by Diane Bowden | Aug 17, 2026 | Children and Religious Education, Current, RE
Upcoming Dates
- August 30th – Nominating Committee
- September 6th – First Sunday All Ages Class
- September 6th – (12:15-1 PM) Willow Working Group Meeting
- September 13th – First Day of Age-Grouped Classes for 2026-2027
Supply Closet – Do not drop off donations
RE closet is full of supplies ready for our teachers to use this fall. If you have supplies you think might be useful for RE, please talk to a member of the RE committee before bringing them to the meeting house. If we are unable to use the supplies, we encourage people to recycle or donate to ScrapRVa or local art teachers/schools.
Getting Ready for 2026-2027 RE Classes
Elementary Class (Ages 5-8) Our elementary class is fully staffed!
Junior Young Friends Class (Ages 9-12): We are looking for 2 teachers for our JYF class. This age group is so much fun. It is also a vital age for making long-term connections with our community. Do you remember what middle school or junior high school was like? Kids in this class are both gaining confidence in their growing independence and self-consciousness around peers all at once. They are experiencing cool stuff all the time and have intense interests. They have learned about S.P.I.C.E.S. for years. They want to learn about Quaker history and key figures, act, make videos, and generally just have fun together.
Young Friends Class (Ages 13-17): We are also looking for an additional teacher and assistant for the Young Friends class. We have a great teacher in place who could use a co-teacher to fill in when they are not available. Commitment should not be more than once/month. Let me tell you about this class. They are exploring Quakerism and current events in relation to their personal spiritual journeys. These discussions can serve to guide them into adulthood. Each student travels that journey in a way unique to them. One kid might be an attentive student. Another will talk about anime. One kid will just observe but hear every word. Then there are a few who visit when they can, bringing wisdom only a teen can on the spur of the moment.
Background checks filed with RFM are required to volunteer with our children. If you’d like to walk alongside our amazing children for a school year, contact Elizabeth Price.
by Diane Bowden | Jul 23, 2026 | Activity, Children and Religious Education, RE, Young Friends
Summer Committee-Led Lessons
The RE Committee would like to extend a very sincere “Thank you!” to the RFM committees taking over RE classes this summer. Each week, the children are learning from a different committee or working group. Not only do children have the opportunity to learn about the life of the Meeting, but they are also building intergenerational connections. Thank you, committees!
Community Submissions Requested by the WWG
The Willow Working Group (ages 9-17) and RE Committees are working on two special projects, and we need your help! Each person’s contribution will make these projects richer.
First, we want you to share your favorite memories of The Clearing with us. Did a special connection with humans or nature impact your life in some way? These are the treasures we are seeking! We are also accepting a limited number of special photos.
Second, Zoe Garrett will be attending Westtown High School in West Chester, PA this fall. We are asking everyone, maybe even if you don’t know her very well, to write a letter to Zoe and place it in a sealed envelope. We welcome you to share anything that may bring joy, comfort, or encouragement to a young person living far away from family and friends for a season.
The deadline for both projects is August 9.
How can you turn in your submissions? You have options!
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Drop them in the Religious Education mailbox at RFM.
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Give your paper(s) directly to Elizabeth Price.
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Call, Text, Mail or Email Elizabeth Price
Wayne Taylor Reflection, Coffee Day & Global Forgiveness Day
After learning about Sadako & her 1000 cranes, some of our children have continued to fold paper cranes. We would like to extend this experience to all of RFM. In honor of Global Forgiveness Day and the Wayne Taylor Reflection, Danni Kong & the RE Committee invite anyone interested to fold origami peace cranes. Bring your cranes on August 2nd to exchange with or pass out to those in attendance.
Link to How-To Video: https://youtu.be/RdMNeee3Re8?si=5-WlGuSEOH19ld2H
Introduction to Neurodiversity, a presentation by the Autism Society of Central Virginia will be held in the community room on Saturday, August 29th from 10 am to Noon. This is RE’s annual workshop and Teacher Planning Day. Register by adding your name to one of the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or letting Elizabeth Price know you plan to attend.
The morning session, Introduction to Neurodiversity, will be a presentation by the Autism Society of Central Virginia beginning at 10AM. It is for anyone who is interested in learning more about neurodivergence and how to better interact with children who see the world differently than we.
The session will include:
- Understand neurodiversity and ASD and how it impacts children.
