Food is an Open Hand of Friendship

“The revival of Christian hospitality in which the members of the meeting partake of food with one another is essential. Visitors to the meeting and new members are especially grateful for this open hand of friendship. The increasingly elaborate meals which many consider it necessary to set before guests have made this hospitality difficult for persons in moderate circumstances, but a return to simplicity would help in bringing about the revival of this precious sacrament.”

— Douglas V. Steere, 1940
Community and Worship

 

Today’s Invitation

Invite someone to share food or a drink with you. Think about how you can minimize the fuss and maximize the quality of the time you spend together.

Query of the Week

Who belongs in Quaker community?

How does the intentional lack of a creed make belonging easier? Harder?

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Author

  • Douglas Van Steere (August 31, 1901 – February 6, 1995) was an American Quaker ecumenist and professor of philosophy and theology. Steere organized Quaker post-war relief work in Finland, Norway and Poland, was invited to participate as an ecumenical observer in the Second Vatican Council and co-founded the Ecumenical Institute of Spirituality. He authored, edited, translated and wrote introductions for many books on Quakerism, as well as other religions and philosophy.

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