Affiliated Organizations Events

As midsummer's night approaches, fireflies illuminate the Niles Cabin ponds accompanied by an evening choir of frogs. Enjoy an easy, early-evening, family-friendly hike to the treehouse for campfire s'mores before strolling back between the ponds at dusk to dance on the lawn, moved by the magical symphony of sight & sound.

This hike will be relatively easy, over uneven terrain but with little elevation change. The approximate distance is about 1.5 miles round trip, with ample time to relax & enjoy fireside treats. S'more fixings will be offered, but please feel free to bring your own snacks & beverages. Consider using bug repellent to ensure that you are not on the menu of some of the less welcome winged participants! Also, check the weather forecast for Shannondale, WV & dress for the conditions. Even in the summer, evenings can get chilly. The hike will be rescheduled if heavy rain or thunderstorms are predicted. Participants will be reminded to maintain social distance. All (over age 3) are required to wear masks. Restroom facilities will be available at the Niles Cabin prior to & after the hike.

Donations are appreciated. Suggested levels are $10/person or $25/family.

Please tune in on Saturday June 12 at 8 pm Eastern Time for an inspiring film event. Soldiers Without Guns, is the extraordinary story of how the bloody Civil War on the island of Bougainville was halted by a contingent of New Zealand soldiers that came with no weapons, only guitars, the haka, and other instruments of peace. After the 90-minute film screening, there will be a Q&A and discussion with the film director Will Watson, veteran and cultural advisor Des Ratima, and webinar participants. This film is guaranteed to lift your spirits and energize your peace efforts.

Click the "Register" button to sign up and receive the Zoom info for the event!

This event is being hosted by:
Friends Peace Teams-Asia West Pacific, a Spirit-led organization that believes peace is possible, conscientiously objects to war, and develops long-term relationships to create enduring cultures of peace and justice.

World BEYOND War is a grassroots global network across 190 countries advocating for the abolition of the institution of war and its replacement with an alternative global security system based on demilitarizing security, managing conflict nonviolently, and creating a culture of peace.

Registration info will be shared with both hosts.

Registration is now open for our online summer gathering!

Mon, June 21 - Thurs, June 24, 2021
Information & registration at quakerspring.org

Please help us to spread the word to Friends who might like to hear about this. Welcoming to Friends from all branches of our Quaker family tree!

We Are Gathering in a Virtual Space
In October, Friends General Conference Long Range Conference Planning Committee (LRCP) minuted their recommendation, “With sadness we agreed that we strongly recommend to the FGC General Secretary, Barry Crossno and to Lori Sinitzky, Conference Coordinator, that Gathering 2021 should be virtual.”

Central Committee, FGC’s governing body, has approved the recommendation of the Long Range Conference Planning Committee (LRCP) to hold the 2021 Gathering virtually instead of on campus at Radford University.

There were many reasons for this decision. The continued safety of our Gathering Community is one. Until we have an efficacious vaccine, with wide distribution and several months of delay time for immunity to develop, the Gathering Clerks, the Gathering staff, and LRCP could not see a way of holding an in-person Gathering with any expectation of safety.

Friends also felt the imperative of making this decision now after careful consideration of the reports presented by the 2021 Gathering Clerks, the Conference Coordinator, and the Long Range Planning Committee. These groups all reported that the uncertainty of the venue for 2021 effectively stalled all planning. This was impeding the work and demoralizing for the staff and volunteers.

We look forward to using the many valuable lessons we learned from the 2020 Virtual Gathering. We have a lot going for us now. Friends are more comfortable with Zoom and other online platforms. We know how to offer more ways for Friends to “meet up” in virtual spaces and spend time together.

We know we can experience spiritual community online. We can work to create a more inclusive and expansive Gathering. In this Gathering, we can use the tools of technology to be together, even though we have to be apart.