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an Oasis of Peace
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Frequently Asked Questions
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,
With men this is impossible;
but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
Please join us in praying for PEACE.
Here we share answers to some questions frequently asked...
Q: Are You a Christian community?
Q:
Is this group a religious order?
Q: Quaker Monastery?
Q:
What Guides the Community?
Q: Can Quakers be Monastic?
Q: Why live by a Rule?
Q: Do Quakers follow
community rules?
Q: Do you take vows?
Q: Do you wear a habit?
Q: Are you hidden away from the world?
Q: Aren't monasteries
founded only by Roman Catholics?
Q: Is it possible to
harmoniously bring together the Rule of Benedict
and Quaker Advices and Queries?
Q: Do you use Quaker
Business Practice?
Q: Did you use a Clearness
Committee the found the community?
Q: What does "in the Manner of Friends" mean?
Q: Is Quaker Monastery supported or
governed by a larger religious body?
Q: What ways are there to
join this community?
Q: In what
faith group
must I be to join this community?
Are You a Christian community?
Yes. The community is Christian,
formally gathered in monastic life and known
as the
"Servants of the Prince of Peace".
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Monastery Questions
Is this group a religious order?
The Servants of the Prince of Peace are organized as a monastic community. They live
by a rule
of life known as a Customary (Advices & Discipline), which brings together the Rule of Benedict,
and the Advices and Queries of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
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Monastery Questions
Quaker Monastery?
Many people have never heard of a Quaker Monastery. There are even
those who put forth the opinion that there can be no such thing
as a "Quaker Monastery", perhaps because such a concept has never been explored or
initiated
within the historical traditional context of the Religious Society of Friends.
That said, the Servants of the Prince of Peace at Quaker Monastery
was
founded in 2006 as a new Christian expression in monasticism.
In fledgling stage, we are none-the-less
a vibrant, though small, monastic
community dedicated to worship,
prayer,
and various ministries which encompass stewardship, world peace, Christian unity and loving ecumenism.
The adventure of the Christian life begins when we dare to do what we would never tackle
without Christ. -William Penn (Quaker)
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Monastery Questions
Do you use Quaker Business Practice?
Yes. For general information about what Quaker Business Practice means, visit
edengrace.org
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Monastery Questions
Did you use a Clearness Committee
process in founding?
Yes. For general information about what a Clearness Committee involves, visit
CourageRenewal.org
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Monastery Questions
Why live by a Rule?
Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547) drew up a rule of life for monastics - those who felt led to live a dedicated life in a
particular way, with others so called apart for the Lord's service. The Rule was intended to provide
instruction
for how a community might be organized, and how those there-in were to best spend their time.
The concept is no less understandable today then that of a well conducted Christian household
in which all family members
function, in their order, with respect for the family unit and each other, with even
children under the direction of, and in obedience to, their loving, Christ-directed
parents.
In writing his Rule, Benedict referred to it as "a school of the Lord's service,
in which we hope to order nothing harsh or rigorous." The Rule gives instructions for the organization
of a monastic
community so that through the best use of daily time, the community could serve the Lord with
efficiency, focus, and individual understanding for the human condition of all.
His time tested Rule
has guided monastic communities for over 1,500 years.
Benedict wrote his
Rule for laymen for the purpose of organizing domestic life; the Rule being a guide for those who
wanted to
live a full Gospel life in community, with others of a like mind. "So intimately connected with
domestic life is the whole framework and teaching
of the Rule that a Benedictine may be more truly said to
enter or join a particular household than to join an order....
The Rule is meant for every
class of mind and every degree of learning."
"My words", says Benedict, "are addressed to thee, whoever thou art, that, renouncing thine own will, dost put on the strong and bright armour of obedience in order to fight for the
Lord Christ, our true King." (Prol. to Rule.)
Benedict's purpose was only to provide a Rule by which anyone might
follow the Gospel counsels,
and live, and work, and pray, in Christian community order.
The Rule of Benedict organizes and directs a complete life.
"We have written this Rule",
writes Benedict, "that by observing it in monasteries, we may shew ourselves
to have some degree of goodness in life and a beginning of holiness."
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Monastery Questions
Do Quakers generally follow community rules?
