For details see “Upcoming Events” page.

LEARN. DISCERN. ACT. HOPE. REPEAT.

Last year we called our film/discussion evenings LEARN ACT HOPE REPEAT. This year we added the word DISCERN. To learn is one thing, and to take what we have learned and DISCERN what actions we will take to best support our Quaker testimonies is another. Where do we go to learn? Who do we believe? 

This is a common question and concern for all who seek to make this world a better place. The Religious Society of Friends is different from other denominations; we do not follow a set creed. This puts just about everything up for discussion which was most certainly true for the film/discussion committee as we met numerous times attempting to choose the films for 2024. It’s a work in progress. One thing we quickly agreed on: freshly popped popcorn and other healthy snacks for all. Admission is by donation. 

MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH AND INDIGENOUS LENS

Saturday, March 16, 6:30-9:00 pm

The Quaker Meetinghouse, 6387 Quaker Road, Sparta

Presentation by:

Tracey Whiteye, RSW, MSW

Moravian of the Thames, Delaware Nation

To learn is one thing, and to take what we have learned and DISCERN what actions we will take to best support our Quaker testimonies is another. Where do we go to learn? Who do we believe? 

This is a common question and concern for all who seek to make this world a better place. The Religious Society of Friends is different from other denominations; we do not follow a set creed. This puts just about everything up for discussion which was most certainly true for the film/discussion committee as we met numerous times attempting to choose the films for 2024. One thing we quickly agreed on: freshly popped popcorn and other healthy snacks for all. Admission is by donation. 

Join us January 20: for “Voices Across the Divide” film with a follow-up discussion by Matthew Legge, the Communication Coordinator for the Canadian Friends Service Committee, and author of Are We Done Fighting? From 6:30pm – 9:00pm This, like many of our film and discussion series, is a difficult topic and we hope you come with your minds open and your hearts prepared.

Film Summary: Voices Across the Divide explores the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through rarely heard personal stories. Narrated by Alice Rothchild, an American Jew raised on the tragedies of the Holocaust and the dream of a Jewish homeland in Israel, the film follows her personal journey as she begins to
understand the Palestinian narrative, while exploring the Palestinian experience of loss, occupation, statelessness, and immigration to the US. The documentary is both a personal journey to understand the Palestinian narrative as well as the implications and contradictions of deeply held cultural beliefs in the Jewish community.

SAVE THE DATES for upcoming film / speaker series Learn. Discern. Act. Hope. Repeat.

February 17: 6:30pm – 9:00pm and also March 16, 2024: 6:30pm – 9pm 

Note: these films and topics are aimed at adults. See you at the Meetinghouse.

Although the day was rainy and windy, Friends gathered at Pinafore Park for a potluck supper. We then put the finishing touches on the lanterns. Before placing them on the water, a Friend spoke about the tragedy of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and also of the threat we all face as these weapons continue to proliferate around the world. After a minute of silence, we placed them in the water. A friend played the theme music from the movie, Schindler’s List on his violin. It was a peaceful and reflective experience. Thank-you to everyone for adding their gifts to the day, organizing the event and making the lanterns.  

Join us at the meetinghouse in Sparta for three evenings this winter. We will provide a documentary film and facilitate a short discussion and offer up a list of concrete actions that you can do to make a difference.

January 21, 7-9 pm. Seed: the Untold Story

February 18, 7-9 pm. World Beyond War

March 18, 7-9 pm. What about the water (Local Indigenous Focus)

Tea and healthy snacks will be available.

Admission is free or by donation.

October 2, 2022 is World Quaker Day and you are welcome to join us at the Meetinghouse in Sparta to celebrate! Curious about what Quakerism is? Find out today with conversation, a look at the historic Meetinghouse, a welcoming worship experience, meet the Quaker Oats man, share a meal and bring the kids to join the activities created for them. Mask wearing indoors is encouraged to respect our vulnerable members. Also a reunion of Friends new and old – we’d love to see you. 

SCHEDULE 10am-2pm 
10:00-10:45* Coffee & Conversation: Small groups to ask all your questions about Quakerism
10:45-11:00 About silent worship & why it’s awesome!
11:00-12:00 Worship Together
12:00-1:30 Potluck Lunch
1:30-2:00 Socializing or join a conversation circle

*Programmed Children’s Activities 10:30am until 12 noon.

Meeting for worship continues each Sunday from 11 AM – 12:00 noon.

Mask wearing is optional. However, maintaining distance of 2 meters (except persons from household)  and use of hand sanitizer is strongly recommended for the respect and safety of of our elderly and vulnerable population.

Please join us next Sunday at 11AM at the meetinghouse.

Meeting for worship continues each Sunday from 11am-11:30am using Zoom. Afterwards we have about 20 minutes for visiting with each other.

Our current guidelines from Southwestern Ontario Health are that in-person religious services are permitted as long as they only have 30% of capacity of the room. Friends who would like to meet at the meetinghouse are welcome to do so. Masks and social distancing are required. Hand sanitizer will be available and is recommended. The number of people that can meet inside the building should not exceed 12. Protocols are often changing so check back here for any updates.

Please join us next Sunday at 11 am, either using Zoom, or by visiting the meetinghouse. Send us an email if you need the link to join virtually. All are welcome in both places!

As of January 2021 we will be holding meeting for worship in our individual homes until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in our area. Weekly virtual worship and sharing is being offered currently as an alternative option, contact us for details.

KAIROS Blanket Exercise Teaching & Sharing Circles

Building Positive Relationships between Indigenous & non-Indigenous Peoples                                              ~ FALL 2020 PUBLIC SCHEDULE ~ Led by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers with extensive experience facilitating the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE), these 2-hour interactive online sessions aim to build positive relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through truth-sharing and open dialogue. Based in Indigenous worldviews and using Indigenous teachings and protocols, this new series addresses both historical and contemporary topics in an honest and personal way. The number of participants is limited, so please register early to ensure your spot. The fee is $25 per session. A Zoom link will be sent a few days before the event to those who have registered.

 

UPCOMING SESSIONS  
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 – Social Injustice in the Court Systems 

Here is the link which provides details of each session and the respective presenter as well as the registration links:

“Registration is Open” KAIROS Blanket Exercise Teaching & Sharing Circles

For more information, please contact Carole Umana at cumana@kairoscanada.org.  

Pendle Hill    CARY LECTURE NOW AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

Over 200 people registered to watch author and historian Tom Hammdeliver this year’s Stephen G. Cary Memorial Lecture entitled “The Road to Pendle Hill.” Tom’s presentation was recorded and will debut on our YouTube channel, PendleHillUSA, If you weren’t able to “attend” the lecture via Zoom last month we hope you’ll check it out!