Recent Events in Salem Quarter
Here are the reports on actions taken at the most recent meetings of Salem Quarter and programs sponsored by the Quarter.
4/22/07 at Framingham
The Foundation for Reconciliation
Jane Wells of Framingham Friends Meeting and Anita Diaz of Columbia will spoke about the Foundation for Reconciliation based in Columbia which promotes the theory and practice of forgiveness and reconciliation as the basis for positive relationships and individual and societal development. Particularly where cycles of social or political violence have become entrenched, the Foundation provides a methodology to overcome emotional trauma and strengthen social capital.
Jane and her husband have befriended and supported the leader of the Foundation, Leonel Narvaez Gomez. They recently returned from a trip to Columbia to see the work of the Foundation. Its work is accomplished through the creation of community forums, called Schools of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Escuelas de Perdon y Reconciliacion or ESPERE). Currently, schools operate in 350 neighborhoods in Colombia and Brazil and are expanding internationally. The Foundation has been chosen to receive an Honorable Mention from the 2006 UNESCO World Prize for Peace Education.
10/22/06 at Beacon Hill - Soul at Work with Margaret Benefiel
Do you long to bring your soul to work? Do you suspect that soulful organizations are more effective organizations? How can you confront downsizing, dysfunction and a mentality of "park your soul at the door?" Margaret led us in exercises that helped us confront and explore these issues. For more information on Margaret and her recently published book, Soul at Work, go to her web site.
1/22/06 at Acton - Experiencing the World Gathering of Young Friends
Young Adult Friends (18 - 35) past and present who have attended World Gatherings of Young Friends have found the experience transformative. Several YAFs who attended the 2005 World Gathering sessions in Britain and Africa will share their experiences and engage us in activities that will help us appreciate what a World Gathering can be like. Don't miss this opportunity to meet these young leaders of New England Yearly Meeting. You can learn more at the World Gathering site.
James & Eden Grace, Breaking the Mold of Mission Work
On August 21st, Friends gathered at Friends Meeting at Cambridge to hear from James and Eden Grace about their work in Kenya. More than half the world's Quakers live in Kenya. James and Eden spoke from their experience of spiritual revival, cross-cultural collaboration, and Christian witness among Quakers in Africa. Learn more about the Friends United Meeting Africa Ministries Office in Kisumu, Kenya.
Summer Picnic and fund-raiser for WGYF
Sunshine, sea breeze and ice cream. Our summer picnic, hosted by North Shore Meeting, was a New England Quaker's idea of heaven! And we raised more than $200 to support attendance at the World Gathering of Young [Adult] Friends.
Report on 4/24/05 Meeting of Salem Quarter
Outreach was our topic and Jonathan Vogel Borne got us thinking about how we can be spreading our own good news. We shared outreach handouts which include a checklist for your meeting, a workshop you can use, links to resources and some helpful hints.
The Meeting for Business approved the Quarter State of Society report, which you may want to read.
Report on 10/31/04 Meeting of Salem Quarter
Friends from Cambridge presented Breaking the Silence: Quakers Stopping Violence in the Home and in the Meetinghouse based on their training from the Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence. Safe Havens is a program which teaches volunteers in faith communities to recognize and work against family violence. To learn more about the program contact Safe Havens at (617) 227-6992; email: safehavens@earthlink.net. To learn more about Friends Meeting at Cambridge's participation in Safe Havens, contact Betsy Fox, emfox@MIT.EDU, (617) 492-3708
The Meeting for Business approved a Minute on Same Sex Marriage which you may want to read.