Friends believe that each individual has an Inner Light that can guide us to act with integrity in the most difficult situations. From the beginning of Quakerism, however, Friends also have had a healthy respect for the extent to which our personal egos can create “noise” that confuses and undermines spiritual promptings. Too easily, and sometimes unconsciously, we choose to hear only part of a message or warp it to suit our inclinations.

Knowing this, we turn to other trusted Friends to help us listen well to the Inner Light and to enrich our understanding of the current situation and the path forward. Serving on clearness and support committees is not only a gift of time and love to the person whose needs have brought the committee together, but also a precious opportunity for each member of the committee to grow in faith, insight, and love.

Clearness Committees

Friends seek to follow the Light Within when they reach major choices in life, but the Light does not usually give us unmistakable road signs or route maps. Instead, we pray, follow spiritual disciplines, sit with an issue in worship, and talk to individuals who have perspective or insight to offer.

For some decisions that we face – what vocations to follow, whether to join a faith group, whom to marry, whether to adopt a child with special needs – the spiritual dimensions of the choice are especially striking. If our choice is not in harmony with our deepest values and the guidance of the Spirit, the consequences may be serious. Friends may gain a deep sense of ease and grace from knowing their decision has been made with the aid of caring Friends who have listened together for the counsel of the Spirit.

Support Committees

Friends look to their religious community to steady and strengthen them in challenging times and to help them follow leadings. Each of these two purposes calls for different kinds of support from the Meeting, which may be initiated and structured in different ways to meet the need of the specific individual and situation.

A key purpose of any support committee is to help the individual find solid footing and Light in a challenging situation. This involves a measure of ongoing discernment. When the support committee is seeking the way forward or resolving a difficulty, it overlaps in nature with the clearness committee and may use the tested approaches to seeking clearness that were described in the preceding section. The difference is that unlike the clearness committee, the support committee is not drawn together by a question or a single important decision, but by a need.

For more information on these two important committees see the Faith and Practice, and talk with the clerk of our Ministry and Care Committee who can help arrange the appropriate committee for your needs.