Frederick SSMR 2011
Frederick Monthly Meeting
Approved on April 22, 2012
The most important contributor to the spiritual state of Frederick Monthly Meeting this year was the Quaker Quest program from Friends General Conference. The whole process was an affirming one: deciding whether to hold the Quaker Quest full-day workshop, holding it, and then reflecting on the insights gained during that day. This was a year in which many of our community felt that their faith and commitment to Meeting was strengthened. We hold the possibility that others might have a similar growth experience in the future.
We considered the spiritual state of our meeting in the Quaker Quest experience on February 11, open forums on January 8 and January 29, written responses to questionnaires, and reflections of the Ministry and Counsel Committee. This process, which is described in more detail below, elicited resounding affirmation that our belief and structure provide a path for spiritual connection and that many of the informal contacts and activities related to Meeting further widen our spiritual path. As our Meeting progresses we envision many ways forward which will further strengthen our understanding and growth as spiritual beings. We propose that our Meeting focus on the following queries found in Faith and Practice in the coming year:
How do activities of our Meeting find inspiration in worship?
In what ways does worship uphold meeting activities?
Looking to our Quaker Roots we are refreshed by the words of John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem: “The Meeting” (1868)
For deeper rest to this still room,
For here the habit of the soul
Feels less the outer world’s control;
The strength of mutual purpose pleads
More earnestly our common needs;
And from the silence multiplied
By these still forms on either side,
The world that time and sense have known
Falls off and leaves us God alone
On January 8, following the sharing of stories about spiritual experiences, participants agreed a spiritual experience can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone regardless of religious belief or frequency of practice and often we are taken by surprise when these openings occur. At the same time, we agreed a conscious practice can increase the potential to have such an experience. Practicing in community, too, further potentiates these kinds of awakenings. In addition, some places or settings were more likely to foster spiritual awakening. While we agreed that a spiritual experience cannot be forced to happen, we saw that intentional practice and worship in community promotes the likelihood of a “letting go” which is often a precursor to spiritual experience. With this letting go, or what another deemed as “a sense of being in the flow,” the spiritual eye opens.
The understanding of these elements served as a foundation to discuss our Monthly meeting’s spiritual state during a second hour on January 29. We contemplated how our Meeting sets the stage for spiritual connection and how we as a Meeting might further facilitate endeavors to deepen connections with the Divine. These questions were also posed in a written survey. Participants identified several ways Meeting supports their endeavors for Spiritual Growth and Connection. Our Quaker belief that there is that of God in everyone and our practice of stillness and quiet among Friends was named by many to be a foundation for our individual as well as collective endeavors as a Monthly Meeting. Quaker values of inclusivity and the nature of our Quaker worship which promotes open dialog versus insular worship were also mentioned. Understanding that these are not unique to our Monthly Meeting we also looked at our Meeting structure and consistency. Holding weekly Meetings at a regular place and time as well as committee meetings create an anchor for many. When recognizing our structure, part of this appreciation was expressed for our annual Special events like the spring retreat, fall festival, the Christmas Eve service, Friendly 8’s and the Picnic for Peace; opportunities for meaningful interaction such as serving on committees or workdays to care for our Meetinghouse; and our intergenerational interactions. Several said their experiences were deepened by the sharing of moving messages, opportunities for service, and our openness which offers freedom to all to speak our minds.
There were several responses that focused on less formal and more spontaneous interactions which strengthened their sense of spirituality. One person appreciated that we are a welcoming Meeting and another felt a deeper connection when they were asked if they had considered membership. Another appreciated informal opportunities for honest discussion where we are able to grapple with the issues. One person wrote that Meeting has provided “a refuge, a contrast, and a haven. To be here to think and speak freely and not to be judged helps me regain the courage of my convictions.”
When asked how Meeting could better facilitate Spiritual endeavors, participants expressed interest in the following: challenging each other to further embrace or accept different perspectives; working to have balance with structure and spontaneity; more intergenerational activities, sessions to support discernment about membership. There was also a wish for ideas about how to approach or experience the 60 minutes of silence. Many wanted more opportunities to study the beliefs, values and testimonies. Several ideas about second hours were offered and this included a suggestion that we expand Friendly 8’s so we can discuss special topics.
There was consideration of the array of attendees who are at various stages of spiritual development. Curiosity was expressed about how to foster awareness of these stages and how to offer individuals a means to look at where they are. This included but did not focus solely on how we might better meet the needs of our youth. Some were curious about how other meetings respond to or support grappling with the most challenging issues and would like to make more intentional connections with other meetings. Finally, there was consideration of how we as a Meeting entity are developing. On more than one occasion discussion focused on seeking clarity about a sense of purpose within our Monthly Meeting. There is a wish to do something that helps Meeting understand what we are doing as a collective entity, or to know who we are as a Meeting. Regarding our practices, a member who has attended other Meetings recalls getting a lot of benefit from verbal ministry of elders. Others have also expressed a yearning for eldership. A suggestion was made that once a month someone from Ministry and Counsel speak in Meeting for worship about how to be, what to do and not do, etc. in worship.
In the Quaker Quest workshop, February 11, we engaged in a number of exercises which challenged us to articulate our practices and beliefs. We considered what the Quaker way offers us, what seekers might be looking for, and what the needs of new seekers might be. In addition, we looked at some of our Meeting’s strengths and challenges with regard to connecting with new attendees. And we listed several topics we may want to explore together or in public forums. Many found these exercises affirming and uplifting and many of us left feeling energized or with a sense of renewal.
In the Quaker Quest workshop, February 11, we engaged in a number of exercises which challenged us to articulate our practices and beliefs. We considered what the Quaker way offers us, what seekers might be looking for, and what the needs of new seekers might be. In addition, we looked at some of our Meeting’s strengths and challenges with regard to connecting with new attendees. And we listed several topics we may want to explore together or in public forums. Many found these exercises affirming and uplifting and many of us left feeling energized or with a sense of renewal.
