Wednesday, June 16, 2010
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Reaching Out (Advices & Queries for March)
Friends fellowship begins and is nurtured within the home and Meeting. It reaches greater fulfillment as we carry our beliefs into the wider community.
Share your Quaker faith. Take time to learn about other people's experiences of the Light, and as you learn, give freely from what you have gained. Respect the experiences and opinions of others, but do not be afraid to say what you value. Welcome the diversity of culture, language, and expressions of faith in your Monthly Meeting, the Yearly Meeting, and the world community of Friends. Encourage discourse with Friends of pastoral and programmed traditions, and with members of other faiths.
Friends have a long history of involvement in public and private education, sharing our values with the world and nurturing future generations. Be mindful of the needs of children in the community and of avenues for deepening understanding between peoples.
How does my life reflect Friends beliefs and thus encourage others to be interested in the Religious Society of Friends?
Do I respond openly to inquiries about Quaker experience and belief?
What does our Meeting do to make others aware of Friends principles and practices?
What are we doing to help people of various races, cultures, and backgrounds feel at home among us and we among them?
How do we encourage newcomers to return and participate in activities of the Meeting?
In what ways do we participate in the life of the interfaith community and in the wider fellowship of Friends?
[next month's queries]
Share your Quaker faith. Take time to learn about other people's experiences of the Light, and as you learn, give freely from what you have gained. Respect the experiences and opinions of others, but do not be afraid to say what you value. Welcome the diversity of culture, language, and expressions of faith in your Monthly Meeting, the Yearly Meeting, and the world community of Friends. Encourage discourse with Friends of pastoral and programmed traditions, and with members of other faiths.
Friends have a long history of involvement in public and private education, sharing our values with the world and nurturing future generations. Be mindful of the needs of children in the community and of avenues for deepening understanding between peoples.
How does my life reflect Friends beliefs and thus encourage others to be interested in the Religious Society of Friends?
Do I respond openly to inquiries about Quaker experience and belief?
What does our Meeting do to make others aware of Friends principles and practices?
What are we doing to help people of various races, cultures, and backgrounds feel at home among us and we among them?
How do we encourage newcomers to return and participate in activities of the Meeting?
In what ways do we participate in the life of the interfaith community and in the wider fellowship of Friends?
[next month's queries]
An Invitation
There are scriptures that can virtually stand alone and “say it all.” Psalm 46:10 is one of those: Be still and know that I am God. . .
The invitation is to sit alone and quiet somewhere, to relinquish the mind’s incessant chatter and rest in God’s presence. In so doing, we allow God to be God--free of our small expectations and endless anxieties. This heightens clarity in the following ways: We come to know God more intimately because we’re less inclined to crowd out that still, small voice with our own varieties of noise. Increasingly, we enjoy paradoxes such as God’s Infinite Mystery paired with God’s Supreme Love. And we truly come to know that God, who is closer to us than we are to ourselves, will never abandon us. Over time, as we sink deeper into silence, we discern the underlying, eternal reality that all is well in God’s vast universe. In short, embracing stillness means embracing God and our truer selves. So, will you opt to savor more silence?
by Jane Milligan
The invitation is to sit alone and quiet somewhere, to relinquish the mind’s incessant chatter and rest in God’s presence. In so doing, we allow God to be God--free of our small expectations and endless anxieties. This heightens clarity in the following ways: We come to know God more intimately because we’re less inclined to crowd out that still, small voice with our own varieties of noise. Increasingly, we enjoy paradoxes such as God’s Infinite Mystery paired with God’s Supreme Love. And we truly come to know that God, who is closer to us than we are to ourselves, will never abandon us. Over time, as we sink deeper into silence, we discern the underlying, eternal reality that all is well in God’s vast universe. In short, embracing stillness means embracing God and our truer selves. So, will you opt to savor more silence?
by Jane Milligan
February Advices & Queries (from our _Faith & Practice_)
The heart of the Religious Society of Friends is the Meeting for Worship. In direct communion with God, we offer ourselves for God’s will. Our daily lives are linked with the Meeting for Worship, the Meeting for Worship with our daily lives.
Come regularly to Meeting for Worship, even when you are angry, tired, or spiritually cold. Bring your joys and your hurts, and the needs of other people. Accept and support each other in the community where God dwells among us. As you do so, you may find the grace of prayer.
At times the Spirit may prompt you to speak in Meeting. Wait patiently to know that the sense and the time are right. When you are sure, have confidence that the words will be given to you. Listen to the ministry of others with an open spirit. If it is not God’s word for you, it may be for others. After a message has been given, allow time to ponder its meaning and to let the Meeting return to silent worship. In speech and in silence, each person contributes to the Meeting.
Do I come to Meeting with heart and mind prepared for worship?
In both silent and vocal ministry, do I respond to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, without pre-arrangement and in simplicity and truth?
Am I careful not to speak at undue length or beyond personal spiritual experience?
Do we meet in expectant waiting for the promptings of the Divine Spirit?
Are we drawn together in a living silence by the power of God in our midst?
[next month's queries]
Come regularly to Meeting for Worship, even when you are angry, tired, or spiritually cold. Bring your joys and your hurts, and the needs of other people. Accept and support each other in the community where God dwells among us. As you do so, you may find the grace of prayer.
