Meeting for Clearness:
Pastoral Care Committee invites members and attenders to make use of Clearness Committees not only for requests for membership and marriage/union under the care of the Meeting, but also for support during times of duress. Alone, or in relationship with others, we sometimes have disquiet and need help discerning the genuine nature of our feelings so that we can reach resolution with ourselves and/or others. Such a committee neither gives advice nor attempts to solve anyone's problem(s). Clearness is intended to remove encumbrances to insight, allowing one to move forward. The process is confidential. A request from a member or attender requires only a note or call to the Clerk of the Pastoral Care Committee.
Anyone requesting a Clearness Committee is encouraged to suggest the names of the Pastoral Care Committee members who might serve on the committee. It is also appropriate to prepare notes stating the issue or question and its background. Faith and Practice serves as a guide to the clearness process. Additional resources are available in the Third Haven Library. Two additional references are Patricia Loring's Pendle Hill Pamphlet, Spiritual Discernment: the context and goal of clearness committees and Parker Palmer's description.