The Friends World Council on Consultation is the world-wide association of Quakers that meets on a triennial basis. In preparation for the forthcoming meeting in 2012, it has asked Friends Meetings to consider some queries - questions to reflect upon, a normal way Quakers use to focus and reflect upon our words, actions and lives. The queries went out a while ago, yet happen to be very appropriate to the immediate times in which we find ourselves.
I thought it might be useful to offer them for the consideration of others:
1. How has global change affected our communities and ourselves?
2. What actions have we taken in response to global change as experienced in our area, to express our responsibilities towards all creation? In what ways have my own community or those of my community contributed to positive or adverse local and global change?
3. How do changes around us affect our relationship with God? How does my relationship with God affect my responses to the changes around us? What role does faith have in my life and in the life of my community? In what ways do I and my meeting community bear witness to our testimonies in our daily llivesd?
4. What stories or experiences from past times of catastrophic happenings -- perhaps from Scripture, perhaps from the record of local or regional events -- might inspire us to respond to the changes the world is facing today?
5. How can we bear witness to the abundance God offers us and testify to the world about ways in which justice, compassion, and peace may address significant disruptions, stress, and tensions?
6. How can we support one another in rekindling our love and respect for God's Creation in such a way that we are messengers of the transforming power of love and hope?
I will be interested should anyone choose to share their own immediate reactions.,
Peace.