At times the Spirit may prompt you to speak in Meeting. Wait patiently to know that the sense and the time are right. When you are sure, have confidence that the words will be given to you. Listen to the ministry of others with an open spirit. If it is not God’s word for you, it may be for others. After a message has been given, allow time to ponder its meaning and to let the Meeting return to silent worship. In speech and in silence, each person contributes to the Meeting.
Do I come to Meeting with heart and mind prepared for worship?
In both silent and vocal ministry, do I respond to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, without pre-arrangement and in simplicity and truth?
Am I careful not to speak at undue length or beyond personal spiritual experience?
Do we meet in expectant waiting for the promptings of the Divine Spirit?
Are we drawn together in a living silence by the power of God in our midst?
[next month's queries]
Spiritual Life (Our PYM Advices & Queries for January)
The life of the spirit gains depth and vigor through devotional practices, prayer, study and meditation. Take time regularly for individual and family worship, discussions, readings from sacred texts, and other spiritual refreshment in order to live a more centered life and to bring a deeper presence to the Meeting for Worship.
Friends believe that the spiritual path is best found in community. Create opportunities in your Meetings for people of all ages to explore and express their evolving relationship with the Divine, their spiritual highs and their doubts. If different metaphors and language interfere with communication, listen more deeply, honoring the Spirit in which the thought and words have their beginnings.
Do I live in thankful awareness of God's constant presence in my life?
Am I sensitive and obedient to the leadings of the Holy Spirit?
When do I take time for contemplation and spiritual refreshment?
What steps am I taking to center my life and stay open to continuing revelation?
Do we share our spiritual lives with others in the Meeting, seeking to know one another in that which is eternal?
Does the Meeting provide religious education including study of the Bible and Friends' history and practices?
[next month's queries]
Friends believe that the spiritual path is best found in community. Create opportunities in your Meetings for people of all ages to explore and express their evolving relationship with the Divine, their spiritual highs and their doubts. If different metaphors and language interfere with communication, listen more deeply, honoring the Spirit in which the thought and words have their beginnings.
Do I live in thankful awareness of God's constant presence in my life?
Am I sensitive and obedient to the leadings of the Holy Spirit?
When do I take time for contemplation and spiritual refreshment?
What steps am I taking to center my life and stay open to continuing revelation?
Do we share our spiritual lives with others in the Meeting, seeking to know one another in that which is eternal?
Does the Meeting provide religious education including study of the Bible and Friends' history and practices?
[next month's queries]
Questions About Friends (Quakers)?
If there's anything you'd like to know about Quakers, please ask in the comments below.
(If you'd rather direct a question to the San Diego Meeting's Education Committee, you can email it to treegestalt at gmail.)
(If you'd rather direct a question to the San Diego Meeting's Education Committee, you can email it to treegestalt at gmail.)
Peace (Advices & Queries from Faith & Practice)
Friends oppose all war as inconsistent with God's will. As every person is a child of God, we recognize God's Light also in our adversaries. Violence and injustice deny this reality and violate the teachings of Jesus and other prophets.
Friends challenge their governments and take personal risks in the cause of peace. We urge one another to refuse to participate in war as soldiers, or as arms manufacturers. We seek ways to support those who refrain from paying taxes that support war. We work to end violence within our own borders, our homes, our streets, and our communities. We support international order, justice, and understanding.
Become an instrument of peace. At every opportunity be peacemakers in your homes, workplaces and communities. Steep yourself in the power of the universal Spirit. Examine your actions for the seeds of violence, degradation and destructiveness. Overcome the emotions that lie at the root of violence and nurture instead a spirit of reconciliation and love. Come to know the oneness of creation and oppose the destruction of the natural world.
-----
Do I live in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars?
How do I nourish peace within myself as I work for peace in the world?
Do I confront violence wherever it occurs, even when my personal relationships are involved?
Where there is distrust, injustice, or hatred, how am I an instrument of reconciliation and love?
What are we doing to remove the causes of war and destruction of the planet, and to bring about lasting peace?
Do we reach out to all parties in a conflict with courage and love?
[next month's queries]
Friends challenge their governments and take personal risks in the cause of peace. We urge one another to refuse to participate in war as soldiers, or as arms manufacturers. We seek ways to support those who refrain from paying taxes that support war. We work to end violence within our own borders, our homes, our streets, and our communities. We support international order, justice, and understanding.
Become an instrument of peace. At every opportunity be peacemakers in your homes, workplaces and communities. Steep yourself in the power of the universal Spirit. Examine your actions for the seeds of violence, degradation and destructiveness. Overcome the emotions that lie at the root of violence and nurture instead a spirit of reconciliation and love. Come to know the oneness of creation and oppose the destruction of the natural world.
-----
Do I live in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars?
How do I nourish peace within myself as I work for peace in the world?
Do I confront violence wherever it occurs, even when my personal relationships are involved?
Where there is distrust, injustice, or hatred, how am I an instrument of reconciliation and love?
What are we doing to remove the causes of war and destruction of the planet, and to bring about lasting peace?
Do we reach out to all parties in a conflict with courage and love?
[next month's queries]
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