In the recorded conversation below, Elizabeth Freyman from Albuquerque Meeting shares how she and others created a monthly program to meet needs expressed by families. In the same spirit as “Friendly Eights” this iteration of community potluck centers fellowship, but also shared learning.
“A couple of things came together in the fall, when a parent asked me to have a couple of coffee dates together so she could learn more about Quaker faith and practice, and I started wondering if other new parents had similar questions. Then a different parent expressly asked me for some creative thinking about giving her some of the lessons her kids were getting in our children’s program. She described feeling like her kids were learning things about Quakerism that she didn’t know and felt like she should. She had participated in Quakerism 101, but felt like it didn’t really teach her how to Quaker in the way that her kids were learning.” – Elizabeth Freyman
Elizabeth walks us through the rhythm of this program, held on Saturdays 4-6pm to work with family schedules. She describes how wondering together as families moved from intergenerational time to continued discussion for adult seekers and newcomers who are eager to know more about faith and practice, and “how we Quaker.”
Stories being used in spaces like the ones Elizabeth and Melinda describe, where support for newcomers is happening, include Listening for God, Four Doors to Meeting for Worship, George Fox’s Big Discovery, and Friends Meeting for Business. If you’ve used stories in programs for families and/or newcomers, we’d love to hear about it!
Candle blessing that Elizabeth shares in the video:
“We can light a candle
God/Love will light the stars
All of us are shining
Right from where we are”
Thank you to Elizabeth for this conversation
and sharing with all of us the ongoing creativity in her ministry!
RESOURCES to share with Families:
- Faith at Home section on website of the Quaker Religious Education Collaborative (QREC)
- Quaker Friendly Songs: A Short List – from the QREC, a list of titles, recordings and printable lyrics to teach favorites to Friends young and old
- Mess Makes Meaning – the Godly Play podcast for parents/caregivers with topics on family life, children’s spirituality, parenting, child development, and challenging topics with children. (Includes “Power in Silence” episode with Melinda Wenner Bradley)
- Friendly Gatherings — another alternative to “Friendly Eights”