Clerks of the Quarter: A Call to Service page 2
“The Quarter needed a Clerk, and I was called to serve.” Charles B. Spadoni, Birmingham Monthly Meeting, better known as Charlie, expressed this mutual sentiment amongst the clerks I had the pleasure of interviewing this past summer to bring Light to the Clerking experience. Each of the following Clerks of Concord Quarter noted a similar experience: Debbie Murray-Sheppard, our current Clerk and member of Wilmington Monthly Meeting; Deb Wood, of Westtown Monthly Meeting; Rich Ailes, Middletown Monthly Meeting; and Christopher McKenney, Birmingham Monthly Meeting. They shared insightful experiences to help me, a Quaker newbie, understand the value of serving as a Clerk of the Quarter.
The role of Clerk of our Quarterly Meeting was described as a collective responsibility. Concord Quarterly Meeting is a collective of 8 monthly meetings located in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware. Our members of these meetings gather each quarter to share in worship, fellowship, and educational programs. A nominating committee works to select and qualify talent who might feel led towards the calling of volunteer leadership. The talent identified then must discern acceptance of this position. In our Quarter, part of that decision comes with knowing how important the Quarter can be to each Monthly Meeting. Rich Ailes shares his experience: “the commitment requires one to be ready to step up several times a year... [one] must be willing to assume that responsibility to be there as the central cog in the Quaker wheel to keep things rolling.”
There is an expectation of maintaining momentum and staying focused on an agenda but, “Concord Quarterly Meeting should never allow itself to be stagnant,” Debbie Murray-Sheppard adds. She finds that “the Quarter is a space to reach beyond the Monthly Meeting to find Friends with which to reflect and discern a way forward.” Friends come to the Quarter to enhance their experiences as Quakers. It provides an opportunity to see beyond the history of an individual meeting and open oneself to the wider community. It is a place where “people can put their beliefs into action.” (Christopher McKenney)
While the Clerk may serve an integral role in Meeting for Business by keeping organizational order, it also maintains space for Spirit to be held in the room, virtual or otherwise. Deb Wood expresses that “she was constantly reminded of the presence of Spirit and consciously called upon It during her service.” This is where a Clerk of Quaker meetings differs from a corporate executive or paid staff. The Clerk practices “deep listening [in order to] hear the love and concern in messages, not just the words.” (Debbie Murray-Sheppard) This discernment is one of the most important qualities of not just a Clerk of a Monthly Meeting but specifically the Clerk of the Quarter because they are managing needs of more than one body of Friends which adds to the complexity. Rich Ailes shares that he would “pray before each session that God help [him] be a servant leader and keep [his] ego out of the process.” This was, admittedly, more difficult than it seemed. Becoming open to the Spirit in a Meeting may mean honoring rising concerns even if some parts of the agenda and its reports must be delayed to next quarter.
Peace, Justice, Community & Integrity were testimonies which resonated most for our Clerks of the Quarter. Deepening their Faith and putting practice into action through service showed them how uniquely beautiful these testimonies come into play. Debbie Murray- Sheppard, clerking through an unprecedented time of Covid, reflected on the tenacity of Concord Quarter and how it was able to pivot through change. I found in all four interviews the clerks were often stretched in their abilities in profound ways and each one saw their term as a time in which they gained emotional and spiritual strength.
Clerks of Monthly Meetings give much and, I could say, Clerks of the Quarter give more, however, “the commitment of folks who are led to participate at any level is absolutely critical to the Quarter.” (Rich Ailes) No one position holds more weight. The possibility of moving together with the divine, garners much strength. The Clerks of the Quarter rely on this divine in each member, seeker and attender to keep our Quarter moving. It is a give and take which requires the involvement of individuals prepared to witness the Light in one another, constantly guided by the Spirit.
- B. Santini-Dumas, Coordinator CQM