This letter introduces you to our dear Friend Thomas Swain who, our community senses, has been following a leading from God to bring his gifts of teaching to members and attenders of our Yearly Meeting. Thomas has been part of our Meeting community for over 16 years, giving of himself freely as Clerk of Meeting, as caring Overseer, as leader of Adult First Day School, and as participant in our Men's Prayer Group which he helped set up. He is a well loved, nurturing presence in our Meeting. Thomas has also been a faithful member of our Yearly Meeting since 1974, participating on many PYM committees and ad hoc working groups.

Thomas feels deeply that God is present in our midst. This is the message that he strives to bring to his classes. It is a Conservative message that Friends and attenders in our Yearly Meeting do not often hear. It is a message that points to the natural existence of God's love in each of us and how that love ties us together in community. Thomas' teaching facilitates this awareness. Word has gotten back to us that the Meeting communities he has touched, have deeply appreciated this approach, bringing them a spititual knowledge of how their religious lives can help their Meeting relationships become more fruitful.

We in the Meeting are pleased that Thomas has paid attention to this leading to bring God's message to our wider Quaker community. We see this as an extension of our own community's faith that God and Christ are constantly working amongst us.

Having recently released him from his clerking responsibilities, we have seen a dramatic increase in the energy and enthusiasm which he directs towards this teaching ministry. We are happy to see him so fully engaged in doing God's work and are ready to support this part of his religious journey in whatever way we are called upon to do. We pray you will accept his gifts and welcome his concerns as we have for many years.

Sincerely under God's love,

Rich Ailes
Clerk
Middletown Monthly Meeting
Lima, PA

6th Month, 20, 2004