Augusta Friends Worship Group Spiritual State of the Meeting Reports

The text of recently received Spiritual State of the Meeting Reports are below, with the most recently received at the top and older reports below. To jump to a particular report, simply click the year listed below.

2020 Spiritual State of Augusta Friends Worship Group Report

The Augusta Friends Worship Group in the Shenandoah Valley is celebrating the 25th year of its formation. Due to the pandemic we have not met together physically since March. It has meant a different way of connecting to be sure that all feel supported. Sometimes, we fail to do that in an organized manner. This report will reflect all of that reality.

Spirituality thrives with focus. Most of us continue a Sunday morning quiet practice that could also include yoga practice and discussion. Silence each day is vital to allow spirit to show miracles, gratitude and blessings. It is an enriching and powerful time for us. We do miss the collective group. We also realize that the group is changing during all of these months of separation. Time moves on.

Reading is also a way to connect spiritually. It opens us up to possibilities. Whether it be articles from Friends Journal and other publication or quotes from the Motto Calendar there is a connection to the spirit within us. A former member of our group has written a novel, In the Light of Silence, that shares the journey toward healing of a non Friend as she connects with a fictional Friends Meeting that is processing its response to the Sanctuary movement of an earlier time.

While there is a lot of focus on the Pandemic, life goes on with people needing to move to new facilities, people in the hospital for other illnesses, people moving to new homes for other reasons, deaths, and yes, the Pandemic and its nasty complications overlaying all of the other normal life occurrences.

An enhanced role this year is being a support network for our friends and families all over the country. Many challenges have arisen and being a quick phone call or text away has been vital to collectively work our way through 2020 and into 2021. We have brought in more friend connections to supplement our usual Friend connections. It's an insight that Friends from the past continue to support. We call together all of our connections, past and present as we support our network. Some great sharing of concerns and laughs. A nice combination.

2019 Spiritual State of Augusta Friends Worship Group Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group is located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It is a small group of seekers, mostly older, who come together from a wide geographical distance as a chosen family to experience the corporate stillness of meeting. Our diversity lies in our previous spiritual experiences, since we hold a shared universalist perspective in our belief systems. We hold open gentle spaces for those who may have a different outlook. We find that the loving nature and the lightness of the manner in which we meet changes over time. Our adjustment to the changes nurtures our personal spirituality and provides support for our journey. We feel this is a place of deep respect and caring–a place we can turn to when we face personal challenges and know that we will be supported. We believe that the experience of being with other seekers in the stillness is the basis for our continuing as a group. We do what we can to carry on the Friends' traditions of attention to the Spirit and openness to the possibilities of service to others.

Our silent expectant waiting seems deep, shared and peaceful. Spoken ministry is rare as the silence seems to prevail. In our discussion of this it was clear that messages would be readily received and held in the spirit in which they were given. We can nurture this more by acknowledging messages that speak to us. We also recognize the possible breaking of grace by words and are aware when we should stop speaking. However, if the prompting of the Spirit is there, we should act on it. Our time at the rise of meeting is an opportunity to share additional insights that we experienced during the silence.

By meeting in homes, we are freed of the responsibilities of a meetinghouse and can focus on the power of the silence and attention to individual needs. We understand that not having a central space can also be a limit to those who would like to attend. The consistent quality of the silence and the lively openness of the sharing in our discussions nurtures our spirituality, both individually and corporately. That community spirit is an anchor for us in these turbulent times when professions of belief and actions of belief can often find dissonance. We feel ourselves recharged and able to develop a center of calm that sustains us in our everyday life and helps us face our fears with the courage gained by our commitment to one another.

This past year we experienced the loss of one of our devoted core members. Her passing has been one of the changes that we have addressed by our caring concern for those who remain. Generally, we share at deep levels with an honesty that is supported by our affinity with and love of one another.

This group just works for us.

