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Permalink Reply by William F Rushby on 12th mo. 7, 2012 at 8:11am

Hello, Paula!

My earlier message has seemingly come to fruition: "It sounds like you need to find another meeting, where folks can be counted on to feel safe around you and you can feel safe around them!"

Establishing a new meeting might prove to be a blessing not only for you, but also (by way of witness) for the meeting you were formerly a part of. 

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Permalink Reply by Paula Deming on 12th mo. 7, 2012 at 8:23am

Let me be clear on this, Friends: I have not established a new meeting. My fFriend is not establishing a new meeting. God has created an opportunity for us. We are practicing radical obedience and spiritual hospitality. God is good, all the time. Blessings on all of you, dear Friends!

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Permalink Reply by Paula Roberts on 12th mo. 8, 2012 at 10:21am

I have been wrestling with the same thing! It got to the point that I started looking for more supportive fellowship elsewhere (I started worshiping with a local Dunkard Brethren Church), but an interesting thing happened on the way to the forum!  The rebelliousness that made me seek another community for this need also stirred my courage to speak it in our Ministry and Counsel meeting.  Speaking it there had a number of wonderful consequences including;

1. Finding out I wasn't the only one who felt this way.

2. Being encouraged to speak my message regardless. 

3. Addressing a lack of community cohesion we were suffering in our Meeting and suggestions on how to mitigate it.

So do not be too worried about offense. We need the medicine of discomfort and chafing sometimes.

Paula

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Permalink Reply by Howard Brod on 12th mo. 8, 2012 at 11:41am

Paula Roberts,

Your experience describes a spiritual community that is a blessing to those within it. Groups of people will always have problems from time to time. Is the meeting willing to face them in Truth and Light? Sounds like yours is. Who could ask for anything more.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!

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