A longtime Friend remembers that when she first arrived at Richmond Friends Meeting, she heard lots of announcements about Karen Counsel. She thought, Who is this person? She certainly is busy!
Yes, the Care and Counsel committee is busy, but there are lots of hands to share the work. The committee fills a “pastoral care” role, tending to the well-being of individuals in Meeting. The committee may give care and aid when members or attenders have illness, personal problems, or material needs. Upon request, the committee arranges “clearness committees,” a distinctly Quaker way of discerning personal leadings or answers to pressing personal concerns. Three or four people may sit with an individual—offering not answers or suggestions, but questions that may help them arrive at a right course of action.
The committee also attends to persons applying for membership or marriage; assists with changes of memberships; maintains periodic contact with absent or non-resident members; provides updates to the Directory Manager; and administers funds for relief of sufferings. Care and Counsel is responsible for greeting at 11:00 am worship each First Day. (Membership in RFM is required for service, and committee members serve for three years.)
Feel free to contact us if you have a question or a need.