Virtual Mini-Gathering a Huge Success

The SEYM Virtual Mini-Gathering proved to be a wonderful way to respond to our need for spiritual renewal and community in this time of physical distancing. 112 Friends attended the sessions; Quakers from SEYM Meetings and Worship Groups, along with Friends from New England and Philadelphia Yearly Meetings and other Quaker organizations. Many were present for almost all the sessions, while others dropped in for workshops that fit their schedule or interests.

Held over the five days slated for the Yearly Meeting Gathering, April 8-12, the ‘VMG’ offered Worship Sharing, Youth Program activities, workshops, a Young Adult ‘Internet Film Festival,’ and a Talent Show Saturday night. Sessions concluded with Meeting for Worship on Sunday afternoon. It was a lighter schedule than the in-person Gathering, allowing Friends to take ample time away from their computer screens.

Planning began for a Virtual Gathering immediately after the in-person Gathering was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kody Hersh, SEYM Youth & Young Adult Coordinator, with support from SEYM staff and the Gathering Committee, took on the work of coordinating the event. Special gratitude* and kudos are due to Friends Committee on National Legislation, who found staff and designed workshops for us in just two days (!), to fill the retreat slots that suddenly opened up when our scheduled retreat leader was called to other service as a result of the pandemic.

Stay Tuned! The Gathering Committee is looking forward to offering more online sessions on this year’s theme of Spiritual and Cultural Transformation. The committee would like to have Friends’ input for planning future virtual events; please take this quick survey>

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Wednesday, April 8  The Virtual Mini-Gathering appropriately opened with ‘Welcome & Zoom Basics,’ which included time for Friends to say ‘hi,’ the reading of a Land Acknowledgment, and coaching on using the Zoom technology. Over 50 Friends attended the first Retreat, Building Resilient Communities Through Transformative Action. Sarah Freeman-Woolpert, FCNL staff, led Friends in understanding the power and resilience we have in telling our own stories; and the power of storytelling in bringing people in a divided society together for social change.

Thursday: The morning began with Worship Sharing, followed by a Faith & Play workshop for Youth. In the afternoon retreat session, Finding Resilience through Advocacy and Community, led by FCNL staff Bobby Trice and Sergio Mata-Cisneros, we heard about FCNL’s Virtual Spring Lobby Weekend; and in small groups, we shared our stories and experiences of finding resilience. Bobby and Sergio shared some tools FCNL had developed to enable Friends to do advocacy from home. See ‘Learn More’ below for a links to these resources and other ways to connect.

Thursday night, Young Adults had an Internet Film Festival. Participants submitted favorite short videos for compilation into a playlist  (enjoy, but make sure to read “Important Notes” first for context!). Laughing and talking together was a great way to meet new people and connect with old friends.

Friday: After morning Worship Sharing, youth co-clerk Kiran Nwakanma (Orlando) hosted an informal ‘Hangout Space’ for Youth. After lunch, Joel Cook (Treasure Coast) led a half-hour of Laughter Yoga; he talked about the benefits of laughter to the body, and led a series of exercises to get people laughing “for no reason at all– no sense of humor required.” (Joel is now offering Laughter Yoga online daily— see ‘Learn More’ below.) Later that afternoon Beverly Ward, SEYM Field Secretary for Earthcare, and John Heimburg, (Deland) led an informational workshop on Project Drawdown, a real, science-based plan to reverse global warming. The group was enthusiastic about the possibility of having a full course on the topic.

Saturday: After morning Worship Sharing, Gary Arthur (Gainesville) led Youth in a virtual edition of his much-loved Animal Yoga workshop, which he has led many times for the younger kids at SEYM Gathering. After lunch, Joel Cook offered a second session of Laughter Yoga. The afternoon Workshop, Bowels of Mercy: Earthy Spirituality for a Time of Disruption was attended by about 40 Friends. The introduction and background on ‘Earthy Spirituality,’ provided by co-facilitators Anne Jerome (Deland) and Bob Allenson (Tallahassee), spoke to the need to understand, accept and integrate the ‘earthy,’ even embarrassing, parts of ourselves to be made whole and spiritually resilient. Friends broke into small groups to share their struggles that the pandemic and social distancing has brought to light.

Certainly the most fun Friends had was at the All Ages Talent Show. Emcee Esme Dellinger presided over a set of acts that included visual arts, “sit-down” comedy, poetry and prose readings, music, and even the first-ever virtual occurrence of a beloved SEYM Gathering tradition, the Julia Geiger Memorial Chicken Dance.

Sunday: Our sessions ended with open Worship. SEYM continues to host Worship, at 3pm on Sundays, for the duration of physical distancing.

Sign up for Worship here>

—-SEYM Staff

* Gratitude to FCNL, for stepping up for SEYM on short notice, can be expressed with a comment added to a donation>