Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Friends have always found difficulty with outward forms and written creeds. The Testimonies of our Religious Society have played a significant and uniting role in helping Friends experience the beloved community and a living faith. We encourage the revision committee to be prayerful, joyful, creative and bold. We hope that this book will help us to be more resilient for an uncertain future and that the process of revision will act as a catalyst for renewal.
Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass, they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. Dearly beloved, these things we do not lay upon you as a rule or form to walk by, but that all, with the measure of light which is pure and holy, may be guided: and so in the light, walking and abiding, these may be fulfilled in the Spirit, not from the letter, for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. Sources Abbreviations & Explanations We support the right of religious groups (including individual Quaker Meetings) and clergy, to consent to or to refuse to perform same-sex marriages. We also support the right of same sex couples to a civil marriage and the extension of the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples. Ministers to speak the word of the Lord from the mouth of the Lord, without adding or diminishing. If anything is spoken out of the light so that the “seed of God” comes to be burdened, it is to be dealt with in private and not in the public meetings, “except there be a special moving to do so.” Our understanding of our own religious tradition may sometimes be enhanced by insights of other faiths. The deeper realities of our faith are beyond precise verbal formulation and our way of worship based on silent waiting testifies to this.Remember your responsibilities as a citizen for the conduct of local, national and international affairs. Do not shrink from the time and effort your involvement may demand. No timetable was set for the revision, but last time the committee worked for about nine years. In December 2022 the committee s announced that it hopes to present the complete draft text to Yearly Meeting 2027.
The spiritual life is a matter of being present in everything we do, with everyone we encounter. This is hard enough to maintain on a day-to-day basis. But in prisons, which stand among the darkest shadows of our human society, the sense of the divine presence is particularly wonderful when it breaks through.
Death
They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies. Nor can spirits ever be divided that love and live in the same Divine Principle, the root and record of their friendship. If absence be not death, neither is theirs. The committee has announced that it hopes to present the complete draft text to Yearly Meeting 2027. Read on for this story of how we got to this point. Prends-tu part, aussi souvent qu’il t’est possible, aux réunions de culte pour les affaires? Abordes-tu les questions difficiles avec un esprit informé, de même qu’avec un coeur généreux et aimant? Acceptes-tu que tes intuitions et désirs personnels soient mis parmi ceux des autres et même mis de côté pour que l’assemblée cherche la bonne voie? Si tu ne peux pas être présent, soutiens l’assemblée par la prière.
Death is but crossing the world, as Friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass, they see face to face. Some Friends have been called to an active public ministry, travelling the world to respond to the light in their consciences, inspired perhaps by the example of Jesus or George Fox or Gandhi while never feeling their efforts are quite strong enough. Some give a quieter daily witness to the divine spirit of love and peace within, touching with blessing the lives of everyone they meet. Each person’s faithfulness is precious. Take time to learn about other people’s experiences of the Light. Remember the importance of the Bible, the writings of Friends and all writings which reveal the ways of God. As you learn from others, can you in turn give freely from what you have gained? While respecting the experiences and opinions of others, do not be afraid to say what you have found and what you value. Appreciate that doubt and questioning can also lead to spiritual growth and to a greater awareness of the Light that is in us all.
Transferring membership
As Friends we commit ourselves to a way of worship which allows God to teach and transform us. We have found corporately that the Spirit, if rightly followed, will lead us into truth, unity and love: all our testimonies grow from this leading. To most of us are given some common little jobs every day of our lives. To a very few comes the call to do something extraordinary, some great task. The world abounds in men and women who find happiness and opportunities for self-expression in being faithful in the humble stations of life which are theirs at a given time. If we are loyal to the truth as we see it, and respond with our might in the “common” situations in day-to-day living as we face them, the glow of the grace of God deepens and nurtures our faculties for insight and for recognition of the true worth of things and of [people]. Are you able to contemplate your death and the death of those closest to you? Accepting the fact of death, we are freed to live more fully. In bereavement give yourself time to grieve. When others mourn, let your love embrace them. Do you give sufficient time to sharing with others in the meeting, both newcomers and long-time members, your understanding of worship, of service, and of commitment to the Society’s witness? Do you give a right proportion of your money to support Quaker work? Revision isn't just a case of looking at the current book and changing the odd word here and there, adding a section or two about new topics, and removing anything that seems outdated. It also won't be an exercise (as suggested in some media coverage) of going through and crossing out every reference to God!
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