by Diane Bowden | Jul 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
Please contact any member of Nominating Committee for information or interest in these positions: Margaret Edds, Anna Marie Bolin, Diane Bowden, Don Miller, Carolyn Moul, and Catherine Roseberry.
Religious Education Needs
Religious Education’s (RE) greatest need right now is for teachers and assistants in classrooms. This is not a request for new members of the RE Committee. The RE year begins in September, so please volunteer now.
They anticipate needing 4 classes beginning in September: PreK/K, Elementary, Middle, & Upper Grades. We have found that having 2 teachers and 2 assistants per classroom reduces the requirement to only once or twice per month. We have curriculum and resources available for teachers to use if they find that helpful when planning lessons.
We are looking to confirm:
- 2 teachers and 2 assistants for PreK/K
- 1 teacher for Elementary
- 2 teachers and 2 assistants for the Middle School group
- 1 or 2 assistants/subs for the 7th+ class (The current 2 teachers would like someone to fill in when one of them is unavailable on a class day, but these teachers work great together and did very well last year.)
Peace & Social Concerns Needs
Peace and Social Concerns (P&SC) fosters greater personal understanding of peace in the lives of members and attenders; focuses on activities that promote understanding of wider (local, national, and international) peace and justice concerns. It embodies and reflects the social conscience of the Meeting through direct action; proposes RFM budgetary contributions to like-minded organizations; and informs the Meeting of current issues and events.
Recently, P&SC has given us awareness of local nonprofit organizations which have lost funding and opportunities to protest peacefully, to speak truth to power, and to advocate for a more just and inclusive democracy. P&SC needs people to help with this important work.
by Diane Bowden | Jul 22, 2025 | Ministry and Worship, Testimonies
A recent court decision now allows religious bodies to endorse political candidates and take part in partisan politics without the threat of losing their tax-exempt status.
This ruling does not change meeting's long-standing practice of eschewing partisan politics within meetings for worship, during announcements at rise of meeting, or through our committees. Our tax-exempt status has never been a primary motive.
Rather, our political advocacy arises from a deep concern for the general welfare and our hope for a world where everyone enjoys security and opportunities for joy.
Partisan politics requires taking sides. Our advocacy is based on our testimonies and advices. Love one another is our foundation.
by Diane Bowden | Jul 22, 2025 | Activity, Adult Spiritual Education
The Adult Spiritual Education committee will host a one-hour Reading Between the Lines (formerly Bible Workbench) on First Day, August 3, from 9-10 am on Zoom. We will discuss Luke 10: 25-37: receiving help when one is hurt, sometimes from unlikely sources. We will discuss mercy, storytelling, being tested—and getting to the deeper issues under our surface questions and motives. The facilitator will send the link through the Newslist a few days before our meeting.
by Diane Bowden | Jul 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
A Religious Education Sponsored Workshop for Everyone
Richmond Friends Meeting acknowledges that anti-racism is a needed part of all we do in our Meetings. The RE committee strives to support our children as they seek to understand their own spiritual life. This includes practicing equality, love, honoring that of God in one another, knowing our Quaker history, and more.
Join us here on August 23 from 9 am - Noon as Marcy Seitel guides us in understanding antiracism as a spiritual practice. The workshop is designed for all adults–parents and grandparents, RE volunteers and teachers, RFM members and attenders–who want to integrate into their relationships with children a deeper understanding of what it means to build a loving anti-racist community.
Marcy Seitel is a long time, valued member of Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM), who has throughout the years shared her professional expertise with children. After life-long concern with issues of racism, she has been part of BYM’s effort to become an anti-racist faith community, serving on the Working Group on Racism, committee for Growing Diverse Leadership and Working Group on Reparations.
Concepts to be explored during the workshop will include:
● The Basics of Antiracism: What is it?
● Build a community of adults who have concepts, vocabulary, and a common commitment towards antiracism
● Recognize & Respond to Racism
● A Vision for the Future
● Truthful Telling of the History of Friends
● Trusting Children with Difficult Conversations
● Antiracism As a Spiritual Practice
Light refreshments will be provided. If you wish to attend, it is important to let us know as soon as possible so we can work to meet your needs and to provide childcare. Contact Elizabeth Price if you would like to attend or have questions. A sign-up sheet will be in the mailroom as well.
Following a break for lunch on your own, all RE teachers and assistants are invited to attend our Teacher Resource Sharing event from 1:00-4:00 pm in the Community Room. Teachers will be given classroom age groupings and time to begin planning for September classes.
by Diane Bowden | Jul 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
Here is the schedule of Religious Education classes for the remainder of the summer:
- Aug 24 - Buildings and Grounds Committee
- Aug 31 - Hospitality Committee