There's trusting the process/trusting the system, and then there’s stagnating in the system or process. As the world changes and as we all learn, process, and grow in different ways, it’s good to remember that the process or system only works if it actually works for everyone. For instance, I honestly really like our resident handbook. It’s thorough and it flows in a way that makes sense to me. It does not do this for all housies. It might not even be sufficient for most housies. The system can’t work if the users can’t access what they need in order to do what they need to do, right? If what we keep hearing is “we need this support” and “there should be a policy about…” and “I don’t know who to ask for this” when *I think* all the information is clearly presented in the handbook—then a change is needed. A handbook that was written decades ago when the world was a very different place—and there wasn’t even language yet for neurodivergence, for people having different learning and processing speeds and styles—is just not going to work in this current world. Adaptability as a leader isn’t just about rolling with the unexpected hiccups and finding a way through—although that’s definitely a huge part of it. Leaders also need to look at the folks we’re leading: what do they need to accomplish our goals? Sometimes we need to redesign the starting point. Or if we’re viewing life as a video game (and why not?)—sometimes we just need a better tutorial.
While we host meetings from a variety of organizations, we deeply value our Quaker connections. This past week we hosted the Good Friday Witness for Peace and Justice as we have for many years. Organized by Friends Meeting at Cambridge, Friends from the greater Boston area gather here for opening and closing worship. Vickie provided a simple lunch after a chilly day on Boston Common. This coming weekend we are hosting the House Board retreat where Friends and friends from around New England will meet to do the business of running the House. Also this weekend, I hope to attend the Visioning Day on Vibrant Quarterly Meetings. The House helped hold Salem Quarter during its sabbatical and we would love to be a part of getting it started up again. And in July, Jen will be delivering the Bible Half Hour at Friends General Conference Gathering. Our connections to our Quaker community ground our work, support our mission, and keep us connected.
Some Reflections on Cleaning The first thing I do when I move into a new place is clean. I don’t mean I sweep the floors, I mean I scrub everything. I take a brush to the baseboards, dust the ceiling, clean the grease trap over the stove—things it may take me another 10 years to get around to cleaning again. Over the years, I have come to think of it as claiming a space for my own. It’s kind of like marking my territory, but with the scent of Murphy’s Oil Soap instead of musk. But it is also a way of getting to know my new home. As I clean, I notice the shape of the molding or an odd asymmetry in the layout. I’ve been attending Meeting for Worship at the Friends House for about 35 years. That’s a lot of time spent staring at the elegant inlay of the floor, the intricate design of the carpet, and the view through that gorgeous window. I feel like I know the space well. But since I’ve been working here, I’ve had occasion to notice the Meeting Room in a new way: by really cleaning it. Of course, I’ve swept up after fellowship and attended a few House Workdays. But now that I’m working here full-time, I have had the opportunity to care for the space regularly — and to really clean it like I do my own space. The last few times I’ve been to Meeting for Worship, the room feels different. The carpet is the one I vacuumed the day before and will vacuum again in a few days. The floors reflect back the oil and wax I applied by hand last month. As Quakers, we don’t believe that places are sacred, which is why we call our buildings “meetinghouses” not “churches.” It is us, the people gathered together, who are holy. But our connection to the space where we meet matters, too, even if just through decades of association. We come to know and love the places where we spend time connecting with the divine in each other. We’ll be hosting our Spring work day on May 23rd. Perhaps you can join us to tend to our beloved building and maybe find a new way to connect with it.