
The core spirit of Mickleton Meeting is strong. That said, we have experienced a significant decline in attendance since COVID. Several of our members and attenders did not like bringing Zoom technology into worship and left Meeting. The majority, however, found that the ability to include Friends at a distance and shut ins was well worth the use of technology. On a typical First Day, we have about 10 worshipers in the meetinghouse and 4 on Zoom. Before COVID, between 20 and 25 worshipers gathered on a First Day. Some of those were minors who are now out on their own, including two who have converted to other religions, but still come back to visit.
Some members find spiritual strength in our monthly mid-week worship and potluck. Eight Friends gather at one another’s homes for worship. Fellowship of lunch strengthens our bonds as Friends, as does our spontaneous lunches at local diners following Meeting for Business.
We continue to invite eighth graders at Mullica Hill Friends School to write peace essays on a topic we provide, concerning the spiritual basis for peace.
Our members find spiritual strength in helping others but could do more. As individuals and through the Meeting, we regularly donate to food banks. Several of us join with another Meeting in our Quarter to participate in Knitting for Peace, which provides items for shelters in Ukraine. We have an active Fund for Suffering. We collect postage stamps for Right Sharing of World Resources. Hygiene items are donated to homeless shelters.
Currently we have one minor. Members enjoy preparing First Day School activities for him. His mother reports he is gaining a lot from his Friends community.
In the spirit of outreach, we have given a presentation about our Quaker history to the local Historical Society, and opened our doors for their Holiday House Tour. We have enjoyed hosting a family meet-up for PYM. We have built a Little Free Library and have mounted it near our sidewalk to share books with community members.