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: Twelfth Month
Peace
- How does my life reflect “the virtue of that life and power which takes away the occasion for war”?
- Where there is hatred, division, and strife, how are we instruments of reconciliation?
- As we work for peace, are we nourished by peace within and among ourselves?
- How do we regard those we believe have harmed us or others?
- How does our peace testimony affect our spiritual lives?
From Baltimore Yearly Meeting “Advices.”
Since its founding over 350 years ago, the Religious Society of Friends has testified to the worth of every individual by refusing to participate in war. We repudiate war because it violates the primacy of love, destroys lives that God has given, and tears the fabric of society…
Fox’s assertion that he “lived in that life and power that takes away the occasion for war” and John Woolman’s advice that we “examine our lives to see that the seeds of war are not contained therein” firmly establish connections between this and other testimonies. As we work for peace in the world, Friends need to search out the seeds of war in ourselves and in our way of life….Work to create the conditions of peace, such as freedom, justice, cooperation, and the right sharing of the world’s resources. Seek not only peace with one another, but peace with the earth.
Voices
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
— Matthew 5:7-9 (NRSV)
“We are too ready to retaliate, rather than forgive, or gain by Love and Information. And yet we could hurt no Man that we believe loves us. Let us then try what Love will do: For if Men did once see we Love them, we should soon find they would not harm us. Force may subdue, but Love gains: And he that forgives first, wins the Laurel. If I am even with my Enemy, the Debt is paid; but if I forgive it, I oblige him forever.”
— William Penn, 1682
“May we look upon our treasures, the furniture of our houses, and our garments and try whether the seeds of war have nourishment in these our possessions.”
— John Woolman, c. 1760
“Why are we here? If I understand the message of God, his response to that question is that we are to take part in the creation of the Peaceable Realm of God. Again, if I understand the message of God, how we take part in the creation of this realm is to love God with all our heart, our mind and our strength and to love our neighbors and enemies as we love God and ourselves. In its essential form, different aspects of love bring about the creation of the realm.”
— Tom Fox, 2005
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
For all other online gatherings listed in the calendar, please request link at gcmmlincoln@gmail.com.
Sign up to provide refreshments for after Meeting for Worship.
Wednesday, December 3
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Sunday, December 7
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Wednesday, December 10
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Sunday, December 14
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Second Hour — Adults & kids Christmas craftmaking
Wednesday, December 17
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Thursday, December 18
7:30 p.m. Unity with Nature monthly online guided meditation
Sunday, December 21
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
6:00 p.m. Christmas Potluck & Carols
Wednesday, December 24
7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Meeting for Worship
Sunday, December 28
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Ministry & Worship Committee meeting
Sunday, January 4
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Wednesday, January 7
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Sunday, January 11
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Spiritual State of the Meeting
Wednesday, January 14
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Thursday, January 15
7:30 p.m. Unity with Nature monthly online guided meditation
Sunday, January 18
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, January 21
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
Sunday, January 25
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Ministry & Worship Committee meeting
Wednesday, January 28
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering/discussion
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
