Abingdon Friends Meeting

Spiritual State of the Meeting - 2009

 

"As The Way Opens..."

An often quoted Quaker phrase describes our Meeting's spiritual journey this past year.

Most, or all of our attendees are at a stage where the awareness of the miraculous nature of life and the questions it poses deems serious thoughtful concern What is the purpose of being? What path or method might be a helpful aid to reaching some discernment of the subject? We Friends are here because our method of silent, expectant waiting seems an amenable form to open ourselves to that which is beyond our present perception, the very core of our being. Friend's procedures and practices, developed over hundreds of years, support our way.

Our Meeting is still a very young one and most of our congregants are new to Quaker tradition and ways. With the help and earnestness of some members we have held a Quaker 101 course and other educational sessions concerning the history and methods of Friends. We have also had discussions about the role and mission of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. We recently had a class that helped people to understand vocal ministry arising out of silence. Friends have said this was quite helpful and encouraging for them.

The deep, reverent silence of Meeting has been a source of great spiritual comfort to us. Slowly, but surely, spoken ministry has developed over the months.

We are becoming aware of the need for attentive listening to messages and allowing respectful time to absorb the content of this ministry to the Meeting. This listening and interval of silence also applies to "after thoughts"

Attendance at Meetings for Worship with a concern for Business has been gratifying. The average number of attendees is nine people. There has been a lot to cover in our Business Meetings because we are still setting up committees and procedures and solving problems that arise from the application of Friends' ways.

Committee work is gaining momentum.

We are involved in supporting former prisoners to adjust to civilian life. Members are supporting various peace and environmental causes.

Out of sacred silence and vocal ministry a way is opening towards simplicity, respect for all beings, the serenity of peacefulness and the holy wholeness within all our brothers and sisters of our good Earth.