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Responses
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Friends respond to the General Queries each year, on a schedule which extends from one Yearly Meeting to the next. The General Queries are listed just below. Click on the links following them to navigate to the responses formulated by Ohio Yearly Meeting (OYM), Stillwater Quarterly Meeting (SQM), and Crossroads Friends Worship Group (CFWG). At the end of each response is a link which will return you to the next General Query. |
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Ohio Yearly Meeting General Queries First Query: Are meetings for worship well and punctually attended? Is our behavior conducive to meditation and communion with God? Do we maintain a waiting spiritual worship and a free gospel ministry? Do we welcome others to share this fellowship with us? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] Second Query: Do we cherish a forgiving spirit, and strive to “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us”? Is each one of us careful for the reputation of others? Are we ever mindful to love our neighbor as ourselves? If differences threaten to disrupt the Christian harmony between the members, is prompt action taken? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] Third Query: Are our homes places of peace, joy, and contentment? Are they an influence for good in the neighborhood, community and country? Do we set a good Christian example for our children to follow? Are Friends careful that their children realize that our loving Savior will faithfully guide them through life, as they are willing to accept and obey Him? Do we help our children to read and appreciate the Bible? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] Fourth Query: Believing our bodies to be the temple of God, are we concerned to attain a high level of physical and mental health? To this end are our lives examples of temperance in all things? Do we avoid and discourage the use and handling of intoxicants, tobacco, and improper use of drugs? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] Fifth Query: Are we sensitive to the needs of those around us who may be in less fortunate circumstances? Do we prayerfully consider how we can share one another's burdens when the need arises? Do we counsel lovingly and prayerfully with those members whose actions in any phase of life give us grounds for concern? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] Sixth Query: Do we live in the life and power which takes away the occasion of all wars? Do we, on Christian principles, refuse to participate in or to cooperate with the military effort? Do we work actively for peace and the removal of the causes of war? Do we endeavor to cultivate good will, mutual understanding, and equal opportunities for all people? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] Seventh Query: Do we observe simplicity in our manner of living, sincerity in speech, and modesty in apparel? Do we guard against involving ourselves in temporal affairs to the hindrance of spiritual growth? Are we just in our dealings and careful to fulfill our promises? Do we seek to make our Christian faith a part of our daily work? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] Eighth Query: When asked to swear to, to affirm, or to declare under penalties of perjury, the truthfulness of our statements, are we careful to witness to Christ's command that we swear not at all, but be honest in all things? Do we avoid gambling and speculation based on the principles of chance? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] Ninth Query: Are we sensitive to the problems of family living? Do we offer counseling to couples both before and after marriage? How are we helping individuals, married couples and family units to strengthen and enrich their lives? [OYM] [SQM] [CFWG] |
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Ohio Yearly Meeting Responses
2007 First Query: Our meetings for worship are well attended by most of our active resident members. Though some members find punctuality challenged by distances necessary to travel to meet together, and by responsibilities such as care of small children, most are punctual in attendance. Most Friends arrive for worship spiritually prepared and with the intention of experiencing meditation and deep communion with God. Some find it difficult to clear our minds of worldly concerns and from our human thinking, which closes us off from being able to follow leadings of the Lord and His work. We recognize that worship together is help in our lives. Our meetings are held in prayerful obedience and waiting for the Holy Spirit. When the vocal ministry is clearly of the Lord’s direction, the Spirit of Love prevails and Friends experience the Lord’s presence with moments of spiritual depth. We encourage and continue to hear gospel ministry that praises our Lord Christ Jesus and uplifts our spiritual life. We welcome all who visit and encourage them to come again. Most meetings express concern to be more active in inviting others to worship with us so the Christian witness of Friends may be more widely known. Some are feeling called to be more faithful and to do more personal witnessing about our testimony of worship in spirit and in truth, in the name of Jesus. [return to General Queries] 2007 Second Query: We call on the Savior’s strength to accomplish a forgiving