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.
Book Sunday, June 2026
Queries: Tenth Month
The Peace Testimony
- Do you endeavor to live “in virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars”?
- Do you work to make your peace testimony a reality in your life and in your world?
- Do you weigh your day-to-day activities for their effect on peace-keeping, conflict resolution, and the elimination of violence?
- Are you working toward eliminating aggression at all levels, from the personal to the international?
From Baltimore Yearly Meeting “Advices.”
Since their beginnings over 350 years ago, Friends have led by their commitment to the ideal of peace to renounce wars and violence… God’s law of love, as taught and lived by Jesus Christ, applies to all levels of society. Wars break the law of love as do violence in communities and families and fighting between individuals. Friends have a settled intention to practice love and to make peace.
We are called as peacemakers to deal with the violence and aggression within ourselves, to find ways of living in harmony with ourselves and neighbors. A simple lifestyle is useful in this connection, since the pursuit of excessive material wealth or power entails competition and exploitation of others… The development of inward peace is part of the process of making outward peace…
Friends need to wage peace boldly and positively. The promotion of peaceful methods of conflict resolution, of international exchanges, of peace education and research, of world law and worldwide standards of human rights — all are positive ways.
Voices
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for the will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
— Matthew 5:7-9 (NRSV)
“We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretense whatsoever. And this our testimony to the whole world… The Spirit of Christ, by which we are guided, is not changeable, so as to once command us from a thing as evil and again to move unto it; and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the Spirit of Christ which leads us unto Truth will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for any kingdoms of this world.”
— George Fox, 1660
“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
“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr. 1967
News
Taylor Foundry Farm Bell returns to Lincoln
A farm bell made at the Taylor Foundry in the 1870s has been placed on the lawn in front of the Goose Creek meeting house. It was rung the first time at its new location on July 4, 2026, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. More.
Goose Creek bell ringers celebrate the 250th anniversary
A small group of hardy Friends braved the scorching temperatures to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by ringing hand bells 250 times on the front porch at Goose Creek.
Goose Creek minute affirming concern for refugees
Goose Creek has approved a minute affirming its concern for the physical safety and humanitarian needs of undocumented immigrants and refugees. More.
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.
Meeting for Worship also available via Zoom.
Sign up to provide refreshments for after Meeting for Worship.
Sunday, October 4
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Friday, October 9
10:00 a.m. Coffee & Quakerism (hosted by Wayne Hughes at the Coburn home)
Saturday, October 10
9:00 a.m. Goose Creek Hike (Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve)
Sunday, October 11
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Deepening Meeting for Worship (Part 1) followed by soup & bread lunch
Thursday, October 15
7:30 p.m. Online guided nature meditation
Saturday, October 17
10:30 a.m. Reading Group — Living the Quaker Way by Philip Gulley
Sunday, October 18
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
10:30 a.m. Regional gathering — Frederick Monthly Meeting
Sunday, October 25
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Ministry & Worship Committee meeting
Sunday, November 1
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Sunday, November 8
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Deepening Meeting for Worship (Part 2) followed by soup & bread lunch
Friday, November 13
10:00 a.m. Coffee & Quakerism (Venue TBA)
Sunday, November 15
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Book discussion – “Whiskey Tender: A Memoir”
Thursday, November 19
7:30 p.m. Online guided nature meditation
Saturday, November 17
10:30 a.m. Book discussion (title TBA)
Sunday, November 22
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Sunday, November 29
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Ministry & Worship Committee meeting
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
