Bucks Quarterly Meeting Goes Hybrid

For the first time since February 2020, Bucks Quarterly Meeting of Friends met in person, ironically, both times at Middletown Friends Meeting. The difference between 2023 and 2020 was the presence of computers, screens, microphones, and projectors that are all part of the technology needed to hold a hybrid Quarterly Meeting.

With representation from most of the 14 meetings in the Quarter, Friends arrived at the meetinghouse to coffee and donuts and a smile. They soon were ushered into the meeting space, where they were greeted by about a dozen Friends joining us on Zoom.  Friends were then treated to an interesting panel discussion presented by teachers, students and parents affiliated with the Bucks Learning Cooperative explaining their self-directed learning model. The program was recorded and is available on the Bucks Quarter YouTube channel:

The program was followed by worship, and then a beautiful lunch spread provided by Middletown Friends. The afternoon was filled with business, including annual reports from Friends Camp Association and three monthly meetings. The documents presented at that meeting can be found here.

The day was not without its technological challenges. Friends on Zoom sometimes had difficulty hearing Friends in the room. Sometimes the internet connection was spotty. Friends all agree that technology can be useful but also a bit tricky, but everyone was patient and understanding with the Quarter’s first attempt at holding a hybrid meeting.

The Quarterly Meeting will be held under the care of Newtown Meeting in May; look for more information shortly.