Quakers have what are known as Advices and Queries, these being
a recorded reminder
of the "insights of the Society." (Britain Yearly Meeting
Faith and Practice, § 1.01)
Friends are encouraged therein to regard the insights and disciplines
of the Advices and Queries as Spirit filled: "that all with the measure of light
which is pure and holy may be guided, and so in the light walking and abiding these
may be fulfilled in the Spirit." (Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, § 1.01)
The consideration of the Advices and Queries has had significant
devotional and disciplinary importance to Quakers and remains "a profile of the
Quaker way of life and a reminder of the ideals Friends seek to attain" and a "quickening
influence in shaping our daily lives." (Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, pp. 187,
and 198.)
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Monastery Questions
Is it possible to harmoniously bring together both the Rule of Benedict
and Quaker Advices and Queries?
Upon closer examination, one actually finds great similarities
between Benedictines
and Christian Quakers. One only has to study both the Rule of Benedict and some of the older
Advices and Queries of the Religious Society of Friends
to realize how many there are.
Both Quaker Advices and Queries and Benedict's Rule provide important
guidance for corporate worship and life lived in
community.
Similarities between the two should
not be surprising when one takes into account that followers of the Lord, those who turn
their lives over with faith to His active leadership, will always realize some measure of kinship
with other
Christian faith expressions. There is fundamental unity (though not necessarily all-encompassing uniformity)
among all Christians who profess
salvation
through Christ Jesus and submit to His leadership.
Though followers of Christ
may find themselves confronted with
tasks that seem impossible for never having been done before,
they realize with faith that under the active Lordship of Christ Jesus, who
leads His followers with surety, way will open even if that way is new to what has come before.
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27
Way has progressively opened in this dedicated place, and
community members at Quaker Monastery learn, with daily diligence,
to reform
their lives. Together they work to live for the love of God
in the servanthood of Christ Jesus in all aspects of life,
even through the most ordinary of tasks. Quaker Monastery exists as a spiritual oasis
where
our lives can be renewed through the structure of gospel-based community order and simplicity of life,
with
attention directed towards God as a real presence,
and our Lord as the active Shepherd of the community.
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Monastery Questions
Can Quakers be Monastic?
Monasticism may be one of the few concepts left unexplored in the wider scope of
Quakerism today. But regardless, it is
a very real, spirit directed calling for the Servants of the Prince of Peace.
Christian Quakers are part of the body of
Christ, and as such, are part of the
Christian Church. The whole history of Christianity repeatedly gives testimony of servants
of the Lord - since the time of Christ up to now - who were spiritually called to
live apart from society in greater dedication to God, especially those who lived in
societies experiencing moral decline.
Quakers by tradition have never known limits in either the active direction of the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit),
or the living leadership of Christ Jesus. Even in their very earliest history,
when they were persecuted, prosecuted and executed
for beliefs which were out of step and unacceptable in
society and with religious leaders of the time, Quakers followed the direction of the Lord, rather then the
religious dictates of those who tried to suppress them.
For as it was then, it is still now so well understood and experienced by Quakers today - that there
are simply no human limits to what God can do, or to what He may direct His servants
to do in ministries of peace and love under
the Lordship
of His son. Quakers have known that, and given witness to it, for almost 400 years.
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Monastery Questions
Are you hidden away from the world?
No. Our ministries encompass charitable
work in the community at large, and the outreach of our
global Internet ministries as well.
The Servants of the Prince of Peace live in dedicated service as Christians,
and our Christian principals are firm and clearly lived out, but we warmly welcome
pilgrims of all
faiths who might find spiritual refreshment in quiet simplicity,
the silent expectant waiting (upon the Lord)
in
Meetings for Worship in the manner of Friends, spiritual retreats, and the peace of Christian fellowship offered
to those who sojourn at the monastery, even for a little while,
either in person or
via the Internet.
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Monastery Questions
Aren't monasteries
founded only by Roman Catholics?
There is extensive renewal being experienced in Christian monasticism. One can only marvel
at the wide work being accomplished by faithful servants in the Body of Christ whom the Lord is using
to bring this work about:
The ecumenical Taizé Community
The Order of Julian of Norwich (Episcopal Church)
Saint Brigid of Kildare Monastery (Methodist / Benedictine)
St. Augustine's House Lutheran Monastery
These are just a few examples which speak to renewal of such a broad scope
that only the Lord could
accomplish it.
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Monastery Questions
What Guides the Community?
