4. Visiting and Visitation Among Meetings

The importance of visitation among Friends cannot be overemphasized. New voices are needed in local meetings to broaden viewpoints and introduce fresh insights into truth. Over a wider area, visitation can help keep the balance between the differing interpretations of Quakerism and increase understanding between members of the various meetings, regions, and branches of the Religious Society of Friends.

3. Ministry and Counsel

A. Purpose

The meeting on ministry and counsel has particular responsibility for nurture of the religious life of the meeting. Its purposes are:

• to exercise general care of meetings for worship and support of the spiritual ministry, and
• to provide pastoral care of the membership.

2. MEMBERSHIP

Friends accept into active membership those whose declarations and ways of life manifest such unity with Friends’ views and practices that they may be expected to enter fully into religious fellowship with the meeting. Part of the essential genius of the Society is the experience of growth through common worship and the loving acceptance of an individual by the group. It is an open fellowship that recognizes that of God in everyone.