Unfortunately, Friends, I will be unable to write with any frequency till late in December. I have several commitments that need my full attention. And I must say there has been a tone of late that I am not sure I want to feed anymore. I wish I were godlier or more humble and did not fall so hard and so fast to the bait, alas, hypocrisy mine, yours, or ours is a hard thing to ignore. So Friends, I am leaving you with a few items to reflect on--happy trails, till we meet again.
Advices and queries are not a call to increased activity by each individual Friend but a reminder of the insights of the Society. Within the community there is a diversity of gifts. We are all therefore asked to consider how far the advices and queries affect us personally and where our own service lies. There will also be diversity of experience, of belief and of language. Friends maintain that expressions of faith must be related to personal experience. --Quaker Faith and Practice, The Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Britain, 1995
Here are the following Queries from the British Faith and Practice:
Do you respect that of God in everyone though it may be expressed in unfamiliar ways or be difficult to discern? Each of us has a particular experience of God and each much find the way to be true to it. When words are strange or disturbing to you, try to sense where they come from and what has nourished the lives of others. Listen patiently and seek the truth which other people's opinions may contain for you. Avoid hurtful criticism and provocative language. Do not allow the strength of your convictions to betray you into making statements or allegations that are unfair or untrue. Think it possible that you may be mistaken.
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Every stage of our lives offers fresh opportunities. Responding to divine guidance, try to discern the right time to undertake or relinquish responsibilities without undue pride or guilt. Attend to what love requires of you, which may not be great busyness.
