Given the right inward state, right action is inevitable. By the time Little Rock Friends Meeting had gathered for our first meeting for worship in May, Friend Liz had already joined others on the steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol to bring attention to the injustices in death-row inmate Richard Glossip's case and to the wider issue of capital punishment. On the seventh, there were ten in the meetinghouse and four online. We are nearing the end of our reading and discussion of Jim Pym's book Listening to the Light: How to Bring Quaker Simplicity and Integrity into Our Lives. The penultimate chapter is entitled "The Adventurous Life" and begins with a quote by Charles Carter, 1971, QFP, 26.39. Here it is in part: "True faith is not assurance, but the readiness to go forward experimentally, without assurance." This chapter was a potent springboard for rich and deep sharing and reflection. On the 14th of May, all generations came together for singing, and Young Friends led us all in an activity called Kooky Quakers, a game in which three people collaborate on the drawing of a Quaker without being able to see the other two parts until after all three parts have been drawn. During second hour, another intergenerational activity took place in the Young Friends space while worship was happening in the front room. Some chips and bananas were spotted in the kitchen, but most forgot it was potluck day! With so many Friends away to attend Arkansas-Oklahoma spring quarterly meeting at Lake Fort Smith State Park, the May meeting for worship with attention to business was skipped. Those present took part in an open discussion. Meanwhile at Lake Fort Smith State Park's Kingfisher Lodge, Sammy led everyone down to the basketball court and for an hour of the millennia-old practice of Qi Gong while the air was still fresh and cool. Attenders also enjoyed time for fellowship, worship, worship sharing, a meeting for worship with attention to business, music, games, puzzles, nature walks, naps, and healthful meals lovingly prepared with sensitivity to those who don't eat meat or gluten. We were especially mindful of the absence of two Friends, a husband and wife, spending that weekend adjusting to hospice care for her. ![]() On the 28th, between online and in person, we were thirteen in number, two in the Young Friends room, where (rumor has it) there is a sewing machine being set up for the projects that will follow the t-shirts. First hour was an interactive exploration of Compassionate Communication based on a recorded session led by Jim Manske focused on gratitude and empathy. All of Jim's offerings are free / donation-based for all. His website is pathwaystoliberation.com. Monday was a day off for many, and we took advantage of our own grounds and generous late afternoon shade of the grand oak tree with a quickly organized picnic open to all; it came together beautifully.
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