by WebPost | Aug 22, 2017 | Announcement, Committees, Peace and Social Concerns
As part of Richmond Friends Meeting’s support and welcome for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, the Visibility Coordinators, in collaboration with the Ministry and Worship Committee, have registered for a booth at VA PrideFest 2017. This year, PrideFest will be held Saturday, September 23, 2017, from 12-8 pm on Brown’s Island.
PrideFest is a free, family-friendly event with vendors, food, activities and entertainment, organized and operated by Virginia Pride to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Virginia. RFM planning for the event will begin in early September. For more information, contact Diana Cole, Julia Hebner or Jim Thoroman.
by WebPost | Aug 22, 2017 | Announcement, Committees
Maybe you’re wondering how to get to know people better at Meeting.
The Answer: Join a Friendly 8. Friendly 8s are self-governing groups of eight people (more or less) who come together, typically once a month for a few months, somewhere other than our meetinghouse.
You can sign up to join a Friendly 8 on forms in the back foyer. Anyone can suggest a topic/activity. That person agrees to convene the group for its first meet-up. The group decides how to proceed from there.
Past groups have included: movie going, birdwatching, book or theme discussions, biking, vegetarian cooking. A favorite is “Old Friends/New Friends Pot Luck”. Friendly 8s is a great way to find others who share your hobby or interest.
NEW for this fall—-The sign up forms ask whether or not this group has “Open Enrollment” which means the group agrees to accept new participants anytime throughout the fall and winter, allowing new or old attenders to jump in and become more friendly ie. More involved in the life of Richmond Friends Meeting. Care and Counsel Committee will continue to post and publicize these open groups.
Contact Monica Shaw of Care and Counsel with questions or comments.
by WebPost | May 24, 2017 | Adult Spiritual Education, Committees
In recent months, Adult Spiritual Education sessions covered the history of splits and schisms in Quakerism, showing the Richmond Friends Meeting’s positions over the years.
On June 25 at 9:30am, Ministry & Worship Committee will continue this discussion. ASE will provide a quick recap, from George Fox until, after the 1967 death of its pastor, Richmond Friends Meeting switched from being a pastored, programmed meeting into the unpastored, unprogrammed meeting we are today. Then M&W will launch small discussion groups where all can share our individual beliefs and how they operate within a loving and very meaningful — if not always totally unified — meeting community.
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by WebPost | May 24, 2017 | Committees, Young Friends
A social gathering and sing-along for young adults, teens, children, and babies too. Sunday, June 11, 3pm-5pm, at the meetinghouse. Led by Kelly Kennedy, singer and actress. We are also inviting young adults who grew up in Meeting and live in Richmond. This is a very casual, fun get-together with music and refreshments.
Sponsored by the Ad Hoc Working Group on Welcoming and Growing Our Meeting.
by WebPost | Apr 21, 2017 | Committees
At a time of great intensity of feeling surrounding our national political life, some Friends seek guidance about political messages in Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business and in personal announcements. Friends are reminded that Richmond Friends Meeting is a nonpartisan organization. Messages directed at particular individuals or political parties stand in the way of our fulfilling the timeless Quaker instruction to “walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone.” Foregoing personal attack does not preclude our speaking to the deep issues of our time, particularly those that have received minuted support from the Richmond Friends Meeting community or that bear on historic Quaker commitments to peace, justice, and equality.
Perhaps further guidance may be found in this statement by Barry Crossno, executive secretary of Friends General Conference: “If our only way forward is to resist, then let us resist. However, where we can create mutual respect, where we can sow love, and where we can share a vision of the Kingdom of God where all God’s children are valued, let us do so. Rather than be the rock of righteousness, let us be a river of love that sweeps us all towards liberation.”
by WebPost | Apr 21, 2017 | Committees
Rising In the Current: Recharging and reconnecting with the spark and flow of creation, within and around us! Join us at The Clearing – our Meeting’s retreat center in Amelia County – for a weekend of fun, fellowship and connection. Friday night will feature a film screening of “Still Waters,” Barb Adams’ award- winning documentary. Saturday we will soar into a kite-making workshop with time for visiting the pond, board games, and opportunities to just…be.
At The Clearing, we can get away from the hustle-bustle and bask in the stillness of trees, far away from wi-fi, the news media, and computers. We still have the comfort of all the amenities in the Lodge with bathrooms, showers, a full kitchen, and large meeting rooms. Learn more about The Clearing (and find directions!) here.
Registration is now open! Scholarships/sliding scale fees are available. Bring your tent or grab a spot in one of the two sleeping cabins – just make sure you register by May 15th for the Early Bird Discount. Fabulous meals provided! Register online using this this link, use the form in the newsletter, or talk to a committee member at Meeting to learn more.
