It is Nominating season again, the time of year when our Quaker community tries to identify those who will serve as clerks, leaders and tenders of the Meeting in the coming year. Which raises an interesting question: What does it mean to be a leader or volunteer in a Quaker Meeting?
Technically, there are no leaders in unprogrammed Quaker Meetings, such as Reno Friends. Because Quakers rejected the idea of clerics back in the seventeenth century, Quaker Meetings generally do not have staff – no paid minister to lead meetings or visit the sick, no church secretary, no janitor. Instead, the Meeting works together to meet these needs. Everyone is equal, and no single person is in charge. And yet, the Meeting must still find those amongst us who have the skills and are willing to volunteer for the various tasks that need to be done.
Like many others at Reno Friends, I have served the Meeting over the years in several different capacities. I’ve been able to do this because I’m mostly retired and enjoy giving back in a way that promotes and supports the testimony of Quakers in Nevada. For many of us, serving Reno Friends is a way to live out our Stewardship Testimony.
So what do we mean by Stewardship? In our Queries for March, Pacific Yearly Meeting says this about Stewardship and Vocation:
“From the in-dwelling Seed of God, we discover our particular gifts and discern the service to which we are called. In making choices about occupation and education, consider the way that offers the fullest opportunity to develop your individual abilities and contribute to the world community while providing for you and your family. In daily work, manifest a spirit of justice and understanding, and thus give a living witness to the truth.”
Stewardship is about how we care for our families, our Meetings, our planet and our world. During the Nominating Season, the Nominating committee puts together a slate of tasks and roles, and then asks the members and attenders of the Meeting what they might like to volunteer to do. The committee selects those deemed best qualified, and puts together a Nominating Slate. The final slate is approved by Meeting for Business.
There are many ways to give and support Reno Friends. Some people have more money to share; others have youthful energy and ideas; others have time and patience. We recognize that everyone in the Meeting has different gifts, abilities, interests and capacities. I know I’m better at some roles than others, although I also have been surprised to see myself adapt and grow in roles I thought might be outside my comfort zone.
At Reno Friends, we need some people to serve on various committees, such as Religious Education or Ministry and Oversight. We also have some more discrete tasks, such as helping with housekeeping supplies, or working on the annual Directory update. If you feel that you cannot commit to something substantial, please consider signing up for one of the smaller or shorter-term tasks. The Nominating Draft Slate has been sent to everyone by email.
Discerning how you might be able to help is an important part of the process. If you would like to discuss taking on a particular role, please let me know. I’m happy to talk it over with you. And thanks to all the Reno Friends who have tended to various tasks and committees this past year. We are all grateful!
By Wendy Swallow, Blog Editor, Reno Friends Meeting
The opinions expressed above are not necessarily those of Reno Friends Meeting