MEMBERSHIP

RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)

NORTHERN YEARLY MEETING

When we consider the criteria for membership, the two greatest factors are community and commitment. Not just a practical commitment, but a spiritual willingness to grow and learn, out of which practical commitment will evolve. (A group of Young English Friends, 1986 (BYM F&P 10.25))

DEFINITION OF MEMBERSHIP

A member is a person who is recorded as a member by a monthly meeting. Membership actions are minuted in the official minutes of the monthly meeting.

Membership in the Religious Society of Friends is meant to be a joyful responsibility in a community that is intended to enrich the spiritual journey of all.

Members belong to and represent their local meeting, yearly meeting and the Religious Society of Friends. As members, we affirm our concurrence with the testimonies and practices of the Society and our willingness to do our best to live by them. Membership is an acknowledgment of willingness to contribute to the life of the Meeting.

Our seeking and discerning the leadings of the Spirit occur within the unique tradition of the Religious Society of Friends. We maintain openness to continuing revelation but are willing to compare our leadings with those of others within the context of the Religious Society of Friends, both historic and current.

We believe that all are called to minister in some capacity. It is the responsibility of each member to contribute to the life of the Meeting and of the Society of Friends as the Spirit leads. All Friends are open to hearing and answering their individual call to service. It is important for Friends to participate with their worshipful presence in Meeting for Worship and in Meeting for Worship for Business. Ministry takes many forms. This may include, but is not limited to, spoken ministry, serving on committees, holding offices, providing financial support, teaching First Day school, leading discussions, joining in adult religious education, participating in the activities of Meeting and wider Quaker organizations, representing the Meeting to other organizations, supporting others in their efforts, and caring for others.

Membership does not imply that one has reached a particular level of spirituality. Membership is an acknowledgment of a person’s desire to contribute to Meeting in a deeper way and in return an acknowledgment by Meeting that the deepening of its relationship with the individual is welcomed with joy. All members continue to seek the Truth and remain open to continuing revelation. It is an active commitment to the process of spiritual growth.

PRACTICE

Membership is determined by each Monthly Meeting. RECORDING OF MEMBERSHIP

Memberships are recorded and held within a monthly meeting. In worship groups and preparative meetings, formal membership is held with the parent Meeting. A member of a monthly meeting within Northern Yearly Meeting also holds membership in NYM.

BECOMING A MEMBER

ADULTS: An individual may apply for membership in a particular monthly meeting. This is done by attenders and by associate members who wish to continue as members.

CONVINCEMENT: Convinced Friends are those who have determined that their spiritual path is nurtured by membership in the Religious Society of Friends and who have been accepted into membership by a monthly meeting.

CHILDREN: A child may be recorded as either a birthright or associate member. This can be done at birth, or adoption, or later. To do so, the parent(s) or guardian(s) make a written request to the meeting requesting membership for the child under their care. If it is approved, the membership status is recorded by the monthly meeting.

ASSOCIATE: An associate member is a child of a member of a monthly meeting. This person is to make a decision on continuing membership at the age of discernment. This process may be initiated by either the associate member or the monthly meeting.

BIRTHRIGHT: A birthright Friend is a child who is born or adopted into the family of a recorded member of a monthly meeting. The child is recorded as a full member. Some meetings within NYM recognize birthright status, but most do not.

Becoming a member by convincement is something that is not to be rushed, nor should people be pushed into becoming members.

While one may initially be drawn to the Religious Society of Friends by a particular aspect of our faith or practice, the person requesting membership will have moved beyond this to an understanding of the Society as a spiritual community. It is expected that this person will have experienced Meeting for Worship and Meeting for Worship for Business over a period of time. It is also expected that prospective members will have some understanding of Quaker faith, worship, practices, manner of conducting business, and the meaning of membership. Familiarity with the history and current work of the Society helps people in their decision concerning membership. It is hoped that the individual already feels a sense of belonging to the meeting community.

The prospective member applies for membership by writing a letter to the clerk of the Meeting or appropriate committee such as Ministry and Council. The letter states an interest in membership and the basic reasons for which membership is being requested. A prospective member is encouraged to consult with the clerk or with other Friends when considering the implications of membership.

The clerk or appropriate committee member may read the letter of application at the next Meeting for Worship for Business. In many meetings, a Clearness Committee for Membership will be formed at that time. If the process is the responsibility of a committee, the letter might not be brought to Meeting for Worship for Business until the clearness process is complete. Some meetings may have a standing committee for the clearness process.

