On January 16, 2022, the Worship & Ministry Committee and the Oversight & Pastoral Care Committee of Birmingham Monthly Meeting held a joint meeting to focus on the subject of community. We generated Queries to guide our discussion of the current state of the Meeting in this regard and of how we might reach out to one another and strengthen our bonds as a community of faith and fellowship. The minutes from this joint meeting were then distributed to everyone in the Meeting electronically and presented for discussion at the February meeting for business. Further input from individual Friends and from other committees was invited subsequent to the business meeting. The Meeting has approved the submission of these minutes to PYM in response to the request for a Spiritual State of the Meeting report for this year.
- Barbara Knickerbocker
- Serita Spadoni
- Clerk, Worship & Ministry Committee
- Clerk, Oversight & Pastoral Care Committee
- March 7, 2022
- Joint Meeting W&M and O&PC Committees
- January 16, 2022 8:30 am – 9:45 am /hybrid
- Present in person: Charles Spadoni, Serita Spadoni, clerk (O&PC), John Braceland, Julie Senko, Doug Wenny, recording clerk (O&PC)
- Present via Zoom: Barbara Knickerbocker, clerk (W&M Committee), Nancy Arnosti, Meredith Hung, David Jones, Susan Brodesser, Ted Moon, Chris McKenney, Marty Boston, Celia Lang
Opening Worship began our time together.
Brief Review of Joint Meetings: Barbara gave an overview of past joint meetings, which at times have considered specific topics of interest to the two committees that required specific action; at other times, were more reflective in nature on the state of the meeting. The present pandemic has greatly challenged us in how we approach worship, spiritual development, pastoral care and the general functioning of the meeting, particularly since we are not all in the same place nor worshiping in the same way. We have an opportunity today to share perspectives and help each other to strengthen our bonds with each other in support of our faith community.
We considered two queries:
1. How can the Meeting sustain and strengthen the bonds of our community in Spirit when some worship in person, some worship on line, and some are not currently attending worship?
2. How might we reconnect with our members and attenders of all ages, near and far, and apart from meeting for worship or spiritual development, to gather our community together?
Some Friends felt that Birmingham Meeting seems to have done very well. We offer a hybrid arrangement: in person worship, virtual worship via Zoom, and in warmer weather, outdoor worship. Some Friends refrain from attending worship on line because this does not meet their spiritual needs; others are quite comfortable with this arrangement and welcome the opportunity to be at home, especially those with health conditions; others, find in person worship more meaningful and are comfortable coming to the meetinghouse. Some Friends attend regularly, others do not, a few not at all. We are fortunate to have an integrated system that has been developed incrementally over time and as a meeting are willing to try new things.
Suggestions brought forward included: First Query 1. Take meeting for worship to those unable to worship in person or are not worshiping on line, i.e., “a traveling meeting for worship.” 2. We should try to do more in person activities, which draw Friends and attenders, because for some Zoom worship is not satisfying or comfortable. 3. Some believe that worshiping in person at the meetinghouse is not realistic during the surge in the Covid and refrain from attending.
4. Outdoor worship, activities, and special events draw more participants, but the weather is a consideration in holding these activities throughout the year.
5. Our opening exercises, via Zoom and in person, should be combined and connected. The four sessions facilitated by Religious Education in person at the meetinghouse in December were very successful. These were inter-generational and included attenders plus those who live at a distance. 6. Conduct more opening exercises from the meetinghouse; build in opportunities for people to participate. One theme proposed was to address the feeling of separation and how to build connections with each other. 7. Continue spiritual development opportunities on various topics; e.g., FGC’s QuakerSpeak videos.
Second Query 1. The “all ages” or multi-generational aspect of the query is very important. The installation of new equipment can help to connect us to feel more a part of our community. We would be able to see speakers more easily. Zoom has become a convenient way of attending worship for some; for others in person worship is more meaningful; for others, there is a disconnect between the two worshiping groups; for others, there is a sense of connection. Friends will sort out what works best for them. 2. We might try personal sharing, taking walks together, home visits, more bonfire gatherings, and other special occasions such as the Valentine’s Day themed after meeting event the Fellowship Committee is planning. The Youth acknowledgment gathering last summer and the Youth cookie exchange plus the Carol Sing around the fire pit in December were two very successful events. Fellowship is very important. Encouraging Friends to participate in a gentle manner is also important. 3. Participating in small group activities has provided meaningful communities within the overall meeting and include Midweek Meeting, Friendly Bible Study, anti-racism book discussion group, etc. 4. One Friend expressed concern that because of outside connections, including work, shopping and school, Covid could be brought to others in the meetinghouse and is, along with family, taking a hiatus from attending in person. 5. Engage in service projects as the Meeting has done occasionally throughout the year in support of charitable organizations. 6. We could try to connect with someone we have not seen in awhile or don’t know well, those within our care groups, or in general, in order to maintain and support connections.
The overarching focus during today’s joint meeting was on connection, relationship building and mutual support to foster in meaningful ways the overall well being of our worshiping community, both spiritual and pastoral. We have much to consider and reflect upon to meet the present needs of our community at Birmingham, no matter our location. We are one meeting, one community of Friends. Additional discernment, reflection and follow-up by each of us and our committees is warranted as we make our way forward.
Closing Worship followed.
Doug Wenny, recording clerk (O&PC Committee)
