Brief snippets of information presented in a themed structure
photo by http://www.mikemcsharry.com/ on Flickr This isn’t a post about ‘Why have a meeting house?‘ but instead about the sharing of that house with other faith groups. Quakers respect other faiths and are willing to work alongside them, including sharing our buildings with them. Not only in a eirenic or ecumenical way, but because sharing
Perhaps not surprisingly the first topic that today’s #AdventWord Raise inspired was money. Raising money is a continual topic when running a meeting or a building – charitable or not. At one point the building would have been supported and even built or repaired by the worshipping community. However, for most buildings I’ve visited the
String connection workshop activity at Managing our meeting houses conference at Woodbrooke The Lord has told you, ·human [ O man], what is good; he has told you what ·he wants [the Lord requires] from you: to do what is ·right to other people [just], love ·being kind to others [mercy; lovingkindness], and ·live humbly, obeying
Today’s #AdventWord Time made me think of plans, calendars and schedules. It won’t surprise anyone who knows me that I have multiple to do lists, calendars for each ‘hat’ or role/client, not to mention lists of lists. They’re all reviewed regularly, in theory so nothing falls through – although of course it does. As I
One of the things I love about working for MBS is the chance to visit so many meeting houses and churches. Each looks different, each reflects the time and place that it was designed, built, or renovated. There is a collection of images on Flickr created by a Quaker photographer John Hall – well worth
“For the sixth year in a row, #AdventWord will gather prayers via a global, online Advent calendar. Virginia Theological Seminary is offering meditations and images during this holy season beginning Sunday, 1 December. Images and meditations can be experienced via the #AdventWord website, direct daily emails, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and
Z is for Zen No, I’m not suggesting that you become a Buddhist or learn to meditate. Instead I’m suggesting you find a way to bring a bit of Zen acceptance of what is, into your life. While managing a meeting house you have to accept that there will be days when: Someone thinks that
Y is for Do it Yourself Quakers have a long and worthy history of working together to solve large and small problems. Painting parties, working in the garden – even the Quaker Tapestry was done as a group effort. As mentioned in V is for Volunteers you may get professional people volunteering and you should
X is for eXhibition Earlier this week I went into Friends House specifically to visit this exhibition – and thoroughly enjoyed it. Gorgeous colours and textures shown off beautifully in the space, the sound track enhanced the art as you moved around the exhibit. There were several Ffriendly faces that I recognised, but there were
W is for Where does the money go? One of the difficulties I have found in both being a warden, and in dealing with finances is that most people aren’t interested. They nod politely when you mention money, glance at the account reports briefly when presented (if they’ve attended Business Meeting) and it is usually
V is for Vulnerable Victim After a case of fraud in North Somerset and Wiltshire Monthly Meeting, members of that Monthly Meeting and Quaker Stewardship Committee produced a report titled: A vulnerable victim (you can download a copy at that link). The Judge at the Crown Court hearing referred to the Religious Society of Friends
This post is part of the Quaker Alphabet Project – click here for more information. U is for Unique Selling Point It is unlikely that your building is the only venue in your area. I remember having a discussion with the warden at Bridport who commented that their small village had a plethora of places
This post is part of the Quaker Alphabet Project – click here for more information. T is for Threshing Threshing is a rather arcane word, but its use dates back to the earliest Quaker publications and internal letters. Most people I’ve spoken to have never attended a threshing meeting – and yet a threshing meeting
A&Q 18 How can we make the meeting a community in which each person is accepted and nurtured, and strangers are welcome? Seek to know one another in the things which are eternal, bear the burden of each other’s failings and pray for one another. As we enter with tender sympathy into the joys and sorrows
This post is part of the Quaker Alphabet Project – click here for more information. R is for Responsibilities Every Relationship has more than one side, as well as more than one set of rights and responsibilities. Local Meetings may be used to reporting that they have at least considered the list of their responsibilities