Clear Creek Friends Meeting News

Do you endeavor to live in harmony with nature, avoiding pollution and the destruction of our environment?  What are you doing about your use of the world’s irreplaceable resources?  Are you concerned for family and population planning so that future generations will be able to live on the resources available to them?

Stewardship
We are called upon to be stewards not only of the Divine Spirit which God has implanted within us, but also of the rich provision which the Creator has made for the sustenance of all life on earth.  If we are true followers of Jesus, we must ever be seeking to bring conditions of life in this world into conformity with the purposes of God

From Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice 2.50…It’s not easy for the parents to believe that their child’s gurglings actually help the meeting rather than interrupt it.  Nonetheless that is true, and you shouldn’t give way to the temptation to take a happily babbling child out of meeting (though howling is something different!)”

Do you examine thoroughly your behavior in regard to work, leisure, diet and the use of drugs, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, thus trying to avoid and to discourage practices that interfere with health, sensitivity or social responsibility?  Remembering the parable of the talents, do you exercise fully those that God has given you?  Do you endeavor to minister humbly and sensitively to the needs of others that they may attain their full potential?

Fourth query:

Do you keep to simplicity and moderation in your speech, your manner of living, and your pursuit of business?  Are you careful to keep your business and your outward activities from absorbing time and energy that should be given to spiritual growth and to the service of your religious society?  Are you just in your dealings and careful to fulfill your promises?  Do you take care of such members as need aid, and assist them, when possible, to become self-supporting?

First query:

Are love and unity fostered among you?  Do you manifest a forgiving spirit and a care for the reputation of others?  If differences threaten harmony among your members, is prompt action taken in a spirit of meekness and love?  Do you visit one another frequently?  Do you keep in touch with inactive and distant members?

Universal love:

We acknowledge that all persons are children of one God, whose love and care are shared by all.  We earnestly urge our members to be faithful to the principle of universal love in all the affairs of life.  As the love of God prevails in our souls, we are led to love and forgive one another.  Under the influence of that love we will give the shortcomings of others the best construction which circumstances warrant; we will not make such matters a topic of common conversation, but rather endeavor quietly to remove any causes tending to disturb the love, unity and peace which should prevail among the followers of truth.

First Query:
Do you attend meetings for worship in a spirit of willing service and of prayerful desire to make them profitable to each individual and to the assembled group? Are you prepared for worship expecting that your worship will be a source of strength and guidance? Are you careful not to disturb the spirit of the meeting by late arrival? Do you practice a waiting spiritual worship and a free and open ministry under Divine guidance?

Twelfth Query
Do you regard your possessions as given you in trust and do you part with them freely for the needs of others? Are your means of livelihood in keeping with your ideals as Friends? Are you concerned that your business be primarily a service to people? What are you doing to foster upright practices in business relations? Do you maintain strict integrity in all business transactions? Do you bear a faithful testimony against all forms of gambling?

Stewardship; Business Relationships:
Friends should consider how our ways of spending money affect others. We should endeavor to share our advantages and should guard against pursuing modes of life that minister only to our comforts. When we live in the Life which is attuned to nature and which finds joy and satisfaction in human relationships and personal growth, we will be less dependent on material possessions and more protective of our environment.

From the OVYM Book Of Discipline:

Do you endeavor to live in harmony with nature, avoiding pollution and the destruction of our environment? What are you doing about your use of the world’s irreplaceable resources? Are you concerned for family and population planning so that future generations will be able to live on the resources available to them?

Simplicity:
It is urged that Friends be watchful to keep themselves free from self-indulgent habits, luxurious ways of living, and the bondage of fashion. This freedom is the first condition of vigor in all kinds of efforts, whether spiritual, intellectual or physical.
Undue luxury often creates a false sense of security, causes unnecessary burdens upon both ourselves and others, and leads to the neglect of the spiritual life.
By observing and encouraging simple tastes in apparel, furniture, buildings and manner of living, we help to do away with unwholesome rivalry. True simplicity consists not in the use of particular forms, but in foregoing overindulgence, in maintaining humility of spirit, and in keeping the material surroundings of our lives directly serviceable to necessary ends, even though these surroundings may properly be characterized by grace, symmetry and beauty.

Do you encourage and support the educational activities of Friends? Are you interested in the schools of your community and concerned to establish practices in these consistent with the values you cherish as Friends? What efforts are you making to increase your understanding of your Quaker and other religious heritages and their relation to other religions?