Salem Creek Friends Meeting Queries

 Although Quakers do not subscribe to a creed, we do examine the state of our spiritual journey by periodically responding to queries.  Following is a list of some of these queries for our meeting.

1. How do I faithfully prepare for worship? In what ways might we each deepen our collective experience of worship?

2. How do we keep the worship in Meeting for Business? When direction seems lacking, how do we help the group see this as a challenge to a more prayerful search for truth?

3. How does our Meeting nurture the gifts of all attenders, encouraging ministry in word and deed?

4. How might we know each other’s spiritual and temporal needs and minister one to another? How might I show that am I willing to graciously accept the help of others?

5. How might we effectively foster a spirit of inquiry and personal growth to develop a loving and understanding attitude in ourselves and others, both inside and outside of the Meeting Community?  How might we provide and encourage religious education across all age groups inside the Meeting community?

6. What steps might we take individually and as a Meeting to assure that our Meeting reflects respect for all and is free from practices rooted in prejudice? How might we encourage individual reflection on our own assumptions about others?

7. How might we “let our lives speak” to the wider community? What actions are we taking to promote social justice? How do we find balance between promoting social justice, living simply, and not being pulled in too many directions?

8. How might I live in the power of that Life and Spirit that takes away the occasion of all wars? How do I approach conflict inside and outside Meeting by recognizing that of God in the other? How do I use my words to increase fuller understanding?

9. How do I ground myself in the understandings of my faith? Am I clear about my beliefs? How do I share my faith and beliefs with others, inside and outside of the Meeting Community?

10. How am I encouraging the responsible use of natural resources and their nurture for future generations? How do I avoid wasteful consumptions and seek to preserve the beauty and balance of God’s world?

11. Do we regard our time, talents, energy, money, material possessions, and other resources as gifts from God, to be held in trust and shared according to the Light we are given?

12. Where do I struggle to align my spiritual beliefs/testimonies with my way of life? How do we support each other in living with integrity?

9/1/2018