In early February I’m leading a young adult workshop up at New York Yearly Meeting’sPowell House. I don’t have any desire to get into the “spiritual workshop circuit,” but I was asked and it seemed like an opportunity to gather some interesting folks to talk about what we hunger for. The workshop is called “Food for Fire: Breaking into the Power of Quakerism” (already regretting the “breaking in” metaphor – shouldn’t it be “broken in by?”).
I hope that some of the extended Quaker Ranter family will be able to make it out. This could be a kind of Mid-Atlantic/New England gathering of whatever this of informal movement/network is. Because this is a workshop model I am expected to impart knowledge but while I’ll come with an worked-out agenda, I’m happy to loosen and/or toss it aside if needed. The workshop description:
Many of the classic themes of Quakerism speak to the condition of a world wracked by consumerism, war, bigotry and environmental disregard. Friends have a history of uniting truth and love and turning it into action. We’ll reach into the Quaker attic to dust off gospel order, plain living, traveling ministry, prophetic witness; we’ll try them on and see how they fit into our experiences of the living Spirit. There will be plenty of time to share stories in small groups and together. How are our monthly meetings doing recognizing the gifts of ministry and service among younger Friends? How are Friends doing spreading the good news of the Quaker way? There is a great people to be gathered still but how can we enter into the faithfulness required? Jesus came up the fishermen and said “Come, follow me;” what would we do if we got that call? Like any programmed Quaker event the workshop is really an excuse to assemble Friends together in prayer and faithfulness to God. The most important thing we could do this weekend is build friendships: friendships of support, mutual accountability, and peer mentorship. Friends from all branches of Quakerism welcome, as are the newest of seekers.
The price is $180 for the weekend but if that’s a burden then try to get your meeting to pay – I suspect they’ll be happy to see that you’re showing an interest in Quakerism. I’ll be driving up from South Jersey and will probably be able to pick up folks from Philly & New York. Email me if you have or need a ride from other points and I’ll try to connect you with other travelers.
If you’re too old or too impatient to wait for Second Month to roll around, pick up Brian Drayton’s new book On Living with a Concern for Gospel Ministry and read that instead. Yes, I plugged it five days ago and yes, my paycheck comes from the publisher – but I’ve now now read the first chapter and it really is that good. Reading it feels like putting that soon-to-be-favorite pop album on the turntable for the first time. Where were you when you first heard Sgt Peppers? (for the YAFs in the audience: yes I’m being silly with the Beatles reference; if you remember first putting that album on a turntable in 1967 then this isn’t your workshop!).
As New England YAFs are prone to say, the retreat sounds rockin’.
I’ve dropped an e‑mail to a few NEYM YAFs in my area who might be interested in a road trip. If anyone in the Boston area is interested in joining, drop me a note at jeff [at] plowshares.us
I’m looking forward to reading Brian’s book. From my experiences at YM, he’s a gifted and well-seasoned minister with a strong concern for deeply-grounded ministry. On a semi-related note, the reading group that a few of us started at Friends Meeting at Cambridge is reading Lloyd Lee Wilson’s (NCYM‑C) “Essays on the Quaker Vision of Gospel Order.” The group has about eight people who attend, and about half of us are under 30!
Love,
Jeff
NEYM
Martin-
I’m going to try to be there. There’s no way I could swing $180- but my family’s home is not 20 minutes from Powell House (it was where I attended my very first Meeting!) and I just might be able to manage the $90 commuter charge, especially with the $40 ‘first time discount’ that they offer … At any rate, I am going to try my best. the description of the workshop sounds wonderful. That’s just the sort of discussion I’m eager to have. And it’d be nifty to meet you/any other bloggers who show up/more Quakers in general!
I live in Southern Vermont; I don’t know how likely it is that anyone will need a ride from here, but I’m happy to be networked in.
‑Sarah (of A Thing So Small)
Hey Martin,
Great idea! We could all use a little fire this winter. I’m checking my calendar right now.
Rob
Consider the Lilies
Ooooh. I will see what I can do about this. It sounds great. I am looking forward to reading Brian Drayton’s book, too.
Good for you, Martin and fellow QR readers who might be able to make it! This is the sort of workshop and intervisitation that I feel hungry to bring to the hinterlands of the upper midwest. And if I didn’t already have plans to travel in late January (Meadowlarks, a fellowship-through-folk-singing group connected to Iowa Conservative Friends) and again in late February (FGC’s Ministry & Nurture Committee), I’d consider making the trip.
And I, too, have started digging into Brian Drayton’s book: the chapter headings alone speak to my condition! (See the link in Martin’s original post for the book.)
Blessings,
Liz, The Good Raised Up
Well, let’s see now, where’d I set them bifocals?
Well, I wasn’t born yet in 1967, but I do remember when my older cousin first put on the Peter Frampton/BeeGee’s version in 1978. Am I still too old to come to the workshop?
I am definitely too far away. Hope it goes well — we’ll want to hear all about it.
Semi-tangenential (but only semi)-
Did you catch this thread over on livejournal Quakers? It’s all about the dearth of YAF in most folks’ Meetings. Thought it was the sort of thing you’d be interested in checking out.
‑Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I like to maintaint the myth that I see everything Quaker on the internet. But I actually did see that Livejournal thread. Either I didn’t have time or didn’t quite feel led to add anything.
I’m kind of in this awkward in-between’ness about YAF issues as I’m sort of a YAF (young adult Friend) but also not a YAF. I’m a good bridge, both generationally and institutionally (since I work for Friends) but sometimes I let YAF conversations go their own way. I don’t want to be the older Friend who haunts YAF boards giving “helpful” advice. I know from experience that sometimes younger Friends just need to discover and name issues for themselves. It’s a balancing act, I guess.
So, when will we get more news on how it went? Inquiring and impatient minds want to know.
Peace,
Robin M.
hey Robin -
It took me weeks before I could write about the World Gathering of Young Friends, and I suspect this will be the same. It was certainly unlike any workshop I’ve ever attended. 🙂
love,
Rob