At a time when national and global events demonstrate so much conflict and injustice, many newcomers have come to our doors seeking meaning, comfort, and solidarity. For example, we had more than 100 new subscribers to our newsletter. For the first time, it can be hard to find a seat for worship, and we have even more worshippers joining us online. Many newcomers are families with young children, and our First Day School is ringing with their laughter and squeals.
As a result of this joyous influx of newcomers, our worship room and First Day School are reaching capacity, and we have been challenged to rethink how we use our space and volunteer time and energy. Our long-time members are aging, while many newcomers have young children and are in the middle of their careers. How can we engage newer people in committee work to supplement the waning core of long-term volunteers? Our Outreach, Hospitality, and Religious Education Committees have especially been stretched thin by increasing demands with a diminishing number of volunteers.
How can we get to know so many new people and integrate them into our community? And how can we help those new to Quakerism to understand the foundational elements of Quaker faith and practice? One successful venture from this year has been a class for newcomers to Quakerism, organized by Miriam Fisher and Jean Warrington, which has had almost 30 students go through a four-week course to familiarize them with Quaker beliefs and practices. This has helped us integrate newcomers into the community in a beautiful way.
As newer attenders reach a deeper understanding of Quaker ministry, worship has become particularly rich, with a greater openness to Spirit. Our ministry is lively and dynamic, with typically six or more messages per week. All types of people give ministry, including children and newcomers along with long-time, gray-haired Friends. Messages range from personal anecdotes to songs and poetry, to Bible readings, to reflections on the state of the world. We look for the workings of Spirit in our vocal ministry and are gratified at the diverse forms that Truth takes.
Our meeting’s activism has also been more robust in the past year, with many members involved in starting and maintaining the North Star Network, an organization working to counsel immigrants in the U.S. on seeking asylum in Canada. Beyond this, marches, protests, and letter-writing have given our community a means to join together in Spirit-led activism.
At a time when suffering and injustice are rampant in our streets and across the world, the message of Quakerism is so relevant. It is our hope that strong outreach and community-building will widen our circle of spiritual care and amplify calls for peace and justice.
