My F/f Thomas T emailed me about the Blogphiladelphia happening next month in downtown Philly. It sounds like it could be silly and interesting at the same time so I’ve signed up.
Personal stalkers making summer plans should keep mid-August open. It looks like my blog/IM/Twitter/Facebook buddy C Wess Daniels and I are going to add yet another social media to our repertoire and actually meet face to face as co-presenters for an evening event at Ohio Yearly Meeting Conservative. Along with Ohio’s David Male we’ll be banging on that ever-popular “Convergent Friends” drum. I’m not sure I’ve ever actually given my two cents on the term and the phenom. I’ll probably post about it in the lead up to the August event as a kind of preparation. Anyone within road-trip distance of Barnesville is invited to come over Friday evening the 17th to hear the talk.
And speaking of Conservative Friends, everyone should check out the great newish website called The Conservative Friend, an unofficial outreach initiative of Ohio Yearly Meeting. It’s simple but attractive, walks that fine line between truth telling and humility with grace and has a wonderful sense of humor and self-awareness that sneaks up on you as you read through. Now who knew Ohio Conservatives had a sense of humor? Seriously, it’s really nice work.
I’ll be missing the Conservative Gathering of Friends being held in the Lancaster, PA, area next weekend. I’d like to claim that money and time is keeping me from attending but it’s hard to argue that when I drove by its meeting site only a few days ago just to look at trains. Well, let’s just say at this moment of life, my spirit needed family time more than Quaker gathering time. I hope it goes well; if any QuakerRanter readers do attend I’d love to hear their impressions.
Martin,
Thee missed a fine gathering, and should have no regrets. Family time is precious.
I needed the boost after a long school year, so was blessed and thankful, to use another Friend’s phrase, to be with Friends, visiting, resting, worshiping.
I was only there from midafternoon the 23rd to midafternoon the 24th, so others will have to fill in some gaps. I felt very much at home, though I’d previously only met about half of the people there. There were Friends of all ages present, and conversations I was involved with included simple matters of daily living, catching up with news (career changes, new babies, graduations, pets, etc.), and sharing the goings on of our spiritual lives.
Worship was great. There was some silence, some loving exhortation, some testimony, some singing, and Gospel preaching. We enjoyed the Presence of the Lord, and each other. A passerby joined us, and said that he appreciated the messages given. He also offered his testimony, which was a blessing.
It was for me a time of refreshment.
It’s good to hear C. Wess and thee plan to be in Ohio. If all goes as planned, I will see you there.
Shalom,
Raye
Hi Raye,
Thanks for dropping by. Yes, I’ve heard some good snippets of reports back from Lancaster. Some surprising people seemed to get there. And the youth gathering in Barnesville has also been generating some interesting blog chatter among younger Friends. I think we’re seeing a pendulum swing, glory be!
It would be great to see you again in Barnesville. And of course you’ll always be welcome for a little ad hoc worship if your travels bring you through South Jersey!
Thine,
Martin