Those of us who have grown up with a white identity in America have a particular challenge in that we have been conditioned not to notice the system of racism and white privilege. Our well-intentioned attempts at colorblindness can have the unfortunate result of blinding us to the system of racism in which we unwittingly participate. Let us remember Jesus’ admonition to remove the log from our own eye before seeking to remove a speck from our brother’s or sister’s eye. We all pray for clarity of vision so that in the words of George Fox, we may “be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone; whereby in them you may be a blessing, and make the witness of God in them to bless you.” approved New England Yearly Meeeting 2003
We come to this from our belief that all discrimination is contrary to the working of the Divine, the Spirit within each of us. The capacity to join soul to soul, the desire to love unselfishly should be celebrated in All its forms as the true manifestation of the Divine in Our Lives. -- approved Barnstable Friends Meeting 8/26/2007
~ We reaffirm the Quaker testimony of making all decisions in a spirit of unity and will labor together with respect until we have fully resolved any differences. We will conduct ourselves with openness and truth. We acknowledge that consideration of personal problems may require confidentiality, but this should be used only to protect the reputation of such individuals. We will guard against initiating unsubstantiated allegations, condescending, defensive, prideful or hostile interactions.
~ We reaffirm the Quaker testimony of peace and nonviolence. We acknowledge that violence exists in many forms including verbal and nonverbal. We bear witness to violence on an institutional and individual level as we know that our shield and our strength is the spirit of Love, which protects us. Living in the knowledge that “Perfect Love casteth out Fear”. We intend to take the lessons we learn in our Meeting about loving, out into the community through community action such as helping the homeless and other disadvantaged or oppressed groups.
Towards this end, we will interrupt all expressions of unfriendly behavior such as unkind remarks, exclusion or anger. We acknowledge our frailties in all of this and call upon Friends to meet such a situation with loving intervention. We put our trust in that source of goodness, doing our best to live peaceful, loving and faithful lives.
racism*: We are defining racism as prejudice with the institutional power to enforce it.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Barnstable Friends Meeting - Quakers of the Light
April 12, 2007
What is the Barnstable Meeting (CCFM)? We are a group that meets for worship in the manner of Friends with an unprogrammed format. We join together in a spiritual community that is welcoming and positive.
Why do we call ourselves “Quakers of the Light? Early Friends initially called themselves “Children of the Light”. Rufus Jones said that for these early Friends, “ The thrilling thing was the certainty of God’s light and love in the individual’s soul.“ Barnstable Friends Meeting affirms this universal principle.
Is Barnstable Friends Meeting a Monthly Meeting? No. The Society of Friends (Quakers) is organized into Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly Meetings. Although we have requested to be recognized by Sandwich Quarterly Meeting this has yet to occur. We are however a “Friends Meeting” in that we function as a normal meeting conducting business, having usual committees, etc. See Faith and Practice
What do we believe? Friends have no creed. However we do believe that there is that of G-d in everyone that is directly accessible without an intermediary. In addition, the basic values of Friends are equality of all people, peace and nonviolence and simplicity. We follow the faith and practice of the Society of Friends (see http://www.quakerinfo.org/)
Who are we? We are group of Quakers who have long experience in the Meetings on Cape Cod and else where. We are from 16- 86 years ; educators and artists, business people and health practitioners, historians and secretaries.
Why did we form? We came together to start BFM because we made a decision to focus on the positive. When the local Monthly Meeting made the decision to lock East Sandwich Meeting for worship we opened our hearts, hands and minds and formed Barnstable Friends Meeting. What makes us different? We honor and celebrate diversity. We welcome difference whether race, class, orientation, belief, and respect each person’s inner wisdom. We are committed to work for justice in a proactive way. Our understanding is that it’s about how we walk not what we talk. How do I participate? Come Sunday morning. Join us for worship, be part of our potlucks, and discussion groups, join in a business meeting (see next 2 questions), participate on a committee.
Who’s in charge? We, as most Friends in New England , have no clergy or one particular leader. There is a person designated as “clerk” whose job it is to listen to everyone and sense where G-d is directing the group. How are decisions made? Elemental to our process is a belief that something beyond us can guide us in making decisions that are more complete and Spirit centered. Such decisions strengthen the bond between Creator and us. It also fosters a close, strong community where each person’s contribution and energy is utilized, valued and respected. Our decision-making is cooperative rather then competitive. This does not mean conflict avoidance. But ideally no one should leave a meeting or discussion thinking that someone won and someone lost.
Where do I go if I need help? One of the principal committees of a Friends Meeting is “Ministry and Counsel”. One of its primary jobs is pastoral care. There is often informal one on one counseling available. It can also be more formal, sometimes accomplished with a small group called a “clearness committee”. Speak to the clerk of either this committee or the Meeting to request help. This committee also concerns itself with the needs of people who are sick or going through significant experiences.
Can I participate and still be a member of another Meeting or spiritual practice? Absolutely. Everyone is welcome to be as much a part of our community as makes sense for them. While it is possible to be a formal member of another faith community and join in actual membership with BFM, this requires special considerations as membership involves a certain commitment of heart and time.
How do children participate in a Friends Meeting? Usually children join the worship for the first 15 minutes. They then go to our Youth Program. The Burgess House particularly lends itself to walks in the woods and games of various sorts. We are also putting together instructional materials. One of our members is particularly gifted at developing exciting and relevant programs.
