Selected Bibliography on Ministry and Eldering

Compiled by the Friends General Conference Traveling Ministries Program

Abbott, Margery Post and Peggy Senger Parsons. Walk Worthy of   Your Calling: Quakers and the Traveling Ministry. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1997. A collection of essays and stories by many Friends across the spectrum of Quakerism who have been called to travel in the ministry. Included are reflections on struggling with the call itself and the transformation that comes from listening carefully to God's direction. Available from Quakerbooks

 Bacon, Margaret Hope. Wilt Thou Go on My Errand? Three 18th Century Journals of Quaker Women Ministers. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1998. The three are Susanna Morris (1682-1755), Elizabeth Hudson (1722-1783), and Ann Moore (1710-1783). Available from Quakerbooks

 

Barclay, Robert. Barclay's Apology in Modern English, edited by Dean Freiday. Newburg, OR: Barclay Press, 1967. See especially "Proposition 10: The Ministry", for the basic understanding of Friends regarding ministry at least until the nineteenth century. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Benefiel, Margaret. "The Calling of Quaker Ministers to Ministry", Priscilla Papers, Vol 4, no 3 (Summer 1988-89), p3. A short, helpful piece regarding an understanding of ministry as experienced by women ministers. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Benson, Lewis. "On Being Moved by the Spirit to Minister in Public Worship", The Quaker Vision. New Foundation Publications #4 (Winter 1979), pp. 48-51. A helpful description of the inner work during meeting for worship of a Friend drawn to vocal ministry. Gives some hints for discerning when to speak and when to remain silent. Provides a context for prophetic ministry in our meetings for worship. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Bill, J. Brent. Sacred Compass, The Way Of Spiritual Discernment. Paraclete Press, 2008. “A compass makes a good metaphor for our spiritual lives and the work of discerning God's will for them. the divine compass points us the mind and love of God. Our sacred compass operates in our souls and calls us to life with God. The sacred compass leads us on a life of pilgrimage - a hike to wholeness and holiness." Available from Quakerbooks    

Bownas, Samuel. A Description of the Qualifications Necessary to A Gospel Minister, with an Introduction by William Taber. Philadelphia: Pendle Hill Publications and Tract Association of Friends, 1989 (from the 1767 edition). The classic "how to" manual for Friends who feel a gift of ministry emerging in them, and for their meeting community to learn how to understand, receive, and nurture the ministry. Available from Quakerbooks

Brinton, Howard. Quaker Journals: Varieties of Religious Experience Among Friends. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1972. Describes the stages through which traditional Friends' ministers typically passed in their spiritual development. Available from Quakerbooks

 

 

Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. Responding to Calls to Ministry (revised June 4, 1999--please note the online version linked to here is the 1995 edition). A helpful manual developed by this meeting to deal with the many Friends coming forward with a variety of gifts of ministry. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Chidsey, Linda. "Remarks on the Subject of Eldering". Given at a Pendle Hill weekend on "Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Our Meetings", Nov. 1997. Describes elders as those mothers and fathers of our tradition who awaken and encourage the Inward Teacher in each of us. She makes a plea for reexamining the role and function of elders in order to foster more authentic life in community. This article can be downloaded from the FGC website here.

Cooper, Wilmer. The Testimony of Integrity. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #296. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1991. A discussion of integrity as the foundation testimony from which other Quaker testimonies and witness follow. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Cronk, Sandra. Gospel Order: A Quaker Understanding of Faithful Church Community. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #297. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1991. Describes the communal theory and practice of Quaker tradition. Challenges us to see our meetings more deeply. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Drayton, Brian. "Being a Recorded Minister", Pendle Hill Lecture, 10/27/1996. A very helpful talk based on the author's own experience of being a recorded minister in New England Yearly Meeting. It sketches the history and procedures of recording. Raises good questions for today's liberal, unprogrammed meetings around issues of spiritual authority, leadership, the care of community, and ministry. How are the needs for a broad range of authentic ministries being met, and how does the meeting support, encourage, and hold accountable those engaged in this important work? There is much wisdom offered here. This is currently in print as the appendix of Brian Drayton's "On Living with a Concern for Gospel Ministry", available from QuakerBooks of FGC. You can also contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for a copy.

Drayton, Brian. "A Historical Note about Elders in the Society of Friends". Here is a historical look at elders, how they are called to this work and some of the ways they serve their meetings. This article can be downloaded from the FGC website here.

