Richmond (VA) Friends Meeting

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Meetinghouse from Kensington Avenue

Hearing Assistance during Worship

by | Oct 18, 2023 | Current, Ministry and Worship

Ministry & Worship Committee wants to let you know that if you have trouble hearing messages during Meeting for Worship, you are welcome to pick up a hearing assistance device at the front door. They are easy to use. The Greeter can help you put it on.

“Gathering Our Pieces of Truth: Quakers, the Peace Testimony, and the War in Ukraine”
Adult Fall Retreat, September 30 at the Clearing, 9:30.
led by Alicia McBride, Senior Director for Quaker Leadership at FCNL.

by | Sep 14, 2023 | Ministry and Worship

Quakers have witnessed for peace for more than 350 years. And yet, our faith calls us not to rest on the words and actions of others, but to keep listening for how Spirit leads us today. In this retreat, we will explore how Friends have and are living a testimony for peace and wrestle with what actions, policies, and approaches can support peace amid the suffering and devastation of the war in Ukraine. Through worship, discussion, art, and sharing, we will bring together our experience of Truth, consider our leadings, and plan next steps in sharing our witness with the world.

Friends are encouraged to read a few short articles before the retreat in order to have some shared context for discussion. The links are below and copies are available at the Meetinghouse. In addition is a link to the FCNL event on The international Day of Peace, September 21st.

We will gather for bagels, fruit and coffee at 9:30 and after a morning session lunch soup will be provided. Please bring a side or dessert if you wish. We will finish at 3:00.

Do Friends Still Need the Peace Testimony?

https://www.fcnl.org/updates/2022-10/statement-peace-testimony-and-ukraine

Fall Retreat

by | Aug 24, 2023 | Ministry and Worship

Fall Retreat at The Clearing, September 30, 2023

We will gather at 9:30 am at our retreat center, The Clearing, to explore questions about peace in an age of Russian aggression against Ukraine. We will be led by Alicia McBride, of Friends Center for National Legislation (FCNL). Here is a description of our program:

Gathering Our Pieces of Truth: Quakers, the Peace Testimony, and the War in Ukraine

Quakers have witnessed for peace for more than 350 years. And yet, our faith calls us not to rest on the words and actions of others, but to keep listening for how Spirit leads us today. In this retreat, we will explore how Friends have and are living a testimony for peace and wrestle with what actions, policies, and approaches can support peace amid the suffering and devastation of the war in Ukraine. Through worship, discussion, art, and sharing, we will bring together our experience of Truth, consider our leadings, and plan next steps in sharing our witness with the world.

A Return to Masking

by | Jan 7, 2023 | Announcement, Ministry and Worship

Friends are asked to return to wearing masks during Meeting for Worship.

The community transmission rate in Richmond and surrounding counties is now High, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Transmission). Therefore, the Ministry and Worship Committee asks that starting January 8, 2023, we will wear masks for in-person worship. Friends may also choose to join 11:00 worship online using Zoom.
Here are the guidelines that the CDC provides:
• Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.
• If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.
M&W committee will keep an eye on the community transmission rates and make changes in the future as directed by the CDC.

Barbara Myers, for the Ministry and Worship Committee

Meeting for Remembrance

by | Nov 4, 2022 | Announcement, Ministry and Worship

On Sunday, November 6th at 11:00am, we’ll gather in worship at The Clearing for an opportunity to share treasured memories of those who have come before us, whether we are old-timers or newcomers at meeting alike.

Several years ago, the idea for a Meeting for Remembrance was formed, to keep alive the spirit and work of cherished Friends. We held our first Meeting for Remembrance in 2019, and decided to make it an annual tradition. We missed 2020 in the pandemic but resumed it last year at The Clearing. Join us again this Sunday, November 6th at 11:00am at The Clearing.

Masks in the Worship room will be optional

by | Oct 21, 2022 | Announcement, Ministry and Worship

The CDC and the VA Dept of Health rate our region as LOW in community transmission of Covid. Hence, we are making modifications according to their guidelines and also in sensitivity to the desires of our Quaker community.

For the present:

  • We will designate one section of the worship room as "Masks required" and the rest of the room as "Masking is optional."
  • The "masks required" section is near the front of the room, on the right side if coming in from the front door. Greeters can help guide us to the section.
  • We will have windows opened sufficiently to allow ventilation in the worship room, about an inch, every other window.
  • We are investigating HEPA filters and will have specific recommendations soon.
  • We will keep an eye on CDC guidelines and how our arrangements are working and make adjustments as needed as time goes on.
  • We will continue to have blended worship with Zoom as an option for worship from home.
    Note, the RE Committee makes decisions about children's masking. At this time, our young people, and their RE teachers, are wearing masks in their classrooms.

These decisions were made by the Ministry and Worship Committee in consultation with the Clerk of Meeting, the Covid Working Group, and Building and Grounds. We thank the Care and Counsel committee members, our Greeters, for their support. Thanks to all for their input and for their Light in making these decisions.

Barbara Myers
Clerk of Ministry & Worship