Are there dues or financial requirements? Each person is encouraged to give as they are able. There is no set amount that anyone is obligated to contribute.
WHY a new Friends Meeting?
2/3/2007
Faith and Practice of the New England Yearly Meeting states on page 218 under Organization and Business Procedure Establishment of Meetings:
“A monthly meeting may be established either upon the initiative of the quarterly meeting or by that body upon request of a group of members desiring to organize a monthly meeting. Some of the different circumstances that might lead to the establishment of a monthly meeting are outlined below. 1. If a monthly meeting considered it advisable… 2. If members of various monthly meetings desire to organize a new monthly meeting, they should bring their request before the quarterly meeting with which they wish to be associated.”
This request for a new Friends Meeting is like a seed that has sprouted forth from the old. Now is a time to celebrate this event; this new life. A seed has found it's way to fertile soil in Marston Mills. Our group and individuals have consistently been committed to focus only on the positive, on healthy interaction and spiritual dedication. We believe in stating our truth of inclusion and love and devotion to worship.
We see the goodness and light that surrounds us all. The reason a group of Friends decided to start a new Friends Meeting was a need for a religious home that was conducive to our personal Quaker practice and our spiritual growth and seeking as Friends.
We choose to believe that words/events that happened were more symptoms of an underlying condition which was the emergence of a dedication to acknowledging and seeking a wide variety of religious thought and on social issues such as white privilege and racism.
If a fellow human being does not have shoes, our response is to give them shoes or help them provide for themselves rather then simply pray that someday, somehow, they have shoes. We try to make a difference, to better the existence of those around us. Making a difference; helping people, is an essence of how we define “spirit".
We also are providing a place for people unable to attend the other meetings on the Cape for one reason or another; people who come for the shared strength in silence, and the peaceful interchange of points of view.
And while initially started by a small group, we have now taken on a life of our own. We respectfully ask that we be allowed to move forward as a recognized Monthly Meeting of Sandwich Quarter in the interest of peace and spiritual well being of all Friends. Finally, we ask that you rejoice with us as the divine presence is blessing us with a group that is thriving, that is excited by the Spirit and has brought us to this season of joy and peace.
Letter requesting approval of a new Friends meeting
2/3/2007
Cape Cod Friends Meeting - Quakers of the First Light.
To Sandwich Quarterly Meeting of Friends,
We the undersigned Friends respectfully request that Sandwich Quarterly Meeting approve the organization of a new meeting in accord with Faith and Practice p. 219 under the name Cape Cod Friends Meeting - Quakers of the First Light. We are available to meet with the committee appointed by the Quarterly meeting. We are committed to moving forward on a positive spirit filled path.
Yours in the Light,
Rachel Carey-Harper Jr. member Leesburg Friends Meeting, Ohio c.1952-1959 (great grandparents founders of Samantha Friends church) member Framingham Monthly Meeting c.1959-1986 (family was one of the founders, under Cambridge Meeting) attended at Yarmouth summers 1961-1966 graduate of George School 1969 transferred to Sandwich Monthly Meeting attended at Yarmouth and E. Sandwich c.1986 Clerk of Yarmouth Preparative Meeting Ministry and Counsel c.1987-1989 Clerk of Yarmouth Preparative Meeting c. 1989 - 1991 Clerk of Sandwich Monthly Meeting Ministry and Counsel c.1991-1993 Clerk of Sandwich Monthly Meeting c.1994-1996 Clerk of E. Sandwich Preparative Meeting Ministry and Counsel c. 2000-2001
James Gould Member, Claremont Monthly Meeting (PacificYearly Meeting) c. 1972. Transferred membership to Sandwich Monthly Meeting attended at Yarmouth and E. Sandwich c. 1989. Author of history of Sandwich Monthly Meeting published by Cape Cod Genealogical Society c.1975, reprinted c. 1990. Clerk of Overseers of Sandwich Monthly Meeting c. 1990-3; compiler of inventory and history of property, including six burial grounds of Sandwich Meeting c. 1998 Recorder of Sandwich Monthly Meeting c.1995-2004
Katherine Brown attended Middle Connecticut Valley Monthly Meeting as a child member of Poughkeepsie Meeting (NY) c. 1945 graduate Oakwood Friends School class of 1947 transferred membership to Middle Connecticut Valley MM. c. 1949, local worship held weekly in my home attended meeting at Columbia U. (Morningside Meeting). c. 1952 to 1960 - c. 1964 to 1974 attending Poughkeepsie Meeting 1974 to 1984. Oakwood School - president of the Parents Association for a couple of those years. Attended Milwaukee Friends Meeting c. 1984-1985 Attended Sandwich Monthly Meeting at W. Falmouth Meeting 1985 joined c. 1988 Clerk of Sandwich Monthly Meeting Ministry and Counsel c.1994-1996 Clerk of West Falmouth Preparative Meeting - two year term Clerk of Sandwich Monthly Meeting c. 2000-2002
Gail Melix attended Sandwich Monthly Meeting at E. Sandwich c. 1988, joined c. 1997 Clerk of Sandwich Monthly Meeting Ministry and Counsel Clerk of E. Sandwich Preparative Meeting Ministry and Counsel Pamela Hughes grew up in Princeton Monthly Meeting c. 1953-1985 Attended Sandwich Monthly Meeting at W. Falmouth Meeting 1985 joined c. 1989 First day school coordinator West Falmouth Meeting
No comments:
Post a Comment