During the Second Hour on January 23, we will respond to the following queries from SAYMA’s Ministry and Nurture Committee, on the State of the Meeting. Here is their request in full:
Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand…”
Isaac Penington
Aylesbury, 4th of Third Month, 1667
Friends,
These queries are a guide, to help your monthly meeting look at the year behind us, to discern the “Spirit,” or state of your Meeting. These are guides based on observations made by the SAYMA Ministry and Nurture Committee. They may not all speak to all meetings, or in the same way. We hope that these queries open conversation, and are used for community contemplation, giving insight also on the growth of your meeting over the past year. It should be a mystical process, not rigid, or stressful. There is more than one path to take.
In Light,
SAYMA Ministry and Nurture Committee
1. How have we actively listened for that of God in others as we contend with vulnerability, hurt, anger, and new ideas?
2. If a method of communication we have been using has not worked, what other ways have we tried?
3. How have we wrestled with the possibility that we are wrong? How have we allowed the space that Spirit needs to show us new possibilities?4. How did we make room for humanity and life circumstances in our expectations of each other? How have we respected each of our lived experiences?
You may join us online on Sunday, January 23rd at 11:30am through Zoom .