The Working Group confirms that it is safe for fully vaccinated people to gather in the meetinghouse. The Working Group also now requests approval to now open the Meetinghouse to outside groups of up to 25 people who are fully vaccinated.
We see value in equipping the meetinghouse so that gatherings could combine in-person participation plus participants online in some zoom-like situation – “blended gatherings.” This would have long-term value for all kinds of gatherings, enabling people for whom distance or other factors might be a barrier, including ASE, Spiritual Formation, etc., as well as potentially for Meeting for Worship.
The Working Group requests approval to move toward equipping the Meetinghouse with technology that would enable blended gatherings. This would include fully investigating options, determining and taking incremental steps, keeping all expense under our roughly $2,000 budget.
The Working Group requests that the Committee on Ministry and Worship discern if, when, and how this new capability could be used for worship ... Meeting for Worship, Worship Sharing, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, etc., and that M&W bring their recommendations for consideration and approval.
Several members of the Working Group have volunteered to provide whatever technical and other advice we might have to Ministry & Worship in their discernment.
We are also considering how the Meetinghouse can best accommodate Religious Education in their fall programming.
The children’s religious education program (RE) is taking a break for the summer. We’ll be back this fall. And when we can return to the building, RE will offer an exciting new expanded curriculum which will more fully integrate our children into our loving RFM community.
We’ll get to know each other better through multi-age activities like singing, cooperative games, or yoga, to name a few. But especially through the new FAITH AND PLAY program which is funded through one of the Donna Knicely bequest mini-grants.
FAITH AND PLAY is a set of stories for Friends to use as a way to learn about Quaker faith and practice and to explore what it means to be a Quaker. Participants can find meaning in the stories, drawing on their own life experience, no matter one’s age.
The FAITH AND PLAY stories are told both verbally and visually, using simple materials, with participants gathered in a circle.
The story telling embodies the spirit of worship. All are invited to wonder out loud together and to answer stimulating queries. There is a deep respect and affirmation of each person’s sharing, no matter one’s age.
Also FAITH AND PLAY includes creative expression using art or conversation or the story materials.
The story of George Fox
The RE Committee will be explaining this program in more depth in the fall. When the time comes, we are eager for adult Friends to sign up for a weekend of training here in our building. After the training, being a leader, co- leader or aide (as many or as few times as you want) will give you the opportunity to experience the workings of the Spirit in children and in yourself. Our meeting will reap the benefits of a more integrated spiritual community.
Contact Monica Shaw with questions. If you’d like to find out more about FAITH AND PLAY, here’s the link:https://quakerfaithandplay.org/.
Conscientious Objectors in Today's Military Panel Discussion
Photo credit: Michelle Downey
Every month, Quaker House takes approximately 300 calls on the GI Rights Hotline from people having issues with military membership. These callers want help and information. Some seek discharge from the military because their consciences will not allow them to fight or kill. Join us to hear five of these conscientious objectors tell their stories. Alyssa Fairfax (Space Force/Air Force) Kristofer Miller (Army) JD Reisinger (Air National Guard) David Hice (Army) Amonte Crawley (Army National Guard) Each panelist has their own courageous and inspiring story to tell. They come from different religious backgrounds (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism) and different moral perspectives. Attendees will be able to submit questions for the panelists during the webinar. This promises to be a one-of-a-kind discussion and we are looking forward to it! This webinar is limited to 100 and you must register in advance: Upon registration, the link will be sent to you on the day of the webinar. We hope you will join us!June 8, 20217:30 pm - 9:00 pm Eastern
The Spiritual Formation Program will resume in September with monthly large group meetings and monthly small group meetings. For years this program has nurtured the spiritual lives of many in our community. During that time, we have shared the leadership of this program. We are currently looking for two or three individuals to form a leadership team for the coming year. If you feel led to be a part of this team, please email Howard Garner, Clerk of Adult Spiritual Education.
The submission deadline is June 21, 2021. The completion deadline will be October 31, 2022.
To review the application please go to the RichmondFriendsMeeting.org protected log-on page* and click on the Donna Knicely Bequest bar. There is also a contact button to request a copy of the application or you can email Tracey Cain.
