- A Brief Guide to Using this Book of Faith and Practice
- Meeting for Worship
- The Light Within and its Religious Implications
- Testimonies
- Religious Education
- Friends’ Manner of Decision-Making
- Clearness and Support Committees
- Membership
- Marriage
- Recognizing Spiritual Gifts and Leadings
- Pastoral Care
- Preparing for and Responding to Injury, Illness, Death, and Bereavement
- Sexuality and Gender Identity
- Addiction, Substance Abuse, and Gambling
- Abuse and Exploitation in the Meeting Community
- Friends and the State
- Organization and Structure of Meetings
- History of Illinois Yearly Meeting
- Appendix 1: Sample Membership Record
- Appendix 2: Sample Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance of Transfer
- Appendix 3: Sample Traveling Minutes
- Appendix 4: Memorial Meeting Preparation Checklist
- Sources for Quotes
- Glossary
- Concerning this Book of Faith and Practice
- Faith and Practice
Sample 1
Date
Dear Friends,
Loving greetings from Friends at ___________Monthly Meeting in ________________Yearly Meeting. Our member __________ _____________ will be traveling in the ministry this next year under a concern for______________________________.
[share something about this Friend as it relates to committee work or representation from monthly or yearly meetings to yearly meetings or national Quaker organizations.]
Our meeting has worshipped with ________________ as we considered this issue and have no doubt that he/she is genuinely called to be with you and seek new Light with you about God’s intentions for ______________________________________
After careful consideration the meeting has found unity to approve this minute of travel.
We entrust ______________ to your care and pray that you and _____________ feel the presence of the Light as you meet together.
Signature of clerk
Sample 2
Date
Dear Friends,
______________, a member of our meeting, has shared with the meeting her/his leading to travel in the ministry this year among meetings which are seeking to ___________________________.
After careful consideration the meeting has found unity to approve this minute of travel.
We entrust ______________ to your care and pray that you and _____________ feel the presence of the Light as you meet together.
Signature of clerk
Elements of Endorsements on Returned Letters of Travel
Following a visit, the clerk of the visited meeting writes an endorsement to the sending meeting. Endorsements on returned letters of travel may speak to the work being done under Divine guidance and/or the ways the spiritual work of the Friend has benefited the meeting being visited.
