Life seems to be divided between Before Covid, During Covid, and Post- Covid. At least we hope we have entered the latter stage.
To assess the spiritual life of Schuylkill Friends Meeting it may be wisest to begin with Once Upon a Time or Pre-pandemic.
At that time, Meeting enjoyed an active First Day School, a Reading Group, active and appropriate Vocal Ministry, dinners that welcomed everyone, committees that served dutifully and well. All activities seemed well grounded in a deep understanding of Quaker Faith and Practice. There were, as usual, certain strains. A small Meeting, Clerks served longer and longer tenures. This is a concern, as duties may limit time spent on meditation, prayer, or Quaker reading. There is also an understandable worry that clerkship, intended for a limited time, may become interminable – and exhausting.
Then Covid descended. Zooming Quaker Meeting did not seem to appeal to all members and our numbers dropped. Study groups ended and community dinners ceased. All understandable. Sharing experiences in which Deep speaks to Deep may seem less meaningful via a computer screen and individual members may have felt isolated in their spiritual journeys.
In the fall of 2021, Schuylkill Friends held a Retreat at a farm in Chester Springs. The 18 acres were a William Penn grant and the barn and farmhouse hospitable, comfortable, and “Quakerly” still in their simplicity. Over 20 Friends gathered to discuss their journeys, spiritual listening, and to simply enjoy seeing and when feeling brave, hugging one another. As always, a bountiful meal was served. We delighted in what seemed a revival of Community.
We are early in our Post-pandemic year and, despite the joyous gathering in the fall, the numbers attending Meeting have diminished though there does seem to be a slow return of some members and even a few new and very welcome faces. Several have inquired about membership. Individual members still zoom because of poor health or distance. The reading group has not gathered and our time together is primarily an hour of silent worship during which little vocal ministry is offered. Work parties keep the building in good condition and though some may wonder if this is an aspect of our spiritual life, Friends remember that service is part of the Testimony of Community, a Quaker value that the secular world seems to be struggling to experience.
Recently Friends have spoken of individual commitments to contact those Friends we have not seen recently, and the happy thought of another Retreat has been entertained. During this time together we will once again pursue a deeper understanding of Quaker values, Testimonies and spirituality. We know we are fewer in number, but we are determined to rebuild our Beloved Community, never forgetting that it is rooted in the Spiritual Life of the Religious Society of the Friends of Truth.
