WINTER 2007Phil Anthony
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salemqtr@verizon.netWoodbury MM has held a series of midweek meetings for worship this summer and fall. Their attention has been focussed on prayer for their own meeting, the meetings of the Quarter, and the Quarter itself—in addition to the needs of individual members.
It was during one of those meetings that the thought came to me: When we pray for our meetings, we often think of the members who provide leadership. We ask that they be guided by the Divine, and that they be given the wisdom and courage to address the issues and difficulties that arise. That’s important of course. But I began to wonder if it’s really the most important thing.
SEPTEMBER QUARTERLY MEETING
Salem Monthly Meeting
Sunday, 9 December 20079:00 am Gather 9:30 am Program: Thomas Swain, clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, speaks on “The Gifts of Worship” 10:30 am Worship 11:30 am Lunch: beverage, soup, bread, and dessert provided by Salem MM 12:30 pm Business meeting Child care provided It seemed to me, as I considered it, that sometimes we neglect to pay attention to the ordinary members—the ones I think of as our lambs. And I include myself as one of those who may be remiss. It’s easy for me to work with clerks of meetings and committees, and members of Quarter bodies, and not take the time to appreciate the other Friends who actually make up our meetings.
These Friends aren’t in leadership positions. Their voices may not be heard clearly over the voices of influential, prominent members. But they are the backbone of our meetings. If their needs aren’t met; if the meeting doesn’t speak to their condition; if they aren’t given opportunity to express their precious gifts; then the meeting has failed.
For our meetings are communities. They don’t exist for the sake of the leadership. The leadership, rather, exists to build them as places where the least of these among us can find the connection with God and one another that they’re seeking.
“If you love me,” Jesus told Peter no less than three times, “feed my lambs.” May our meetings be places where our precious lambs can find their nourishment.
In the meantime, our other meetings have been active as well. Greenwich MM hosted our September quarterly meeting, where we were challenged to build a cooperative relationship with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape. Mickleton MM hosted its pig roast at the Little Red School House. An all-day sharing of faith journeys was offered at Mullica Hill MM, which opened its program to the Quarter.
Woodstown MM prepared for its Ten Thousand Villages craft sale, held in conjunction with Woodstown by Candlelight the first weekend of December. Seaville MM offered extended worship, running from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with delicious soups and breads provided by the meeting.
And Salem MM will host our December quarterly meeting. Thomas Swain, clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, will speak with us on “The Gifts of Worship” in his life, the lives of our meetings, and PYM.
Those who went to the annual residential sessions at Rowan University this summer learned of the far-reaching changes taking place in Yearly Meeting under Thomas’ leadership. Come join us and take part in our own opportunity to hear and speak with our clerk as PYM Friends move forward.
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