Conservative Friend

Hello friends,

I am John Richards, a Pennsylvania friend and member of a liberal meeting.  I am here because I find that I have a more Christ centered and conservative quaker mindset and to have and enjoy fellowship with like minded believers.  I am very glad for the outreach of OYM.  I first began reading articles posted on-line by conservative friends and was amazed at how much I found that I knew and believed myself.   I read Barclay's Apology and was floored to find things that I had thought and believed even before my convincement as a Friend.  OYM does agree with my condition and conservative Quakerism is where I feel I am being led.

The liberal meeting I belong to are just the most kind and loving folks and I enjoy their company and fellowship too, but I do find a better fit for my faith in conservative Quakerism.  For me the Light within is Christ and it was He who reached out to me one hot summer's day, back in 8th month 2006.  I can only describe the experience as similar to Gearge Fox, but without the audible voice.  I had been searching for a way to know, that is know deep down, God as a present reality in my life.  I was walking my dog and just about as confused and frustrated as anyone seeking the spirit could be, whe suddenly ...quiet.  The QUIET happened, my thoughts were stilled, I felt a joyous presence that I knew was the prince of peace!  After about ten minutes, my very first thought was, "That was God!"  It was not long until I searched on-line and found my beliefs agreed with Quakers.

My then girlfriend and I began attending meeting and then requested membership, in 1st month 2008 we were married under the meeting's care. 

I have given some thought to starting a Conservative worship group under OYM's care.  I have sought guidance and clearness from God and my wife.  We have come to the conclusion that we can not commit to host a weekly worship due to my chronic pain condition and my schedual.  We are planning to attend Keystone Friends sometime in the coming months.  I am looking forward to experiencing worship with conservative friends.

Thy Friend in Christ,

John.

Great to hear from you John, I pray that Christ continues to guide both you and your wife. My wife and I certainly had a similar experience as you but we came out of a main stream church. When we began attending Beverley Friends meeting here in Australia, which is a Conservative one, we felt very much in like mind to them. Of course we had been reading much about Friends before that and it was like we had always been Friend's.