The insights gained through contemplation has prompted Quaker Ruth Kirk to produce a booklet of prayers.
‘Keep on seeking, reflections on the search for God’ is the third booklet she has printed in the hope her insights will help others.
Ruth has been a member of the Quakers – the official title is the Religious Society of Friends in the Isle of Man – for a year, but was involved with a group in the UK for 25 years.
‘Contemplation is central to being a Quaker,’ she said. ‘Meetings take place in silence, people only speak if they are inspired to speak. I contemplate every day and inspiration for a piece of writing will come to me.’
Ruth said she also likes the very democratic organisation of this branch of Christianity.
‘I find it very difficult to fit into institutions where beliefs are laid down. Thinking for yourself, as a Quaker, is embedded as being an important part of spiritual development.
‘Quakers will discuss and spend an age thinking about how to deal with something.
‘A clerk is appointed, but there is no leader telling people what to believe – you take responsibility for yourself.’
The island group is ‘small but stable’ and they would welcome new members.
They meet every Sunday at Eastcliffe Resource Centre, Victoria Road, Douglas, except on the fourth Sunday of the month they meet elsewhere.
Meetings are silent until someone is inspired to speak; they are not directed by a minister but a clerk records proceedings. As Quakers believe as God is in everybody, each person has the capability to ‘respond to the leadings of God’.
There were Quakers in the island from the start of the movement in the mid-17th century and in 1665 visits were made by Quakers from Cumbria.
However, in 1666 laws were introduced to prevent them coming to the island and to banish Manx Quakers.
There is no evidence of a formal Quaker presence until after 1945.
Ruth confessed that without her involvement in the movement, ‘I would be terrible’, adding: ‘I’m agoraphobic and depressive and have chronic fatigue. I would not be able to manage with it. If not for the insights and peace I get through contemplation, I would be very poorly.’
For information, email quakerfriends@manx.net
Copies of Ruth’s booklet are at Noble’s Hospital or phone 824208