Sunday, August 23, 2009
We were invited to present WaterIsLife.com at a Quaker Friendship Meeting in Plymouth Meeting, PA. The Quakers use the word Meeting as many would us the word church. Peaceful Warrior video Quaker Meetings are all over the Philadelphia area – each township, city or burrow may have it’s own Friendship Meeting. In most cases the Meetings are very old buildings made of stone with sparce interiors. The Plymouth Meeting House was built in 1709 and was later used by George Washington during the war as a hospital supporting Valley Forge. The town is quaint consisting of very old buildings and homes, and one can feel the Quaker influence and presence.
We were welcomed by friends, and invited into the Meeting House. It was very simple interior and smelt strongly of must (is that a word) and old wood. The Meetings for Worship are based on the principle of silent, direct communication with God, with no pastor, music or order of service. The Meeting House and all its arrangements have been kept quite plain so that the worshipper will not be distracted from the main purpose of the service.
As the group settles into reverent silence for one hour, we sit in meditation and prayer. As the Quakers describe, this was an opportunity to take stock in our lives, review our hopes and aspirations, consider each for himself whether the things accomplished during the week represent real value and worthy contribution.
Although the Meeting for Worship is based on silence, all are free to speak, and from time to time, some may feel a call to rise and share their thoughts with the group. Charlotte’s Web movie One older, stately woman stood up and told a story of a young women who attended Wellesley during the time of the Atomic bomb.
As we sat on the original benches, facing others, we enjoyed the silence and smells of the meeting. The doors and windows were all open, a slight breeze cut through the humidity and symphony of Cicadas.
After the hour of silence, the Meeting is closed when those on the facing benches shake hands.
Take note, if we return to another Quaker Meeting, I will plan to choose a bench where one does not sit directly in front of the slowly ticking clock…tick…tick..tick.
We then shared a potluck with all, and presented the WaterIsLife.com story. So many at the meeting took WaterIsLife.com materials so that they could organize their own presentations, at their work and in their communities. By chance, kismet, serendipity, whatever you wish to call it, a woman from the community – not a Quaker – had heard about our visit to the Meeting. She brought a friend and arrived late during the presentation. During questions her friend stood up and said he was from Kenya, his family is in Kisumu and deeply thanked our team, and all those at the meeting for caring for his people. He believes that due to the government disconnection with the people – the best way to help the Africans is to develop these grass root assistance programs. He believes they are the most effective. Encouraging!
We have already been in touch via email, and he will be valuable partner with WaterIslife.com as we develop, specifically in filter distribution.
The Quaker movement in our modern times is intriguing, but seemed confusing. With more research and discussion, I am sure we could grasp the concept and reason so many are still dedicated the Quaker beliefs and attitudes.
For now, it was a moment on our journey that we will all reflect on for a long time. If there were a way to capture the smell, the sight, the sound of silence, it would truly still not be as remarkable as we will remember.
To know that Quakers are so willing to help children in Africa today, helps reinforce that all walks of life in our global community want to reach out in our small world to assist others. Now we just need to gather together, and get it done!
Yous know we tasted Philly; Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, South Street, The Crew Boathouses, and of course, Philly Cheese Steaks. FYI, they also make a Philly Chicken Cheese Steak or just veggies – whodathunk they would be so accommodating!
Thank you to Sally and Paige, as well as all the others that helped make our trip to Philadelphia successful!
Next stop, New York City. The Today Show Plaza and charity:water are a few items on the agenda!
p.s. no one on our team has yet to admit that they may have caught a little shut-eye during the Meeting!
Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil film
Yous right, very interesting. Thanks for sharing!