This post might better be titled a “forethought” that
precedes a future essay about “ways of belonging among Quakers.” That was the theme of last weekend’s
Spring gathering of Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting. Quakers from Washington
and Northwest Idaho met, as we do twice a year, at a retreat center in the
Manastash Canyon near Ellensburg, WA.
Outside my cabin door, the creek burbled, and the sunrise backlit the
ridge above the camp.
I’m still reflecting on the sharing about what brought us to
Quakerism, what keeps us in this faith tradition, and the wide variety of ways
that people experience a sense of belonging. A thread that ran through many experiences, though, was summed
up by one Friend’s examination of the word belonging. He broke that single word into two—be longing—and suggested that at the
heart of the spiritual search is a deep longing
to be part of a community. It was
good to be among people whose yearning is met among Quakers.
Beginning in January 2012, I
instituted posting an “Afterthought” on the last day of each month, fashioned
after a practice in some Quaker meetings. After meeting for worship ends, some
groups continue in silence for a few more minutes during which members are invited
to share thoughts or reflect on the morning's worship. I’ve adopted the form here for brief reflections on headlines, quotes,
comments overheard, maybe even bumper stickers.
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