5. Marriage Procedure

Couples contemplating marriage are earnestly advised to seek divine guidance in making their decision, to give serious consideration to the importance of harmony and sympathy in religious convictions, and to seek early the approval of parents and guardians in order that family unity may be preserved and hasty and improper marriages avoided.

4. Visiting and Visitation Among Meetings

The importance of visitation among Friends cannot be overemphasized. New voices are needed in local meetings to broaden viewpoints and introduce fresh insights into truth. Over a wider area, visitation can help keep the balance between the differing interpretations of Quakerism and increase understanding between members of the various meetings, regions, and branches of the Religious Society of Friends.

3. Ministry and Counsel

A. Purpose

The meeting on ministry and counsel has particular responsibility for nurture of the religious life of the meeting. Its purposes are:

• to exercise general care of meetings for worship and support of the spiritual ministry, and
• to provide pastoral care of the membership.