RE is now making plans for an exciting children's program for the fall and winter, including outdoor music, singing, cooperative games, playground monitoring and the new mini-grant supported "Faith and Play" curriculum(indoors). Seequakerfaithandplay.org
If you are interested in being part of this as a leader or aide (once or as many times as you wish), please contact Monica Shaw, clerk of RE.
If you're not sure and want to know more, also contact Monica. Please volunteer to make a difference in the formative years of our children. We have something good to pass on to future generations.
Ministry and Worship Committee and the COVID-19 Working Group have decided that blended meetings for
worship will begin for 11 am worship on August 29. In a blended meeting, Friends worship together, either in the meetinghouse or via Zoom. Those online can see and hear the worship room and in turn can be seen and heard in the worship room on a computer and monitor. This timing will allow us all to experience blended worship for three
Sundays prior to an opportunity for assessment at September business meeting. More information will be forthcoming on the Newslist.
The Adult Spiritual Education Committee will hold a one-hour Bible Workbench (“Reading Between the Lines”) via Zoom starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5. Please note the CHANGE OF TIME; we’d like to meet an hour-and-a-half earlier so that people can still, if they’d like, take a little break and then attend the 9:30 Zoom Meeting for Worship, or attend an in- person meeting at either the Meetinghouse (every Sunday) or the Clearing (1st and 4th Sundays).
On September 5th, we’ll discuss Psalm 125: a song/poem for a person taking a journey to a holy place. The facilitator will open the Zoom space early at 7:45 am—for those who’d like to check in or socialize first—and then our discussion will start at 8 am. Facilitator will send out the zoom link and text a few days before the meeting. She’ll also screen-share the text.
In this series, four members of our community will engage in a dialogue with a member of ASE about a book that has been important in their spiritual journey. Participants are not expected to read the books prior to the sessions, but may wish to do so. All programs are presented virtually at 9:30 am. • September 18 with Beth Morrison. Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson (facilitated by Allen Lee). *Note that this is a change from the book listed in the August newsletter. • October 2 with Pearl Ball. Medicine for the Earth by Sandra Ingerman (facilitated by Ellen Arginteanu). *Note that this is a change from the book listed in the July newsletter.
• October 16 with Mason Mairead. The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners, by Jack Hawley (facilitated by Diane Bowden).
• October 30 with Cal Pringle. The Horse and His Boy, by C. S. Lewis, with additional material from Mere Christianity, also by Lewis (facilitated by Barbara Hulburt).
Imagine biking sections of the Capital Trail, or taking short walks in the James River Park system, or reading and discussing books that increase your understanding of critical race theory. What about learning a new craft, or visiting local museums and galleries, or watching films in languages other than English? Many of us long to explore a new interest or hobby, and find it more engaging when we pursue that interest with f/Friends. That's what Friendly Eights are all about: sharing an interest or new pursuit with a small group of folks--usually around 8 in number--from October to May (and sometimes year-round!). Even during the pandemic, several Friendly Eights met for socially distanced outdoor activities, or gathered over Zoom (RFM maintains a Zoom account that makes virtual meet-ups possible).
The Care and Counsel Committee is responsible for overseeing the Friendly Eights program, and any member can answer your questions about forming a group or joining up. We always aim to offer a group called "Old Friends, New Friends" which helps orient those new to Richmond Friends Meeting and connect with a few folks who are familiar with RFM's history and Quaker practices.
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Before September 12, consider a Friendly Eight topic you'd like to organize or help facilitate. Typically, Care and Counsel posts sign-up sheets in the foyer behind our worship room early in September, and encourages folks to sign up throughout the month. The first meetings usually happen in October. This year, Care and Counsel will make sure to broadcast the formation of Friendly Eights via the listserv, too. To help us track Friendly Eight suggested topics, gauge interest, and publicize this year's options, please furnish your ideas by September 12 to Tera Yoder or Randee Humphrey.