Buffalo Quakers

Oh, Brother, how is it possible that you could commit the atrocity of torturing someone, another human being, just like you who like you has made mistakes, big or small? You are neither judge nor executioner; you have no right to fill yourself with hatred against someone whose story or life you know nothing about. What does he love? What moves him? Are his children, his family waiting for him or in need of him?

I want to offer this query: “What are all the ways in which people in a meeting minister to the community whether to one, some, or all? By ministry, I mean service which increases a sense of the Beloved Community. The more I explored this query, both in my own experience and as I listened to others, the more I agreed with Lloyd Lee Wilson’s (Conservative NC Friend) comment Quakers: “It’s a big tent, Friends. There’s room for all.”

Just as Margaret Chase Smith’s speech to the Senate didn’t initially take down McCarthy, it appeared that our marches and signs, postcard writing, calls, and getting out the vote would have no effect on MAGA. Then, it did. The recent election showed us it did. 

I read about
how to make things cozy
at the bare time
of the year.
We make
our bare place of worship
cozy with our love.

I believe we are all connected — our actions (intentions, thoughts), however small, affect others. My vitriol, repulsion, or hatred befoul my mood, my relationships, and my community. In the same way, kindness, forbearance, generosity and forgiveness bring down the temperature in a world that is heating up.