2012 STATE OF SOCIETY REPORT, OAK PARK FRIENDS MEETING
This year we have been cautious about taking on new work to avoid overextending our time and energy. Some of our more active members in past years have been pulled in other directions, either figuratively or literally. More recent attenders are becoming more comfortable and beginning to become more active. New nudges from the Spirit meant for our entire community have not been clearly sensed.
Vocal ministry has been given nearly every week, and has felt deeply Spirit led. Both silent worship and vocal ministry have refreshed and inspired us.
Our Ministry & Care Committee carries on faithfully. They have set up several Clearness Committees this year, and in many ways support the needs of our spiritual community.
Our Peace & Justice Committee is rather small and has not created a specific focus this year. However, they work hard to support individual concerns and to fulfill requests from business meetings. They often bring a list of action items to business meetings, which are usually appreciated and well accepted.
The Children's Religious Education Committee, working without a clerk, lovingly ministers to the needs of children and parents who attend. They continue to employ Amanda who develops and provides the curriculum each First Day when children attend. Her presence assures us that children will learn good Quaker values as they engage in age-appropriate activities. The Committee seasons the curriculum and communication decisions, and fill in when Amanda is away.
Our Adult Religious Education program is without a coordinator this year. However, there is a scheduler who finds appropriate time slots for programs that individuals want to give. We've had a wide variety of programs, and have been able to use unscheduled time slots for worship sharing on timely topics. We have started to explore Quaker Testimonies, which we hope will appeal to both newer and more experienced folks.
In late April we were told we could no longer rent our space at the Art League. We started to discern criteria and places to contact, then learned that we do not have to move out after all. It was good to be able to put our sense of urgency to rest.
This year we have been cautious about taking on new work to avoid overextending our time and energy. Some of our more active members in past years have been pulled in other directions, either figuratively or literally. More recent attenders are becoming more comfortable and beginning to become more active. New nudges from the Spirit meant for our entire community have not been clearly sensed.
Vocal ministry has been given nearly every week, and has felt deeply Spirit led. Both silent worship and vocal ministry have refreshed and inspired us.
Our Ministry & Care Committee carries on faithfully. They have set up several Clearness Committees this year, and in many ways support the needs of our spiritual community.
Our Peace & Justice Committee is rather small and has not created a specific focus this year. However, they work hard to support individual concerns and to fulfill requests from business meetings. They often bring a list of action items to business meetings, which are usually appreciated and well accepted.
The Children's Religious Education Committee, working without a clerk, lovingly ministers to the needs of children and parents who attend. They continue to employ Amanda who develops and provides the curriculum each First Day when children attend. Her presence assures us that children will learn good Quaker values as they engage in age-appropriate activities. The Committee seasons the curriculum and communication decisions, and fill in when Amanda is away.
Our Adult Religious Education program is without a coordinator this year. However, there is a scheduler who finds appropriate time slots for programs that individuals want to give. We've had a wide variety of programs, and have been able to use unscheduled time slots for worship sharing on timely topics. We have started to explore Quaker Testimonies, which we hope will appeal to both newer and more experienced folks.
In late April we were told we could no longer rent our space at the Art League. We started to discern criteria and places to contact, then learned that we do not have to move out after all. It was good to be able to put our sense of urgency to rest.