spirit. We strive to forgive when we are wronged, although it can be difficult at times. Friends have endeavored to forgive those who have hurt them, but we recognize that without Christ we fall short. Some Friends note a renewed focus on the need to rely on God’s love for all of us and to understand God’s part in opening hearts to love and forgiveness. Friends have experienced the importance of being mindful of the reputation of others, both those with whom we are close and those beyond our immediate boundaries. Generally we are careful to be positive and free of judgment or criticism when speaking of others, always striving to be truthful while not spreading stories or gossip. Observations made after seeking God’s guidance are more likely to be made in love, free of ill feelings, and truly helpful. We are commanded to love one another as Christ loves us. This is a tall order to love this deeply, yet with Christ’s help and knowing that He gave His life for us, we strive for this goal. We have tried to react in a spirit of love toward those who have values that conflict with ours, or those who annoy us, whether at home or driving down the highway. To respond in love is to allow resentments to fall away. We foster love of our neighbor sometimes through loving prayers. Friends are not always eager to deal with differences among us. Some meetings report that they have met the causes of disharmony quickly with love. Though some Friends differ in small matters they behave in love toward one another. To follow the leadings of our Lord is our greatest desire. [return to General Queries] Third Query: We believe our homes to be places of refuge from the world, places of peace, joy, and contentment that afford some positive influence upon our children, grandchildren, and their friends, and to some degree in our local communities. Love in a home generates peace, joy, and contentment in our own hearts as we experience God’s hand guiding us and as we follow His will for our lives. This is true whether our family at home consists of only one person or a husband, wife, and several children. Our homes are direct influences for good through our hospitality, especially for public worship, which occurs regularly in some homes, and public Bible study which occurs in others. One meeting noted that our homes may be an influence for good by keeping our homes neat, uncluttered, and attractive. Another noted that our living and practicing examples often have more influence than our words with our children and our neighbors. Friends continue to emphasize the value of gathering the whole family together regularly for Bible reading, particularly in times of crisis. We all have experienced the need for a reminder to identify the hand of Christ guiding us through life and to be willing to accept and obey Him. Sometimes it is many years before we see that the things we have taught our children in early life actually mean something to them and that they truly are close to God. [return to General Queries] Fourth Query: “He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). As we have grown in the Light of Christ Jesus, we have been repeatedly nurtured in healthy habits of prayer, thought, and deed, and leave behind unhealthy practices. Vanity can be a motive, but ideally we feel we are caring for the temple of God. We know that God has a purpose for each life, and this kindles a spiritual awareness to take care of ourselves. Friends have been concerned to get enough sleep and keep our minds and bodies active. Since every one that strives for spiritual mastery is temperate in all things in order to obtain the incorruptible crown, Friends are careful to continue in physical labor and other exercises to sustain physical fitness - especially when aging challenges our strength. It takes discipline to keep healthy habits high on our priority lists. Most report care to follow proper diest to minimize weight gane and maximize proper nutrition, yet express struggles with temperance in eating. Most Friends abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, other intoxicants, and the improper use of drugs. While small improvements were noted, we have not all been successful in making our bodies “pollution-free” temples of God. [return to General Queries] Fifth Query: We feel sorrow for those who do not have the contentment in all circumstances that we enjoy through our belief and following of our Lord Jesus Christ. The key to answering this query positively is to be open to the leadings of the Lord, always! This year the complex issues of poverty, charity and material needs for the complete spectrum of humanity, from members of our meetings and communities to persons caught up in tragedies around the world challenge us to find ways to practice sharing one another’s burdens. God has given us many blessings and wants us to share with those in need. When we see a need, we seek to first pray for the Lord to open the way for service, pray that hearts will be opened; pray that if it is our place to act, and the time is right, that we will be obedient to that Call. “For it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.” (Matthew 10:19) Sometimes we may see a need but feel paralyzed into inaction, not knowing how to help. Friends have assisted others in a variety of ways in the past year. Some volunteer at a local clothing giveaway and counseling center; some are active in 4-C’s food cupboard. We try to do what we can to lend a hand or