It cannot be too strongly urged that a Quaker Meeting is not a public forum. It is an effort to discern the spiritual sources from which all secular activity should flow. The Quaker Ministry is not judged by its oratory or by its facile delivery, but by its spiritual depth, truth and sincerity, however briefly or haltingly expressed. It should search the heart and incite to virtue. William Wistar Comfort Just Among Friends: A Quaker Life, 1968

    Trust, Joy and the Quality of Silence-three themes which emerged as we gathered to discuss and examine the spiritual state of our monthly meeting on 9th First Month, 2005. Our discussion was guided by queries prepared by the committee for Ministry and Counsel.

    Trust is experienced in numerous ways, from a willingness to wrestle with differences among us to a strong sense of God's spirit moving in our midst. We trust that together we can discern the truth that will guide us as a community and as individuals to deal with the reality of the world. As one seasoned Friend put it, "we are in a place where we trust that we can know more about God's will collectively than we can individually." Another remarked, "we have a healthy ability to listen to one another" and that listening happens in many formats, certainly meetings for worship and business, but also Bible Study, Quakerism, Adult Forum, various committees, Spiritual Formation, and monthly Quiet Saturdays. These events and activities are like "strong sinews" which run through the meeting to strengthen and invigorate our community. These also provide us the opportunities to deepen our knowledge and love for one another, which brings us to the second theme.

    Joy is an abundant theme of our life together. Many expressed great joy in the growth of our First Day School-more specifically in the presence of the growing number of young Friends in worship. Their noises and movement during the first few minutes of Meeting for Worship are celebrated, often inspiring vocal ministry of the adults. Joy is also seen in the way members and attenders are getting to know one another deeply. One Friend noted that where openness and love prevail, honesty is possible, "we are like a family, with mutuality of love and differences of perspective." In that context of knowing one another deeply, ministering to one another can be, and is, done with compassion and integrity.

    Finally, all of the above supports what one member called the creation of a kind of "spiritual kindling temperature" which is evidenced in the quality of silence that we experience in Meeting for Worship, and all the other gatherings of the Spirit that begin our various activities. As this Friend noted, "by ministering to ourselves-by such activities as preparing for worship and engaging in spiritual disciplines-we are better able to minister to others" and witness to the truth revealed by the Spirit in our midst. Another Friend expressed thankfulness for those who are able to make such preparations for it creates a kind of "spiritual ballast," for those weeks that do not allow such deep preparation.

    This quality of silence also supports the vocal ministry we are experiencing in meeting. Some years ago concerns were raised about the lack of vocal ministry. Now there seems to be a good balance. Friends characterized vocal ministry as "regular and deep," "inspired and speak[ing] to the divine presence in our worship." Another Friend felt that it is a sign of health that newcomers generally settle in for a long while before they give vocal ministry, e.g. Meeting for Worship is experienced as deeply spiritual, not an opportunity to air an "agenda." However, we also spoke of the need to be proactive in informing newcomers about vocal ministry, its source and expression. Clearly this quality of silence has fostered deep listening.

    One concern raised by several Friends relates to how we attend to issues of social justice. Some feel that we need a Social Order committee to focus our attention on these issues. Some see the work being carried by individuals and by the Meeting in various areas as evidence that we are engaging "the reality of the world."