Welcome
Goose Creek is a warm and welcoming community where we support each other in our shared journeys of the Spirit. We believe, in the words of the Quaker writer Thomas Kelly, that “deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return.” In our worship and in our daily lives we seek to remain always with our hearts turned toward that Divine Center.
Quakerism is not defined by creeds or doctrine. Rather it is a lived spiritual practice where we seek God in our experiences and live out our faith in our shared world. We believe that there is that of God within each and every human being – adults and children – regardless of faith, race, nationality, sexual orientation, or life experiences. We are called to answer that Divine spark, that Light Within, both in ourselves and in others.
We welcome all seekers, find deep kinship in our shared humanity, and value our differences.
Minute affirming Friends’ concern for immigrants and refugees in the United States:
“The Goose Creek Religious Society of Friends Meeting is concerned for the physical safety and humanitarian needs of undocumented immigrants and refugees in this country, especially in light of changing political priorities. We are aware of our interdependence with immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, as well as the contributions these persons make to our community.
“Consistent with our testimonies, we affirm that all persons are entitled to liberty and the opportunity to work and pursue their goals. We abhor the dehumanization of persons by policies that separate families and round up,detain, or deport individuals as though they were less than human.
“We believe it is essential to establish responsible, fair, and reasonable criteria for future immigration and amnesty policies and processes. We believe current undocumented immigrants should be provided a path to permanent residency and citizenship. We advocate the expansion of guest registry for foreign workers, which would enable them to temporarily work in this country with legal status. Our immigration laws should be tightly enforced throughout the system but with consistency, fairness, and basic respect for human needs.
“We intend to participate with other Meetings, Quaker organizations, faith communities, and groups to address this concern.”
Adopted by Goose Creek Friends Sixth Month 2025
Queries: Fourth Month
Personal Spiritual Life
- Do you make time for meditation, prayer, and worship?
- Do you read the Bible, the writings of Friends, and other inspirational works, seeking new light?
- Do you regularly seek God’s guidance? Are you open to guidance and support and do you give thanks for them?
- Do you share your spiritual insights with others and willingly receive from them in turn?
From Baltimore Yearly Meeting “Advices.”
Nurturing the life of the Spirit requires frequent communication with the Divine Spirit. It is not sufficient to rely solely on an hour (or less) on First Day mornings, or on brief moments of silence before meals or committee meetings. We should make room each day to know that of God within ourselves. God’s help and healing can be sought in many ways, including vocal or silent prayer, meditation, visualization, silent listening, and confident affirmation. Friends seek harmony with the Divine Will, individually or in groups, sometimes laying our concerns before God, sometimes asking for guidance, sometimes giving thanks for the beauty and blessing in our lives.
Voices
“Give over thine own willing, give over thy own running, give over thine desiring to know or be anything and sink down to the seed which God sows in the heart, and let that grow in thee and be in thee and breathe in thee and act in thee; and thou shalt find by sweet experience that the Lord knows that and loves and owns that, and will lead it to the inheritance of Life, which is its portion.”
— Isaac Penington, 1661
“I think a quiet spirit before the Lord and not always looking out for ‘concerns,’ but knowing how to be still, is a very great point in the religious life.”
— Elizabeth Fry, 1847
“The place of prayer is a precious habitation: … I saw this habitation to be safe, to be inwardly quiet, when there was great stirrings and commotions in the world.”
— John Woolman, 1770
“The Inner Light does not lead [people] to do that which is right in their own eyes, but that which is right in God’s eyes. As the Light is One, so its teaching is ultimately (though not superficially) harmonious.”
— Ellen S. Bosanquet, 1927
Calendar
Friends and visitors are also invited to join us for our hybrid Meeting for Worship at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday. If you would like to participate online, please use the link below.
Link for Meeting for Worship:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83350737205?pwd=Z0pNM2xZRTBpSDQwa2ZaMmRiRHM0UT09
Meeting ID: 833 5073 7205
Passcode: 061785
Sign up to provide refreshments following Meeting for Worship.
Wednesday, April 1
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Sunday, April 5
8:00 a.m. Easter breakfast
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, April 8
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Friday, April 10
10:00 a.m. Coffee & Quakerism
Saturday, April 11
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Community work day at Opequon Quaker Camp
Sunday, April 12
7:30 a.m. Bird walk at Patrick Holden’s home
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Wednesday, April 15
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Thursday, April 16
7:30 p.m. Online guided nature meditation
Saturday, April 18
10:30 a.m. Reading group: “A Near Sympathy: The Timeless Wisdom of John Woolman.”
Sunday, April 19
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, April 22
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Sunday, April 26
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Ministry & Worship Committee meeting
Wednesday, April 29
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Sunday, May 3
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Wednesday, May 6
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Friday, May 8
10:00 a.m. Coffee & Quakerism (venue TBA)
Sunday, May 10
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, May 13
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Saturday, May 16
10:30 a.m. Reading group
Sunday, May 17
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, May 20
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Thursday, May 21
7:30 p.m. Online guided nature meditation
Sunday, May 24
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, May 27
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Sunday, May 31
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
To request an email announcement or addition to the calendar, please contact us at goosecreeknews@gmail.com. Please read our Goose Creek Email Protocol for further guidance.
Street Address:
18204 Lincoln Road
Purcellville, VA 20132
Postal Address:
PO Box 105
Lincoln, VA 20160
