FAITH AND PRACTICE
of
Baltimore Yearly Meeting
of the
Religious Society of Friends
Table of Contents
- Part I Faith
- Part II The Queries
- Introduction
- Queries with References for Advices
- Part III Practices and Procedures
- Part IV Appendices
Part II:
The Queries
A. Introduction
The Queries are a device used within the Society of Friends for
prompting both corporate and individual self-examination. They have varied through
time and from Yearly Meeting to Yearly Meeting, reflecting current regional
insights as to the best way for Meetings and individual Friends to live their spiritual
and temporal lives. It is the practice in most Monthly
Meetings to read and consider a query at each meeting for business. We urge consideration of these
queries by all Friends.
Following each Query, one or more references relevant to that Query
are given. Friends may wish to use selections from these passages, or others, to
read as Advices with the Queries.
B. Queries with References for Advices
1. Meetings for Worship
Are meetings for worship held in expectant waiting for Divine
guidance? Are Friends encouraged to share spiritual insights? Are special
gifts of ministry recognized and encouraged?
Do you come to meeting with heart and mind prepared? Are you careful
not to disturb the spirit of the meeting by late arrival or in other ways?
(See: Meeting for Worship; Vocal Ministry)
2. Meetings for Business
Are meetings for business held in a
spirit of worship, understanding and forbearance? When direction seems lacking, is this seen as a challenge to a
more prayerful search for truth? Do we humbly set aside our own preconceived
notions as to proper action, seeking instead Divine
guidance as to the right course? Is the Meeting aware that it speaks not only through its actions but also
through its failure to act?
Do you participate regularly in meetings for business, discharge
faithfully your committee responsibilities, and assume your share of financial support
of the Meeting?
(See: Principles of Organization and Conduct of Business; Decision Making in
Friends Meetings)
3. The Meeting Community
Are love and harmony within the Meeting
community fostered by a spirit of open sharing? Do you endeavor to widen your circle of friendships within
the Meeting, seeking to know persons of all ages and at all stages of the
spiritual journey? Does the Meeting provide for the spiritual refreshment of all
members and attenders? Do Friends provide
spiritual and practical care for the elderly, the lonely, and others with special needs?
(See: Statement on Spiritual Unity, 1964; The Meeting as Caring Community; Fellowship and Community)
4. Personal Spiritual Life
Do you make time for meditation,
prayer and worship? Do you read the Bible, the writings of Friends, and other inspirational works, seeking new
light? Do you regularly seek God's guidance? Are you open to guidance and
support and do you give thanks for them? Do you share your spiritual insights
with others and willingly receive from them in turn?
(See: Cultivation of the Life of the Spirit; Prayer and Meditation;
The Scriptures)
5. Personal Way of Life
Do you live in accordance with your spiritual convictions? Do you seek
employment consistent with your beliefs and in service to society? Do you
practice simplicity in speech, dress and manner of living, avoiding wasteful
consumption? Are you watchful that your possessions do not rule you? Do you strive
to be truthful at all times, avoiding judicial oaths?
Do you strive to develop your physical, emotional and mental capacities
toward reaching your Divinely given potential? Do you cultivate healthful
and moderate habits, avoiding the hazards of
drugs, intoxicants, and over-indulgence generally? Do you try to direct such emotions as
anger and fear in creative ways?
(See: Early Quaker Testimonies;
The Practice of the Life of the Spirit
Personal Life)
6. Home and Family
Do you make your home a place of affection where God's presence is
felt? Do you practice family prayer? Do you share your deepest beliefs and
interests with all in the family? Do you grow together through sharing prosperity
and adversity? Can you keep a sense of humor and avoid taking yourself too
seriously? Do you establish family standards including the mutual obligations
of children and adults?
Are you as children learning to be accountable for your own actions?
Do you as parents help your children to grow in independence and
responsibility? Do you consider the needs of grandparents and older members of the
family circle?
(See: Home Life)
7. Caring for Others
Do you respect that of God in every
person? Do you search yourself for and strive to eliminate
prejudices such as those related to race,
religion, gender, age, sexual orientation and economic
condition? In what ways do you accept and appreciate differences among your friends and associates? Do you
avoid exploiting or manipulating others to accomplish ends, however worthy?
(See: Prejudice and Discrimination; Those Requiring Special Care)
8. Outreach
Do you, as the way opens, share Friends' principles with non-Friends?
Do you witness to your Quaker faith by letting your life speak? Do you make
non-Friends welcome in your meetings for worship? Do you find ways to
encourage their continued attendance?
(See: Fellowship and Community)
9. The Social Order
Do you promote social justice and make your life a
testimony to fair dealing? Do you seek to understand and appreciate differing cultures and social
values? Do you support fair treatment of all regardless of race, gender, age and
other differences? Are you concerned for those in our society who are
disadvantaged? Do you take your full share of civic
responsibility by voting and giving service? Do you oppose the use of land, labor, technology and capital
for human exploitation or in ways destructive to other living things?
(See: Civic Responsibility; Vocational and Financial Decisions; Social Responsibility)
10. The Peace Testimony
Do you endeavor to live "in virtue of that life and power which takes
away the occasion of all wars"? Do you work to make your
peace testimony a reality in your life and in your world? Do you weigh your day-to-day activities for
their effect on peace-keeping, conflict resolution and the elimination of
violence? Are you working toward eliminating aggression at all levels, from the
personal to the international?
(See: Peace and Non-violence)
11. Education
Do you provide religious
education, including study of the Bible and of
Friends' history and practices, in your Meeting? Do you ensure that
schools under the care of Friends exemplify Friends' principles? Do you support and strive to
improve the public schools?
(See: Education; Science and Religion; The Arts and Religion)
12. The Environment
Are you concerned for responsible use of natural resources and their
nurture for future generations? Do you try to avoid wasteful consumption and
pollution? Do you seek to preserve the beauty and balance of God's world?
(See: Humankind and the Environment; Civic Responsibility)
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