We are continuing to hold Meetings for Learning and Sharing Lunch via Zoom. We tried it out in June and July, with between 9 and 15 Friends joining each event, with positive feedback. Of course we’re sorry that this format doesn’t work for all Friends. Some Friends join by phone (which is fine) and others who are not tech-savvy have found it easier than they thought – so please don’t hesitate to give it a go.
All are welcome, all ages – do join us!
Here’s what we’ve planned:
Sharing Lunch
Virtual Sharing Lunch will be held (as usual) on the 2nd Sunday of the month, for an hour starting at 1pm. You are welcome to munch your sandwich or drink your coffee while it’s happening.
The focus will be on getting to know each other better – as it is when Sharing Lunch happens in ‘normal’ times. One Friend will talk about something important to them, such as the arts, sailing, activism, travel, living overseas, or an academic or work interest, leading into how this relates to their Quakerism. This will be followed by question-and-answer or general discussion.
The next Virtual Sharing Lunch will be on Sunday 9 August, with our Clerk Julia Bush in the spotlight. Zoom in for 1pm and get to know Julia better!
Meetings for Learning
Meetings for Learning will be held (as usual) on the 3rd Sunday of the month, for 45 minutes starting at 10.0am.
The focus will be on being a Quaker in today’s world. One Friend leads by sharing thoughts about a particular Quaker topic, then there’s an opportunity to reflect and share everyone’s thoughts and experiences.
Plans for August onwards are:
16 August: Kit Fotheringham will lead on Living the Quaker Truth Testimony in a post-truth, fake-news world.
20 September: discussion on this year’s Swarthmore Lecture (there’s more about this Lecture in this Newsletter and Notices)
From October, we plan a new series looking at key Quaker words and phrases, such as Discernment, That of God in Everyone, Ministry, Holding in the Light, Worship, Living Your Beliefs, Being Led. We’ll unpack these and share what they mean for us.
Zoom details for all these meetings and further reminders will be in Notices.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would be willing to lead a Sharing Lunch or Meeting for Learning session – and new ideas are also welcome.
Linda Ewles
Learning and Action Hub Coordinator
July 2020