Looking Back at a Year of Virtual Quarterly Meetings
“We thought that these restrictions would last a few weeks, a few months at most. It was unimaginable that they would last a year.”
Last year’s May Quarterly Meeting was our first ever held on Zoom. Cases of COVID-19 were rising, hospitalizations were soaring, and we began to wear masks whenever we left the house–if we left the house. We thought that these restrictions would last a few weeks, a few months at most. It was unimaginable that they would last a year – but they did. This past year has had its challenges but also its blessings. We have lost beloved Friends to the virus, but become reacquainted with distant Friends on Zoom. We have reduced our carbon footprint by driving less and attending virtual meetings more. Thankfully, with vaccinations available, we are emerging from this pandemic with a new appreciation for simplicity: visiting Friends, hugging a loved ones, and seeing our children play at our meetinghouses. Let’s not take any of these simple pleasures for granted again.
On May 16th Bucks Quarter Friends, under the care of Southampton Meeting, held a virtual Quarterly Meeting. Carolyn Peters Michener, clerk of Southampton Meeting, greeted Friends and then introduced our speaker, Helen Higginbotham, Esq., MBA, who spoke on the power of continuing conversation. Helen stressed that we must keep conversations on racism alive, that we cannot remain silent. “The reality of racism will not go away because we don’t talk about it,” Helen stressed, “it is how we grow and empower ourselves.” She suggested we follow the advice of John Lewis to “…get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” Friends thanked Helen for her insightful words.
The day continued with an hour of spirit-filled worship shared by over 70 Friends. After a brief lunch break, Friends held Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business. Report highlights included:
Bristol Friends have been gathering for worship under the big Sycamore tree in their yard when the weather is warm;
Buckingham Meeting took advantage of the meetinghouse closure this past year to work on some significant maintenance projects;
Fallsington Meeting outlined the major work they have been doing with undoing racism; and
Lehigh Valley Meeting’s social concerns committee has been instrumental in creating a fund for “Jail Release Assistance.”
In addition to monthly meeting annual reports, we heard annual reports from Chandler Hall, the Committee for Oversight of the Coordinator, and the Clerk’s Annual Report. The 2021-22 budget was presented and approved, as was a proposal from the BQ Outreach Committee to establish an Outreach Grant Program where monthly meetings can apply to the Quarter for a grant of up to $500 to fund outreach projects over the next year.
Mark your calendars for the next Quarterly Meeting, which will be held –virtually –under the care of Wrightstown Friends Meeting on August 15, 2021.