We claim no authority in ourselves what-so-ever, but humbly seek the influence and direction
of the Holy Spirit in all things, in order to know what is good, in the manner
exemplified by Paul, Silas and Timothy in the book of Acts.
Our foremost Guide therefore is the Word of God, Christ Jesus, to whom we submit as our Lord and Saviour and
son of Almighty God. We dedicate our entire lives to the service of the Lord
and the advancement of the Kingdom of God and strive to be living witnesses to the presence and power
of Christ. "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Mark 9:7
We earnestly labor to know
the Lord's will, as we submit to His authority
in unprogrammed Meetings for Worship, Meetings for Business, and more in the Manner of Friends; seeking truth
as well through the study of the Bible, Quaker testimonies, and the study of Christian writings
from the times of early Christianity until now.
The guiding written
sources for the community are the Bible, the Rule of
Benedict, the Book of Common Prayer, the works of George Fox (founder of the Quakers), the writings of
Lewis Benson, Robert Barclay’s Apology, Caroline Stephen's Quaker Strongholds, and
the Benedictine Breviary - as just a few examples.
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Monastery Questions
What does "in the Manner of Friends" mean?
In the Manner of Friends or the Quaker Way "is simply the way Friends
at their best
(and with all their differences)
put in practice their deepest beliefs." That "Way" or "Manner" being directed by
Christ Jesus is therefore
not something one Quaker group or Meeting
can rightly define for any other.
For what true Friend proclaims "the Lord is my Shepherd", and
then diminishes Friends other the "Manner"
of which their condition is known? May the error of false pride be
quickly repented of and the "Way" of
the Lord there-by respected in all.
Even in the Apostles' days, Christians were too apt to strive after a wrong unity and
uniformity in outward practices and observations, and to judge one another unrighteously
in these matters; and mark, it is not the different practice from one another that breaks
the peace and unity, but the judging of one another because of different practices. For this
is the true ground of love and unity, not that such a man walks and does just as I do, but
because I feel the same Spirit and Life in him, and that he walks in his rank, in his own order,
in his proper way and place of subjection to that; and this is far more pleasing to me than
if he walked just in that track wherein I walk. - Isaac Penington,
Quaker
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Monastery Questions
Is Quaker Monastery supported or
governed by a larger religious body?
We are an independent community which does not receive financial support of
any kind from any
church or organization. We rely entirely upon our own work and the kindness and generosity
of friends and
guests who help maintain the community through
donations.
We do have the loving prayer support of established monastic communities who have agreed to provide us guidance
as needed. We
also worship in the traditions of the Episcopal Church and are seeking to
be formally recognized as a religious community in the Episcopal Church.
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Monastery Questions
Do you take vows?
We make solemn affirmation of our commitment
to the community and the principles which govern it, in due time.
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Monastery Questions
Do you wear a habit?
We wear religious observant dress.
The only time members of the community are not in religious observant dress is during such
periods of work which
require clothing that is more practical for the work being done and/or
affords a greater assurance of safety as required. As a community with working ties to
agricultural projects, practical measures are endeavored. However, women wear a prayer
cap at all times.
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Monastery Questions
What ways are there to join the community?
There are Affirmed Members of the community and Community Friends.
Affirmed Members
Affirmed Members, Servants of the Prince of Peace, have gone through the directed
formation stages which begins with a Quaker Clearness Process upon application approval.
After a formation period of not less than 4 years,
application may be made
to become an Affirmed Member of the Community.
Community Friends
Community Friends are those who have a formal relationship with the community
through official affiliation and their affirmation to live life,
as fully as their circumstances allow,
in common with the Quaker / Benedictine principles
of the Servants of the Prince of Peace. This especially includes times of daily prayer, living
a plain and simple life and assisting with charitable works in their home communities.
As a dispersed religious community, many members live in their own residence.
Community Friends fellowship annually at Quaker Monastery during retreat.
Community Friends come from many walks of life and various
religious denominations.
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Monastery Questions
In what Christian faith group
must I be to join the community
as a Servant of the Prince of Peace?
Servants of the Prince of Peace may be of any Christian affiliation
which can espouse our
Quaker life in Benedictine order and the principles of our Customary.
Applicants must
have a regular, ongoing
relationship with a Christian church, congregation or Meeting with whom they fellowship,
participate and
contribute to, and with whom they have done so for a minimum of 5 years.
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Monastery Questions
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