Other Events
The Gathering abounds with opportunities to meet with Friends with similar passions and gifts. Although many events are planned in advance, other activities will be scheduled during the week. Friends wishing to arrange for meeting space must make requests at the Information Desk during the Gathering.
Learn how to organize events and activities at the Gathering.
On This Page
Worship; Workshops; Bible Half-Hour; Creativity, Music, Dance and Other Movement; Wednesday Afternoon; Affinity Groups; Volunteering; Quaker Exhibits and Presentations; Gathering Store; About Bowling Green, Ohio; Field Trips; Attractions in Bowling Green
Bible Half-Hour
What gifts of the Spirit did Scripture writers experience? What enabled them to accept and live in their power? Maggie Edmunson, a New England pastor, will lead our Bible Half-hour explorations each morning at 8:00 am.
Read more about Bible Half-Hour >
Creativity, Music, Dance and Other Movement
Afternoons and evenings will offer a variety of experiences in the creative arts. Look for Gathering favorites, such as:
- Noon sings, hymns, Broadway tunes and shape note singing
- Folk and contra dancing
- Impromptu music making
- Formal venues for visual and performing arts
When registering, indicate in the volunteer section your interest in leading, accompanying, or organizing music or movement activities.
Call for Art! Friendly artists of all ages are invited to share their passion for arts of all kinds. Display, read, teach, or perform at this year's Lemonade Gallery (visual arts) and Quaking Cabaret (performing arts). Intent-to-show forms for visual arts are required by May 31. We also welcome emcees and other volunteers to help organize these events.
Body Practices: Each day offers multiple opportunities to experience spiritual-based movement practices like yoga,qi gong and pyschocalisthenics.
Wednesday Afternoon
On Wednesday afternoon we take a break from the busy-ness of the Gathering to focus on rest and reflection.
Read more about Wednesday afternoon >
Affinity Groups
Affinity groups offer a unique opportunity for Friends with similar interests to have their own program in the afternoons or late evenings.
- Friends of Color Center
- Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns (FLGBTQC)
- Jewish Friends
- Nontheist Friends
- Quaker Earthcare Witness
- Twelve Step Center
Read how other groups may also be organized at the Gathering. Organizational meetings are often Monday afternoon. Contact FGC to reach coordinators with ideas and questions.
Volunteering
Please plan to spend some time being of service to others. The Gathering's success depends on the volunteer efforts of many. Sign up for these and other volunteer opportunities when you register.
Lend-A-Hand: All attenders are encouraged to sign up at the Gathering for at least two hours of service, including carrying luggage, ushering, carrying cafeteria trays and driving golf carts.
The Healing Center provides a space for Spirit-led Friends to explore, practice and experience healing modalities from many traditions. Volunteer for the Center when registering.
Workgrants: some volunteer positions receive a partial fee waiver.
Quaker Exhibits and Presentations
Exhibits by Quaker-related organizations, communities, schools, or interest groups will be displayed by advance arrangement. Exhibit reservation forms must completed by May 31. Exhibit space may fill up before this date.
Presentations: Numerous national and regional Quaker organizations will make afternoon presentations. A Quaker Presentation Form must be completed by May 31.
Gathering Store
The Gathering Store is an oasis of important workshop materials, books and curricula relevant to Quakers and our concerns, as well as Gathering logo merchandise and beautiful handmade crafts. It is open every day from noon to 10 pm.
Consignments: Sale of merchandise at the Gathering is restricted to the Gathering Store. If you wish to bring handmade crafts (no kits), books, or other appropriate merchandise for sale at the Gathering, you must make arrangements for consignment by May 31. Read more information and download the Consignments Form.
About Bowling Green, Ohio
Bowling Green, Ohio, a town of 30,000, is located in a fertile agricultural region in western Ohio.
It is a day's drive or less of from Chicago (252 miles or 4 hours), Detroit (75 miles or 1 hour 20 minutes), Indianapolis (231 miles or 3 hours 50 minutes), Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis.
Field Trips
Likely afternoon field trips include:
- The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo: Mosque in Perrysburg, Ohio
- Toledo Museum of Art (works of art representing American and European painting, the history of art in glass, ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian works, Asian and African art, medieval art)
- Bluebird Passenger Train (15 mile, one hour train ride round trip beginning in Waterville, Ohio)
- Providence Metropark Canal Experience (mule-drawn canal boat ride in Providence, Ohio)
- C/J Natural Meats and Dairy (family-owned pastured dairy, poultry and beef farm)
- Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
- Bowling Green Wind Farm (Ohio's first commercial wind farm)
Attractions in Bowling Green
Attractions within Bowling Green include:
- Grounds for Thought: coffee shop and used bookstore
- Squeakers Café and Health Food Store: vegan restaurant and natural foods store
- Finders: independent record store
- Slippery Elm Trail: 13-mile flat, paved rail trail
- Walking Tour of Historic Places: self-guided walking tours
There are various attractions within a two-hour drive including:
- Sauder Village (historic village and craftsmen) Archbold, Ohio
- Greenfield Village (historic village maintaining the buildings and stories of America's past): Dearborn, Michigan
- Put-in-Bay (Lake Erie island 45 miles east of Toledo)
- Kelly's Island (Lake Erie island twelve miles from Sandusky, Ohio)
- Ohio Caverns (caverns filled with crystal stalactites, stalagmites and other formations.): West Liberty, Ohio