2018 Spiritual State of the Meeting Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group is located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It is a small group of seekers, mostly older, who come together from a wide geographical distance as a chosen family to experience the corporate stillness of meeting. Our diversity lies in our previous spiritual experiences, since we hold a shared universalist perspective in our belief systems. In our seeking, we find that the loving nature and the lightness of the manner in which we meet changes over time, nurturing our personal spirituality and providing support for our journey. We feel this is a place of deep respect and caring--a place we can turn to when we face personal challenges and know that we will be supported. We believe that the experience of being with other seekers in the stillness is the basis for our continuing as a group. We are small and not typical of the Friends' experience and are not apologetic for who we are. We do what we can to carry on the Friends' traditions of attention to the Spirit and openness to the possibilities of service to others. We notice the “little things” that work together to create a spirit of caring among us that is reflected in our outreach to the community.

Our silent expectant waiting seems deep, shared and peaceful. By meeting in homes, we are freed of the responsibilities of a meetinghouse and can focus on the power of the silence and attention to individual needs. While spoken ministry is rare, we have extended times of sharing at the rise of meeting when Friends exchange thoughts and perspectives and share concerns. The consistent quality of the silence and the lively openness of the sharing in our discussions nurtures our spirituality both individually and corporately. That community spirit is an anchor for us in these turbulent times. We find ourselves recharged and able to develop a center of calm that sustains us in our everyday life.

This past year we experienced a voice among us that was more rooted in traditional Christian terms. We listened and understood the origins, but since it was a solo voice it led to the attender leaving the group. We recognize this possible barrier and hope that our openness is at the core of what we experience and project to others. We recognize that at times we may hold back so as not to engender tension. Generally, we share at deep levels with an honesty that is supported by our affinity with and love of one another.

This group just works for us.

2017 Spiritual State of the Meeting Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group is located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It is a core group of 10 or so seekers, mostly older, who come together from a wide geographical distance as a chosen family to experience the corporate stillness of meeting. In our seeking, we find that the loving nature and the lightness of the manner in which we meet changes over time, nurturing our personal spirituality and providing support for our journey. We understand that some of us are not conventional Friends in the sense of waiting expectantly. However, we feel this is a place of deep respect and caring--a place we can turn to when we face personal challenges and know that we will be supported. We understand that the universal outlook that most of us share can be off-putting to those with other perspectives, but we hope that they can feel our receptiveness to what they have to offer and can find some comfort in the group so as to continue.

One First Day we met together after Meeting and lunch to consider the queries sent by the committee. As we shared, we realized that the experience of being with other seekers in the stillness is the basis for our continuing life as a group. The challenges of life are placed outside ourselves as we sit together. While we do not often know what the silence is for each of us, we feel that this time spent with others nurtures us and provides solace.

Our silent expectant waiting seems deep, shared and peaceful. By meeting in homes, we are freed of the responsibilities of a meetinghouse and can focus on the power of the silence. While spoken ministry is rare, we have extended times of sharing at the rise of meeting when Friends exchange thoughts and perspectives and share concerns that we are invited to ‘Hold in the Light.” The consistent quality of the silence and the lively openness of the sharing in our discussions nurtures our spirituality both individually and corporately.

Individually, we acknowledge the problems of the world – unresponsive government leaders, environmental concerns and the rise of “isms”. We do what we can to have an impact on them. As way opens, each person does something to address them by writing letters, providing financial support, running groups, or testifying before committees. The time spent in the stillness helps nurture this sharing of Friends principles. On a more personal level, we try to visit with others who may be lonely and support those who are going through transitional changes in their lives and celebrate the humanity of each of us. In the desire to engage in our spiritual nurture, we consciously leave our work on issues at the door when we meet together. This lets us regain peace and strength to address these things outside with greater love, understanding and patience. We need the stillness as a time of refuge.

We have had the pleasure of welcoming folks from other Friends’ groups to meet with us, share their individual Light and add to our experience. They seem to value our waiting quietly, listening carefully and answering in love each week. They provide centeredness with their presence.

