and every month.  Even with take-out cartons, there is always food left over!  We are grateful for volunteers from three other local churches, and the youth from three high school service organizations who help make it happen!

 Our nephew, Edward Ross celebrated his 4th birthday, even while mom and dad (Jim & Anne) were doing extensive renovations on their new home—$1.3 million for 1,800 sq. ft that needed new plumbing, new roof, new electrical, all new appliances, repainting, new landscape, etc., etc., and it was considered to be a steal!  That’s Palo Alto for you!  Capri turned 10 this year, and Adriana is becoming quite a young lady at 15!  Parents David & Kathy are both happy in their jobs at Hewlett-Packard and the Calvary Chapel Christian School.

 We are looking forward to seeing Dad and Edie Ross in Missouri for Christmas, and our new tradition of spending our New Year’s anniversary in St. Louis!

For memories of holidays past, see: