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Permalink Reply by Sarah Rosemary Ann Zimmermann on 2nd mo. 11, 2013 at 9:59pm

I've never been to a Christ-Centered Friends meeting, although I'm Christian and would love to attend. The only thing stopping me is the gathering's temporal proximity to New England Yearly Meeting, which is usually the second week of August.  Two Quaker events in such rapid succession are a little logistically overwhelming for me (time away from family, money spent in travel and conference fees), especially as I often work weekends and have to negotiate time off. 

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Permalink Reply by David Bundrick on 2nd mo. 12, 2013 at 9:49am

I simply do not believe in a christ, or that Jesus  was other than a man (n0t that there's anything wrong with your beliefs). That's why my path is to the unprogrammed meeting. Peace and happiness.

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Permalink Reply by Adria Gulizia on 2nd mo. 12, 2013 at 10:07am

Thanks for your response! I wonder how many people are in the same boat, given that the summer appears to be yearly meeting season for many yearly meetings. Do you generally have to work Labor Day weekend, despite the holiday, or is it just too great a hassle to take two trips so close in time?

Sarah Rosemary Ann Zimmermann said:

I've never been to a Christ-Centered Friends meeting, although I'm Christian and would love to attend. The only thing stopping me is the gathering's temporal proximity to New England Yearly Meeting, which is usually the second week of August.  Two Quaker events in such rapid succession are a little logistically overwhelming for me (time away from family, money spent in travel and conference fees), especially as I often work weekends and have to negotiate time off. 

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Permalink Reply by Adria Gulizia on 2nd mo. 12, 2013 at 10:10am

Thanks for your response, David! Not believing that Jesus was more than a man is a pretty good reason not to come - though if you are ever curious, know that you would be more than welcome! Also, don't forget that many other people have been led to the unprogrammed meeting (myself included!) who hold more traditional Quaker beliefs - one of the nice things about waiting worship is that almost anyone can benefit. Thanks again for chiming in!

David Bundrick said:

I simply do not believe in a christ, or that Jesus  was other than a man (n0t that there's anything wrong with your beliefs). That's why my path is to the unprogrammed meeting. Peace and happiness.

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Permalink Reply by Randy Oftedahl on 2nd mo. 12, 2013 at 11:59am

Friend Andria;

I would love to go - and as I understand it, I have at least a couple old f/Friends that will be there.  However, I have decided to go to QuakerSpring this year and because of time and distance, can not see clear to go to two Christ-centred Friends gatherings this year. 

 

I want to add that I think it is wonderful that there are multiple opportunities in the eastern states to have these kinds of gatherings.  For those of us who are renewing our Christian Quakerism - and exploring the way of Conservative Friends - these are such important opportunities.  I hope they will continue.  God bless you, Friends.

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Permalink Reply by Cassie Gornowicz on 2nd mo. 12, 2013 at 12:59pm

I have not been to a Christ-Centered Friends Gathering because there hasn't been one close enough to where I live and I cannot afford to travel very far. (I'm in south-eastern Wisconsin).

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Permalink Reply by William F Rushby on 2nd mo. 13, 2013 at 3:20pm

Hello, Cassie!

I think that there are Christian Friends' gatherings in Chicago.

Bill Rushby

Cassie Gornowicz said:

I have not been to a Christ-Centered Friends Gathering because there hasn't been one close enough to where I live and I cannot afford to travel very far. (I'm in south-eastern Wisconsin).

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Permalink Reply by William F Rushby on 2nd mo. 15, 2013 at 11:47am

Hello, Adria!

My wife and I attended the last gathering of northeast Christian Friends in Massachusetts, and were happy to meet several people we had not known before.

We would like to attend the gathering at Powell House, if health allows.  I grew up on Lake Champlain, approximately 100 miles north of Albany.  My wife came from Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative).  We now live in the mountains of western Virginia.

You may be aware of the Northeast General Meeting, an abortive attempt to establish a Christian Friends' presence on an organizational level back in the 1970s.  Interestingly, it was held at Powell House, and drew a large crowd.  I think that its failure was a great loss.

We look forward to attending, if the Lord permits.

Bill (and Darlene) Rushby

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Jane Stokes on 2nd mo. 15, 2013 at 2:26pm

Distance/cost/travel is the most obvious reason as I am on the Canadian west coast. We had wondered about trying to get to Barnsville on a family trip as there is an interest in connecting with Conservative Friends. However many of the recently "advertised" gatherings (as in mentioned on facebook) do not attract me I am afraid. I suppose in US terminology I am "liberal unprogramed", in Canadian or British terms I am just a "Quaker". Some of the gatherings I have heard about recently seem to be more of a mainstream US evangelical type rather than the type of Quaker christianity that I am used to in Canada and England. Evangelism, planned ministry by schooled/hired ministers, emphasis on scripture do not attract me. 

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Permalink Reply by Aaron J Levitt on 2nd mo. 15, 2013 at 3:33pm

I hear truth in (what I understand to be) the teachings of Jesus the man, but not in the theology of Jesus as Christ. Which isn't to say that there isn't truth there to be had, or that it isn't profoundly meaningful for many others; I just haven't experienced it.

None of this would present any obstacle to attending a "Christ-Centered Friends Gathering", however, if I felt confident that other attendees respected and valued my encounter with the Spirit (for myself) as I do theirs (for them). Unfortunately, that hasn't been my experience of many people who identify themselves as "Christian", and trying to share fellowship with folks who don't recognize me as a "fellow" just makes me sad.

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Permalink Reply by William F Rushby on 2nd mo. 15, 2013 at 10:47pm

Hello, Aaron!

This is to let you know that I "resonate" with your good heartedness, and really wish you could come!

Bill Rushby

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Stuckwisch on 2nd mo. 16, 2013 at 6:09pm

Proximity is the issue for me. I live in Seattle.

In response to David Brundick, please don't assume unprogrammed equals non-christian. I am an unprogrammed Christocentric Quaker.

To Aaron, I would welcome you at any gathering. I try to respect others' beliefs even as I would like my own respected.

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