We find joy in mostly small things-shared rides to meeting, shared meals, shared joys, shared concerns, shared support at times when needed, patience and openness to the Spirit and each other. Meister Eckhart wrote “As thou art in church or cell, that same frame of mind carry out into the world, into its turmoil and its fitfulness.” We strive for that centered way of life,

2016 Spiritual State of the Meeting Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group, located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, is a core group of 10 or so seekers, mostly older, who come together from a wide geographical distance as a chosen family to experience the corporate stillness of Meeting. We find that the loving nature and the lightness of the manner in which we meet--less formal structure, dogma, and sense of obligation-- nurtures our personal spirituality and provides support for our journey. In this post-election time we are grateful to have a place to be to calm our anxieties among others who share our concerns. As the quote on the Motto Calendar for January states, “Today I am grateful for the presence of my friends.”

We met together after Meeting and lunch one First Day to consider the queries sent by the committee. As we shared we knew that our words once again would have a difficult time reflecting our experience. As we set about trying to shape this report, we found ourselves opening more to one another in the sharing. There is an importance to taking the time to reflect so that we can clarify our perspectives and find resonance for each of us in this corporate experience.

We do feel the Spirit as it makes itself known in numerous ways. Our silent expectant waiting seems deep, shared and peaceful. By meeting in homes, the plants, the animals, the light and the warmth frame our experience of the silence. While spoken ministry is rare, we have extended times of sharing at the rise of Meeting where Friends exchange thoughts and perspectives as well as concerns that we are invited to ‘Hold in the Light”. Sometimes this is short and superseded by “worldly concerns” and doesn’t allow for deeper things to be shared so we strive to be aware of that shortfall. We find that this sharing on all levels adds to the joy that we feel as a community. As one Friend noted this does not take the place of sharing out of the silence as the Spirit moves us. We come from diverse spiritual backgrounds but have a common universalistic and liberal perspective. This similar outlook provides a base of tranquility that nurtures us during our time together. We wonder how it would be to have those attend who hold widely divergent views and hope that we would be open to them. There is joy present in the progress we feel in each other’s lives and the embrace of the group in challenging times that carries us week to week.

We have as a concern before us that our corporate witness on social justice issues is missing, but individually we are connected with our community as we strive to provide our unique witness to issues. Locally, there is still under consideration the building of a gas pipeline through our area. This would be devastating on many levels but especially to the fragile geology through which it would pass. Several in our group have added their voices to others to question this plan. Friends provide help in mental health areas, local relief efforts and more recently with a group working on affordable housing. The time spent in the stillness helps nurture this sharing of Friends principles as way opens.

We meet in various homes on First Days and understand the limitations that this can place on us for growth, and as we welcome new attendees. However, we feel strongly that this arrangement can contribute to an ideal group size that allows us to be attendant to the Spirit and each other in ways that a larger group cannot. Meeting in each other’s homes provides an intimate environment that speaks to us in the diversity of space. The care of the Friends hosting is very touching and nurturing. We have had the pleasure of welcoming folks from other Friends’ groups to meet with us and share their individual Light and add to our experience. They seem to value what we find in the stillness each week.

We have been successful as a group for the past twenty one plus years. This is reflected in the words of the country duo Dan and Shay-“we’ll build this love from the ground up”, We have done this by shared rides to meeting, shared meals, shared joys, shared concerns, shared support at times when needed, patience and an openness to the Spirit and each other.

2015 Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group, located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, is a core group of 10 or so seekers who come together from a wide geographical distance as a chosen family to experience the corporate stillness of meeting. We find that the loving nature and the lightness of the manner in which we meet--less formal structure, dogma, and sense of obligation-- nurtures us individually and provides support for our journey. On a practical level, we work at being sure that those who cannot drive have the opportunity to be present and schedule meetings in a variety of locations to make opportunities to be together available for as many as possible. Our spiritual practice is strengthened by the sense that everyone is there in that moment simply because they want to “be” and experience the loving kindness of the group.

