Dear Friends,

I have just arrived back at my home in North Carolina and the first thing I felt led to do when I sat down was write a letter of gratitude to the Meetings and Friends that I met and shared with on my trip.

As I may have mentioned when I was at your Meeting, the trip I just completed was an experiment. I felt clear in my calling, but following that calling was a leap into the darkness. It was important to keep my eyes and ears open at each Meeting in order to hear God’s next instructions for me.

I can say that I was impressed and touched by each Meeting’s commitment to openness, listening and faith. I felt a deep trust in the Spirit as we gathered in each Meeting room and in the process of leading up to those gatherings.

After processing the experience of sharing with the Meetings that I had the opportunity to be with on this trip, I sense that my instructions are clear. I am returning to North Carolina with a renewed excitement and vigor for this work as well as a clarity of vision.

Much of that confidence and enthusiasm comes from the affirmation that I received from your Meeting and others along the way. The message that I received through your words, your actions, your financial contributions and your trust is this: my voice is valuable to the Religious Society of Friends.

So on behalf of my self, those who give voice through me and those who my work touches and will touch, thank you.

Jon Watts

Photo by Ron Akins