help with meals during illness or when there is a death in the family. Some meetings maintain a fund for the needy of their local meeting and community, and disburse it after prayer and seeking guidance from our Lord. Some have found tasks or work for individuals as a way of providing financial relief while helping to restore a sense of one’s worth. Phoning or visiting the elderly, the homebound or the distant relative or friend let them know they are remembered and loved. We donate to charities that help those in need, including those established charities for victims of the Gulf States hurricanes and of the Pakistani earthquakes that have occurred this year. We have difficulty being consistent in sensing and meeting the spiritual needs of others. Those in circumstances of need should remember that allowing others to help could confer a blessing upon the helper as well. We need to be willing and open to receive as well as to give. We may fall short in the area of counseling because we often shy away from interfering in the affairs of others. Everyone has a different view of a situation. We need to get together and discuss a plan of action, being sensitive to thoughts and feelings of others. Prayer is essential. It is easy for our human wants and desires to cloud our speech and actions obscuring the healing that Jesus would have us to in His name. If we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths. [return to General Queries] Sixth Query: We are disgusted with the war in Iraq and feel helpless. We pray for a peaceful resolution and a divine intervention. Truly knowing and submitting to God empowers us to cease our fighting both within and without, thus enabling us to live in the life and power which takes away the occasion of all wars. Friends have been careful to avoid thoughts of war and violence, striving to reach peaceful solutions to our problems. We have often fallen short of explaining meaningfully Christ’s work within us and continue in the ongoing battles with our own pride, arrogance, impurity - the sin in our own lives. Though we disapprove of the war effort, we have not withheld a portion of our tax payments which go to military expense, and we are uncomfortably aware that we involuntarily contribute to the war effort. On Friend reported that the government spends $0.41 out of every dollar for the present wars in which it is engaged.
To attempt social action for peace
without the Spirit of Jesus Christ is futile as one Friend has
experienced. friends regret that so much of the world does not
understand and heed Christ’s teachings of peace. We have a
responsibility to live and share this message. Friends have written
letters to elected officials about military issues, participated in
peaceful demonstrations to encourage others to seek more peaceful
and constructive ways of active dialogue, expressed support for
peace through FCNL, helped youth complete forms setting forth their
nonviolent convictions, and participated in the “Every Church a
Peace Church” activities. We deeply regret the great divisions
among the peoples of the world and are frustrated by those who claim
to be true children of God, yet actively facilitate evil and
violence toward others.
Seventh Query: We are generally modest in apparel and sincere in speech, remembering the scripture, “Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay.” In times past, some Friends kept themselves separated from the world as a form of protection against its destructive influences. We have been raised to choose the things that are useful and simple for our homes and manner of living. A few of us live in truly simple circumstances, and a few more of us actively seek to reduce the excess of things and activities in our lives. Each of us needs to live up to a standard of simplicity that is accountable to God. Our manner of living is simpler than that of many, although we can allow family and community pressures to crowd out time for spiritual growth. We can be tempted into just one more “good work” which may be of service to God but which keeps us from time we should spend with the Lord. John Woolman set and example of moderation in work guarding against what we call today workaholism. There are times when we get so busy with temporal affairs that it is a hindrance to our spiritual growth. The demands of business or work, the demands of raising children can make us off-center. Today’s youth have great pressure on them and need our love and support. No matter what we are doing we aim to find the spiritual in the temporal and in all aspects of our lives. We try to be fair and just in our dealings and careful to fulfill our promises. In our daily work we can do more to show our love for others. It takes effort to remain calm when dealing with those who do not try to keep God’s laws, or when people are being mistreated. We desire that our lives reflect our Christian faith and our Friends’ beliefs. As we get older it seems easier to keep our minds on our Christian faith as we do our daily work. In addition to having more time and fewer responsibilities we feel a greater need for a fuller spiritual life. In spite of the complexity of our lives, our Christian faith is part of our daily living. We have to realize that the results of our daily work are in God’s perfect time. God has a way of organizing our lives for us in spite of our own agendas. We look to God to restore our balance so we may truly live the Christian life written about.
