Earthquake, Wind, and Fire: Seeking the Calm Center with Max Carter | Stephen G. Cary Lecture 2025

Описание: We are living in a time of “earthquake, wind, and fire.” Many of us are searching for “still, small voice of calm,” a Living Center, where we can hear the voice of the Divine and find the strength to carry on.

What lessons can we learn from the work of those living through war and catastrophe in Palestine and Israel, as they speak truth to power in the cause of a just peace? How might their experience inform us as we seek a calm Center in the eye of the storm?

This lecture takes its inspiration from the last line of John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem, “The Brewing of Soma,” familiar to many in the last verse of the hymn “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.” The poem references 1 Kings 19:11-12, in which the prophet Elijah is confronted by God in the wilderness. Elijah faced tumultuous times in his prophetic task of speaking truth to power. Whittier, a Quaker abolitionist, similarly dealt with seismic issues in his commitment to the cause of anti-slavery and social reform. This lecture will invite the audience to listen to the resonances of these words in our times.

Pendle Hill hosts free lectures for the public on the first Monday of every month. These lectures feature diverse subjects, and are delivered by a wide variety of speakers. Join us here each month for a new lecture, or sign up to participate via Zoom: https://pendlehill.org/calendar/

Here is a full list of readings and resources Max
Pilgrims of Ibillin -- The support group for Abuna Elias Chacour's work [https://pilgrimsofibillin.org/]
Friends of Tent of Nations -- The support group for the besieged Nassar Farm outside of Bethlehem. [https://fotonna.org/]
Breaking the Silence -- The organization of Israeli military veterans working to end the military occupation. [https://www.breakingthesilence.org.il]
Ramallah Friends School -- The Quaker school in Ramallah. [https://www.rfs.edu.ps/en]

Books:
Max L. Carter, "Palestine and Israel: Understanding Encounters"
Ari Shavit, "My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel"
Ben Ehrenreich, "The Way to the Spring: Life and Death in Palestine"
American Friends Service Committee, "Light in Gaza"
Elias Chacour, "Blood Brothers"
Munther Isaac, "Christ in the Rubble"