Seaville Monthly Meeting is a small community with a membership which is wide spread geographically. This poses some challenges both to our worship and business. However, we find that our worship is often deeply centered. Both silence and vocal ministry are a part of meeting regularly. Our vocal ministry often follows a “theme” with one message building on or contributing to another. Our practice of giving those in attendance a chance afterwards to mention anything that did not rise during worship results in additional ministry and encourages all to contribute. We hope that by encouraging this sharing we will spark more ministry during the worship. We also strive to listen to and accept all viewpoints as inspired by the spirit. Over the years we have found that listening this way leads to loving even those we deeply disagree with.
We are struggling to bring worship to some members who cannot attend in person due to age or infirmities. It is our goal to be able to ”stream” worship via Zoom at least once a month but so far we have had technical difficulties achieving this although we have been able to hold most business meetings in this fashion. We also hold some committee meetings via Zoom which makes it easier on our aging membership to attend and be active.
We have set a goal of welcoming all who come to meeting and trying to make them feel valued and comfortable. We end every meeting with introductions of all in attendance. Visitors are welcomed and encouraged to return. Due to the lack of public transportation in the area members often provide rides to those who need them. Recently we initiated a fellowship First Day, in which refreshments are shared and we get to know each other better. We hold monthly midweek sessions which are mostly centered around testimonies and concerns of the membership.
Members of the meeting volunteer with several organizations and churches in the area. Members are active with food pantries and services for the homeless and for children. We have done joint projects with our nearest neighbor church. We also initiated our Knitting for Peace project, which is sending knitted items to Ukraine though contact with a local organization. Unfortunately the local Ministerium is no longer active, but we have contacts with several local churches.
We have a number of members and attenders from different religious backgrounds who have expressed a desire to learn more about Quaker spiritually. We are working on developing an adult education program in this area for the fall to meet their needs.
Overall, the meeting continues to address the issues caused by our geographic separation and our aging membership and in doing so remains vibrant and growing in the light.