The Light of Christ
is our most dependable guide and protection as we encounter the
world’s challenges and as we witness, sometimes through our modesty,
simplicity, and integrity, to the Love and Power of that Light. We
can trust God’s provision. We have a strong sense of the importance
of making major and even minor life decisions by constant listening
to God. We realize that God has a way of penetrating our lives even
if we forget to listen to Him. Eighth Query: Only a few members have had the occasion to use an affirmation rather than an oath for legal matters during this past year, and to abstain from agreeing to make statements under penalty of perjury. We seek to concentrate on being honest in all things and live lives consistent with truth at all times.
We avoid the lottery or various gambling games.
Most frequently noted is the giving of a donation to groups seeking
to raise money for a worthy cause rather than buying their tickets
for a lottery or raffle. We are thankful we are not addicted
to gambling and related activities. We do not consider
investing in the stock market as gambling and do not choose stocks
which are connected with liquor, cigarettes, or directly involved in
the war effort. Ninth Query: We are concerned for the welfare of our families, given the importance of the family unit. We spend too little time keeping open communications with immediate family members let alone extended family. Rules and discipline need to be consistent. Meetings have offered a limited amount of counseling to couples after marriage. We do meet with the bride and groom before they marry as a part of the clearness process. The words "with divine assistance" are important in the marriage vows and hopefully Christ will be acknowledged in our homes. We seek to keep in close friendships with families so we know of their needs and are available to help. Child care, assisting with health needs, and helping during financial setbacks are some of the ways members have demonstrated sensitivity to the problems of family living and shared their time and resources. Some books on family living are available to help those seeking help through reading. Living our lives in exemplary ways is helpful to some members. Prayer is vital in our support and spiritual strengthening of our families, and in opening doors that we may know wherein the needs lie. [return to General Queries] |
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Stillwater Quarterly Meeting Responses 2007 First Query: We recognize that worship together is help in our lives. Though some members find punctuality challenged by distances necessary to travel to meet together, and by responsibilities, sometimes including care of small children, most are punctual in attendance, attending as often as they are able. Most aim to arrive at the place of worship spiritually prepared and with the intention of having meditation and communion with God. Some find it difficult to remove ourselves from the worldly concerns and from our human thinking, which closes us off from being able to follow leadings of the Lord and His work. We are encouraged to share our means of centering down, wherein distractions and noise will not hinder us, especially with those with whom we worship that are not familiar with waiting worship. When the vocal ministry is clearly of the Lord’s direction, the Spirit of Love prevails, both inwardly and outwardly. Most have experienced a sense of the Lord’s presence, and moments of spiritual depth as we faithfully wait for the movement of the Spirit of Christ. All our meetings welcome visitors. Most meetings express the concern to be more active in inviting others to worship with us so the Christian witness of Friends may be more widely known. Some are feeling called to be more faithful and to do more personal witnessing about our testimony of worship in spirit and in truth, in the name of Jesus. Recognition was made of many members with no meetings for worship that they feel they can attend. We were reminded of the need to respond to this concern with prayer for their spiritual support, for continual seeking out our role in communicating, visiting, and reaching out to them. [return to General Queries] 2007 Second Query: We are given this commandment: to love one another as Christ loves us. This is a tall order to love this deeply, yet with Christ’s help and knowing that He gave His life for us, we do strive for this goal. Forgiving ourselves is felt to be more difficult than forgiving others. We call on the Savior’s strength to accomplish a forgiving