Pendle Hill’s Reading Group focuses on a mix of Pendle Hill pamphlets and other Quaker materials, gathering monthly to consider queries about the reading in a spirit of worship sharing.
In October, we will consider Marking the Quaker Path: Seven Key Words Plus One (PHP #439) by Robert Griswold.
Free and open to the public! Register below to reserve your spot.
Click here for bios and registration.
Participate in small groups for dialogue and sharing leadings about who we are called to be, your own sources of faith and Light, and how this connects to how you travel forward in today’s world.
This webinar is the initial session of the Tuesday evening online Exploring Spiritual Practices course taught by Swarthmore Meeting member Marcelle Martin.
This first session is open to all, both those who have registered for the full course and those who want to sample the webinar. We will explore the spiritual practices of gratitude and mindfulness, and give attention to the ways that God is inviting each one of us into a more intimate relationship. The session will include time for sharing with others in small breakout groups. This webinar will be offered both in the morning, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, and also in the evening, from 7 to 9 pm Eastern Time.
There are many ways to think about and describe God–Creator, the Ground of Being, the Almighty, Spirit, the Light, the Holy One, the Wholeness, Eternal Being, and so much more. However we think of it, the Divine is already in intimate relationship with everyone and is inviting all of us to become more aware of that relationship and fully engaged. This empowering connection is our birthright, but from early childhood we have been conditioned to limit our ability to perceive this relationship and minimize our acceptance of the gifts of the Spirit. Spiritual practices are helpful methods of becoming receptive and aware of the presence and activity of God within us, as well as in others and the world. There is a huge variety of practices available to us, ranging from very active and involving images, music, and movement, to more quiet, receptive, and contemplative practices. Some practices are very individual, while others require the participation of a group.
In the course Exploring Spiritual Practices: Meditation, Prayer and Presence, online class time will include brief presentations about different kinds of spiritual practices and opportunities for experiencing and experimenting with various forms of meditation, prayer, and presence. We will draw upon practices from across the Christian tradition, including traditional Quaker practices, and also upon practices from other traditions, including Buddhism and Hinduism. In breakout groups we will share our experiences in pairs and small groups and listen to the experiences of others. We will also engage in class discussion and ask important questions including “What or who is God in our experience?” “How do we experience presence?” “What is the nature of consciousness?” “What impedes our awareness of the divine within us and others?”
No particular beliefs in God, prayer, or meditation are required, only a willingness to earnestly try different kinds of practices, notice what we experience, and listen respectfully to the experiences and beliefs shared by others.
This event is sponsored by New England Yearly Meeting and Beacon Hill Friends House. Marcelle Martin’s ministry is under the care of Swarthmore Friends Meeting (PYM).
This webinar is the initial session of the Tuesday online Exploring Spiritual Practices course taught by Swarthmore Meeting member Marcelle Martin.
This first session is open to all, both those who have registered for the full course and those who want to sample the webinar. We will explore the spiritual practices of gratitude and mindfulness, and give attention to the ways that God is inviting each one of us into a more intimate relationship. The session will include time for sharing with others in small breakout groups. This webinar will be offered both in the morning, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, and also in the evening, from 7 to 9 pm Eastern Time.
There are many ways to think about and describe God–Creator, the Ground of Being, the Almighty, Spirit, the Light, the Holy One, the Wholeness, Eternal Being, and so much more. However we think of it, the Divine is already in intimate relationship with everyone and is inviting all of us to become more aware of that relationship and fully engaged. This empowering connection is our birthright, but from early childhood we have been conditioned to limit our ability to perceive this relationship and minimize our acceptance of the gifts of the Spirit. Spiritual practices are helpful methods of becoming receptive and aware of the presence and activity of God within us, as well as in others and the world. There is a huge variety of practices available to us, ranging from very active and involving images, music, and movement, to more quiet, receptive, and contemplative practices. Some practices are very individual, while others require the participation of a group.
In the course Exploring Spiritual Practices: Meditation, Prayer and Presence, online class time will include brief presentations about different kinds of spiritual practices and opportunities for experiencing and experimenting with various forms of meditation, prayer, and presence. We will draw upon practices from across the Christian tradition, including traditional Quaker practices, and also upon practices from other traditions, including Buddhism and Hinduism. In breakout groups we will share our experiences in pairs and small groups and listen to the experiences of others. We will also engage in class discussion and ask important questions including “What or who is God in our experience?” “How do we experience presence?” “What is the nature of consciousness?” “What impedes our awareness of the divine within us and others?”
No particular beliefs in God, prayer, or meditation are required, only a willingness to earnestly try different kinds of practices, notice what we experience, and listen respectfully to the experiences and beliefs shared by others.
In November 2018, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation’s lawsuit with Attorney General Gurbir Grewal was resolved; the Tribal Nation is once again recognized/ reaffirmed by the state of New Jersey. On March 18, 2019, New Jersey AG announced historic recognition of the Powhatan Renape Tribe and Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation. These Lenape Tribal Nations are seated on the NJ Commission on American Indian Affairs. The following original story and individual settlement agreements are posted -https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases19/pr20190318b.html
TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced today that New Jersey has entered into separate settlement agreements with the Powhatan Renape Nation and the Ramapough Lenape Nation by which the State acknowledges it has officially recognized the two tribes as American Indian Tribes since 1980.
Under the settlements, the State agrees that New Jersey’s recognition is intended to qualify the tribes for all federal and state benefits and services for which State-recognized tribes are eligible. Among those benefits and services are “all privileges provided by the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.”
The State also agrees going forward that it will not deny the status of the Powhatan Renape and Ramapough Lenape nations as State-recognized American Indian tribes, and revokes any past denials of recognition. In addition, both tribes specifically disclaim any interest in casino gaming rights under the settlement, and the parties agree that official State recognition does not provide the tribes with federal casino gaming rights.
“Let there be no ambiguity. Through this settlement, New Jersey affirms the status of both the Powhatan Renape Nation and the Ramapough Lenape Nation as American Indian Tribes recognized by the State,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Tribal rights are significant rights, and we are glad that, through good faith negotiation, we’ve been able to reach an accord with both the Powhatan and Ramapough nations. These two tribes can now move forward without concern that state-level recognition issues will in any way impede their progress.”
Under the settlements announced today, the State has agreed to notify all relevant state and federal agencies of the newly-formalized recognition status of Powhatan and Ramapough nations within 30 days. Among the federal agencies to be notified are the Indian Arts & Crafts Board, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development.
With the agreements announced today, state-recognition issues pertaining to all three “New Jersey tribes of American Indians” referenced in statutes passed by the New Jersey Legislature in the 1990s are resolved.
In November 2018, Attorney General Grewal announced that New Jersey had entered into a similar state-recognition settlement with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation.
While neither the Powhatan nor Ramapough pursued litigation, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Nation had filed state and federal lawsuits in 2015.
Those lawsuits alleged, in part, that ambiguity regarding the Lenni-Lenape’s recognition status in New Jersey had caused it to be denied the right to label and sell traditional arts and crafts as “American Indian-made,” lose access to federal grants and scholarships, and lose contracts previously obtained by tribally-owned businesses.
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Photo credit: https://www.state.nj.us/state/njcaia.shtml
