Friends Journal had a query recently: When you look around our Meetinghouse, do you see a community zealous for good deeds?

The answer for me is yes, I do see members and attenders who want to do the right thing. (Recent evidence is our approval for the solar and geothermal projects.) We are known to the larger community by our acts of service, our commitment to peace, our seeking truth, and our dedication to one another—but to keep that spirit alive, we must also be mindful of how the work gets done.

For me, belonging to a community like Wrightstown Friends Meeting is a force multiplier—together, we can accomplish far more than we ever could as individuals. But to achieve the goals of our hearts, we need to recognize that our work is carried forward by our committees.

Right now, we are facing a challenge. Our Peace and Social Concerns Committee, which has long been at the heart of our outward-facing good works, has been laid down—not because the work is no longer needed, but because there wasn’t enough interest to sustain it. This should give us pause. If we want to be a Meeting that acts on our values, we must be intentional about ensuring that the work continues. Casual participation won’t get us there.

As we consider the future of our Meeting, we must ask ourselves:

What do we want to accomplish as a community?
Which committees support those goals?
How do we match our aspirations with a willingness to serve?

There is a growing disconnect between what we believe ourselves to be—a Meeting that actively pursues good works—and our willingness to engage in the committee work that makes those goals possible. To bridge that gap, we need more of us to step forward.

I invite you to reflect on where your gifts and passions lie and consider joining a committee. This is how we sustain the work, how we uphold our values, and how we ensure that Wrightstown Friends remains a vibrant, engaged force for good in the world.

In service and community,

Jeff Cogshall
Clerk, Wrightstown Friends Meeting