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Queries and the Practice of Answering Queries
OhioYearly Meeting’s General
Queries touch on various aspects of our Christian life. Together with the
Advices, the Queries form a framework for communicating and understanding our corporate
practice of our faith.
Each month (except for three,
because there are only nine queries) members of Rockingham Meeting answer one of
the queries during meeting for business. The clerk reads the query aloud, and
then each person - out of a worshipful silence, as led by God - answers aloud.
Answers are supposed to be reports of what the person speaking has actually done
or not done over the past year, not general comments, beliefs, or philosophies
concerning the topic at hand. As each person answers, the clerk takes notes and
then writes a summary answer that speaks for everyone. The meeting's answer is
sent to the quarterly meeting. There the process is repeated, with the monthly
meetings’ answers being read aloud and the clerk summarizing them for forwarding
to the yearly meeting. Again at yearly meeting the answers received are read
and a yearly meeting summary prepared and approved, which summaries can be read
in each year's Minutes.
At Rockingham Meeting, we ask our
affiliate members to join in the initial stage of answering the queries. A week
or two before our expected monthly meeting, each affiliate member is to read the
appropriate query, prayerfully ponder it, and write a specific answer to be sent
to the clerk. Our affiliated meetings answer the queries together, as do
families (including children) where everyone is a member. Sharing one's personal
answer with others and hearing their answers opens spiritual communication,
mutual counsel, and the sharing of joys and concerns.
The Queries and their Schedule
Query
|
Affiliate
Answers |
Monthly
Mtg. Answer |
Quarterly
Mtg. Summary |
Yearly
Meeting Summary |
|
1. Are meetings for worship well and punctually
attended? Is our behavior therein conducive to meditation and communion
with God? Do we maintain a waiting spiritual worship and a free gospel
ministry? Do we welcome others to share this fellowship with us? |
8th Month |
9th Month |
11th Month |
The next 8th Month
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2. Do we cherish a forgiving spirit, and strive to
"walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us"? Is each one of us careful
for the reputation of others? Are we ever mindful to love our neighbor
as ourselves? If differences threaten to disrupt the Christian harmony
between the members, is prompt action taken?
|
9th Month |
10th Month |
11th Month |
The next 8th Month |
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3. Are our homes places of peace, joy, and
contentment? Are they an influence for good in the neighborhood,
community, and country? Do we set a good Christian example for our
children to follow? Are Friends careful that their children realize that
our loving Savior will faithfully guide them through life, as they are
willing to accept and obey Him? Do we help our children to read and
appreciate the Bible?
|
10th Month |
11th Month |
2nd Month |
The next 8th Month |
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4. Believing our bodies to be the temple of God,
are we concerned to attain a high level of physical and mental health?
To this end are our lives examples of temperance in all things? Do we
avoid and discourage the use and handling of intoxicants, tobacco, and
improper use of drugs?
|
11th
Month |
12th Month |
2nd Month |
The next 8th Month |
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5. Are we sensitive to the needs of those around
us who may be in less fortunate circumstances? Do we prayerfully
consider how we can share one another's burdens when the need arises? Do
we counsel lovingly and prayerfully with those members whose actions in
any phase of life give us grounds for concern?
|
12th Month |
1st Month |
2nd Month |
The next 8th Month |
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6. Do we live in the life and power which takes
away the occasion of all wars? Do we, on Christian principles, refuse to
participate in or to cooperate with the military effort? Do we work
actively for peace and the removal of the causes of war? Do we endeavor
to cultivate good will, mutual understanding, and equal opportunities
for all people?
|
2nd
Month |
3rd Month |
5th Month |
The next 8th Month |
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7. Do we observe simplicity in our manner of
living, sincerity in speech, and modesty in apparel? Do we guard against
involving ourselves in temporal affairs to the hindrance of spiritual
growth? Are we just in our dealings and careful to fulfill our promises?
Do we seek to make our Christian faith a part of our daily work?
|
3rd Month |
4th Month |
5th Month |
The next 8th Month |
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8. When asked to swear to, to affirm, or to
declare under penalties of perjury, the truthfulness of our statements,
are we careful to witness to Christ's command that we swear not at all,
but be honest in all things? Do we avoid gambling and speculation based
on the principles of chance?
|
4th Month |
5th Month |
8th Month |
That 8th Month |
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9. Are we sensitive to the problems of family
living? Do we offer counseling to couples both before and after
marriage? How are we helping individuals, married couples and family
units to strengthen and enrich their lives? |
5th Month |
6th Month |
8th Month
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That 8th Month |
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