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: Fifth Month
Personal Way of Life
- Do you live in accordance with your spiritual convictions? Do you seek employment consistent with your beliefs and in service to society?
- Do you practice simplicity in speech, dress, and manner of living, avoiding wasteful consumption? Are you watchful that your possessions do not rule you?
- Do you strive to be truthful at all times, avoiding judicial oaths?
- Do you strive to develop your physical, emotional, and mental capacities toward reach your Divinely given potential? Do you cultivate healthful and moderate habits, avoiding the hazards of drugs, intoxicants, and over-indulgence generally?
- Do you try to direct such emotions as anger and fear in creative ways?
From Baltimore Yearly Meeting “Advices.”
In the experience of Friends, faith in God finds its expression in a way of life based on spiritual rather than material values. We place authority of the Divine Spirit above any outward authority…. The individual Friend should lead a life rooted in an awareness of God’s presence in all times and places. Although special times and locations may provide helpful reminders of the need for spiritual communion, they cannot take the place of turning daily to God for guidance. The foundation for all our personal life and social relations should be the consciousness of the Holy Spirit. Sincerity, simplicity, and moderation are vital to all the dealings of life. We advise the observance of care in speech and the use of only such statements as convey truth without exaggeration or omission of essential fact. Taking legal oaths implies a double standard of truthfulness and is contrary to the teaching of Jesus.
Self-indulgent habits and luxurious living dull our awareness and make us insensitive to the needs of others and the leading of the Spirit. Ostentation and extravagant expenditure should not be a part of Friends’ lives. Friends should be particularly aware of this in planning marriages, funerals, social gatherings, or public occasions. True simplicity does not consist of particular forms or the absence of grace, symmetry, and beauty, but of avoiding over-indulgence, maintaining humility of spirit, and keeping material surroundings in proportion to human needs.
Voices
“…and what does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”
— Micah 6:8 (KJV)
“Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them. Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one; whereby in them ye may be a blessing, and make the witness of God in them to bless you. Then to the Lord God you will be a sweet savor and blessing.”
— George Fox, 1653
“Friends consider integrity a way of life. In the stillness of worship we come into the Divine Presence and open ourselves to the Light; we hide nothing of who we are. In keeping with that openness of spirit. Friends express themselves with honesty in their dealings with others. Plain truth needs no decorative flourishes. We speak with simple clarity to reflect in our words the reality of our perceptions and thoughts.”
— Intermountain Yearly Meeting, 2006
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
Sign up to provide refreshments following Meeting for Worship.
Sunday, May 3
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Wednesday, May 6
7:00 p.m. Discussion group
Friday, May 8
10:00 a.m. Coffee & Quakerism (at the home of Lisa & Dave Colburn)
Saturday, May 9
10:00 a.m. Goose Creek Hikers: Cool Spring Battlefield
Sunday, May 10
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, May 13
7:00 p.m. Discussion group
Saturday, May 16
10:30 a.m. Reading group: Plain Living: A Quaker Path to Simplicity by Catherine Whitmire
Sunday, May 17
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, May 20
7:00 p.m. Discussion group
Thursday, May 21
7:30 p.m. Online guided nature meditation
Sunday, May 24
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Ministry & Worship Committee meeting
Wednesday, May 27
7:00 p.m. Discussion group
Sunday, May 31
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Regional gathering, hosted by Shepherdstown Meeting at Friends Wilderness Center
Wednesday, June 3
7:00 p.m. Discussion group
Sunday, June 7
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:00 a.m. Book Sunday & ice cream social
11:15 a.m. Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Wednesday, June 10
7:00 p.m. Discussion group
Friday, June 12
10:00 a.m. Coffee & Quakerism (venue TBA)
Saturday, June 13
10:00 a.m. Goose Creek Hikers (venue to be announced)
Sunday, June 14
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Deepening Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, June 17
7:00 p.m. Discussion group
Thursday, June 18
7:30 p.m. Online guided nature meditation
Saturday, June 20
10:30 a.m. Reading group (book to be announced)
Sunday, June 21
9:45 a.m. Meeting for Worship
Wednesday, June 24
7:00 p.m. Discussion group
Sunday, June 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
