"An Amish person I met a few years ago mentioned that in order to love (and forgive) others, we first need to love (and forgive) ourselves for many shortcomings... The rest, he assured me, would come in God's time, and so it has. After 20 years…"

"I quite agree with the earlier comment about boundaries... Some meetings have clear boundaries (matters of confidentiality and clarity, for example.) I struggled in one meeting because there were few boundaries and little discipline -- things I…"

"Chip -- Can we link this to the Tract Association's web page?  I'll need to reactivate my Android, though... It was hiding for weeks. Christine "

"And actually talk about it with the kids afterwards... :-)  The reverse happened at another meeting. Some of my dear Friends were teaching from Ecclesiastes... My son (who had read the entire Bible -- another story for another time) questioned…"

"Thanks for this, Patricia... I often find younger Friends (middle school and older) much more interested in the structure of the Bible, as well as the stories... Since I frequently teach when parents are present, their ideas go into the mix.  I…"

"Thanks for this, Joan... The other matter is the way "volunteers" are treated by "professional" staff. This can discourage engagement and that has impact on our work. Those who serve at many levels -- working groups and standing…"

"For all of us -- no matter what our age might be -- it's a constant challenge to discipline oneself with the help of one's community.  It is no accident that the teaching "Love your neighbor as yourself" is in place. It…"

"Hmm.   I recall a Friend in Toronto Meeting asking me much the same sort of question a few decades ago.  For a long while, I considered myself a "wistful non-believer" ... and was asked to be open to…"

"Henry--   Thanks for stating this. This is also my experience of smaller meetings and worship groups in this and other yearly meetings.   When I first came to Friends (in a relatively new monthly meeting with no existing yearly meeting) an…"

"Eileen --   I agree that it's important for meetings to consider.   I'd asked for a committee of care in a couple of instances, and nearly left Friends because two meetings in this area said "no". In one instance, the…"

"Hi, Eileen --   Having worship groups or other groups for specific purposes is a part of how I learned to be a Friend -- in the West, and also in Canadian Yearly Meeting, where worship groups are often under the care of a larger meeting. …"

"Yesterday, because of a family gathering, I invited my son's Buddhist friend to accompany me to Meeting. Her comments left me with many questions... about my own short-sightedness, and lack of perception among other things.   She found it…"

"Among the difficulties is the "stuckness" of institutions -- and the penchant for preserving "what has always been" -- at the same time many Friends' bodies are tinkering with structures... on average every 15-20…"