Unleashing the Power

‍Unleashing the Power is a North American program intended to combine spiritual formation and practical skill-building to energize and equip Friends in nurturing healthy and faithful congregations.

Nine virtual workshops are proposed for 2022–2023.
Most, if not all, of the series workshops will be an hour-and-a-half in length and held on a weekday evening. Beginning in October 2022, these monthly Zoom workshops will cover topics such as the following:

• Community ministries (shelters, tutoring programs, food pantries, etc.)
• Having grounded conversations across differences
• Conflict within congregations
• Gifts and leadings and how these can guide nominations and service in the Meeting
• Small congregations
• Children’s ministries
• How congregations can be supportive of parents
• Hybrid worship communities and the implications of this beyond worship
• Faithful closure for congregations reaching the natural end of their life cycle

We hope that many of our North American churches and Meetings will send one or more members to each of these workshops. Dates, facilitators, and registration information are coming soon, and we will all be enriched by the presence of Friends throughout North America.

“…to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”— Ephesians 4:12-16

Workshops

October 2022

Children's Ministries

Beth Henricks

Thursday, October 27, 7:00 PM Eastern Time

We will explore the challenges and opportunities of children and youth ministry in a Quaker Meeting, no matter its size. How do we build robust children and youth programming that is inviting and engaging with the kids? We will also discuss ideas for specific programming, curriculum and share experiences of curriculum that has been useful. We will engage and give space for all to share and brainstorm.

Beth Henricks is Associate Pastor and Christian Education Director of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting.

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November 2022

Having Conversations Across Differences

Sylvia Graves Beane

Monday, November 7, 7:00 PM Eastern Time

If ever there was a time when we needed to know how to have productive conversations with the people we are called to love, it is now. What is holding us back? What makes it so difficult? How do we start? What will make it successful? What do we hope will be the result? You are invited to participate in efforts to answer those questions in our hour-and-a-half Zoom consultation/ discussion on Monday, November 7.

Sylvia Graves Beane was recently a co-leader of Western Yearly Meeting, and is a past General Secretary of Friends United Meeting.

December 2022

Generous Congregations: Best Practices in Financial Stewardship and Generosity

Colin Saxton

Monday, December 12, 7 p.m. ET

Cultivating generosity is an essential piece to individual and communal faithfulness. When it comes to financial generosity, it is also a necessary ingredient in carrying out the mission God is giving your community of faith. Join us for a conversation and focus on some of the best practices you can implement to nurture generosity and faithful stewardship in your fellowship.

Colin Saxton is the Advancement Officer for Friends United Meeting, and a stewardship consultant with Everence, the Mennonite (and Quaker) financial services organization

January 2023

Gifts & Leadings—Service & Nominations

Charlotte Stangeland

Thursday, January 26, 7 p.m. ET

Charlotte Stangeland, of Iowa Yearly Meeting, will lead a discussion about the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. How can we increase our awareness and openness to the Spirit’s leadings? How can we recognize and appreciate each others’ spiritual gifts? The discussion of gifts will focus on the grace gifts in Romans 12 and the leadership gifts of Ephesians 4.

February 2023

Navigating Meeting Conflicts Like Quakers

Bill Eagles

Monday, February 13, 7 p.m. ET

How are Friends dealing with conflict while coping with the shifts coming from the society, the public health issues, and the place of religion in our lives? Bill Eagles leads an examination of applying Quaker principles in an evolving environment. Or, putting it more plainly, remembering in moments of conflict that we might be wrong—and what to do about that possibility.

Bill Eagles is a past clerk of North Carolina Yearly Meeting, a retired lawyer, and a practicing mediator, as well as a member of the Friends United Meeting Board.