Author Archives: Quakerkathleen
A mover and a Quaker (not Shaker)
Yesterday I had the honor and gift of accompanying in prayer a group of faithful individuals, being sentenced by the state for their faithful actions. You may read more about the details here. One particular moment stayed with me after … Continue reading
Not Bowling Alone.
In 2000 Robert Putnam wrote an important book – Bowling Alone. Putnam talks about social capital, asserts some theories about how we connect in communities, and what drives us as humans. If you are someone who thinks a lot about … Continue reading
A Tale of Six Rivers…..
The dawn of the digital age among Friends has brought some new ways of thinking about many of our tradition’s practices. One of these I see as most impacted is membership. What does it mean to the Quaker definition of … Continue reading
Creativity and listening in all spaces (even the internet!)
Quaker Meetings and Churches finding new ways of being together. Part one: overview “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just … Continue reading
Ministry report 2022
I have written a report of ministry . I guess this is more than a year – and what is time during a pandemic? I have a few new wordly changes on the horizon, and I am grateful for the … Continue reading
Serotinous Cones and the Flame.
Yesterday in some devotional reading time, I learned about Serotinous Cones. Jack pine has developed what is called a serotinous cone. Serotinous cones are covered with a resin that must be melled for the cone to open and release seeds. When a fire moves … Continue reading
It’s time to flip our meetinghouses. Again.
I am by trade a teacher – former in employment – always on my heart. There was a movement a number of years ago – I must admit I’m not sure where it stands now, to create “flipped classrooms” The … Continue reading
God’s digital table and welcome in a time of much Zooming for the Church
I wrote this letter to my meeting, but it’s for anybody for whom it might be helpful. Zoom is both a great gift – and yet another way to create exclusion. It’s our choice to be attentive. Dear Friends, In … Continue reading
We must carry the loaves and fishes now
(IC: Laura James, artist) Everyone knows the story of the miracle. Jesus finds himself with a small number of loaves and fishes, and 5000 people to feed, and there is enough. A number of years ago, I wrote about the … Continue reading
Disruptive innovation – part of the Quaker tradition in these times?
“Dost thou call this place a church? or dost thou call this mixed multitude a church?” But instead of answering him, the priest asked what a church was? to which George replied, “The church is the pillar and ground of truth, made … Continue reading