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There are a number of Quaker practices that may be of interest to younger Friends. These traditions help people to challenge one another and to live more fully into their callings. These processes and practices, often underused, can provide powerful opportunities for Friends of all ages and life stages to deepen their faith, test out leadings, and explore new opportunities.

Below are some Friends traditions that might be of use for younger Friends.

Clearness Committees

A clearness committee meets with a person who is facing a difficult decision in his or her life. Through listening and asking questions, the committee helps the individual discern the leading of the Spirit and way forward. For example, a clearness committee might be used by a Friend considering civil disobedience or whether to follow a particular career path.

Anchoring Committees

After discerning the truth of a leading an individual may ask for an anchoring committee to help guide, support, and hold him or her accountable in following the leading. In some parts of North America, these groups are also called support committees. For example, a younger Friend feeling called to engage in cross-branch engagement might have an anchoring committee to support that Friend in preparation for and after such gatherings.

Spiritual Friendships

A spiritual friendship is a formal relationship between two people who invite God’s working in their lives and who make an intentional commitment to journey and share together as their spiritual lives unfold. Such friendships can occur between people of the same or different generation.

Letter of Introduction

A meeting may write a letter of introduction for a member who plans to travel and may be visiting other meetings. Letters of introduction might also be useful to Friends who move away for college, boarding school, or a first job.

Sojourning member

A sojourning member is a Friend residing temporarily near a meeting which is not his or her own may seek sojourning status. A minute of sojourn from a meeting can serve to introduce an individual and make clear the intentionality of a temporary period of attendance at a meeting.

Traveling Minute

A travel minute is an endorsement written by a meeting on behalf of a member who is traveling under the weight of a concern. This minute can serve to introduce the individual to a meeting and communicate the depth of the concern carried.