Proposed Quaker Queries

Birmingham Friends Meeting recently conducted a workshop on Queries. This list of proposed queries from individual Friends has been combined into one large document.  Each person’s contributions are presented more or less as they were written, but a few edits were made here and there for brevity and clarity.

Simplicity

1. What inward principles and values assist you with the practice of Simplicity?
2. How frequently do we examine our lifestyles in search of ways to simplify?

Peace

1. How do we maintain both Peace and Integrity when engaged in dialogue with others who do not share our values or points of view?
2. What ways do we work as a Meeting, a community of seekers, and individuals to maintain peace in our daily lives?

Integrity

1. Do you strive to be open and honest in all your dealings?
2. What issues and inward convictions tend to drive us apart? In what fashion can we work together in ways that unify, not separate us?

Community

1. Individually, what is one specific task we all can do to make the Meeting more welcoming to visitors?
2. How do we ensure that we as Friends are committed to a non-hierarchical, consensus method to resolve pertinent concerns? Why is it so easy for leaders to spring up despite our best intentions?

Equality

1. When does keeping the peace take precedent over risking confrontation?
2.  Do we seek change in ways that are both peaceful and persuasive?

Stewardship

1. How do we best address and reverse the vast amount of damage that humankind has done to the environment?
2. What can you do, no matter how small, to assist animal and marine life on the planet?