spirit. One meeting reports and increase in their attention to and understanding of God’s part in opening hearts to love and forgive others both within their families and beyond. Generally we are careful to be positive and free of judgment when speaking of others, always striving to be truthful. Observations made after seeking God’s guidance are more likely to be made in love, free of ill feelings, avoid damage, and may be truly helpful. We seek to be more mindful to react in a spirit of love toward those who have values that conflict with ours, or those who annoy us, wherever we may be, at home or driving down the highway. To respond in love is to allow resentments to fall away. We can always love our neighbor with lots of loving prayers. Some know of no differences between them. Most meetings report that they have met the causes of disharmony quickly with love. Though some differ in small matters they behave in love toward one another. Historic disharmony leads some to feel like they have been adopted into a family with problems not of their making. To follow the leadings of our Lord is our greatest desire. [return to General Queries] Third Query: We believe our homes to be places of refuge from the world, of peace, joy, and contentment that afford some positive influence upon our children, grandchildren, and their friends, and to some degree in our local communities. The basis of our peace, joy, and contentment is in our own hearts as we ask for God’s hand to guide us, and as we seek to follow His will for our lives. The practice of reading the Bible is mentioned by some as a help to find peace in times of crisis. Discussions with those who attend worship with other denominations leads to sharing our experiences about the Christian way of living. Our living and practicing examples often have more influence than our words with our children and our neighbors. [return to General Queries] Fourth Query: “He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Acknowledging the existence of our bodies as temples of God, we maintain and remind our members of all ages the importance of maintaining good mental and physical health. Many report of continuing in physical labor and other exercises to sustain physical fitness, especially when aging challenges our strength. Most report care to follow proper diets to minimize weight gain and maximize proper nutrition, yet express struggles with temperance in eating. Most have abstained from the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or other intoxicants and the improper use of drugs. We know that God has a purpose for our lives and this kindles a renewed awareness to take care of ourselves. While improvement is being made in small ways, we have not all been successful in making our bodies “pollution-free” temples of god. [return to General Queries]
Fifth Query: The key to answering positively to this query is to
be open to the leadings of the Lord, always! This year the complex
issues of poverty, charity and material needs for the complete
spectrum of humanity, from members of our meetings and communities
to persons caught up in tragedies around the world challenge us to
find ways to practice sharing one another’s burdens. Some meetings
maintain a fund for the needy of their local meeting and community,
and disburse it after prayer and seeking guidance from our Lord.
Some have given to established charities and to funds set up for
victims of the Gulf States hurricanes, and of the Pakistani
earthquakes that have occurred this year. Some have found tasks or
work for individuals as a way of providing financial relief while
helping to restore a sense of one’s own worth. Phoning or visiting
the elderly, the homebound or the distant relative or friend let
them know they are remembered and loved. We have difficulty being
consistent in sensing and meeting the spiritual needs of others for
m any reasons. Nevertheless we must recognize the need to be open
is a two-way street. Those in circumstances of need should remember
that allowing others to help could confer a blessing upon them as
well. We need to be willing and open to receive as well as to
give. Sometimes we may see a need but feel paralyzed into inaction,
not knowing how to help. Then we must pray, pray that hearts will
be opened; pray that if it is our place to act, and the time is
right, that we will be obedient to that Call. “For it shall be
given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.” (Matthew 10:19)
Sixth Query:
We believe in Jesus and
trust in Him, learning to lean on Him more completely each day.