We met together after Meeting and lunch one First Day to consider the queries sent by the committee. As we shared we knew that our words again would have a difficult time reflecting our experience. As we set about trying to shape this report, we found ourselves opening more to one another in the sharing. There is an importance to taking the time to reflect so that we can clarify our perspectives and find resonance for each of us.

We do feel the Spirit as it makes itself known in numerous ways. Our silent expectant waiting seems deep and shared. We want to be aware of that that is around us, the plants, the animals, the light and the warmth and incorporate that into our experience of the silence. While spoken ministry is rare; we have extended times of sharing at the rise of Meeting where Friends exchange spoken ministry, thoughts and perspectives as well as concerns that we are invited to ‘Hold in the Light”. We can discuss and draw wisdom from the group. This time adds to the feeling of community that exists among us. As one Friend noted this does not take the place of sharing out of the silence as the Spirit moves us. Those currently attending have a common view that is universalistic and liberal. We are comfortable with seeking that is not finite or set in dogma. This causes concern as we may have those attending who share a different idea. We desire the ability to hear their experience without feeling uncomfortable or making them feel so. We did have someone leave this year as this was not their experience. The act of friendship in listening intently provides a resource to lean on as we face our lives day to day. There is joy present in the progress we feel in each other’s lives that carries us from week to week. Our annual holiday sharing of messages provides a deep experience of connectedness that continues to sustain us.

We experience the mandate of creation care and have shared on the general topic set forth by the Yearly Meeting. Locally there is still under consideration the building of a gas pipeline through our area. This would be devastating on many levels but especially to the fragile geology through which it would pass. Several in our group have added their voices to others to question this plan. The time spent in the stillness can strengthen this and other practices of witness to our values.

Our concerns are usually expressed on an individual level and take many forms in our interface with our community. As an example one member shares her professional skills at the local jail to assist prisoners in their transition to a better life. We do feel that we try to actively model Friends’ principles as way opens.

We meet in various homes on First Days and understand the limitations that this can place on us for growth, and as we welcome new attendees. However, we feel strongly that this arrangement can contribute to an ideal group size that allows us to be attendant to the Spirit and each other in ways that a larger group cannot. Meeting in each other’s homes provides an intimate environment that speaks to us in the diversity of space. Each home holds its own unique grace with its plants, pets and light in which to gather and be still. The care of the Friends hosting is very touching and nurturing. Space contributes to the experience as some who have visited other meetings have found. We have had the pleasure of welcoming folks from other Friends’ groups to meet with us and share their individual Light and add to our experience.

We find joy in shared meals, much humor, spiritual insights, spirited discussions and being in grace with one another and the Spirit. Our sense of community is palpable and brings us together week after week to share the breadth of experiences that make for life.

2014 Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group, located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, is a group of 12 or so seekers who come together from a wide geographical distance as a chosen family to experience the corporate stillness of meeting. We find that the loving nature and the lightness of the manner in which we meet-less formal structure, dogma and sense of obligation nurtures us individually and provides support for our journey. On a practical level, we work at being sure that those who cannot drive have the opportunity to be present. Our spiritual practice is strengthened by the sense that everyone is there in that moment simply because they want to “be.”

We met together after Meeting and lunch one First Day to consider the queries sent by the committee. As we shared we knew that our words again would have a difficult time reflecting our experience. The Inner Light is vast, unbounded and universal and yet has the personal component. As we set about trying to shape this report, we found ourselves opening more to one another in the sharing. The focus and exchange of different perspectives was clarifying and provided resonance for each of us.

We do feel the Spirit as it makes itself known in numerous ways. Our silent expectant waiting seems deep and shared. While spoken ministry is rare we have extended times of sharing at the rise of Meeting where Friends share thoughts and perspectives as well as concerns that we should ‘Hold in the Light”. We can discuss and draw wisdom from the group. This time evokes a feeling of friendship that is at once reassuring and challenging. Those currently attending have a common view that is universalistic. We are comfortable with seeking that is not finite or set in dogma. This causes concern as we may have those attending who share a different idea. We desire the ability to hear their experience without feeling uncomfortable or making them feel so. As long as there is honesty and sincerity present, we believe that we can. The act of friendship in listening intently provides a resource to lean on as we face our lives day to day. There is a joy in the progress we feel in each other’s lives that carries us from week to week. Our annual holiday sharing of messages provides a deep experience of connectedness that continues to sustain us.

