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Outreach in Calcutta |
Winona is a rural town outside Salem, Ohio. The
meeting house is in the local historical registry. The big event for the
community is "flax scutching" which includes intervisitation by the local
churches. Below is a summary of Friends presented at flax scutching by
Winona Friend, Myrtle Bailey: In the 17th century, there lived in England a young man named George Fox. He struggled to find the truth, but for several years he was un happy and uncertain. Then one day he heard a voice which told him -- "There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to your condition." His heart leaped for joy, and he felt within him the greatness and the infinite love of God. He had re-discovered the truth which Jesus brought 16 hundred years before. There is, in each of us, a small part of the Spirit of God. It has many names. Some call it "the soul," "the spirit," or "the Christ within." George Fox used the phrase "that of God in every man." He also called it "the inner light," the Light of Christ. Fox said religion was not just a matter of going to church, reading books about God, repeating prayers, or singing hymns, though these can be helpful. The true religion was a personal experience. When George Fox found this truth, we wanted to share it with others. So he held meetings with them. They had no paid minister and no special service. They worshipped in expectant silence. They endeavored to give their spirit to the Spirit of God, and waited for God to tell them what to do and to say. They became know as Children of the Light, or Friends of the Truth, and later, simply as Friends. These Friends has many enemies. They were attacked by the Church of England and the Puritans, and sent to prison. Many came to America to start a new life in a new country. Pennsylvania was founded as a "holy experiment" to prove that Christ's commandments of love for God and all His children could let to a better life here on earth. The Society of Friends does not have an official creed, or set of beliefs which its members must accept. There are many reasons for this: Words change their meaning (that is why parts of the Bible are now hard to understand); God can reveal new truth to us (scriptures can have different meanings as we grow in our knowledge of God); Christ has come to teach his people himself - what Friends believe is based on personal experience of and instruction by the living Christ. To memorize and recite some one else's beliefs is not truly to believe oneself. It is difficult to explain our way or worship. To outward appearances, we are doing nothing - just sitting in silence. There is no order of worship, no human director, no choir... So one may ask, "What is there?" Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul. When we commit ourselves to the Light Within, we have found the beginning of true life. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock - if any man will hear my voice and will open the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with me." We need to wait in silence to hear His knock, open the door and bid Him welcome. This inward Light can become the true guide of life, showing us new and unsuspected defects in ourselves, and new and amazing possibilities in others. The Christ within us urges us by secret persuasion, to look upon all the world through His eyes of love and to rejoice in the joy of His presence. If you will yield yourself to Him, you will find Him to be a far better teacher than anyone else could possibly be. You will have found Him who has been seeking you and who has died for your redemption. Such practice of inward worship and listening is the heart of religion. It is the secret of the inner life of the Master of Galilee. He expected this secret to be freshly discovered in everyone who would be His follower. It creates an amazing fellowship which knows no denominational divisions.... a society grounded in reverence, love and service to God. It is the property of no group nor sect. The Society of Friends arose as a rediscovery of Christ, the Light, Within. Dedicating themselves to attendance upon this Inward Living Christ, they are calling people to listen above all to that of God speaking within them. The value of Friends toady, for the world, does not lie merely in their humanitarian work. It lies in that call to all people to practice being in inward adoration, seeking that divine power, and finding anew what it means to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. Friends believe this Light Within is not just for meetings for worship... but that it should govern every aspect of life, including our employment, our business and our families. It can be a guide when we are uncertain of the way we should go. We need to be inwardly bowed in worship while we are busy in the world of daily affairs, living our lives on two levels. Such people have found. the secret of a life hid in Christ, and walk in newness of life. Our way of worship demands a great deal from each of us. If we are unfaithful, our meeting suffers. We cannot expect someone else to perform our service for us, we are responsible for seeking out the Lord's will for us, for listening to Him, for doing His bidding. This is work - real labor of the soul. It requires discipline to quiet our thoughts, that we may hear the still small voice in which our Lord speaks. Many today are uncomfortable when noise ceases, and do not know how to silently commune with God...how to have our thoughts kneel before Him in adoration and praise. This is the hope of the quietness of Friends meeting. As we gather together to worship Him, Christ/God is in our midst to be our Guide and our Teacher. He knows us, our struggles and our failures...it is He who can lead us into all truth. Our aim is to humbly walk in His presence and to be guided in all we do and say. Please come and worship with us! |