Truly knowing God empowers us to cease our fighting both within and
without, thus enabling us to live in the life and power which takes
away the occasion of all wars. To attempt social action for peace
without the Spirit of Jesus Christ is futile as one Friend has
experienced. Another Friend reported that our government spends
$0.41 out of every dollar for the present wars in which it is
engaged. To pay taxes is to appear to be cooperating in these
wars. Though we disapprove of the war effort, we have not withheld
a portion of our tax payments which go to military expenses. Some
Friends write letters to representatives and senators about military
matters, and some participate in peaceful demonstrations to
encourage others to seek more peaceful and constructive ways of
active dialogue. Some members are active with FCNL and find it one
way to express support for peace. We encourage our youth and their
friends to complete a form stating their peace convictions and
opposition to war and keep copies of the forms on file. We have
often fallen short of explaining meaningfully Christ’s work within
us and continue in the ongoing battles with our own pride,
arrogance, impurity - the sin in our lives. Seventh Query: In times past, some Friends kept themselves separated from the world as a form of protection against its destructive influences. we have been raised to try to choose the things that are useful but simple for our homes and our manner of living. A few of us live in truly simple circumstances, and a few more of us are actively seeking to reduce the excess of things and activities in our lives. Each one of us needs to live up to a standard of simplicity that is accountable to God. Simplicity is important because possessions can overpower us. John Woolman set an example of moderation in work guarding against what we call today workaholism. There are times when we get so busy with temporal affairs that it is a hindrance to our spiritual growth. The demands of business or work, the demands of raising children can make us off-center. No matter what we are doing we aim to find the spiritual in the temporal and in all aspects of our lives. We try to be fair and just in our dealings and careful to fulfill our promises. As we get older it seems easier to keep our minds on our Christian faith as we do our daily work. In addition to having more time and fewer responsibilities we feel a greater need for a fuller spiritual life. In spite of the complexity of our lives, our Christian faith is part of our daily living. We have to realize that the results of our daily work are in God's perfect time. God has a way of organizing our lives for us in spite of our own agendas. We look to God to restore our balance so we may truly live the Christian life written about. Modesty means moderation. we try to be modest in our apparel. Sincere and honest in our speech, remembering the Quaker adage, "Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay." We all strive to be just in our dealings and careful to fulfill our promises.
Chesterfield Friends use prayer to get through the
day. All of us strive to "see that of God in every one."
We generally know that the peace which passes all understanding
comes from the Lord and from nowhere else. The Light of Christ
is our most dependable guide and protection as we encounter the
world's challenges and as we witness, sometimes through our modesty,
simplicity, and integrity, to the Love and Power of that Light.
We can trust God's provision. We have a strong sense of the
importance of making major and even minor life decisions by constant
listening to God. We realize that God has a way of penetrating
our lives even if we forget to listen to Him.
Eighth Query:
Only a few members have had the
occasion to use an affirmation rather than an oath for legal matters
during this past year, and to abstain from agreeing to make
statements under penalty of perjury. we seek to concentrate on
being honest in all things and live lives consistent with truth at
all times. Gambling and speculation based on the principles of
chance is avoided by all. Most frequently noted is the giving
of a donation to groups seeking to raise money for a worthy cause
rather than buying their tickets for a lottery or raffle. Ninth Query: We seek to keep in close friendships and open communications with families of our meetings so we know of their needs and are available to help. Child care, assisting with health needs, and being encouraged through financial setbacks are some of the ways members have demonstrated sensitivity to problems of family living and shared their time and resources. Some books on family living are available to help those seeking help through reading. Living our lives in exemplary ways is helpful to some members. Prayer is vital in our support and spiritual strengthening of our families, and in opening doors that we may know wherein the needs lie. [return to General Queries] |