This year we are experiencing the mandate of creation care. There is under consideration the building of a gas pipeline through our area. This would be devastating on many levels but especially the fragility of the geology through which it would pass. Several in our group have added their voices to others to question this plan. The time spent in the stillness can strengthen this practice of witness. There is a concern in the group that we do not have a corporate social concerns aspect to our group. Those who desire that have to look elsewhere but most feel comfortable doing it individually. We do feel that we share the principles of Friends with others as the way opens.

We meet in various homes on First Days and understand the limitations that this can place on us for growth and as we welcome new attendees. However, we feel that this arrangement can contribute to an ideal group size. Also, we find that homes can limit our ability to welcome children and have none currently attending. If the opportunity presented itself we feel confident that we could make accommodation but also recognize that there are Meetings nearby who can provide that. Meeting in each other’s homes provides an intimate environment that speaks to us in the diversity of space. Each home holds its own unique grace with its plants, pets and light in which to gather and be still. The care of the Friends hosting is very touching and nurturing. Having to maintain a central meeting space would be a concern that would affect the group dynamic and not be a unifying place but one with obligations.

Our sense of connection is grounded in the silence. Spirit makes itself known other than by human intervention in imaging, thinking and projection solely through the medium of silence. We do not have a connection to the larger Quaker world in ways other than our practice of presence and stillness in meeting. We know that there are seasoned Friends to whom we could turn had we a need.

We schedule potluck and discussion once a month to share on a wide range of topics .both during the meal and afterward. This opportunity to hear another’s journey and ask questions expands our thinking and nurtures the seeking that is evident in all of our lives.

As we are aging we are experiencing the necessity to speak up and use careful pronunciation so that all may hear the sharing. Sometimes, even with small groups we experience an overwhelming volume that makes conversation difficult.

We find joy in shared meals, much humor, spiritual insights, spirited discussions and being in grace with one another and the Spirit. Our sense of community is paramount and brings us together week after week.

2013 Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group, located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, is a group of 12 or so seekers who have come together in Meeting for over 18 years to feel the Spirit and the community of Friends. We acknowledge that some travel long distances for this privilege. This time in the car is emblematic of the journey that we all take so we have it be a nurturing experience as well.

We met together after Meeting and lunch one First Day to consider the queries sent by the committee. As we shared we knew that our words again would have a difficult time reflecting our experience. The Inner Light is vast, unbounded and universal and yet has the personal component. As we set about trying to shape this report, we found ourselves opening more to one another in the sharing. The focus and exchange of different perspectives was clarifying and provided resonance for each of us. Our encounter allowed us to know one another more deeply as we tried to capture the spirit among us that we share in the following paragraphs.

We do feel the Spirit as it makes itself known in numerous ways. Our silent expectant waiting seems deep and shared. While spoken ministry is rare we have extended times of sharing at the rise of Meeting. We would like to have more thoughts that are formulated in the silence come forward but know that sometimes the seasoning is not there. This time evokes a feeling of friendship that is at once reassuring and challenging. We are a diverse lot, but through our careful listening and response we feel safe and nurtured. There is honesty and sincerity present. There is joy in the progress we feel in each other’s lives that carries us from week to week. We want to take time so that all feel really listened to and heard. This act of friendship in listening intently provides a resource to lean on as we face our lives day to day. We celebrate each other, especially when there are significant events in our lives. This year we had another attendee who retired so we shared in the preparation for an open house. We celebrated a milestone birthday for another that reminded us of the great example of living and thriving that the older members of our group make evident to us. Our annual holiday sharing of messages provided a deep experience of connectedness that continues to sustain us.

