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    Spring has come to Montana. Our rivers are flowing cold and full, wildflowers are popping, birds are beginning to nest, calves are cavorting in green pastures, and political advertisements are already abundant and aggravating. Yes, we are ramping up for an election year. Does fear and loathing disrupt your equanimity? Do acquaintances and in-laws manifest opinions or favor candidates that are upsettng? Do we keep our heads down, turn off our media, and avoid conversations with those who inhabit the other side of “the Divide”? Or is there an alternative path, a path of engagement, where conversation with those on the “other side” becomes an opportunity to learn, to build bridges or heal damaged relationships?
    This August 16-18, 2024, we invite you to Montana Gathering of Friends (MGOF), to join us in seeking guidance on this alternative path with a special Friend-in-Residence. We will also enjoy worship sharing groups, interest groups, fellowship, singing, family fun night, and recreation, including hiking, river floating (on the nearby Yellowstone), and delicious mountain air, starry night skies, spectacular scenery, and deep worship.
Our Friend-in-Residence and plenary speaker this summer is Karen Tibbals, a Quaker from New Jersey. Karen will share practical ideas and techniques from her book “Persuade, Don’t Preach: Restoring Civility Across the Political Divide.” Karen has developed an approach to bridging “the Divide” based on Moral Foundations theory, which holds that political opinions are based on deeper moral values, which themselves are rarely discussed. She shares her approach to bridging “the Divide” using media and experiential learning exercises. You can explore Karen’s bridge building work at her blogpost: https://www.ethicalleadership.org/
        Per tradition, Summer MGOF will be held in the cool mountains south of Livingston, Montana, at Luccock Park Camp. Luccock Park is a beautiful historic church camp on the edge of the spectacular Absaroka Wilderness, only an hour north of Yellowstone National Park. Montana Quakers have come to love the beauty, tranquility, inspiring scenery and spiritual refreshment at this special Camp and Gathering for over 40 years.
    The camp offers a variety of small and large group cabins, campsites, three fresh-cooked meals per day in the dining hall, and a quiet spacious campus. The fee is very reasonable, and is based on a “pay as you are led” model, so that no one is excluded, regardless of their economic situation. Children are welcome, and are charged no fee. We will start the retreat early Friday evening August 16 with a Potluck Dinner featuring “grown in Montana” or “home-made in Montana” dishes, and we will conclude after Sunday lunch August 18, 2024. We hope you can make it and look forward to seeing you there.
Please go to www.montanafriends.org to register and see a detailed weekend schedule. For questions, call Carol Bellin at (406) 542-4223 or Larry Leonard ati(406)581-8852.