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Crossroads Friends Responses 2007 First Query: Meetings for worship are well attended by our resident Friends and attenders. We have improved our punctuality, and Friends are typically on time or even early now. We maintain good order during meetings for worship, and our behavior is conducive to meditation and deep, inward communion with God. Our meetings for worship are often largely silent; at other times we are richly blessed with messages from the Holy Spirit. We are uplifted and encouraged by meetings for worship in either case, and are blessed by a deep sense of inner peace during and after worship. We maintain a waiting spiritual worship and a free gospel ministry, and we encourage one another to be faithful in delivering messages we may receive from the Holy Spirit. Friends report striving to discern which messages are true and should be delivered, and which are for the individual, or are our own thoughts rather than true messages. We believe most of the vocal ministry in our meetings is true and inspired. We welcome others to join us in fellowship and worship. We respond promptly and with welcome to personal, telephone, mail and thee-mail contacts, and readily add inquirers to our mailing list or thee-mail list. We maintain a website which is still growing and developing, and which some users have found helpful. We sometimes travel with our meetings for worship to various locations to accommodate seekers or Friends, and to make our meetings for worship more accessible to those who may be interested. Our numbers remain modest, but we draw comfort from Matthew 18:20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. [return to General Queries] 2007 Second Query: We cherish a forgiving spirit, and strive to be forgiving in our daily lives, with family, friends and coworkers, as well as those at greater remove from our lives. At times it seems easier to be forgiving to those close to us, though at other times that closeness makes forgiveness more difficult, because of our higher expectations for those we love. We hope to “walk in love as Christ also hath loved us,” though His perfect and all-encompassing love is on a scale difficult for our created minds to grasp, far less emulate. We seek to be careful of the reputations of others, avoiding gossip and careless discussion of others. In this age of electronic communication, we are troubled by the ease with which false and distorted communications are disseminated, and the damage which may result to others’ reputations as a result. We attempt to be discerning in passing on such communications to others, lest we find ourselves engaged in an electronic form of gossip. We try to love our neighbors as ourselves. At times, we are overwhelmed by the concept of our neighbors, understanding that this concept embraces the world and all humankind. We are acutely aware of the voices of hatred which are so pervasive in the political dialogue and in the culture of the world, and we strive to filter news and reports to discern truth and cast away untruth and disinformation. We feel sadness at the memory of differences which have arisen within our small group. We miss and hold in prayer two attenders in particular who have left us because of differences over the Peace Testimony and related matters. We have attempted, without compromising Friends’ Testimonies, to resolve such differences as arise, and have some success with smaller differences. In all matters, we strive to remain ever open to our Inner Guide, and to maintain Christian harmony within the worship group. [return to General Queries] Third Query: Our homes are usually places of peace, joy and contentment. We have times of stress and difficulty - for example, one attender’s wife is now seriously [terminally] ill, and another member is currently unemployed and experiencing health problems - but we are generally free of significant conflicts within our homes and families, and this degree of unity supports an atmosphere of peace, joy and contentment. We believe our homes are an influence for good. However, we are sadly aware of the comparative isolation of urban dwellers in our culture, and realize that not many in our communities visit or have knowledge of our homes and our witness. We strive to set a good Christian example for our children and grandchildren, and to assist their awakening to Christ as Savior and Guide. Our children are now adults, and our influence on them may be diminished. We are aware that they have made both good choices and poor choices in their lives, with varied results so far. We attempt to give Christian counsel when an opening presents, and we hope that our own lives continue to serve as examples. We cherish our grandchildren and work to assist in their upbringing in the faith and love of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Though the appeal of the world is strong for them, we have done our best to assure that they know our Lord and trust in His guidance. We have assured that our children know the Bible and have ready access to it. We guided them in younger years in the reading and study of the Bible, and we have from time to time given them Bibles as gifts to renew their interest and to suit their tastes. We continue this process with our grandchildren, through Bible stories and videos suited to their ages and abilities. [return to General Queries] Fourth Query: We believe our bodies to be the temple of God. We are concerned to attain a high level of physical and mental health, but we often find that we have fallen short of this goal. We find that we experience a range of chronic and lifestyle health problems, and we have undertaken plans involving nutritional practices, exercise, and stress reduction in the effort to ameliorate these problems. We attempt to maintain right balance in all things, but note that especially with regard to food, we are still intemperate at times. We avoid and discourage the use and handling of tobacco, and the improper use of drugs, while acknowledging our need for properly used prescription drugs and supplements in our attempts to attain a high level of physical and mental health. With regard to intoxicants, we are clear of the handling of such things, but some among us use alcohol in moderation, though we are unaware of any