by WebPost | Aug 5, 2021 | Announcement
In this series, four members of our community will engage in a dialogue with a member of ASE about a book that has been important in their spiritual journey. Participants are not expected to read the books prior to the sessions, but may wish to do so. All programs are presented virtually at 9:30 am.
• September 18 with Beth Morrison. Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson (facilitated by Allen Lee). *Note that this is a change from the book listed in the August newsletter.
• October 2 with Pearl Ball. Medicine for the Earth by Sandra Ingerman (facilitated by Ellen Arginteanu). *Note that this is a change from the book listed in the July newsletter.
• October 16 with Mason Mairead. The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners, by Jack Hawley (facilitated by Diane Bowden).
• October 30 with Cal Pringle. The Horse and His Boy, by C. S. Lewis, with additional material from Mere Christianity, also by Lewis (facilitated by Barbara Hulburt).
by WebPost | Aug 5, 2021 | Announcement
Among Friends
Imagine biking sections of the Capital Trail, or taking short walks in the James River Park system, or reading and discussing books that increase your understanding of critical race theory. What about learning a new craft, or visiting local museums and galleries, or watching films in languages other than English? Many of us long to explore a new interest or hobby, and find it more engaging when we pursue that interest with f/Friends. That's what Friendly Eights are all about: sharing an interest or new pursuit with a small group of folks--usually around 8 in number--from October to May (and sometimes year-round!). Even during the pandemic, several Friendly Eights met for socially distanced outdoor activities, or gathered over Zoom (RFM maintains a Zoom account that makes virtual meet-ups possible).
The Care and Counsel Committee is responsible for overseeing the Friendly Eights program, and any member can answer your questions about forming a group or joining up. We always aim to offer a group called "Old Friends, New Friends" which helps orient those new to Richmond Friends Meeting and connect with a few folks who are familiar with RFM's history and Quaker practices.
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Before September 12, consider a Friendly Eight topic you'd like to organize or help facilitate. Typically, Care and Counsel posts sign-up sheets in the foyer behind our worship room early in September, and encourages folks to sign up throughout the month. The first meetings usually happen in October. This year, Care and Counsel will make sure to broadcast the formation of Friendly Eights via the listserv, too. To help us track Friendly Eight suggested topics, gauge interest, and publicize this year's options, please furnish your ideas by September 12 to Tera Yoder or Randee Humphrey.
by WebPost | Aug 5, 2021 | Announcement
Approved Proposal on Returning to Worship in the Meetinghouse
With concern for the well-being of the community, Meeting requests that all who can be vaccinated do so. (See minutes of 7th month meeting for business at the end of this newsletter.) The following schedule of worship begins immediately as an interim approach.
1. Worship on Sundays, weekly at 9:30 am via Zoom
2. Worship on Sundays, weekly at 11:00 am in-person at the Meetinghouse. Masks are expected for all who are able to wear them. Appropriate distancing – based on vaccination status and age - is expected.
3. Worship on Sundays (1st and 4th weeks), outdoors at The Clearing at 11 am. 4. Worship sharing on Wednesdays, weekly at 7 pm via Zoom.
M&W anticipates modifications based on availability of blended meeting technology, upgrades to the ventilation system, COVID prevalence, and our community experience of worship.
The link for the 9:30 worship on Zoom will be distributed on the newslist.
by WebPost | Jul 6, 2021 | Announcement
As you may know, the national effort is called "National Immigrant Transit Assistance" (NITA) and the local Richmond volunteers that meet asylum seekers at the Greyhound terminal are called "Richmond Immigrant Transit Assistance (RITA).Â
Richmond is one of the most important hubs as travelers come through from the border either from the west from Dallas or from a southern route through Atlanta and Raleigh. Many asylum seekers coming through Richmond are headed north to northern states such as Maryland and New York or a few even go to the Tidewater area of Virginia. Of course, some asylum seekers have Richmond as their final destination. Â
RITA in Richmond is in great need of volunteers to meet asylum seekers traveling through or to Richmond.  I asked one of the lead volunteers in RITA,  Kathy Hsu Wibberly, how interested, safe people could volunteer to meet the asylum seekers on buses in Richmond.  Kathy Hsu Wibberly said that persons interested in volunteering with RITA at the Richmond Greyhound Station could do the following to sign up to learn more:1). Download the Signal App to your cell phone and text Kathy Hsu Wibberly directly at: 434.906.4960,OR2). Email:  [email protected]Â
Although it is extremely helpful to know Spanish, it is not a requirement. They do so much to help the asylum seekers including providing safety, helping to get them to the correct connecting bus ontime, and providing food.  So there is a great deal of teamwork that goes into this effort.Â
by WebPost | Jul 6, 2021 | Announcement
Volunteer Opportunity
Quaker House of Fayetteville (QuakerHouse.org) is in a good position, spiritually and fiscally, to consider expanding programs, which is provident, because the needs of military personnel and their families continues to
grow.
We need a bit of help. Our Executive Director has served for over 5 years, and her work has grown and evolved as needed. It's time to review and update the Job Description. Having an updated description of the work in place will guide us in hiring appropriate additional staff. To that end, a
small ad hoc committee will include an experienced Board Member, and ex officio, the current Executive Director, Kindra Bailey.
As are the Boards of many nonprofits, we are stretched thin, so we are reaching out to our Meeting Community to ask for help. This could certainly be any willing person who is led, but if you have experience in Human Resources, it would put to good use. If you have interest in knowing more, please reach out to me at (804) 617- 6312 or [email protected].