- Learn how to set up classrooms that support all learners.
- Explore the functions of behavior and the ABC model.
- Practice proactive and de-escalation strategies.
- Apply skills through real-life scenarios.
The afternoon will be a time for teachers to prepare for fall classes. If you plan to teach or assist in an age-related classroom, please plan to meet with your co-volunteers to begin planning for classes beginning September 13!
by Diane Bowden | Jun 23, 2026 | Children and Religious Education, RE
Introduction to Neurodiversity, a presentation by the Autism Society of Central Virginia will be held in the community room on Saturday, August 29th from 10 am to Noon. This is RE’s annual workshop and Teacher Planning Day. Register by adding your name to one of the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or letting Elizabeth Price know you plan to attend.
The morning session, Introduction to Neurodiversity, will be a presentation by the Autism Society of Central Virginia beginning at 10AM. It is for anyone who is interested in learning more about neurodivergence and how to better interact with children who see the world differently than we.
The session will include:
- Understand neurodiversity and ASD and how it impacts children.
- Learn how to set up classrooms that support all learners.
- Explore the functions of behavior and the ABC model.
- Practice proactive and de-escalation strategies.
- Apply skills through real-life scenarios.
The afternoon will be a time for teachers to prepare for fall classes. If you plan to teach or assist in an age-related classroom, please plan to meet with your co-volunteers to begin planning for classes beginning September 13!
by Diane Bowden | Apr 16, 2026 | Children and Religious Education, Clearing, Faith and Play, RE, Spring Retreat
UPCOMING RE DATES
- April 19 Faith & Play
- April 25 WWG Talent Show Auditions 1-3 PM, (Talent Show May 23rd, 3pm)
- April 26 Fourth Sunday Age-Related Classes
- May 3 Movement Circles with Eunkyung Ahn
- Willow Working Group (Ages 9-17): Next Meeting, May 3 12:15 – 1 pm
- May 10 Mother’s Day, Second Sunday Age-Related Classes
WWG Intergenerational Talent Show
The WWG Intergenerational Talent Show will be during Spring Retreat on Saturday, May 23 at 3 pm at The Clearing
Things to Know:
All ages are invited to participate – children AND adults.
- Acts must be preapproved by the WWG Talent Show Coordinators
- Must be able to attend the Spring Retreat Talent Show on May 23!
- No real weapons; no supporting violence.
- If you wouldn’t want your mother, boss, or principal to see it, don’t perform it/write it.
Talent Show auditions will be held here in the Community Room on Saturday, April 25 from 1-3 pm. We want to make space for as many participants as possible. Auditions will serve as a dress rehearsal and help us keep within time limits. You do NOT need to stay for the entire time. Present your act and you are free to leave. Sign up sheets may be found in the mailroom or hanging on the bottom of our posters throughout the Meetinghouse.
Sign up to reserve your slot today!
JYF/YF Roleplaying Friendly 8 FYI
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Joining: Talk to John Garrett or email at jonathanegarrett@gmail.com
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Food: Pack a bag lunch/snack
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Dates: Second Sundays
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Times: Rise of Meeting (~Noon) until 2 PM
by Diane Bowden | Dec 8, 2025 | Activity, Children and Religious Education, RE
January 19, German Candlelight Event, 5-6 pm: At the end of World War II, a German Quaker family took in many orphans. Having nothing to celebrate the holidays, they gathered the children to light candles and share the gift of themselves, their talents, and Spirit. This custom has spread to many American meetings. This year, we will have our first such candlelight service. Join us by bringing a gift of yourselves - a message of gratitude and hope, a song, a joke, or any gift you wish to share.
by Diane Bowden | Nov 11, 2025 | Announcement, Children and Religious Education, Faith and Play, RE
December 7 - We are planning a Holiday Train Station Exploratory. If you celebrate a specific holiday during December (Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Christmas, Winter Solstice, etc.) and are interested in sharing it with our children, please talk to Elizabeth Price.
Upcoming Dates
- November 23 - Age-Related Classes
- November 30 - Age-Related Classes
- December 7
- Intergenerational Holiday Exploratory during Meeting for all children in the community room
- Willow Working Group Meeting (ages 9-17) during coffee hour 12:30-1PM
- December 14 - Multigenerational Worship: The Gifts Story
- December 21 - Faith & Play: The Story of the Nativity