John Andrew Gallery

In this pamphlet, Gallery offers us helpful understanding and guidance about what Friends are doing in meeting for worship and meeting for business. He frames meeting for worship as not only a time to mind the Spirit, presence, and guidance of God individually and together, but also as an opportunity to learn and practice how to do so. He names and explores the waiting and watching skills we need to practice: being present, patient, remembering God, being open and nonjudgmental, attentive and aware, and courageous.
Meeting for business is then an opportunity to rehearse, to apply these skills in working together spiritually on practical matters. It can be quite challenging for modern Friends to put aside our secular habits of group decision making and apply the skills of Quakerly watching and waiting. As we rehearse them in meeting for business, we prepare for using these skills to live a spiritually guided life every day. Gallery's discussion is illuminating.
Friends often note the need for instruction about what we are doing in our meetings, rather than leave our children and new Friends to figure it out for themselves. This pamphlet can be a very helpful resource for all Friends in offering such guidance.… (mehr)

Jesus of Nazareth was an inspirational spiritual teacher from whom each of us can learn regardless of our religious affiliation. He defined his mission in these words: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." He illustrated what he meant by this in his parables and sayings. In this book, the author reflects on many of the best-known parables and sayings and finds eleven practical, though challenging, teachings that can help us lead a happier and fuller life.… (mehr)