Jean Jones Andersen was a lifelong student of the Bible, world religions  and spirituality. In her later years, she initiated and facilitated many spirit-led groups in her home which she called “Questers Lodge”, including dream work, Jungian studies, Islamic studies, and the multi-year Education for Ministry.  She also started Bible Workbench, for years a weekly gathering at 9:30 at our Meeting.

Jean always challenged us in our spiritual journeys, but above all she led by example. She invited others into her home, her life, and into the process of her dying. Many of us grew intellectually and spiritually thanks to her programs.  Many were deeply touched by her and by her encouraging us to “trust the process.”

When she passed away in 2009, she left Richmond Friends Meeting a generous bequest that she intended to be a challenge regarding the future of adult spiritual education in our Meeting.  Her bequest became our Adult Spiritual Education Fund, which has since helped us expand our library, engage workshop leaders, continue Bible Workbench,  give scholarships to Quaker conferences and sponsor longer term programs, like “The New Jim Crow” series.  As a result RFM committees have been inspired to work together and invigorate adult spiritual education in our Meeting.

The Adult Spiritual Education Committee now plans to collect memories of Jean, which we will compile and preserve in our policy and procedures manual.  This will assure that as the years pass, Friends will continue to know and appreciate the many ways that Jean inspired our community.

We invite you to remember Jean, write something about your experiences with her, and send written memories to Monica Shaw of the Adult Spiritual Education committee.