Friends and Clerking: FGConnections, Spring 2004
Thoughts on Clerking
By Marian Bean
Clerks learn to expect the unexpected. Here Marian Beane is crowned with love as she takes the reigns of FGC as presiding clerk at Central Committee,October 2002.
During the past some years I’ve been afforded various opportunities to learn about and experience the ministry of clerking. I’ve ‘sat at the feet’ of seasoned clerks and will be ever grateful for their particular ministry of presence. Some years ago when asked to serve as clerk of my monthly meeting I took the opportunity to participate in the ‘joy of clerking’ workshop at the Annual Gathering and would highly recommend this for new and seasoned clerks. Within the FGC family I’ve been called to clerk both administrative and program committees and now serve as the presiding clerk of FGC’s Central Committee. Each of these experiences has provided many rich teaching moments in my understanding of the ministry of clerking.
I have also come to know and appreciate the opportunity to share the ministry of clerking with other clerks. It has been helpful to gather with other Friends serving at the clerks’ table to consider how we care for each other as we carry on our respective clerking duties and ministry. The clerks of my home meeting also gather periodically to share aspects of our clerking work and ministry. Then a few years ago the FGC committee clerks felt led to come together during our Executive Committee meetings to share the joys and challenges of clerking. These shared times, centered in worship, have enriched our clerking ministry as we have sought common ground and have provided mutual encouragement for each other.
On this journey of clerking ministry I continue to find lessons to be learned and relearned that help to clarify my place in the meeting while serving as its clerk. Among those lessons are the following:
- Take the time that is needed to prepare for each clerking experience.
- Give careful consideration to setting the agenda in consultation with others and your God.
- Ask others to hold you and the meeting in the light that you will be faithful.
- Expect committee reports and recommendations to be well seasoned before coming to meeting.
- Give ample time for open worship at the beginning of the meeting and throughout.
- Let gentle humor, one of the gifts of the Spirit, lift the spirit of the meeting.
- Provide time for sharing both joys and sorrows.
- Practice patience with yourself and others; continue to take yourself lightly while living in the light.
- Be open to the leadings of the Spirit and expect to be surprised.
- Remember that this is not your meeting; it belongs to God.
In a recent meeting of the FGC Executive Committee I was reminded of how the Spirit moves among us in unexpected ways, the importance of deep listening, and as we are faithful way will open. And in that experience I again felt humbled in my service as clerk.
