Small groups of people living faithfully in the power of God have provided the impetus for major changes in human culture. We Quakers played that role in remarkable ways in the past and can do so in our time, as well - if we learn again to be radically open and deeply faithful to the Spirit. This pamphlet describes three ways Friends can cultivate such faithfulness: First, by supporting individuals and the community to become more aware of the Divine Presence and to open more fully to the movement of the Spirit within; second, by providing help in discerning divine guidance, calls, and leadings; third, by helping each other follow faithfully where God leads. If we increase our use of these practices, we will be a more powerful spiritual force for healing in this world today."

Small groups of people living faithfully in the power of God have provided the impetus for major changes in human culture. Quakers played that role in remarkable ways in the past and can do so in our time, as well -- if we learn again to be radically open and deeply faithful to the Spirit. This pamphlet describes three ways Friends can cultivate such faithfulness: (1) by supporting individuals and the community to become more aware of the Divine Presence and to open more fully to the movement of the Spirit within; (2) by providing help in discerning divine guidance, calls, and leadings; and (3) by helping each other follow faithfully where God leads. If we increase our use of these practices, we will be a more powerful spiritual force for healing in this world today. Discussion questions included.

Small groups of people living faithfully in the power of God have provided the impetus for major changes in human culture. Quakers played that role in remarkable ways in the past and can do so in our time, as well – if they are radically open and deeply faithful to the Spirit. There are three ways Friends can cultivate such faithfulness: First, by supporting individuals and the community to become more aware of the Divine Presence and to open more fully to the movement of the Spirit within; second, by providing help in discerning divine guidance, calls, and leadings; third, by helping each other follow faithfully where God leads.

Small groups of people living faithfully in the power of God have provided the impetus for major changes in human culture. We Quakers played that role in remarkable ways in the past and can do so in our time, as well – if we learn again to be radically open and deeply faithful to the Spirit. This pamphlet describes three ways Friends can cultivate such faithfulness: First, by supporting individuals and the community to become more aware of the Divine Presence and to open more fully to the movement of the Spirit within; second, by providing help in discerning divine guidance, calls, and leadings; third, by helping each other follow faithfully where God leads. If we increase our use of these practices, we will be a more powerful spiritual force for healing in this world today. (Pendle Hill Pamphlet website)

In the first two powerful pages, Martin presents the call to Friends arising from the planetary crisis of violence, injustice, and ecological destruction, what this requires of us, and our hopes in response. The challenge is a spiritual one, not merely practical: to testify to the spiritual nature of both the crisis and the healing actions, witness, and service. The rest of this eloquent pamphlet is about the Quaker practices that can prepare and sustain us in our Way of faithfulness.
Martin explains clearly how Friends' action in the world arises from awareness of the Divine Presence and through spirit-led leadings, with careful discernment of such leadings, and collective support for these actions, witness, and service. She lays out, with examples, the various Quaker practices for nurturing awareness of the Divine Presence, providing help with discernment, and supporting faithful action. Her comprehensive enumeration of these practices is particularly valuable, as each meeting can assess how it works to provide them and each Friend can discern their own role. ( )