3.3
MILTON KEYNES QUAKER MEETING: ELDERS REMIT
Current convenor:
Current members:
Date of this remit:June 2017
Purpose:Elders are appointed by the Area Meeting to be responsible for the ‘right holding’ of meetings for worship and for ‘the spiritual welfare of the meeting and its members’ (QF&P, 12.05).
Matters for which elders have lead responsibility:
- Worship-based meetings across the life of the Local Meeting - including meetings for worship for business, marriages, funerals and all-age worship and such other meetings as may be thought appropriate.
- The right holding of meetings for worship. This includes the quiet gathering of the community, punctuality, upholding the silent waiting on the Spirit which is the basis of all Quaker worship, and closing the meeting by the shaking of hands. Elders also have responsibility to ensure that spoken ministry is given and received with due regard to Quaker discipline and practice.
- Arranging such learning opportunities as may deepen the life of the Spirit within the Quaker community - including an understanding of Quakerism and fostering a spirit of mutual spiritual support and exploration. Currently Elders do this by facilitating an Enquirers Meeting on the last Sunday of each month, regular talks in the ‘My Faith in Practice’ series, an annual winter retreat, ad hoc events such as study days provided by Woodbrooke, and through responsibility for the content of local meeting leaflets.
- Upholding the Meeting and its members in prayerful consideration through regular Elders’ Meetings and by engaging with others to support their service to the meeting. Such engagement includes:
▫ liaising regularly with the children’s committee with regard to the content and delivery of the children’s classes and activities;
▫Working closely with the clerk and the funeral group in respect of the arrangements for funerals and memorial meetings for worship and with the nominating group who bring forward names to serve on the funeral group.
▫encouraging the use of Quaker practices such as conflict resolution and meetings for clearness - should the need arise to address any issues among the membership.
- Upholding the Area Meeting by meeting regularly with others serving in eldership or oversight roles in the area, and by encouraging local Friends to participate in the spiritual life of the area and yearly meeting, and to have regard to the worldwide family of Friends.
Membership
a)recommended number of elders: 6
b)what would you look for among your members?
- membership of the Religious Society of Friends
- good understanding and experience of Quaker faith and practice
- ability to exercise spiritual leadership and responsibilities as outlined here and in QF&P
- good ability to relate to members of the meeting socially and spiritually and work collaboratively with others.
How often does your committee meet?
Elders meet approximately once a month.
Time commitment: To be able to give time in addition to the regular elders meetings: an average of approximately 2 hours per month in addition to regular attendance at Meeting for Worship and attendance at Meeting for Worship for Business from time to time.
References in Quaker Faith and Practice
Particularly important references in Quaker Faith and Practice are listed below.
Guidance / Reference / NotesAppointed by AM / QF&P 4.04,06,10 / Belonging and commitment
Elders and eldership / QF&P 10.21 / Conflict & difficulty in the meeting
Responsibilities of eldership / QF&P 12.05-09 / Children & young people
Responsibilities continued / QF&P 12.12-17 / Duties; eldering; nurture of ministry; cooperation with overseers; enquirers and attenders; responsibilities for church affairs
Responsibilities continued / QF&P 17.08 -10 / Funerals, special occasions
References in Area Meeting’s Right Ordering
Elders should be familiar with those sections of 'Right Ordering' which address the responsibilities of eldership, especially sections 3.1.0 and 3.2.1.
A helpful book is ‘With a tender hand’ by Zelie Gross.
Autumn 2017confirmed minute 17.10.07