THE PARADOX OF PREPARATION FOR THE GATHERED MEETING

The Paradox of Preparation for the Quaker Gathered Meeting

Stanford Searl and Cynthia Cuza, Elder

Workshop Schedule (Subject to minor changes)

Friday, February 26, 2021 (7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time Zone)

Introductions & Overview (45 minutes): Welcome & Centering Worship (“Holy Spirit, Truth Divine”) as a centering device. Invite participants to introduce themselves with some attention to why they are here and what interests them about the Quaker gathered meeting. Take your time & offer one’s holistic version here, settled and open; do this together as large group. 

Short Break (10 minutes)

Large Group: Contemplative Reading Group: Theme 1 — Friends Letting go of the Ego (60 minutes). Handout (45 minutes in breakout groups and 15 minutes reporting back to large group)

Brief Closing Worship Together (5 minutes)

Saturday, February 27, 2021 

Morning Workshop (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time Zone)

Brief Worship & Check-in & Reflections (15 minutes)

Contemplative Reading Group: Preparation for the Gathered Meeting – Theme 2 – Form of Prayer (60 minutes in small groups of 6) 

Break (15 minutes)

Come back together: reflections together (30 minutes)

Overview of Gathered Meeting Findings: Stan (30 minutes): Embodied Knowing Theme

Group Reflections (30 minutes)

………………………………………………………………………..

Lunch Break (60 minutes) 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time Zone

………………………………………………………………………..

Afternoon Workshops (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time Zone)

Brief Centering Worship & Check-in (15 minutes)

Contemplative Reading Group: Preparation for the Gathered Meeting; Theme 3 – Practicing Worship Together (60 minutes in small groups of 6). Handout

Reflections and Feedback about Learnings (30 minutes): The Group

Short Break (10 minutes)

Contemplative Reading Group: Preparation for the Gathered Meeting; Theme 4 – Theme of Vocal Ministry for the Gathered Meeting (60 minutes in small groups of 6). Handout

Break (15 minutes) 

Reflections and Feedback about Learnings (30 minutes): The Group

Brief Worship (20 minutes)

Sunday, February 28, 2021 (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time Zone)

Centering Worship & Check-ins & Reflections (20 minutes) – Brief overview of Tom Gates about vocal ministry and a cluster of themes

Worship & the Gathered Meeting together (60 minutes). 

Short Break (10 minutes) 

Reflections and Feedback about the Gathered Meeting (30 Minutes)

$50.00 Reduced rate: will be supplemented by contributions to our scholarship fund

$100.00 Standard Rate: covers costs of producing this program

$150.00 Comprehensive rate: including staff time, long-term maintenance of the facilities.

Monthly Meeting Yearly Pass (Check with your Monthly Meeting for availability)Individual

Yearly Pass (Contact Quaker Center if you would like to learn more about this)Other