(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column titled “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal religious perspective in this space. For information on becoming part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
The Mount Toby Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) welcomes you to worship in this quiet room (pictured), with no symbols, clergy or sounds. Worship begins as we silently enter the room. We sit on benches, silently centering on the Spirit of God. The universal Light of God may move one to speak. We intend that our vocal ministries speak beyond ourselves with the voice of universal love. When one over-speaks, we think with good humor, “Did that message improve on the silence?”
At the entrance to the room are several types of seating for less mobile attendees. There is open space for wheelchairs and walkers. This arrangement is part of the whole building’s accessibility. High gable windows frame tree tops, a comforting view during restless moments.
We come to Friends from diverse religious affiliations and from no religious background. A group gathers to experience how Buddhism guides Friends worship. We welcome and affirm people of all races, ethnicities and sexual orientations. The Quaker name was originally a slur upon Friends’ manner of speaking Truth.
The 1650s formation of the Religious Society of Friends of Truth affirmed that one’s relationship with God is a direct experience. Faith is not set in doctrines, creeds and scriptures, or supported by clergy. Instead, faith involves obedience to the Inner Christ — the Inner Light. Scriptures are the record of centuries of many perceptions of God’s revelations, and we highly regard them. They are studied for confirming genuine experience and moral conviction.
The Gospel of Matthew conversation group was puzzled by Jesus’ harsh condemnations. We asked each other, “Did Jesus really threaten these torments or did later writers attribute them to him?” “What do I think Matthew intended to convey about Jesus?” “How can I apply it now?” “What problems do I still have?” We do not assert right Biblical answers, but grow through discussion.
For the past 350 years, Friends have committed their lives to peace, justice, simplicity and integrity. This past year, we petitioned for settlement of Syrian refugees in the US; for prohibition of health professionals in torture; for diplomacy rather than threats to Iran; for work on climate change and for reform of mandatory minimum sentencing.
Some of us join community people and prison inmates in Somers, Conn., to facilitate Alternatives to Violence workshops. Our Voluntary Carbon Tax Witness Group pledges financial responsibility for carbon emissions caused by their cars, their use of public transportation and for fuel for their heat and electricity. They pool the self-taxation to make quarterly contributions. Recipients have included Habitat for Humanity and planting Moringa trees to counteract the effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam. We volunteer at community meals in Turners Falls and Amherst. We present monthly peace and social concerns concerts.
We recommended legislative priorities for the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). FCNL lobbies legislators with the vision of a world free of war; a society with equity and justice; the fulfillment of everyone’s potential; and an Earth restored.
We are increasingly aware of fears about Islam within the United States. Mt. Toby Friends Meeting voices our support for Muslims within our community and beyond. We stand with those who live in fear because of their religion. We deplore anti-Islamic harassment and welcome the opportunity to grow in the understanding of each other’s faiths. We meet with laity of the Interfaith Opportunities Network — currently Christians, Jews and Muslims — who wish to bring religious congregations closer together.
These ministries, programs and policies of Mount Toby Friends Meeting are the responsibilities of 20 committees composed of a full number of Meeting people. Meeting people come from about 25 towns in Franklin and Hampshire counties and a few from beyond.
In 1936, South Hadley, Greenfield, Northampton and Great Barrington worship groups formed the Middle Connecticut Valley Monthly Meeting. They often met monthly at the Sherwood Friends Center, a barn studio given to Greenfield Friends by Mary Champney. Later, this Center was demolished to build I-91. In 1959, the Monthly Meeting rented the Grange Hall in Amherst. They eventually accepted a gift of land on the Leverett farm of Ethel Dubois. The Meeting purchased her remaining property, now in forest management, when her Long Plain Nature Center moved to Amherst and became the Hitchcock Center for the Environment. In 1964, the meeting house opened and the Meeting was renamed Mt. Toby Friends Meeting after the nearby hill.
Adult Programs, 9 to 9:45 a.m. Meeting for worship, 10 to 11 a.m. Young Friends (seventh to 12th grade) 10 to 11 a.m. Friendly Playground for all children during meeting for worship. Eleven-Forty Hour Events: 11:40 a.m. Meeting for business: Second Sunday at noon. Fellowship Potluck Lunch: Third Sunday with Hymn Singing before lunch. Child care is available for infants to 5 years old, 9 to 11 a.m.
The Mount Toby Friends Meeting address is 194 Long Plain Road (Route 63), Leverett. Email the Meeting Clerk at: clerk@mounttobyfriends.org. Web site: www.mounttobyfriends.org.