Drayton, Brian. "Notes on the Friends practice called 'recording gifts in the ministry'". 2/1988. An excellent summary of the history of recording ministers and how we have come to our present wide variety of practices within the entire spectrum of the Religious Society of Friends. Also describes the important place recorded ministers have held in the life of Friends in terms of their ministering work and of their own spiritual development and weight. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Drayton, Brian. "On Living with a Concern for Gospel Ministry", Quaker Press of FGC 2005. Brian Drayton has studied A Description of the Qualifications Necessary to a Gospel Minister by Samuel Bownas, and many Friends journals, internalizing their teaching and applying it to his own life and ministry. He is called to minister to ministers, to encourage, help, and yes, even admonish Friends who feel a gift for ministry arising within. Available from Quakerbooks  

Drayton, Brian. "Recorded Ministers in the Society of Friends, Then and Now". Substance of remarks delivered to Salem Quarterly Meeting, NEYM, 1/23/1994. This article can be downloaded from the FGC website here.

Edwards, Tilden. Spiritual Friend: Reclaiming Gifts of Spiritual Direction . New York, NY: Paulist Press, 1980. Provides guidelines for beginning and nurturing spiritual direction; a mentoring approach. This resource can be found in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Library. To contact the PYM Librarian: 215-241-7219, 215-241-7220 Email:library@...

Fardelmann, Charlotte. Nudged By The Spirit, Stories Of People Responding To The Still, Small Voice Of God. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 2001. This anthology shares the stories of persons who have experienced a sense of call to ministry and how they moved forward into that work with support from their monthly meetings. Includes the stories of Will and Fran Taber, Lucy McIver, John Calvi, Elaine Bishop and Kathryn Damiano. Available from Quakerbooks

Farnham, Suzanne, et.al. Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse, 1991. Thorough study of call, call to ministry, individual and corporate discernment, and support for the ministry of others, from a non-Quaker perspective. Includes notes and an annotated bibliography. Available from Quakerbooks

Fox, George. The Journal of George Fox, ed. by John L. Nickalls. Cambridge: At the University Press, 1952. This is the definitive edition. The first dozen pages describe most of the foundational "openings" that have guided Friends. Friends engaged in ministry should probably be familiar with at least the first five chapters. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Friends Consultation on Discernment. Earlham School of Religion. Quaker Hill Conference Center, Richmond, IN, 1985. Includes papers by Alastair Heron, Jan Wood, Johan Maurer, Matthias Drake, William Taber and Joyce Mardock Holden. Also summary reports from groups and observers. This resource can be found in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Library. To contact the PYM Librarian: 215-241-7219, 215-241-7220 Email:library@...

Friends Consultation on Eldering. Earlham School of Religion. Quaker Hill Conference Center, Richmond, IN, Dec. 9-12, 1982. Includes papers by Stephen Angell, Ronald Sellick, Charles Thomas, Candida Palmer, Mark Minear, David Holden, Thomas Brown, and Samuel Caldwell. These papers discuss the history of Quakers, its organization and authority, and the historical role of elders, leading up to the present role of elders in Quaker organizations. Includes a section on concerns, and a summary report. A summary of this Consultation appeared in QuakerLife, Jan./Feb. 1983, pp. 13-16. This resource can be found in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Library. To contact the PYM Librarian: 215-241-7219, 215-241-7220 Email:library@...

Friends Consultation on Ministry (Consultation of Friends on Ministry). Earlham School of Religion. Quaker Hill Conference Center, Richmond, Indiana, 1981. A collection of presentations, discussion and summary, drawing on representatives from all branches of Friends. FGC staff can help locate this article. This resource can be found in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Library. To contact the PYM Librarian: 215-241-7219, 215-241-7220 Email:library@...

Friends Consultation on Spiritual Authority and Accountability. Earlham School of Religion. Quaker Hill Conference Center, Richmond, IN, Dec. 6-9, 1984. Presentations, discussion and a summary. Includes representatives from all branches of Friends. This resource can be found in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Library. To contact the PYM Librarian: 215-241-7219, 215-241-7220 Email:library@... 