We meet in various homes on First Days and understand the limitations that this can place on us as we welcome new attendees. It is often hard for them to go to such a personal space, but we try from the first contact to explain who we are and what we do. When they attend they are greeted personally by all. Attempts are made to find commonalities that we can build on to encourage their continued involvement. Also, we find that homes can limit our ability to welcome children and have none currently attending. If the opportunity presented itself we feel confident that we could make accommodation. There is grace in the spiritual experience of shared personal space and freedom in not having to care for a building.

Our sense of connection is grounded in the silence. Any sharing, vocal or written can only dilute the fullness and purity-the oneness-of Spirit even while all thought word and deed are a manifestation of Spirit. Spirit makes itself known other than by human intervention in imaging, thinking and projection solely through the medium of silence.

We schedule potluck and discussion once a month to share on a wide range of topics .both during the meal and afterward. This opportunity to hear another’s journey and ask questions expands our thinking and nurtures the seeking that is evident in all of our lives. We do not have business in the traditional sense of Friends but did attend a Valley Friends’ meeting with attention to business to experience that aspect of meeting life. We came away with the knowledge that centeredness and seasoning are important to the process.

We who attend have a universalistic view of spirituality. We are comfortable with the mysterious and the changing. We are all seekers and don’t have a need to profess “the Truth” or feel that we need to impose any particular belief on others with a focused spirited ardor. We do have an openness of spirit and an awareness of our own limitations such as recoiling from pronouncements made or showing a spiritual arrogance. We hope for a shared insight in the acceptance of others and their beliefs.

We find joy in shared meals, much humor, special treats, spiritual insights, spirited discussions and being in grace with one another and the Spirit.

2012 Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group, located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, is a group of 12 or so seekers who have come together in Meeting for over 17 years to feel the Spirit and the community of Friends. Often we travel long distances for this privilege. We find the practice of formlessness speaks to us and nurtures us.

We met together after Meeting and lunch one First Day to consider the queries sent by the committee. As we reflected on them we knew that our words would have a difficult time reflecting our experience which tends to be ever changing, immediate, incremental, cumulative and non-conceptual. The Inner Light is vast, unbounded and universal and yet is interpreted by each individual through the filter of personal bias. As we set about trying to shape this report, we found ourselves opening more to one another in the sharing. The focus and exchange of different perspectives was clarifying and provided resonance for each of us. Our encounter allowed us to know one another more deeply as we tried to capture the spirit among us that we share in the following paragraphs.

We do feel the Spirit as it makes itself known in numerous ways. Our silent expectant waiting seems deep and shared. While spoken ministry is rare we have extended times of sharing at the rise of Meeting. This time evokes a feeling of friendship that is at once reassuring and challenging. We are a diverse lot, but through our careful listening and response we feel safe and nurtured. There is honesty and sincerity present. We would like to increase our awareness of careful listening so that we are not forming responses that we can jump in with immediately. We want to take time so that all feel really listened to and heard. This act of friendship provides a resource to lean on as we face our lives day to day. We celebrate each other, especially when there are significant events in our lives. This year we had an attender who retired after a long career in teaching. We marked the event with dinner and a movie - one of our first outside group social activities. We found we liked it.

We meet in homes on various First Days and understand the limitations that this can place on us as we welcome new attenders. It is often hard for them to go to such a personal space, but we try from the first contact to explain who we are and what we do. When they attend we introduce ourselves as an opening so that a connection can be made from the first in hopes of encouraging their continued attendance. Since we are small no one leaves without having been greeted personally by all. Also, we find that homes limit our ability to welcome children so we have none currently attending. If the opportunity presented itself we feel confident that we could make accommodation. Those who do host the group find that “dribbles” of the Spirit are left behind. There is grace in the spiritual experience of shared space.

