Ottawa Quakers

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 QUAKER WORKSHOP
“BUILDING OUR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY”
12:30 pm at the meetinghouse

Goals:
– strengthen and build our spiritual community, make it more vital
– build our understanding of what it means to be Quaker
– engage more newcomers in the life of the meeting

A light lunch/finger food refreshments will be provided immediately after Meeting
for Worship.

We will gather for Worship Sharing at 12:30 in a large circle to hear Friends
briefly.

QUESTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED:

1. What am I seeking when I come to meeting for worship?
2. What needs am I hoping to be filled here?
3. What makes me feel welcome/included? excluded/not part of?
4. What are my hopes? experiences? insights? inspirations regarding Ottawa Monthly Meeting

DIVIDE INTO SMALLER GROUPS:

Develop themes that emerge from the Worship Sharing
List:
– inspired ideas
– resource needs
– proposed timeing
– personal commitments

RE-GATHER IN LARGER GROUP

– reports from each group
– commitments to carry forward?
– what follow-up from this meeting? when?
– other

RSVP – [email protected] for numbers for lunch prep

We welcome everyone to our community.  We’ve recently updated our sign to make that a bit clearer.

At 8pm on Wednesday evenings—following unprogrammed Meeting for Worship, which starts at 7pm—Ottawa Monthly Meeting (OMM) is occasionally offering ‘OMM Community Hour.’ During these sessions the presenter speaks about something important in their spiritual journey or practice, or on a particular aspect of Quaker process or history. All are welcome to attend the first hour of Worship and check-ins, or just ‘Things of the Eternal’ or both. Anyone with a leading to share on a topic dear to their heart is invited to contact Steve Fick. 

Please note, on the first Wednesday of the month, a ‘Meeting with a Chosen Focus’ is offered in place of Meeting for Worship and ‘Things of the Eternal,’ ‘Meetings with a Chosen Focus’ start at 7pm and last up to 2 hours. These sessions led by Lilia Fick are open to the broader Quaker community.

Information about the Wednesday evening sessions goes out regularly on our e-mail lists. If you need help getting connected, send an email to [email protected].

It’s actually getting to be hard to keep track of all the possible Zoom opportunities in our community.  If you are on the e-mail lists, you’ll get regular updates about things like the recently organized Christmas events.  Not connected?  If you know us but you’ve been away for a while or just never got on the e-mail lists, email [email protected] .  If you are curious about the Ottawa Quaker community, [email protected] for more information.

We are now gathering twice a week for worship (10:30 am on Sundays and 7 pm on Wednesdays), conducting monthly business meetings, and holding committee and special meetings, mostly in hybrid/blended mode.  We are also pleased that our virtual meetings are more accessible to people who have a difficult time joining us in person.

Everyone on the “minutes” e-mail distribution list should be receiving e-mails about these meetings.  If you aren’t on this e-mail list of members and regular attenders, e-mail the webminder  and I’ll help you get connected. 

If you are curious about Quakers in Ottawa, e-mail  [email protected] to reach our ARE&O (Adult Religious Education and Outreach) committee for more information.

Ottawa Monthly Meeting is currently blessed with an abundance of Young Adult Friends.*  Many of the YAFs are now meeting for a potluck about once a month.  If you self-identify as a YAF and aren’t yet connected to this group, ask around on a Sunday or send the webminder an e-mail and I’ll put you in touch. 

*Quaker-speak for people roughly in their 20’s and 30’s who have a connection to Quakers.