A Getting To Know You Thread

[annalee]

Well, the query thread seems to be a big bust, so I'm going to try something a little simpler.

Greetings, and welcome to quakerism!

As of this writing, there are twelve people watching this comm. I'm sure that you're all really awesome, and I would like to get to know you better. I would really love it if you'd leave a comment on this post telling the rest of us a little bit about you, so that we can better appreciate your awesomeness.

Here are a few questions to start everyone off. You can answer as many or as few as you want to, or you can leave a comment that answers none of them at all. The point is to introduce ourselves, and celebrate ourselves and our new community.

1. Do you identify as Quaker? If so, what kind of Quaker? Are your services unprogrammed (mostly silent) or programmed (led by an officiant)? Do you consider yourself Christian, Universalist, both, or other?
2. What's the most awesome thing that happened to, for, or because of you this week? This can be anything from seeing a pretty flower to singlehandedly saving the world from certain doom.
3. What's the most interesting thing you learned this week?
4. What do you want out of this community? Are there any regular features (like a weekly column, discussion, etc) that you'd like to see here? Any that you'd like to run?

Comments

[annalee]

I can start, though I already introduced myself a little below. I identify as a Quaker, and as a Christian. I attend an unprogrammed meeting near Washington, DC, but have worshipped with programmed Friends on several occasions in the past.

A good thing that happened in my life recently is that I spent some time at The Summer House, which is my favorite place on Capitol Hill. The most interesting thing I learned was that Aye Ayes are really odd.

As for what I want out of this community, I'm looking for meaningful, spirit-led discussions with other Friends and friends about Quaker living, history, and thought. I'm also looking for lighthearted fellowship and fun. I'm a big fan of bad Quaker jokes, like that one about how many of us it takes to change a lightbulb(1). I would love to hear from other artists about if/how they feel their art informs their spiritual life, and vice versa.

I'll abstain from my last question for now, because I don't really have a set vision for this community with regard to regular content. I am excited to do everything I can to make this a vibrant and beautiful community.

(1) ALL OF US!

[twistedchick]

I consider myself a Quaker, currently worshipping at an unprogrammed meeting near DC. I'm not comfortable with slicing myself into categories, since others may not attach the same meanings to them that I do; that said, I'm a convinced Friend whose path started with Roman Catholicism (Vatican II era) through the Catholic Charismatic movement, Buddhism, neo-paganism and Episcopalianism.

This week? The most awesome thing that has happened is that I'm still breathing fairly well in spite of all the pollen, including the massive amounts of oak pollen in the air.

What did I learn? My computer needs repair, which explains why some programs aren't doing so well.

As for the community, I will watch and see where it goes. I have no specific wants.

[karcy.livejournal.com]

1. I am not a Quaker, I decided to subscribe to this community because I got 'orthodox Quaker' on Beliefnet's personality test and wanted to find out more about Quakerism (I identify as a Protestant Christian, Methodist in denomination, though registered an Anglican).

2. I met my family.

3. Finding out more about the canonization process of the Bible.

4. No expectations really. Just hanging out.

[muuranker]

Thanks for setting up this group.

To answer your questions:
1/ No .... I don't particularly identify with any faith at the moment, but I'm beginning to be quite interested in Quakerism.
2/ I saw a kestrel (a kind of hawk) that due to the configuration of road and valley, was hovering at a couple of hundred feet, but only ten feet or so away from me.
3/ That my uncle-in-law was interested in Alessi design.
4/ I'm not particularly looking for anything - _if_ and _when_ I get beyond curious, I might well ask for help.

[rockwood]

I'm Nathan Rockwood, an identified (and, recently, officially be-Meetinged) Quaker; I'm much more comfortable with unprogrammed Meetings. Given that Quakerism is of Christian origin, I'm Christian to that extent, but I tend to agree with Terry Pratchett when it comes to external gods: just because they exist, "That's no call to go around believing in them. It only encourages 'em'." (Granny Weatherwax, Lords and Ladies)

Most awesome thing this week? A pillow fight that I lost.

Most interesting thing learned would have to be... hmmm... that I can drive for 4.5 hours at a stretch, given a 20 minute break in the middle.

And as to what I want out of this community, I guess I've always liked thinking over Queries but rarely have the chance, so regular Queries would be welcome. Don't have to be frequent, though.

Blessed be,
~Nathan

[alex_beecroft]

Hello! I've just joined. 1. I'm Church of England with a side order of Methodism, but my faith has always been very experiential and I'm interested in getting in touch with other people who don't think it's weird to listen for God's voice and sometimes hear it.

2. Chocolate ice cream after dancing all day in the hot sun on Sunday - definitely awesome :)

3. Um... if someone offers you sunscreen, don't say no or you'll regret it!

4. I don't know enough to know what I would like out of the community. I just want to learn a bit more about Quakerism in whatever way I can.