Prologue
This spiritual state of the meeting report was (a) prepared by the Worship and Ministry
Committee of the Third Haven Meeting of Friends, (b) presented for a first and second
reading at meetings for worship with attention to business, and (c) approved for
submission to the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting by the Meeting after worshipful
discernment. The purpose of this report is to respond to the question “How does spirit
move among us?” Using this query, we have engaged in a spirit-led assessment of our
worship, community care, spiritual growth, outreach, and challenges.
Worship Life
Our meeting maintains stable attendance, with about 40 attending in person on First
Days and several attending online. We also offer a mid-week hybrid option to support
members on their spiritual journeys. Having an online choice has sometimes been
challenging; however, we have tried to make technology as unobtrusive as possible.
Queries in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) Faith and Practice (Revised 2017 and
Printed 2018) are read aloud several times a month at meetings for worship. Vocal
ministry is often based on the queries read, but it varies, as some queries tend to
stimulate vocal ministry more often than others. A challenge for our Meeting is ensuring
that all Friends understand when a thought rises to the level of being vocal ministry.
Among the other challenges are getting Friends and attenders to (a) stand quietly at the
entrance to the Meeting when someone is engaged in vocal ministry, (b) avoid reading
and representing favorite poetry or prose as vocal ministry, and (c) enter the meeting in
silence regardless of how much time there is before the appointed start time for worship.
Community and Care
Our Meeting has sponsored many activities designed to support one another spiritually,
emotionally, and practically. Examples of this include worship-sharing sessions held to
give Friends opportunities to share what they were experiencing in the current
sociopolitical environment and how the Meeting might support their spiritual well-being
during such times. Similarly, we provided an opportunity for spiritual renewal through art
and music to foster a sense of community and spiritual growth through shared creative
expression. All of these activities were well attended and greatly appreciated.
Space for our First Day School was recently renovated, with attendance before and after
the renovation being stable. Through the efforts of dedicated Friends involved in First
Day School, intergenerational activities, such as potluck meals have been held several
times a year. As young Friends move from one educational level to another (such as
from middle to high school or high school to college), they are recognized in various
ways for their achievements.
Over the past year, we have been delighted to see some Friends who had been away for
a while return and have welcomed several newcomers. We have lost some Friends
through moves to be near relatives and friends. Others have left without openly sharing
their reasons. We recognize that we cannot meet everyone’s wants and needs.
Nevertheless, we believe that it is our responsibility to keep trying in large and small
ways. For example, opportunities to share the joys and concerns are available before the
close of worship and in the bi-weekly printed announcements of the Meeting. Similarly,
cleanup days occur periodically and involve both outdoor and indoor activities. These
activities are intergenerational and not only help maintain a positive physical
environment for worship but also enhance the spiritual community, as nothing brings
Friends together more than a tangible task done well. Similarly, activities such as
contributing to a weekly food basket, striving to overcome technology problems, holding
a carriage shed sale, and singing together at the close of worship have helped enhance
our sense of community and of caring.
Witness and Outreach
In addition to providing care to our worship community, we have worked to deepen our
knowledge and understanding of broader community issues, such as immigration, food
insecurity, and relating across perceived differences. We have shared announcements
such as “Conversations on Race,” honoring the legacy and heritage of indigenous
peoples, and opportunities to read to kindergarten children sponsored by community
organizations. We have sponsored speakers with expertise and experience in areas of
concern and invited residents of the broader community to attend; encouraged all to
communicate their concerns and joys to local, state, and national officials; donated
money and food to reputable organizations; and gotten involved in several organizations
and efforts to be examples of loving and caring for others.
Spiritual Growth
In addition to individual presentations about “Spiritual Journeys” sessions on “Reading
the Gospels” have been available. One of our efforts in spiritual growth has been a
series titled “Faith and Practice at Third Haven Friends Meeting.” Sessions in the series
have included: (a) “That of God,” (b) “Silent Worship,” (c) “Testimonies and Witness,”
and (d) “Community.” In these activities, Friends have been open about things that are
close to their hearts, which increases the feeling of community as we grow spiritually.
Challenges
Confusion sometimes arises over whether involvement in external organizations and
activities is based on a personal leading, an ad hoc group work, or an official Meeting
role. Thus, the challenge is to define ways to ensure there is no uncertainty about
whether the activities of members are performed as Meeting representatives or as
individuals. Another challenge has been to help Friends to focus more upon Quaker
testimonies or values and less upon personalities.
Epilogue
We conclude with a commitment to ourselves and others to continue our shared journey
in faith, community, and service. We celebrate our accomplishments, acknowledge our
shortcomings, and remain committed to doing a little better and being a little better
along the way. Guided by spirit and unity, we look to tomorrow with faith, hope, and love.
