We’re planning some unusual activities for the weekend. A few that are in the works:
— We plan to convey lots of information on meeting renewal, but lecturing isn’t the best way to present information. So we’re preparing a mini-library. We are collecting scores of documents that speak to the nuts and bolts of meeting renewal. Some of these are published, excerpts from books, etc., and some are documents from committees and meetings around the country. Some are website links. We’ve cataloged them so you can quickly find what you want. We’ll have time together and during free time to explore the library.
— We’ll talk about how to know what facts are true of particular meetings, how to research this. In your meeting, what “facts” are there which Friends see differently? What might you do to resolve this?
— For those coming to the retreat, we will put you in contact with a Friend somewhere around the country with a story to tell about renewal at their meeting. You’ll have the opportunity to interview them. The success story which you will bring to the group plus 39 more from other participants, that’s a powerful way to begin our time together.
— “Renewing our meetings” — “Welcoming newcomers.” They’re the same thing, or at least they could be. There is one radical question that we could ask of each other, week after week, which would connect the two: “What was worship like for you today?” We will practice this question together over the weekend, and see where it takes us.
— We’ll look at some conceptual tools for understanding meetings. M. Scott Peck’s Stages of Community is a useful framework from The Different Drum. Also Tom Gates’ Pendle Hill pamphlet #371 Members One of Another. Both of these frameworks provide a place for us to consider: where are we in our journey? Where is my meeting as a corporate body?
quaker new renew 
I think Quakerism is loosing mysticism. Mysticism does not require the senses to communicate. Many people nowadays think that reality only includes things that can be sensed by the senses. So if we loose mysticism, we loose that of God within everyone, leadings, sensing God’s purpose for the Meeting, and God’s messages to us in Meeting for Worship. We all know about quantum physics and the new knowledge of the cosmos, but very few of us understand them. How can we imagine a God who created them. We can’t, so God does not exist. I am very comfortable with the existence and practice of mysticism. I am also a scientist and think this is a very important discipline. I want Quakers to be comfortable with both. Gay Howard
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Hi Gay,
I’m so glad you wrote! Thanks for starting a conversation here.
I’m curious — what were resources that were helpful in your understanding of Quaker mysticism? Were there particular people that supported you in your journey? Or, perhaps, experiences that helped you have a deeper belief in the mysticism in Quakerism?
I’m thinking about how we can support others to have a similar, positive, grounded experience as you. Any thoughts?
Glad to start the dialogue!
In Peace,
Hilary
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