Garman, Mary, et al, eds. Hidden in Plain Sight: Quaker Women's   Writings, 1650-1700. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1996. A collection of writings by Quaker women from 1650 to 1700. The journals provide valuable insight as to what it is like to experience "call". The religious tracts are justification for women taking a prophetic role in ministry. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Glover, Sue. Go and the Lord go with thee! Sessions Book Trust, 1997. A nice brief overview of the historic and current practice of travel among and by Friends. The text provides many practical suggestions as to how to nurture those they visit and themselves. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Graham, Maureen. Women of Power and Presence: The Spiritual Formation of Four Quaker Women Ministers. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #294. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1990. The four women are Rebecca Jones, Rachel Hicks, Elizabeth Gurney Fry, and Lucretia Mott, who represent the conservative, evangelical and liberal branches of Friends. Available from Quakerbooks

Grundy, Martha Paxson. Early Friends And Ministry. Beacon Hill Friends House, 2009. What did the first Friends actually have to say about ministry? Marty Grundy provides a short but thorough guide to this aspect of early Quaker thought. In addition, she gives us her incisive analysis, examining today's thought and practice concerning ministry in the light of early Friends' intentions. Introduction by Beckey Phipps. Available from Quakerbooks

Grundy, Martha Paxson. Tall Poppies: Supporting Gifts of Ministry      and Eldering in the Monthly Meeting. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #347. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 2000. Specific suggestions to meetings for discernment and for supporting ministry and eldering. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Guenther, Margaret. Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction. Boston: Cowley Publications, 1992. Tries to "de-mystify" the art of spiritual direction by emphasizing ordinary, everyday experiences. Uses the images of hospitality, teaching, and midwifery to illustrate the role of spiritual director. Written for "amateurs." Available from Quakerbooks 

 

Harvey, T. Edmund. "Our Quaker Ministry Since the Cessation of Recording". An address to the Elders of London YM [now Britain YM] 5/22/1946 that points out some of the losses as well as the gains that resulted from ending the practice of recording ministers. It offers specific tasks the entire meeting needs to take on in the absence of ministers. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Heron, Alistair. Gifts and Ministries: A discussion on eldership. London: Quaker Home Service, 1987. This is a 23 page essay on Elders and Overseers, who are appointed for three year terms in Britain (formerly London) Yearly Meeting. It deals directly with an organization different from that common to FGC, but the problems and changes within the Society of Friends which are clearly set forth apply to all unprogrammed Friends. As such, it dwells on nurturing spiritual growth, and the need for a spiritual community and a commonality of belief. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Hinshaw, Seth. The Spoken Ministry Among Friends: Three Centuries of Progress and Development. North Carolina Yearly Meeting and North Carolina Friends Historical Society, 1987. This resource can be found in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Library. To contact the PYM Librarian: 215-241-7219, 215-241-7220 Email:library@...

Hoffman, Jan. Clearness Committees and their Use in Personal Discernment. FGC, 1996. A very precise structure is presented for the formation and use of these committees. Particularly useful for those unfamiliar with such committees. Available from Quakerbooks

Hoffman, Jan. "Experiences of the Relationships of Minister & Elders at New York Yearly Meeting Sessions 1991". A personal story of the support by elders enabling her to be faithful in giving a specific message which had been given to her. This article can be downloaded from the FGC website here.

Jeavons, Thomas H. "By Whose Authority? The Grounds for Ministry & Leadership among Friends" Pendle Hill Lecture Series, Oct. 7, 1996. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Lacey, Paul A. Leading and Being Led. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #264. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1985. Discusses authority and the use of power in Quaker educational institutions, but the principles apply to Friends meetings and other enterprises. Questions whether eldering is a form of authority and use of power. Available from Quakerbooks  

Lacey, Paul A. Quakers and the Use of Power. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #241. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1982. Although written about the crisis of leadership in Quaker institutions, his analysis can extend to spiritual leadership in our meetings. Its root is "a deep ambivalence about the exercise of power" as well as a false allegory of "speaking truth to power". Friends seem to want influence but not the responsibility of power. Thought provoking. Available from Quakerbooks

Larrabee, Margery. Spirit-Led Eldering, Integral To Our Faith And Practice. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #392. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 2007. "Eldering is a process of assisting one another, from a centered place, to stay true and faithful to the Spirit in all aspects of our lives. Eldering is a component in the life of a spiritual community that was well known among early Friends, came to be misunderstood, and to a great extent has fallen out of practice." Available from Quakerbooks

