By Neal
It is rare to feel absolutely sure of something; perhaps that’s part of the appeal of religion. Religion can provide a feeling of certainty in an often-uncertain world. For me, this has less to do with knowledge of what the future will hold, and more to do with a sense of one’s place as the future unfolds. In other words, religion can provide us with a strong sense of how to navigate through an uncertain future.
However, my early experiences with religion did not provide me that sense of certainty. I was brought up in a Lutheran Church which introduced me to several ways of navigating life that still work for me and I am still drawn to the story of Jesus Christ. What spoke to my spirit profoundly were the ways Jesus became close friends with the poor, the downtrodden, and the outcasts of society. I resonate strongly with his teachings of loving your neighbor as yourself, to love your enemy, and to reject material possessions that get in the way of that love. Unfortunately, this was not what I saw reflected in the church I was raised in. Like so many other churches, it was more of a social club with members vying for power than a place where love was the focus. So, as I became an adult I stopped attending, not just that church, but any church.
It was nearly two decades later that I became a regular attender in a spiritual institution, Memphis Friends Meeting. After my first Meeting for Worship, I knew that I wanted to continue attending for the rest of my life. I found the silent way of worship, the inward seeking of the divine while in spiritual communion with other Friends that my spirit was craving.
But I found even more in the testimonies. Each of us may find ourselves drawn to one testimony more than the others. My spirit is drawn to the last “S” in SPICES: Stewardship. I have been a social activist for many years, particularly focusing on addressing food insecurity and social inequality. To me, activism is a spiritual calling. Seeing God as an activist, addressing the needs of the poor, the sick, and the oppressed and seeing Jesus Christ as a steward of humanity are huge inspirations for me.
Stewardship as a core tenet of Quarkerism appeals to my spirit greatly. It’s why I felt called to serve as Clerk of the Meeting. I want to help with the caretaking and ethical management of the Meeting so that Friends can find as much spiritual fulfillment and benefit from the Meeting as possible. For me there is as much spiritual growth in clerking as there is in silent worship. I am so very grateful to the meeting for allowing me to take on this role of stewardship.