Our sense of connection is grounded in the silence. Ultimately, this absence of ritual sets up an antithesis of the simple and the profound. In Eastern thought, it is the “empty fullness”. Our unspoken hearts bind us together in a mystical experience that simply “is” - undefinable and unexplainable. Words fail since they are only symbols and can bring different meaning to each of us. Silence allows us to be in a group that acknowledges and hears different things. When we do share it is from a deep place in our experience and can be heard for what it is. We step away from our self-created contention and understand we are in this experience together. When we look into the eyes of another, there is an opportunity to see that same Light we find within ourselves, yet in another form. We each bring our own Light to the group by being present and paying attention - this is the Spirit prospering.

We who attend have a universalistic view of spirituality. We are comfortable with the mysterious and the changing. Others who have a different view are welcome. We hope that they are open with us about and content in their own beliefs. We are all seekers and don’t have a need to profess “the Truth” or feel that we need to impose any particular belief on others with a focused spirited ardor. We do have an openness of spirit and an awareness of our own limitations such as recoiling from pronouncements made or showing a spiritual arrogance. We hope for a shared insight in the acceptance of others and their beliefs.

We find joy in shared meals, much humor, special treats, spiritual insights, spirited discussions and being in grace with one another and the Spirit.

2011 Report

Augusta Friends Worship Group, located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, provides a spiritual home to 12 attenders. The great geographical distance among attenders (some as much as 40 miles) does not facilitate the frequent social exchanges that are possible when Friends are closer together. We meet in homes, so there is no central place that can be called “home” to which attenders can gravitate. This may be strange to new attendees who may feel awkward at going to a personal space. However, it gives us the opportunity to be sure that we are genuinely welcoming and connecting with them during their time with us. This arrangement continues to fit us and provides us the challenge that we are nurturing the spirit when we are together. Those who are able to host find it to be an enriching experience for Friends to be in their space and leave behind the special feeling of spirit. We understand more completely that we carry the feeling of the metaphoric “house” and its strength as we go into the world.

Our main connectedness is in the space of Meeting for Worship. There is found in this still quiet hour a place for all to be- reflecting on their personal connection with Spirit and the Light Within. We are noticing that the centering is happening more quickly and deeply. We experience a nurturing of the spirit that is a result of the closeness we feel with one another. There is growth here that can be attributed to the sharing, caring and listening that give the spirit a chance to prosper. At the rise of meeting we continue the connectedness through our circular handshake and by sharing aloud our concerns, joys and thoughts. This sharing and listening makes very real the support that we derive from one another and from hearing about another’s journey. Through this sharing we are also noticing how well those older Friends in our group are aging. They provide us all a strategy for continuing to learn and accept our path and the challenges that may be there with determination and grace.

We nurture our spiritual language by having discussions once a month on a given topic. During the “dark” months this occurs after worship, and in the “light” months we meet on Saturday evenings. Each has its benefits. A number of the topics come from articles that we have read including ones on leadings, the Light within, universalism and the connection with other Friends. Also this year we shared answers to a number of questions on our unique life’s journey culminating in stating our beliefs. We feel by this intimate exchange we created a space where all feel that they can reveal their own truth and have it be heard from the tender place that it originates. Christmas Day several Friends gathered for worship and a shared meal that spoke to the further connectedness of the group.

Individually, we engage in life by witnessing to the spirit by visitation, volunteerism and vocational accountability. We do have as a concern our lack of corporate connection to the wider community. However, by being open to the spirit we have built up, we have an impact on those whom we meet daily.

We shared the unique experience of memorial meetings held in the manner of Friends for two of our attendees. We feel that we were able to provide the families of Jean Ridgway and Bob Ulrich with a special time of remembrance and strength that matched the special people that we have lost. Their spirits remain with us.

We have as a concern the impact that meeting in homes has on accommodating those with children. We feel that we have to be very diligent in making space for them both physically and spiritually. We are also concerned that we provide a feeling of openness and acceptance for those who may come with different religious experiences than ours. We feel that anyone who is willing to hear others from a deep place can find a spiritual home with us.

The report is the distillation of comments shared after meeting for worship using the queries provided by the committee.