By Martha Nieman, JONAH Board Representative
Many people only know about Quakers from the oatmeal cereal box. Here’s a more accurate picture. The official name is the Religious Society of Friends, coming from the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, “You are my friends if you do what I command you . . I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you… This is my commandment, that you love one another.” The term “Quakers” was originally an insult, used by critics in the 17th century, based on founder George Fox’s exhortation to “quake and tremble before the Lord.” The name caught on because at times worshipers would tremble with emotion during their services, resulting from insight gained by listening in silence to the Inner Light or “that of God within,” which Quakers believe exists in all beings. The Inner Light is a direct experience of God, not requiring a go-between to gain access to the Divine; thus, no system of theology or creed is needed to point the Way. These insights, when shared, form the liturgy of the worship. This is the manner of worship for unprogrammed Friends Meetings, although some Meetings have a predetermined order of worship. Anyone, including children, may share an insight during worship and so all are considered ministers; although some programmed Meetings have a designated pastor. The ongoing management of Meeting operations and issues is conducted at Meetings for Worship with attention to business, in the same manner, i.e. setting aside personal agendas, listening to discern what we as a Meeting are led by Spirit to be and do. Decisions are not made by vote but by recognition of being in unity with a particular way forward. It is acknowledged that the minority voice may be the Spirit-led path. This process perhaps takes more time to be complete, but typically the result is espoused by the whole and long-lasting. The manner of Friends is distinctive in these ways.
The teaching to love one another is the foundation for the Friends testimonies: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship or sustainability. They are the values that guide Friends in their everyday thoughts, spirit, words, and actions, with focus on social concerns. These principles are manifest historically in Quaker involvement in prison reform, women’s suffrage, abolition, and the Underground Railroad; assistance to Jews fleeing the Holocaust and all those suffering starvation and deprivation in the aftermath of World War II; and currently in the work on human rights for women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, refugees, and immigrants; non-violent resistance, pacificism, and work to eliminate the cause of all wars.
The Eau Claire Friends Meeting sees itself as embodying Quaker faith and practice in the ways stated above. We are small in number but disproportionately active as individuals and as a Meeting in the world, as we are led by the Light. In living out the testimony of simplicity, we minimize overhead, which frees us to prioritize our resources to the leadings of the Spirit in service of the wider community. Points of contention within Meeting are addressed with love and compassion for that of God within all concerned. We are open to diversity and welcome those who come to be their authentic selves. We intentionally aim to be a sanctuary, so that our community may thrive. Our values and goals echo those of JONAH, and we are privileged to be a part.