Our year-one report to the Shoemaker Fund Trustees was an opportunity to celebrate growth and set course for what’s next. We are grateful for the funding support that is making the expansion and deepening of this ministry possible. Of note from the report:
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Faith & Play stories were part of several yearly meeting gatherings in 2025, monthly meetings are reaching out to share how using stories is impacting intergenerational worship and spiritual community, and expanded training capacity led to 11 trainings attended by Friends from 44 meetings in the US.
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Website subscribers increased by 25% in year one, and three online surveys gathered feedback on story materials, family experiences, and practitioners’ experiences. Survey results will guide resource development and programs shared in year two.
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We worked with Friends Journal, Western Friend, and Quaker Life (Friends United Meeting) to include both print and digital ads in their publications.
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Three new trustees joined the stewardship of Faith & Play Stories from Cincinnati, Wichita, and the Philadelphia area, bringing deep experience and new gifts while also expanding the geographic representation of the group.
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A “Training of Trainers” begins this fall, with two Friends who will increase the geographic diversity and vocational expertise of Quaker trainers; Elizabeth Freyman (Albuquerque, NM) brings a background in special education, and Susanna Ballard (West Hills, OR) is completing her residency in chaplaincy.
What has also become clear is that adding trainers will be an ongoing process in coming years. -
Work is completed on three new stories, all eagerly anticipated by storytellers: a Faith & Play-style telling of Bill Taber’s “Four Doors to Meeting for Worship” pamphlet (with permission from Pendle Hill); a story about Sarah Mapps Douglass, and a story about Bayard Rustin. The latter was shared with Rustin’s partner, Walter Naegle, who responded: “I think the story is delightful, historically accurate, and great for helping young people think about what it means to be themselves, and how they can go about living their values.” The stories are being formatted for release before the new year.
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Trustees worked with Robin Mohr & Associates, LLC to develop a long-term strategy and fundraising plan. Robin’s expertise in development and knowledge of the Faith & Play community grounded the work together and we are grateful for her support with this new aspect of organizational stewardship for Faith & Play.