Draft Table of Contents for revision of the 1985 NEYM Faith and Practice
with some possible topics listed —for information only

We offer this working draft of a table of contents in order to put draft texts for the revised book in the context of the overall document.  In chapters two through seven, we expect to include theology, history, past NEYM minutes, process and procedure, and advices and queries relating to the chapter topic. In chapters five, six, and seven, we have listed some of the topics we expect to include in these chapters. It is not a complete list of topics, nor have they been placed in any particular order.  Some of these topics will be treated more than once, depending on the perspective.  For example, in chapter five, marriage would be treated from a meeting perspective while in chapter six it would be treated from an individual perspective.

For general background to the revision, a description of the approval process, and some suggestions on considering texts, please see Frequently Asked Questions.

Preface.  Given preliminary approval at NEYM 2005 Sessions.

1.   Illustrative experiences of Friends (quotations from Friends across time and cultures). First draft of working paper was distributed at NEYM 2010 Sessions.

2.   Worship.  Given preliminary approval at NEYM 2007 Sessions.

3.   Corporate discernment in meetings for business (decision-making). First draft of working paper was presented at NEYM 2009 Sessions.

4.   Integration of faith and life: the meaning, understanding and use of testimonies, both individual and corporate. First draft of working paper was presented at NEYM 2008 Sessions.

5.   Living our faith in the meeting community
gospel order; responding to conflict; clearness committees; recognition of gifts and leadings; pastoral care; death and dying; religious education (both adult and child);  finance/stewardship; membership; marriage; civil unions; separation and divorce; conscientious objection and the draft; meetinghouses; burial grounds

6.   Living our faith in Personal Lives
membership 
life transitions: adolescence; conscientious objection and the draft; marriage; new babies; job change; separation and divorce; retirement; aging; death and dying;  grief and loss
family life: finance/stewardship; marriage; civil unions; children; parenting;  responding to conflict; religious education; separation and divorce 

7.   Living our faith in the world beyond the Meeting
economic justice; gender justice; racial justice; restorative justice; right relationship with the earth; stewardship/ right sharing of world resources; civic and community responsibilities; conscientious objection and the draft; pacifism; responding to conflict; outreach; ecumenical and interfaith relations; evangelism; Friends understanding of mission.

8.   Organization
Monthly Meetings
Quarterly Meetings
The Yearly Meeting, including NEYM connection to FGC, FUM, FWCC

9.  A Brief History of Friends in New England
Given preliminary approval at NEYM 2008 Sessions.

10.   Revisions to this Faith and Practice
Given preliminary approval at NEYM 2006 Sessions.

11.   General Advices and Queries
Distributed in March 2009.

Glossary

Appendices 

Acknowledgements

Index

Last Updated Tuesday, August 24 2010 @ 01:13 PM EDT