Spiritual accompaniment : an experience of two Friends traveling in the ministry

Quaker lore is rich in the journals of early Friends who traveled in the ministry under the leading of the Spirit, but it offers little from the viewpoints of the companions who accompanied these ministers, praying with and for them, advising them, and helping them to remain faithful to their callings. Today, as this practice of spiritual accompaniment--or eldering--undergoes a resurgence among Friends, two such companions give us an account of eldering from the viewpoint of the companion and the minister she traveled with. In 2008, Elaine Emily visited Australia Yearly Meeting to offer workshops and ministry about eldering. Cathy Walling traveled with her as elder accompaniment. This jointly written account, expanding on Cathy's journal, explores the lessons, challenges, and gifts of that experience. It is offered in the hope of increasing our understanding of how eldering can be effectively and lovingly achieved, and in the hope that it will inspire other elders to offer their own firsthand accounts. Discussion questions included. -- Publisher's description.… (more)