LEADERSHIP & COMMITTEES
Led by the Light, not by the title.
At Matinecock Quaker Meeting, we understand leadership as spiritual service—a shared responsibility of listening deeply to the Divine presence in ourselves and in one another. Since 1725, our Meeting has functioned without pastors or priests, guided instead by the collective wisdom and discernment of our community.
Our clerks and committees support the spiritual and practical life of our meeting, not as authorities but as servants of the whole, helping us remain faithful to our nearly 300-year tradition of seeking Truth together.
QUAKER LEADERSHIP APPROACH
Not above, but among.
Unlike hierarchical organizations, Quaker meetings don't elect leaders who hold power over others. Instead, we recognize that the Light speaks through each person, and our structures reflect this fundamental equality.
Our decisions emerge not from voting or top-down directives but through a process of communal spiritual discernment in which we seek the "sense of the meeting"—our best understanding of divine guidance for our community.
As one Friend describes this approach: "In Quakerism, leadership is not about power and authority, it is about empowerment. The job of the clerk is to make sure all voices are heard, acknowledged, and affirmed, so decision making is communal rather than patriarchal."
This model of clerkship has guided Friends for generations, creating communities where each person's spiritual gifts can be recognized, nurtured, and offered in service.
LEADERSHIP ROLES TODAY
Servants of the meeting, stewards of our community.
Friends serve our Meeting in various capacities, with terms typically lasting one to four years to ensure fresh perspectives and shared responsibility. Our leadership positions are filled not based on status or ambition but on discerned spiritual gifts and a willingness to serve.
CLERK
Tom Jaske
The clerk facilitates our monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, helping to discern the sense of the meeting rather than directing outcomes. Our clerk prepares the agenda, ensures all voices are heard. The clerk serves as the Meeting's representative in written communications and within the broader Quaker community.
RECORDING CLERK
Tom Hawkins
The recording clerk takes minutes during Business Meetings, capturing not just decisions but the spiritual discernment that led to them. These minutes become part of our Meeting's historical record, documenting our community's journey. The recording clerk supports the meeting clerk, provides continuity when the clerk is absent.
OUR COMMITTEES
Carrying the meeting’s work through shared ministry.
Committees enable us to share the work of the Meeting while nurturing individual gifts and leadings. Committee service provides opportunities for spiritual growth, community connection, and practical service. All committees begin and end in worship, seeking divine guidance in their work.
GET INVOLVED
You are welcome.
Every person brings unique gifts to our community. Whether you've been attending for years or are just beginning to explore Quakerism, there are many ways to participate in the life and work of Matinecock Quaker Meeting.
If you feel drawn to a particular area of service, or if you're curious about how to become more involved, please speak with any current committee member or reach out to our Meeting clerk. As with all aspects of Quaker life, committee service is not about obligation but about discovering where your gifts and the Meeting's needs might joyfully align.
