Winter 2020 Quarterly Meeting: Feb 21-23, 2020
Some Friends feel that their beliefs have been questioned by others in the Monthly Meeting. Some find certain words painful or off-putting. Many of us don’t even share our personal beliefs for fear that others may criticize them, try to change our minds or even ridicule them. Our individual spiritual experiences may be difficult to put into words.
Theme: Listening to Where the Words Come From
The North Pacific Faith and Practice reminds us that “The many words and phrases Friends use for the Divine life and power at the heart of the universe reflect the diversity of beliefs and variety of experiences among us. What one Friend may understand as the Inward Christ, another Friend may understand as the Ground of Being. Over the centuries, Friends have used many such words and phrases: God, the Eternal, the Truth, the Holy Spirit, the Divine Principle, the Light Within, the Inward (or Inner) Light, the Seed, the Light of Christ, Christ Within, the Living God, Lord, the Word, and others. All such terms are weak attempts to express the inexpressible—that which is beyond words (Faith and Practice 2018 ).”
We may think of this as a modern problem, but as John Woolman said in 1762, “ There is a principle that is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath different names; it is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from anywhere. The heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation so ever, they become brethren.”
Inexplicably, perhaps the greatest difference between F/friends is the role of Christ in how they understand and express their relationship to the Divine. For some it is a matter of language while for others it is the basis of their faith and their self-understanding. For them it may be impossible to imagine goodness without the guiding hand of the living Christ. As Ministry and Counsel struggled with the concerns of some in MGOF, “...we again ran into the Christian/non-Christian divide in our Montana Quaker community. We want all voices to be welcome at the table: Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. In aspiring to be all inclusive we are blind to the most painful divide of all where we have the most work to do. Someone commented that while we welcome say, a Muslim rising in a meeting for worship with an offering from the Koran, we would often squirm if a Christian were to read from the Bible. Some of us stay away if the language is too Christocentric. Others of us feel restricted and censored about using that same language which is the language of our deepest spiritual experiences and the life of our hearts. In both cases we want to be authentic, to be heard, to be sensitive. We want to be able to speak from our own hearts in our own language and hope that those listening will be able to listen to our hearts even if they stumble over the language. “Compassionate, active listening is truly a challenge when our own triggers and wounds are touched (Julia Childs, 2019)”
At winter MGOF 2020, we hope to speak and to listen to one another, sharing our experiences and how we have interpreted them. Friends may want to try to put their belief into words that others can understand or be open to sharing out of the silence without preparing in advance. For some this will be easy. For some, intimidating, and for others a struggle that requires deep searching. Our “experience” may be a classical mystical one, teachings from our youth, a formulation based on extensive study, mentoring from a friend or teacher, reaction to a special event, many of these together, or other such occurrences.
We may think of this as a modern problem, but as John Woolman said in 1762, “ There is a principle that is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath different names; it is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from anywhere. The heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation so ever, they become brethren.”
Inexplicably, perhaps the greatest difference between F/friends is the role of Christ in how they understand and express their relationship to the Divine. For some it is a matter of language while for others it is the basis of their faith and their self-understanding. For them it may be impossible to imagine goodness without the guiding hand of the living Christ. As Ministry and Counsel struggled with the concerns of some in MGOF, “...we again ran into the Christian/non-Christian divide in our Montana Quaker community. We want all voices to be welcome at the table: Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. In aspiring to be all inclusive we are blind to the most painful divide of all where we have the most work to do. Someone commented that while we welcome say, a Muslim rising in a meeting for worship with an offering from the Koran, we would often squirm if a Christian were to read from the Bible. Some of us stay away if the language is too Christocentric. Others of us feel restricted and censored about using that same language which is the language of our deepest spiritual experiences and the life of our hearts. In both cases we want to be authentic, to be heard, to be sensitive. We want to be able to speak from our own hearts in our own language and hope that those listening will be able to listen to our hearts even if they stumble over the language. “Compassionate, active listening is truly a challenge when our own triggers and wounds are touched (Julia Childs, 2019)”
At winter MGOF 2020, we hope to speak and to listen to one another, sharing our experiences and how we have interpreted them. Friends may want to try to put their belief into words that others can understand or be open to sharing out of the silence without preparing in advance. For some this will be easy. For some, intimidating, and for others a struggle that requires deep searching. Our “experience” may be a classical mystical one, teachings from our youth, a formulation based on extensive study, mentoring from a friend or teacher, reaction to a special event, many of these together, or other such occurrences.
As always, the weekend will provide many chances for both deep connection and joy-filled times. As always, there will be childcare and fun with children, music-making, and worship together. We hope you'll join us!