The Clearness Committee for Membership consists of two or more Meeting members. If the prospective member attends a Worship Group or Preparative Meeting, that group should be represented on the committee along with members of the parent meeting.

The clearness committee will meet with the prospective member one or more times over the following months. It is the responsibility of this committee to worshipfully seek assurance that the person applying for membership has been divinely led to this point, has an understanding of and desire to live by the principles of Friends, and that this person’s way of continued seeking is compatible with the manner of Friends. The clearness process is an opportunity for deep spiritual sharing and an opportunity for all participants to grow in their understanding and their faith.

After careful deliberation, the clearness committee will recommend:

1. The individual is ready for membership.
2. More time is needed before moving forward.

The recommendation of the clearness committee is brought to Meeting for Worship for Business, either directly or through the parent committee. Some meetings may delay the decision another month for seasoning. If there are reservations about accepting the recommendation for membership, concerns will be expressed and the clearness committee will again meet with the person who has applied for membership. Friends with concerns have a responsibility to express them, and may be invited to this meeting.

If the membership is approved at Meeting for Business, the person requesting membership is recorded as a member. This person is welcomed into the community as a member.

A meeting may have a welcoming process for all new members.

Some monthly meetings require membership in order for a person to serve in some positions.

TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

Individuals who wish to transfer their membership to a different monthly meeting or religious community write a letter to their original meeting stating the request. If it is approved, the clerk writes a letter to the new meeting or religious community advising them of the transfer and referring the member to its care.

When receiving a request for a transfer into a monthly meeting, the meeting may act immediately, or it may establish a clearness committee. The clearness process is an opportunity to build community with the new member.

SOJOURNER

Sojourners are members of a monthly meeting other than that which they are attending. A limited period of stay in the visited monthly meeting makes transfer of membership inappropriate. They are recognized as sojourners by a letter from the clerk of their home meeting to the clerk of the monthly meeting that they are attending.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

A person may come to understand that membership in the Religious Society of Friends is no longer appropriate. The individual formally requests termination of membership in a letter addressed to the clerk. The clerk or a member of an appropriate committee will read the letter at the next Meeting for Worship for Business. If there are no unresolved issues, the resignation will be honored. If there are unresolved issues, Meeting may ask the individual to participate in a clearness committee.

Monthly meetings may remove inactive members from the membership roll. Prior to termination of membership, all reasonable effort will be made to contact the individual. If no response is received or if they state that they no longer feel a call to membership in Meeting, their membership is laid down by approval at Meeting for Worship For Business.

Recorded members who act contrary to the life of the meeting may be removed from formal membership. This action will not be undertaken lightly. Prayerful consideration will be given. Conscientious effort is made to understand the individual’s current situation and attitude about Meeting and to restore that person to the community. This may take the form of a clearness committee in which the individual is encouraged to participate. The committee will then bring its recommendations to Meeting for Worship for Business, where the formal decision will be made.

When membership is terminated it is recorded by the meeting.

MEMBERS WHO ARE GEOGRAPHICALLY DISTANT FROM THEIR MONTHLY MEETINGS

Some Friends move away from their home meeting, but feel that the monthly meeting where their membership is recorded is still their spiritual home. They have an active desire to retain membership in that meeting. This desire may be honored. These people and their home meetings actively maintain communication. However, Friends who move away are encouraged to seek out community in a meeting in their new locale when one exists.

ATTENDERS

An attender is one who does not have a formal membership status in any monthly meeting, but who is drawn to worship with and share in the life of Meeting. Meetings are encouraged to be attentive to frequent attenders and to encourage them in becoming formal members as they feel led.

QUERIES

Individuals

What does it mean to me to be a member of the Religious Society of Friends?

To what extent are my beliefs consistent with the testimonies and practices of Friends? How do they differ?

What are my reservations about being a Friend?

What do I expect from the Religious Society of Friends, this yearly meeting, and this monthly meeting/preparative meeting/worship group as it relates to my life and spiritual growth?

In what ways can I contribute to the life of the Society of Friends? To this yearly meeting? To this monthly meeting/preparative meeting/worship group?

How prepared am I to be a minister and spokesperson for the Religious Society of Friends? How well do I represent the Religious Society of Friends in my daily life and activities?

Meeting

How do the yearly meeting and the local meetings promote the spiritual growth and development of its members? In what ways does Meeting provide opportunities for attenders to deepen their knowledge of the Religious Society of Friends?

In what way does my Quaker community reach out to those seeking a spiritual home? What means does Meeting have of welcoming new members?