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: Eleventh Month
Outreach
- How does my life witness to my Quaker faith?
- How do I reach out to new attenders and encourage their exploration of Quakerism as a spiritual path?
- How does our Meeting convey Quaker faith and practice to the wider community?
- Do you find ways to encourage members, attenders, and all seekers to continue attending Meeting?
From Baltimore Yearly Meeting “Advices.”
What does it mean when Friends are admonished to “Let your life speak”? This simple sentence reminds us that it is our lives, not our words, that speak most reliably about who we are and what we believe. Our lives are our ministry, not the specific acts we think of a “official” ministry, such as speaking in meeting, following leadings, or carrying out our roles on committees. Jesus teaches us not to hide our lights; but to let them shine every day, in every way. Outreach in this broad sense is not something we think about and plan; rather, it simply happens as we walk our paths in the world, lighted by “that of God” within us.
Voices
“Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every person has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
— 1 Peter 4:9-10
“Outreach is simply the process of making Quakerism available to those who are seeking, to those who may find value in its process. Whether these people become Quaker is no consequence to the person who conducts true outreach. True outreach is an act of spiritual hospitality. It is an act of service to others to find and take what they need so they can find that of God in themselves and others.”
— Barry Crossno, 2005
“Indeed if one has been visited by a direct sense of inward presence, he is driven to tell everyone who will listen to him. Strange and unendurable irony — that Friends who speak so much about the Inward Light should so timidly hide their own life under a bushel! The time has some to preach the faith we have resolved to practice. If we have good news for our brothers, and I believe we do, let us shout it from the housetops! Let us learn to be publishers of truth about our faith as well as our social concerns.”
— John Yungblut, 1974
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.
Sunday, November 2
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Wednesday, November 5
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering and discussion
Saturday, November 8
5:00 p.m. Nighttime Critter Walk — Friends Wilderness Center
Sunday, November 9
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Gratitude, followed by soup & bread lunch
Wednesday, November 12
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering and discussion
Sunday, November 16
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, November 19
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering and discussion
Thursday, November 20
7:30 p.m. Unity with Nature monthly online guided meditation
Saturday, November 22
Noon – 3:00 p.m. Forest Therapy: Gratitude & Giving in Nature — Friends Wilderness Center
Sunday, November 23
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship at Goose Creek
10:00 a.m. Regional Meeting for Worship at Hopewell Center Meeting followed by a Second Hour and Potluck
Wednesday, November 26
7:00 p.m. Worship gathering and discussion
Sunday, November 30
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Ministry & Worship Committee meeting
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
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
Sunday, December 28
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