Larson, Rebecca. Daughters of Light: Quaker Women Preaching and Prophesying in the Colonies and Abroad, 1700-1775. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999. Clear description of the struggles of18th century Quaker women ministers to submit to God's leading, to balance that call with family responsibilities and cultural expectations, to undertake travel in the ministry, and something about the messages some of these women carried. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC

Loring, Patricia. Listening Spirituality. Vol. I: Personal Spiritual   Practices Among Friends. Openings Press, 1997. For those seriously seeking to undertake or expand their spiritual practices of prayer, devotion, meditation, and listening to God within the Friends tradition. Draws from many practices but keeps them within a Quaker context. Includes queries and spiritual exercises. Available from Quakerbooks 

Loring, Patricia. Listening Spirituality. Vol. II: Corporate Spiritual Practice Among Friends. Openings Press, 1999. Weaves historical Quaker material, modern experience, bibliographies, and issues Friends face today, with practical suggestions to illuminate and deepen our practice of living together in a faith community predicated on listening to God. Available from Quakerbooks

Loring, Patricia. Spiritual Discernment: The Context and Goal of   Clearness Committees. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #305. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1992. Explores testing leadings, both individually and corporately. Describes setting up and conducting clearness committees. Available from Quakerbooks

Penington, Isaac. The Light Within and Selected Writings. Philadelphia: Tract Association of Friends, n.d. A powerful spiritual account. If you are looking for a seasoned Quaker to walk with, here is an excellent one. All couched in 17th century language. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Schmitt, Bob. "An Account of Experiences of the Dynamic Between Quaker Ministers and Elders at an FGC Gathering at Penn Center on St. Helena's Island in the Winter of 1999". (June 1999). Personal stories about how the spirit is leading and teaching him. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Schmitt, Bob. "Deep Listening: Applying the Disciplines of an Elder  to Pastoral Care", in Pastoral Care Newsletter. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Working Group on Care and Counsel for Meetings and Members. Vol. 8, no. 3 (March 2001). Looks at the symbiotic function of an elder as midwife to ministry, and then as a model for carrying out pastoral care. Describes the disciplines of elder he has found to be helpful in pastoral care. Pg. 24 of Grounded In God: Care And Nurture In Friends Meetings, 2002, available from Quakerbooks

So that You Come Behind in No Gift: Ohio Yearly Meeting's Gathering on Eldering 6/20- 22/1996. Available from Ohio Yearly Meeting. This small pamphlet starts out with an overview of eldering by Susan Smith, its history by John Brady, and its application by Frances Taber. There are also examples from the scriptures, from historical Friends writings and from contemporary experience. Eldering is described most often by the word "encouragement", and elders share with ministers and overseers the major responsibilities to a meeting. Ohio Yearly Meeting publications can be ordered directly through the yearly meeting. 

Sutton, Kenneth. "Kenneth's Eldering Stories". Stories of personal experiences of the spirit teaching us today, and about the use of ministry and eldering. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Taber, Bill [William]. "The Ministry of Silent Radiation", in What Canst Thou Say? no. 17 (Feb. 1988), 1. A short description of the author's recording as a minister in Ohio Yearly Meeting (Cons.) and of his growing understanding of the gift. He tells of a period when he was kept from vocal ministry, a waiting time that led to a deeper level of experiencing the "secret, undramatic, invisible ministry" that is "a wordless radiation of the Love of God". Pg. 100, Discovering God As Companion: Real Life Stories From What Canst Thou Say?, 2007, available from Quakerbooks

Taber, Bill [William]. The Prophetic Stream. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #256. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1984. Describes the prophetic ministry of Quakers, rooted in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures and the early Christian church. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Taber, Frances. "Applying and Adapting the Tradition of Eldering for Today", The Conservative Friend (Fall 1996), pp. 3-5. Describes eldering as the term "for the work of those who (other than vocal ministers) most embody the spiritual tradition, the Quaker understanding of spirituality, those who are most concerned with carrying it on and nurturing it in their meetings as a whole and in the members individually." Names specific functions of elders, and suggests how Ministry and Oversight Committees might deepen and enrich their work together. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Taber, William. Four Doors to Quaker Worship. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #306. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1992. A guide to the different stages of preparation and experience of worship. A helpful introduction to the process of Quaker worship. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Vogel-Borne, Jonathan. "Traveling in the Ministry". Paper written for Friends Meeting at Cambridge, 1987. A short but very informative article which includes historical background for traveling in the ministry, a good discussion of recognizing a call, and a detailed description of the clearness process and traveling minutes. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Walton, Marty. The Blessed Community. Southeastern Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 1994. A companion to The Meeting Experience, this pamphlet develops the ideas of the religious community. Available from Quakerbooks 


