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Becoming Patterns and Examples

Image credit: Miguel Á. Padriñán
Overview: 

"Be patterns, be examples," advised George Fox. This topic explores how Quakers put faith into practice. 

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For Facilitators: 

Successful facilitation creates opportunities for everyone to share, and moves the group toward deep connection. Use these resources to learn more about leading a group through meetings for spiritual deepening.

Find course guides, videos, and other resources to plan your group's journey, create an inclusive space, and manage your time together.

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Becoming Patterns and Examples Exercises

e.g. for an hour and a half, enter "90"

Grounding

Becoming Patterns and Examples for Children

Children explore the world in search of examples for how to be. They also strive to be examples for others. 

Introduction

The more we pay attention to the still small voice within and turn to the Inward Guide, the more we will be led not only into acting more justly to each person we encounter, but also into behavior that prods and encourages them to live in such a way as well.

Scripture

Ground your work in scripture. Quaker faith and practice can be compared and combined with a wide variety of other traditions: such as Buddhism, or ethical humanism. But we will find our deepest and fullest reasonaces with the biblical Christian traditions that nurtured early Friends and with the Jewish traditions that nurtured Jesus.

Friendly Voices

What do f/Friends have to say about the peculiar practices of Friends?

Videos and Podcasts

Many Friends have used video as a way to reach out to people around the world. From informational histories, to instructional guides, to deep ministry, we can use this medium to learn more and build community.

Practicing

Experiential Activities

Activities like yoga, labyrinths, and mandalas are designed to help focus and calm the mind and body. Explore what happens in your mind and your body when you try simple yoga poses or use a finger labyrinth. 

30 minutes | All Ages | Newcomer Friendly
Live in the Power of Life and Wisdom

The stance of reliance on the Inward Teacher and following that Light that leads all into compassion, mercy and justice, can call us into the unexpected. 

30 minutes | High School and Up | Newcomer Friendly
Considering Concerns

A leading might be inconvenient, nudging you onto a path you hadn't previously considered.  It might feel foolhardy or unclear.  How do we know when to say yes?  How does a true leading from God differ from the prompting of the ego?

45 minutes | High School and Up | Newcomer Friendly
Faithfulness

“I live in that life and power which creates the Kingdom of God beneath my feet as I walk.”

What spiritual opportunities were presented to me today?

30 minutes | High School and Up | Newcomer Friendly
Spirit Informed Action

Contemporary Friend Gretchen Haynes observes that "many faiths urge social action; Quakers understand that social action is prompted by the transformation that finds the source of all action in the inward Spirit.  This leads to a different quality to the action.” 

30 minutes | High School and Up | Newcomer Friendly
Coming Together in Community

Our spiritual communities are vital for our work to heal the world and Quaker practices offer deep and practical tools for supporting and sustaining social witness.  How can we come together in community to become patterns and examples?

60 minutes | High School and Up | Newcomer Friendly

Credits

Beth Popelka, Rachel Ernst Stahlhut (OVYM), Gretchen Haynes (SCYM), Robb Yurisko (LEYM), Christina Repoley (SAYMA), and Mary Lord (NYM) - Content Collaborators

Anne Collins (SCYM), Sally Farneth (PhYM), Susan Hopkins (PacYM), and Erika Mittag (SCYM) -- Materials for Children