Ready to ignite the Quaker fire within in 2019? We can help.

Ready to ignite the Quaker fire within in 2019?  We can help. Let’s explore 5 ways to nurture vibrant journeys of faith:

1) Take your spiritual journey to the next level with Friends through a Spiritual Deepening eRetreat. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to combine the excitement of online learning with the fun of meeting new Friends? That’s the experience of participating in a Spiritual Deepening eRetreat, an online opportunity to build spiritual community with Friends and spiritual seekers while learning about Quaker thought and practice from the comfort of your own home. The eRetreats combine multimedia activities (like reading a poem or watching a video related to the main topic of the eRetreat) with personal reflection and opportunities to share your thoughts with other participants during a weekly phone check-in. Friends and spiritual seekers interested in learning about Quaker faith and practice will have four opportunities to participate in Spiritual Deepening eRetreats this year – view the full schedule here.

2) Deepen your spiritual journey and fuel your passion for peace and justice with a workshop at the FGC Gathering. The Gathering is an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in Quaker spirituality and to enjoy yourself among new and familiar F/friends. Too, It’s a week-long opportunity to learn a new skill or take a deep dive into an issue you care about in the company of Friendly learners. This year’s Gathering theme, Peace in our Hearts, Justice in the World, will offer a plethora of workshops focused on spirit-led activism and ways to practice nonviolence and foster community in our day-to-day lives. The 2019 Gathering Workshops roster includes Build your own Quaker Advocacy Campaign, Activists Building Resilience and Addressing Trauma, and Transforming Conflict into Connection.

3) Transform yourself with FGC Friends at the White Privilege Conference. Following the report and recommendations presented to FGC’s Central Committee in October 2018 on rooting out racism and white supremacy, many Friends have asked “how can I help?” After you’ve read the Institutional Assessment on Systemic Racism’s Report and Recommendations, you may want to consider deepening your commitment to change by heading to the White Privilege Conference with FGC in March. Founded by educator and activist Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., the conference strives to empower and equip individuals to work for equity and justice through self and social transformation. Friends who register to attend with FGC receive a discount, so visit our WPC page to begin the registration process starting on January 7th, 2019.

4) Start a book club in your meeting to create community and encourage thoughtful discussions. Books are valuable learning tools, and when the process of gaining knowledge is experienced together with friends, everyone benefits. Launching a book club in your meeting will help you and other Friends deepen your understanding of a particular topic, and it will offer a warm welcome for newcomers to your meeting. For book ideas, check out The Meetinghouse Bookshelf and the Meeting for Reading series on QuakerBooks.org.

5) Invite children and teenagers into the life of your meeting. The spiritual experiences of young people are as deep and invigorating as that of the grown-ups in their lives, so building your community’s activities around them is a must. Resources like Faith & Play™ Stories help awaken the mystery of faith in children ages three to eight, and the Build It! Toolkit offers several worthwhile suggestions and exercises for encouraging intergenerational community in your meeting. If you currently offer opportunities for children and young adults in your meeting, make sure you share that information regularly and publicly, especially on your QuakerFinder listing!