The Building a Meaningful and Connected Life eRetreat delves into the profound spirituality of meaning-making, resilience, renewal, and life transitions. Through contemplative practices and insightful discussions, we navigate the rich tapestry of growing older at any age, embracing its spiritual gifts across the lifespan. Join us as we explore the depths of personal growth, connection, and purpose, fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to lead a truly meaningful and connected life.
Mindfulness
Meet the Father and Daughter Co-clerking Duo of Old Haverford Meeting
When Kristin Simmons’ youngest daughter was born, her husband Tim was working at Delaware Valley Friends School. As lifelong Catholics, they were feeling disillusioned with church, and decided it was time for a change. Together the family turned to Quakerism, looking for a simpler, connected life to the divine Light. It was both faith and community that drew the couple to Old Haverford Monthly Meeting seventeen years ago. When Kristin was young, her mother worked as a librarian at a Quaker school for 20+ years and committed time focusing on social justice issues and sharing key insights among various faith groups. Kristin’s father, George Salloom, and his wife remained practicing Catholics until about seven years ago when George became a member of the Quaker community.
The father and daughter duo, George and Kristin, now serve as co-clerks at Old Haverford Meeting. They both hold master’s degrees in social work; George graduated from Howard University while Kristin graduated from University of Pennsylvania. Kristin also currently serves as PYM’s Youth Engagement Coordinator on the Program and Religious Life team. Their stories of how they became Quakers and co-clerks of Old Haverford Monthly Meeting are heartwarming and engaging.
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How Can the Practice of Mindfulness Benefit Friends?
We live in a fast-paced world, with a constant stream of input from email, news, texts, and social media. Whether we are working from home or are in retirement, we are bombarded with so much stimulation that the still small voice inside is easily crowded out, and we lose our grounding.
Mindfulness meditation is a spiritual practice that has its origin in the teachings of the Buddha and has been described as “learning to become aware, in the moment, of exactly what is happening, without judgement.” (Jon Kabat-Zinn) As we learn to quiet the mind by centering our awareness on the body or the breath, we begin to slow down, the mind becomes quieter, and we become more receptive to the voice of the Spirit. [Read more…] about How Can the Practice of Mindfulness Benefit Friends?
10-Minute Mindfulness Meditation Session with Deborah Cooper
Deborah Cooper of Germantown Monthly Meeting has been practicing mindfulness and Buddhism for the last 15 years. Deborah is a licensed professional counselor in private practice and is a provider for the Friends Counseling Service. She studied Mindfulness Stress Reduction at Thomas Jefferson Hospital.
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