Seekers from the Storm

Dear Friends: From our beginnings, Friends gathered in tumultuous times. We first did so in 1652, a time of heart-rending civil strife.

Today, also, seekers come to Friends during recent cataclysmic events, such as 9/11 and its aftermath, and during seemingly never-ending war.

Seekers approach our meetinghouses as spiritual shelters from the storm. Places of love. They have heard of our historic dedication to peace Are we prepared to help them in these times? As in the past, they arrive not quite knowing what to expect. They need a warm welcome and help to understand our practices.

Our new visitors likely know little or nothing of Fox and Woolman, Fell and Penn, Anthony and Rustin. They may be puzzled by Quaker references to “leadings,” “Light,” “Faith and Practice,” “Joys and Concerns” – or “monthly meeting,” which oddly, meets weekly.

They enter our meetinghouses and find strangers gathered in silence. And so, before we “settle into” “worship” (of whom or what?), we have some brief and kindly explaining to do. We must speak of silence and “settling into it.” We need to touch on “openings” and “being led,” of discerning between head-derived words and heart-felt messages. We know from experience that many will want to speak of their pain or of politics. Frankly, some will share messages that may only be helpful to themselves.

So, we share with them the question we ask ourselves as we consider sharing spoken “ministry”: “Is this message in my heart for me alone?” If so, we should cherish it and see it as a personal gift and blessing. If it is also a gift for others, then we should speak.

These seekers will hear others “speak from the silence.” They may hear a truth that helps them, perhaps words that open hearts and lead to new awareness. We allow a time of silence to let each message “season.” Each message speaks for itself; there is no need to respond.

We reassure our seekers – and remind ourselves – that Friends may hear words during worship that they do not find helpful. Our role is to hold the speakers of such words “in the Light” of love and pray that their words are a balm for them.

To our seekers in the storm, we introduce “the rise of meeting” and whatever “closing words” are traditional in our meeting. We often mention that “the service” has not ended, but that it has just begun – that we depart into the week ahead to act – in simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and love.

Our seeking will continue – all of us – and we will be stronger when we meet again. We will no longer be strangers, but Friends united in the spirit that goes by many names. Or no name at all.

So Friends, we must prepare to great these seekers from the storm, as we ourselves were once were greeted and welcomed – with Love. ~~~

– Rick Seifert, Multnomah Monthly Meeting (NPYM)