One of the things that impresses me most about the Quaker community is the sense of connection that Friends have across geographical boundaries. With very few exceptions, I have found that if show up at a Quaker meeting on Sunday morning and introduce myself as a visiting Friend, there will be warm-hearted people who are …
This past weekend I was up in Philadelphia for an East Coast Gathering of the Friends of Jesus Fellowship. The gathering was an excellent opportunity for me to deepen relationships with local leaders in Philadelphia. It also turned out to be a chance to clarify our core mission and values as a fellowship. Early in …
When I first became a Friend, something I heard a lot was that Quakerism is caught, not taught. For many Friends it is a point of pride that our faith is acquired through osmosis rather than instruction. I picked up most of my Quaker etiquette in this intuitive way. I noticed and imitated the tone …
What is the basis of real spiritual community? A large number of people showing up on Sunday morning? Having a deep spiritual experience, whether in a worship service or in personal devotions? Or is it a dedicated commitment to live a certain way and follow the rules? All of these elements show up in the …
I’ve often heard this joke about Washington, DC: Here, people ask your job before they ask your name. That’s a slight exaggeration, but it has the ring of truth to it. DC is filled with extremely bright, highly motivated, driven people. This is a city of go-getters, one that centers itself around idealism, success, and …
Believe it or not, I’m not a naturally outgoing person. All things being equal, I like to stick to a few really intense, one-on-one relationships. A social butterfly I am not. Despite my natural handicaps, however, God has called me to help develop Christian community here in Washington, DC. This work forces me to get …
We live in a culture that talks a lot about community. Politicians, civic and religious leaders, non-profits and businesses are always announcing programs and initiatives to build and protect community. It’s not always clear what we mean by the word community, but we appear to think that it’s important. Still, it often seems that the …