Conservative Friend

Hello! 

I am a practicing Catholic feeling a leaning towards Quakerism.  I've been doing a lot of reading and meditating this past year - still not sure where I'm going to come out.

I have a wonderful husband, who is not Catholic, and we have two small boys, so this is a family decision - that is, my husband and I need to decide (and soon) how we want to practice our Christian faith as a family.

We have two liberal Quaker groups not too far from us - one about 20 minutes, one 30.  They seem like very nice communities (i've been to a few meetings), but I wish one were conservative.  This is where we believe we'd feel most at home. 

One issue for us is that of full acceptance of gay people.  In that regard, we're more liberal than conservative, I guess, but I don't feel I fit in with the "universalist" approach that the two nearby liberal groups espouse.  I was glad to read here and there that in some conservative meetings the issue of homosexuality is being explored, prayerfully.  I really can't see raising my boys in a faith that would exclude my brother and his partner (happily coupled for 15+ years now).  (This is one of the reasons my husband cannot agree to raise the boys Catholic.  The lack of female clergy is another.)

I've also been reading up a bit on the "Convergent" movement. 

Another issue is distance - do we want to be Conservative Quakers out here with no others nearby?  Or practice with one of the liberal groups and emphasize the conservative teachings in our "home" practice?  Or (eek, this scares me) take out an ad and see if there are others like us in this area, folks interested in started a Christ-centered Quaker group?

Another scenerio - practice our Quaker faith in the home and through distance affiliation, but join another Christian church and particiapte as we can - say, with Bible study, youth education, choir, and social justice programs.   I'm going to miss my Catholic community like crazy, and it would be nice to find another local community to join, right in town, where my husband would feel comfortable also, for fellowship, etc.

This is really a struggle, and I'm trying not to panic and leap one way or another.  What's best for the boys, what's best for the boys, is my mantra these days.  God willing I discern what that is!

Sorry to ramble so, this is much on my mind.

I'm glad this forum exists and I look forward to spending some time here.

Holding you in the light of Christ!

Homosexuality is a issue that exercises everybody, and OYM does not have unity on the topic. There are conversations going on now in my home meeting about it. We don't have clearness.

Forming a meeting is a tough thing to do--not because it is risky, but because for it to work, you have to guarentee that you will be there, week after week. But it's a fruitful practice, and it's how it all began.

Catholic worship has some surprising similarities to Conservative Quakerism, and always has. Welcome.