Walton, Marty. The Meeting Experience: Practicing Quakerism in Community. Canadian Quaker Pamphlet Series #45. This is a useful pamphlet for visiting Friends to carry, as it answers many of the questions which are frequently asked. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Wilson, Lloyd Lee. Essays on the Quaker Vision of Gospel Order. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1993. See especially Part II, Spiritual Gifts and the Faith Community, which includes a section on Traveling in the Ministry. Available from Quakerbooks

 

Wood, Peter. Eldering. Canadian Quaker Pamphlet #27. Argenta Friends Press, 1987. An early discussion on the process of eldering. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online. 

The published journals of earlier Friends' ministers also offer good sources for deeper understanding of ministry and eldering.

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Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, Books of Discipline or supplementary publications include:

Britain Yearly Meeting, Quaker Faith And Practice Of Britain Yearly Meeting, 4th Edition, 2009. Available from Quakerbooks

 

New York Yearly Meeting. Faith and Practice: The Book of Discipline of the New YorkYearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. Approved 31st July 1998. Available from Quakerbooks

 

North Carolina YM (C). Faith and Practice: Book of         Discipline of the North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative) of the Religious Society of Friends, 1983 Revision. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC

 

Ohio Yearly Meeting. The Book of Discipline of the Ohio Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Conservative). 1992 edition. Available online at Ohio Yearly Meeting’s website.

 

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Faith & Practice, 2002. Available from Quakerbooks

 

  

  

Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Counsel, New York Yearly Meeting. Recording Gifts in Ministry. 1992. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700.

 

Western Yearly Meeting. A Handbook for Elders. 1995. This resource can be found in the PhiladelphiaYearly Meeting Library. To contact the PYM Librarian: 215-241-7219, 215-241-7220 Email:library@...

 

Quaker Heritage Press. The Old Discipline: Nineteenth Century  Friends' Disciplines In America, 1999.  This book reprints the disciplines of the eight oldest yearly meetings in America, and traces their revisions through the years. Available from Quakerbooks

 

 

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The following articles appeared in Quaker periodicals

Blocher, Heidi. "On Quaker Contemplative Life", Friends Journal, Sept. 1996, 14. Description of the inward, contemplative stance of a Friends' minister to discern God's will inthis specific instance. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Drayton, Brian, "On Opportunities", Friends Journal, Sept. 1990, 8-9. The opportunities described can occur when a Friend visits an individual or small group in a home or workplace. It is a time of worship and spiritual sharing, sometimes planned, sometimes spontaneous. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

"Eldering After the Manner of Friends", Quaker Life (Jan/ Feb. 1983), 13-16. A good summary of the Friends Consultation on Eldering, Quaker Hill Conference Center, Dec. 9-12, 1982. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

"The gift and art of eldering", The New England Friend, Vol. 53, no. 2 (Spring 1998). A series of short articles on various aspects of the understanding of eldering. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

McPeak, Connie. "Anatomy of a Leading", Friends Journal, 12/1997 and succeeding issues. Describes the ways God prepared her and how way opened for her to follow a leading to be Friend in Residence in Fairbanks for a year. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Palmer, Parker. "The Clearness Committee: a way of discernment", Weavings, Vol. 3, no. 4 (July-Aug. 1988), 37-40. A discussion of discernment written for a non-Quaker audience. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

"Recording Gifts in the Ministry" (Adobe Acrobat file), The New England Friend, Vol. 55, no. 2 (Spring 2000). Relates specifically to New England Yearly Meeting, but it provides a good discussion of the value and the problems with recording the gift of ministry. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

Taber, William P. "The Theology of the Inward Imperative: Traveling Quaker Ministry of the Middle Period", Quaker Religious Thought (autumn 1980), pp. 3-19. FGC staff can help locate this article. Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.

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  • FGC staff can help locate this article: Please contact the Traveling Ministries Associate at travelingministries@fgcquaker.org, 215-561-1700, for an electronic copy (PDF) of this article. *Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open a PDF - a current version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free online.