Outreach, Community Care, and Children- What Say Ye? Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting Fall Session

Quarterly Meeting is more than business; it’s a network of fellowship, a place to recharge, and a way to build solidarity. Join Friends on October 26 from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, for a day of connection, reflection, and community at Germantown Monthly Meeting.

We’ll gather to worship, share meals, and explore how we can support each other in these times. During the program, Friends will have the opportunity to join breakout groups of interest to reflect and share on their meeting’s committee work.

Check out the schedule below for more information and register on our website by October 17 so we can plan food accordingly. Childcare is available. Please let us know in your registration if you’ll be bringing little ones.

Schedule:

10:30 AM–Meeting for Worship, in person + Zoom

Noon– Lunch provided

1:15 PM–Breakout Sessions: Going Deep with Our Meeting’s Committees

We will explore the ways our communities serve, care, and grow. Friends are invited to choose between three breakout groups, each facilitated by someone currently serving– or who has previously served– on the committee. Anyone may join a group, whether or not they serve on that committee, to reflect on how their meeting approaches this work and to hear how other meetings do the same.

Group One: Outreach Committee. Friends will reflect, share experiences and consider the following queries:

• How does our meeting communicate Friends presence and principles to the wider community?
• How does our meeting join with other faith communities in worship, in spiritual dialogue and in social action?
• What are we doing to invite persons to attend worship, to welcome them when they come, to listen sensitively to their needs and hesitations and to encourage their continued attendance?

Group Two: Pastoral Care/Care and Counsel Committee. Friends will reflect, share, and consider the following queries:

• Do we help each other live with integrity and contribute that integrity to the life of our meeting?
• How does our meeting learn of members’ needs and offer its assistance?
• How does our meeting nurture members in all stages of life
• When a member’s conduct or manner of living gives cause for concern, how does the meeting respond?

Group Three: Religious Education Committee. Friends will reflect, share and consider the following queries:

• How does our meeting prepare its members, attenders, and children for worship, for the conduct of its business and for a way of life consistent with the principles of the Religious Society of Friends?
• What opportunities do we provide for all in the meeting to learn about Friends history, practices and testimonies, the Judeo-Christian tradition, the life and teachings of Jesus, and other religious traditions?
• How does our meeting’s religious education program provide experiential learning that enhances the sense of belonging to our worshipping community?

2:45 PM– Meeting for Business, in person + Zoom

4:00 PM– Adjourn