of our number using alcohol to excess. We hold one another (and ourselves) in prayer, seeking guidance and strength in addressing these matters. [return to General Queries] Fifth Query: We are sensitive to the needs of those in less fortunate circumstances. Ironically, modern communications often assure that we are more aware of the needs of people on the other side of the world than of those quite nearby. We support charities near at hand and with global reach. One of us serves on the board of a Christian community center which provides many programs and assistance to those in need. One of us serves on the board of the Walton Home. We support charities like the Heifer Project, the Salvation Army, the Walton Home and others. We do what we can to share the known burdens of those close to us, including neighbors, friends, and relatives who may be in varying degrees of need, We seek guidance through prayer on how best to assist those in need, how we may counsel with those near to us whose actions give cause for concern, and how we may support their return to the Way - the love of Christ Jesus - which opens before us all. [return to General Queries] Sixth Query: We live in the life and power which takes away the occasion of all wars. We are clear of direct participation in the war system; one of us present is a conscientious objector and performed alternative, civilian service. None of us has served in the military. However, we are troubled by friends and relatives who have participated directly in the military, and by those who participate at one remove, working in defense related industry. We are also painfully aware that in paying our taxes, we all passively participate in the war system (about half of federal income taxes go for current and past military expenditures). With this in mind, the group has united in supporting the Peace Tax Fund bill, which would provide for conscientious objection to payment of war taxes. We have placed links to the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund (www.peacetaxfund.org) on our website. None of are currently actively involved in peace work per se, but we are all involved in work which seeks to remove the causes of war, and which contributes to the effort to cultivate good will, mutual understanding, and equal opportunities. One attender serves with great energy in nonprofits for little compensation; another, a retiree, serves long hours without compensation for community nonprofits. Some Friends have participated in peaceful demonstrations against war and in support of peace. We have made Friends aware of the need to make a record of their peace convictions and opposition to war, and have placed the suggested form on our website. We are beginning to participate in FCNL’s priorities process this year, with an emphasis on peace issues. [return to General Queries] Seventh Query: We are acutely aware that by the standards of most of the world, we live in great luxury. By the standards of early Twenty-First Century middle America, we have made some modest progress toward simplicity in our manner of living. We are sincere in our speech, striving to speak truth at all times, and let our yea be year, and our nay be nay in all cases. We are modest in apparel; of those present, half are plain in dress, and the other half dress modestly. We guard against involvement in temporal affairs to the detriment of spiritual growth, but we recognize that we may not always be successful. Work, family, community, and political and legislative matters all make demands on our time and attention, and the presence of telephones, radios, televisions, and computers in our homes and lives creates many interruptions and distractions, consuming time which would be far better spent on study of scripture and Friends’ writings, and on the Lord’s work. At the same time, we are mindful of Thomas Kelly’s observation, “We are not called to die on every cross.” Many admirable and worthy causes beckon, and seek our time, energy and resources. We practice discernment, individually and corporately, to identify the causes and projects to which we are truly led by our Inner Guide, and the degree of involvement to which we are led. We are just in our dealings and careful to fulfill our promises, in personal and in business matters. We seek to make our Christian faith a part of our daily work, and have found varying opportunities to do so. One of our number, a retiree, devotes significant portions of his time and energy to a Christian center in his community. Another of us works for very modest compensation in a position of service to seniors and the community. Others find occasion to witness to and counsel with coworkers, and to work toward the greater good of the community in cooperation with coworkers. [return to General Queries] Eighth Query: We are free of the use of the oath, and when we rarely have occasion, we use the affirmation. We have been less careful regarding signatures on forms and legal documents which utilize other turns of phrase such as “under penalty of perjury.” We give witness to Christ’s command that we swear not at all, and that we speak truth at all times. We avoid gambling and speculation based on chance. Some of our number formerly engaged in sports pools and raffles, to support good causes or for the sake of good fellowship with coworkers, but we are now clear of such activities. Those of our number who have investments avoid speculation based on chance, and also avoid investments which support the war system or are otherwise morally objectionable. [return to General Queries]
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