Seeking Clarity and Support: A Guide to Clearness and Support Committees
by Ministry and Counsel and Community, Care, and Clearness Committees
Clearness Committees
A Clearness Committee meets with a person who is unclear how to proceed in a keenly felt concern or dilemma, hoping that it can help this person reach clarity. It assumes that each of us has an Inner Teacher who can guide us and therefore that the answers are within the person seeking clearness. It also assumes that a group of caring friends can serve as channels of divine guidance in drawing out that Inner Teacher. The purpose of the committee members is not to criticize or to offer their collective wisdom; they are there to listen without prejudice or judgement, to help clarify alternatives, to help communication if necessary, and to provide emotional support as an individual seeks to find ‘truth and the right course of action.’
At Stony Run Friends Meeting, Community, Care, and Clearness (CCC) and Ministry and Counsel (M&C) are the two committees that form Clearness Committees at an individual’s request. A coordinator from one of these committees acts as convener of the clearness process and works with the person requesting clearness to identify at least 2-4 people to meet with them.
Remember, the committee’s task is to serve as a channel for the Light to help focus the person to deal with the problem or decide - the committee does not deal directly with the problem or make the decision. Two hours is the usual amount of time for such a meeting.
Support Committees
A Support Committee exists at an individual’s request to help that individual in some role. For example, the chair of a committee or the clerk of the Meeting may establish a support committee. One might be established for support of a non-Quaker activity. Ministry and Counsel and Community, Care, and Clearness are willing to help with the creation of such a committee, or it may be done by the individual themself. Some members of such a committee should already be knowledgeable about the topic or situation at hand, all should be good listeners, and some should be able to ‘see the big picture.’
Friends should contact Carol Seddon of CCC or Paul Jones of M&C for further assistance.