Posted: March 4, 2024   •   Posted in: Community, Reflections

What do I value most about my Quaker Meeting? (Pt 2)

Not long ago we invited Friends to say what they value about Beccles Quaker Meeting. In Part 1 we heard from two Friends, and now from Mike, Marina and Carrie.

Mike

What do I value most? That’s difficult because it’s not one thing. First and foremost is the fact that I am able to have my own opinions and beliefs and value the belief of other Friends whose ideas differ from mine, knowing that they will value where I stand. The meeting in gathered silence can be very deep and the ministry that arises from that silence sometimes challenging, sometimes up lifting. The fact that the meeting looks outward to the world and all its devastating problems wanting to do what it can to make it a better place in whatever way we can. Not forgetting that we are called ‘FRIENDS’ because we are and that each of us is valued for being who we are.

Marina

What I value most about my Quaker meeting is the space – the space to explore who I am, what I believe and how I would like to live in response to this.  The freedom that my meeting allows me to do this, in a wonderfully supportive environment, is not something that I’ve found anywhere else.  

My meeting is full of people that I’d not have come up against and certainly have not built solid relationships with, if it wasn’t for Quakers.  I feel valued and cared for by them, and I feel a deep loving connection with them, despite our differences.  

I feel that I belong among them – that ‘I’ve found my tribe’.  And that’s a truly special thing.  

I look forward to being together at meetings for worship but I also enjoy working alongside many Friends in my Quaker roles.  There is so much to learn – both about Quakerism in general but also in terms of process and how our meetings are run.  I’ve always found Friends to be generous with their time and advice.  

I came to Quakers at a time of change in my life – I’m not someone who enjoys or thrives on change.  Meeting has provided me with a framework of stability to hang on to when I’ve needed it.  It has given me a focus beyond that of my own needs or problems.  It’s given me ways to connect with the issues of the wider world and the inspiration and tools to possibly begin to make a difference.  

Carrie

‘Connection’ is very important to me – connection to Friends in our meeting and to the wider Quaker community, to Friends over the centuries, and connection to something extraordinary but nameless, that is within me, and each of us. I value being alongside other travellers as we support each other in our spiritual and personal journeys. I value friendship, generosity and challenge, as well as opportunities to serve and to learn. Most of all, I value the joy, love and kindness that can be seen and experienced within our Quaker meeting day after day.