Welcome to your first Gathering Experience!

We are offering you an online video to serve as an introduction to your Gathering experience. The video is visible below.

Video courtesy of Clinton Pettus and the First Time Attenders Group

Welcome Sessions 

The 2025 FGC Online Gathering will be held online on Zoom, and we welcome newcomers! All those new to the Gathering are encouraged to attend one of the Welcome Sessions at the beginning of the Gathering. Welcome Sessions will introduce you to the Gathering and connect you to experienced buddies as well as other first time attenders. Gathering registrants will be emailed more information.  

Self-Care and Connection 

There are many opportunities to make new friends at the Gathering! For many, workshops provide a comfortable home base with friendships that develop out of sharing a common interest.  

  • Be sure to get plenty of rest. Some experienced attenders encourage naps. You can’t do everything! 

Worship & Grounding 

There are numerous opportunities for worship during the Gathering. Worship sessions are open to anyone who wishes to attend. They are not limited to members of the sponsoring group, unless they say so specifically. The worship sponsored by FLGBTQC (Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns) is open to all Gathering attenders. 

You may also want to check out these links for more information:

Online Gathering first time attenders 

Information Accessibility:

The best source of information at the Gathering are the Online Gathering webpages and the emails that will arrive in your inbox. You are welcome to check these emails each day to know of activities specific to that day and other information. Many participants (Full Program, Workshops Plus, Plenaries Plus) will have access to the schedule on Sched which has the same schedule information and links as what will arrive in your inbox, but in an adaptable webpage or phone version. You can always check in and ask for support or information at the Information Desk, a zoom room that will be open throughout most program time during the week.

Tips for Gathering in a virtual space 

• Think about timezones. When we Gather online, Friends join from many timezones.  
• Family participation and multiple devices. If you have more than one person participating in the Gathering, try to either coordinate which sessions you will go to, or make sure you have enough devices to accommodate people in your household participating in different events at the same time. 
• Plan ahead for demands at home like meal preparation, child care, and time off from work. 
• Balance. Consider your time limits for online participation and register for events accordingly. 
• Take care of yourself. Stay hydrated. Plan breaks in your day when you can go outside, take a walk, take a nap, or call a friend. 

Technology 

Since the Online Gathering will be on Zoom, make sure you have internet access and download the most recent version well before the Gathering starts. 
Attend one of the Zoom/Sched Basics trainings for Gathering attenders. (Details will be emailed to Gathering registrants) 
Friends attending by phone only will be emailed the Zoom phone numbers to use. You can dial into most events using these phone numbers. 

Questions?  

Learn more about the 2025 Online Gathering. 

If you have questions about being a newcomer to the Gathering, you can reach the First-Time Attenders Committee at  WelcometotheGathering@gmail.com. The Information Desk is another great source throughout the Online Gathering; they would love to be of help. 

Land acknowledgment information can be found at http://native-lands.ca and https://nativegov.org/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/. 

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