Registration
Registration is online. If you find that the online registration process is prohibitive, or if you know of a member of your worship group who cannot register electronically, please contact the webmaster (Geoff Poole) from the Contact Page of this website. Geoff will arrange for registration by phone.
The cost to attend is not fixed. The testimony of simplicity calls us to reap the spiritual rewards of giving and receiving freely. The testimony of equality calls us to listen to the truth that each one of us has to offer. Let us pay attention to the opportunity we have now to contribute our gifts to this gathering, and let our lives speak.
The cost to MGOF is $150 per person to use our chosen venue for the Gathering. Please contribute to that cost as you are led, remembering our desire to welcome everyone who wishes to come.
The cost to attend is not fixed. The testimony of simplicity calls us to reap the spiritual rewards of giving and receiving freely. The testimony of equality calls us to listen to the truth that each one of us has to offer. Let us pay attention to the opportunity we have now to contribute our gifts to this gathering, and let our lives speak.
The cost to MGOF is $150 per person to use our chosen venue for the Gathering. Please contribute to that cost as you are led, remembering our desire to welcome everyone who wishes to come.
Agenda
** indicates times for children's program
FRIDAY, Feb 21
3:00-4:20 Ministry and Council Meeting
4:00 Registration Begins
4:30-5:50 Steering Committee Meeting
6:00-7:00 Potluck Dinner
7:00-8:30 Gathering in the Lodge Check-in and Fellowship for all folks, young and old.
SATURDAY Feb 22
7:00 Early Morning Worship and Breakfast in the lodge
**8:30-10:00 Plenary Session in the lodge
**10:30-12:00 Worship Sharing
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:30-2:45 Interest Groups
Free Time with snacks available
**3:30-5:30 Meeting for Worship for Business 6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:30-9:00 Community Night
9:00 Singing!!
SUNDAY Feb 23
7:00 Early Morning Worship and Breakfast in the lodge
**830-10:00 Worship Sharing
10:15-11:15 Singing!!
**11:30-12:00 Silent Worship
12:00- 1:00 Lunch
1:00 Clean Rooms and Say Goodbye!
FRIDAY, Feb 21
3:00-4:20 Ministry and Council Meeting
4:00 Registration Begins
4:30-5:50 Steering Committee Meeting
6:00-7:00 Potluck Dinner
7:00-8:30 Gathering in the Lodge Check-in and Fellowship for all folks, young and old.
SATURDAY Feb 22
7:00 Early Morning Worship and Breakfast in the lodge
**8:30-10:00 Plenary Session in the lodge
**10:30-12:00 Worship Sharing
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:30-2:45 Interest Groups
Free Time with snacks available
**3:30-5:30 Meeting for Worship for Business 6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:30-9:00 Community Night
9:00 Singing!!
SUNDAY Feb 23
7:00 Early Morning Worship and Breakfast in the lodge
**830-10:00 Worship Sharing
10:15-11:15 Singing!!
**11:30-12:00 Silent Worship
12:00- 1:00 Lunch
1:00 Clean Rooms and Say Goodbye!
Directions
When you arrive at the Gold Creek exit #166 on I-90, head south across the Clark Fork River and continue approximately 1⁄2 mile until you see the small white church on your right. Turn right at the church, pass under the 6C Ranches sign, then turn left and drive up the hill, passing under the Camp Mak-A-Dream sign. The parking lot will be up the hill on your left.
Notables...
1. NO PETS!
2. Bring ALL bedding including pillows, blankets, sheets, pillowcases and towels.
3. Remember a bathing suit for the hot tub. Towels are provided only for the hot tub. Please bring a towel for your personal needs.
4. Tea and coffee will be available in the lodge, but the cabins also have the equipment for making tea and coffee. Please bring coffee and tea supplies if you intend to use the equipment in the cabins.
5. We will use cabins separate from the main lodge. Each has two dorm rooms housing 7 persons each (lower bunks), two bathrooms and one single room with two twins. All facilities are accessible.
6. Bring skis, sleds, snow shoes and boots.
7. There is an activity room with ping pong, foosball, TV and pool tables.
8. Breakfast WILL be provided this year.
2. Bring ALL bedding including pillows, blankets, sheets, pillowcases and towels.
3. Remember a bathing suit for the hot tub. Towels are provided only for the hot tub. Please bring a towel for your personal needs.
4. Tea and coffee will be available in the lodge, but the cabins also have the equipment for making tea and coffee. Please bring coffee and tea supplies if you intend to use the equipment in the cabins.
5. We will use cabins separate from the main lodge. Each has two dorm rooms housing 7 persons each (lower bunks), two bathrooms and one single room with two twins. All facilities are accessible.
6. Bring skis, sleds, snow shoes and boots.
7. There is an activity room with ping pong, foosball, TV and pool tables.
8. Breakfast WILL be provided this year.