This past year the Meeting has gradually transitioned from all virtual, Zoom based, meetings for Worship and Business to a hybrid practice, with about half of the participants in person at the meetinghouse and half via Zoom. We recognize the limitations of Zoom, but it has provided a means to hold the community together.
Focus on climate change, eco-justice and social action
In May 2020 the meeting developed and adopted an Eco-Justice and Environmental Action Plan. This plan was the basis of a number of activities and initiatives. The restrictions of the pandemic have delayed much of the planned actions, but the meeting is now ready to move forward again.
The Wider World Committee held several public Zoom meetings in Fall 2021 to address climate change.
The meeting has a new HVAC system designed for energy efficiency. It has remote programming for limited use, thereby reducing our carbon footprint. Many of the lighting fixtures have been converted to LED.
The meeting sources its electricity from green 100% renewable sources, and the hot water heating is an on-demand system.
The meeting continues to be one of several medicinal herb garden growsite partners with Woodstock Timebank which supports disadvantaged communities in Chester County, PA.
The meeting has an FCNL Advocacy Team which focuses on inequalities in the criminal justice system.
The meeting financially supports a Community Service Fund which has provided over $7000 to locally disadvantaged families and individuals through rent and utility payments. The budgeted amount was exhausted after the initial four months but community members have continued to contribute.
The meeting supports a Little Free Library on its property which provides books and food staples to the community at large.
The meeting has supported an AVP effort for Peruvian communities in the Amazon.
How have we evolved spiritually?
In addition to First Day worship, the meeting provides opportunities for worship and sharing every night at 7 pm. Members have also participated in the morning worship provided by Pendle Hill.
The Worship and Spiritual Growth Committee has developed excellent programs for Adult First Day forums including programs on Trauma and Healing, Clerking, Quaker Process, Joyful Singing, FCNL, Pendle Hill Pamphlets, Clearness Committees, Gun Control, and more.
The use of Zoom has enabled contributions by those unable to attend in person. The meeting is also looking at ways to strengthen hybrid meetings through better audio-visual conferencing capabilities.
The meeting recognizes the challenges of attracting and retaining younger Friends and is now more prepared for childcare and is paying more attention to this issue. The meeting established a new website to appeal to a younger audience and it is being used frequently.
The meeting has a Couples Group which has been meeting via Zoom. This group provides opportunities to deepen and assess our connectiveness.
The meeting has an active Women’s Group which provides valuable spiritual nurture through a variety of topics. Almost every month since the pandemic began the Women’s Group has met (8 – 15 attending).
Communal witness of the Meeting to the local community
The meeting is an active participant in an organized ecumenical group Christian Churches United.
The meeting worked with local organizations to provide showers for the homeless in our facility. Unfortunately, these plans did not go forward due to organizational challenges.
The meeting participates in the local Inter-Religious Forum which, among other actions, plans an inter-religious Thanksgiving service.
The meeting is currently considering participating with Church World Services for refugee settlement services.
The meeting actively participates in the planning of Caln Quarter programs and members of the meeting are active in PYM.
Submitted 04/09/2022
Respectfully
Garry Brinton, Clerk
