Open Response Query, 2007 QWC

2007 Quaker Women’s Conference on Faith and Spirituality

Theme: Mustard Seeds in the 21^st Century: Growing in the Spirit

Query: Reflect on an experience (or experiences ) which has contributed to your spiritual growth.

What is a Query?

“…Queries remind us of the essential faith and principles of the Religious Society of Friends. They challenge and inspire us in our personal lives and in our corporate life…As we speak to what we know to be true in our lives and to listen to each other in humility and understanding, we trust the Spirit that transcends our human effort and comprehension… (We) hope that we may be more faithful and find deeper joy in God’s service.”

Faith and Practice, Pacific Yearly Meeting, 2001, page 48.

Why do we pose this query prior to the Conference?

We have found that reflecting on a query prior to the conference helps us to prepare to engage the theme of the conference. Prior sharing of our responses with other women attending the conference serves as an introduction to each other. It can help facilitate deeper relationships with each other during our time together.

What to do with this Query?

Spend some time in reflection and prayer. Write about the thoughts, feelings, insights, that rise up within you, to the extent you feel comfortable sharing them. Your response need not be long or address all the parts of the query. It does not need to be an “answer” to the questions.

Directions for sending your responses:

Please send your response by e-mail or regular mail by October 1^st so that there will be time to share them with other women who are attending. On your response indicate whether you wish to receive others’ responses by e-mail or by regular mail. Be sure to include your e-mail or mailing address on your response.

Mail responses to:

Kathleen Cairns

4870 E. 68^th St. #234

Tulsa, OK 74136

Or send them by e-mail to: kathleencrns@yahoo.com phone number: 918-671- 1843

Your Name:

Your City or Town:

Query: Reflect on an experience or experiences which have contributed to your spiritual growth.

Possible questions to consider in your reflections:

1. How did the experience help you to become aware of God and the Spirit in your life?

2. Who and what nurtured you in your spiritual growth during that time?

3. What challenges and difficulties did you face?

4. What gifts has this experience brought to your life?

5. How can you share these gifts?

You may use this page, front and back - or attach pages as needed.

Mail responses to:

Kathleen Cairns

4870 E. 68^th St. #234

Tulsa, OK 74136

Or send them by e-mail to: kathleencrns@yahoo.com phone number: 918-671- 1843

How would you like to receive other’s responses?

______ I prefer to receive others’ responses by e-mail. My e-mail address is:

______ I prefer to receive others’ responses by regular mail. My address is: