Goose Creek Friends

Newsletter June 2020

Goose Creek Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Lincoln, Virginia

Queries for Sixth Month – Listening:

• When is it hardest for me to be ready to listen?
• To what extent do I open myself to the risks
of listening?
• How have I been changed by deeply listening
to another?
• How does my own perception affect the way Book Sunday! June 14, 2020
I understand what others say?
Please remain on Zoom after Rise of Meeting to
celebrate the First Day School Children!
Monthly Meeting for Worship with a
–– PROGRAM ––
Concern for Business: Sixth Month
Opening Introductions
The Assistant Clerk reminded committees to chronicle
Greetings From the Children
their activities during the pandemic and submit reports to
Sara Brown will announce each family and welcome
Meeting’s archive. Carolyn Unger has a special folder for
their children to say “hello” and hold up their book.
these. This request follows the realization that our archive
contains almost nothing from the flu pandemic of 1918-19. Followed by
Recognizing High School Graduates,
The annual report of the Library Committee was approved
Remembering Ed Leggett & Poem Reading,
with thanks. During the past year, the library collection
Words of Thanks, and Closing Silence
was culled; the discarded books were offered to Friends
and then sold at the Purcellville Library book sale. New
Book Sunday Photos! We ask - with your permission
books were added to the library. This committee is working
- for a photo of your children with their Book Sunday
with the Archive Committee on scanning Goose Creek’s
books. Please send to cameron247@hotmail.com
historic minutes.
and marianicklin@gmail.com We’ll piece them
The annual report of the Technology Subcommittee was all together in one big Book Sunday photo for the
approved with thanks. The library’s database has been website and next month's newsletter.
updated; further work there requires a connection to the
internet. The subcommittee’s work of scanning Meeting
minutes and committee documents was described. A Zoom The women in Kenya, Sierra Leone, and India who
license was acquired for Goose Creek, and meetings for are partnered with RSWR (a Quaker organization)
worship and business meetings have been held online. have been suffering during the pandemic: they cannot
Friends discussed the decision held over from last month sustain themselves and their families through their
about a donation to Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s camping small businesses. After discussion of proper procedure
program. As approved last month, the funds that Goose and of potential amounts, Friends approved a donation
Creek would have spent for camp scholarships this year to RSWR in addition to the funds we have already sent
have been transferred to BYM without reservations. them this year.
Meeting approved making a further donation at this time, Jeanne Smith is now Congregation Liaison with Virginia
with the possibility of making another in the future. Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Friends approved our
Caroline Pelton reported on Right Sharing of World formal affiliation with VICPP.
Resources’ need for donations during the pandemic. Continued on next page g
Goose Creek Friends Newsletter | June 2020 | Page 2
Continued from page 1
Friends were reminded that individuals can always
make additional donations to the organizations to
which Meeting is donating.
We have received many notes and letters of thanks from
our college scholarship recipients.
The Lincoln Community League and Goose Creek
Meeting delivered 500 pounds of food to Loudoun
Hunger Relief. Friends are encouraged to donate grocery
gift cards in June, and Lincoln Community League will
match our donations up to $400. Friends approved this.
Right Sharing of World Resources
This Quaker organization, which partners with women in
India, Kenya, and Sierra Leone to help them support their
families by establishing small businesses, has sent a plea
for financial help during this time of pandemic. “When
we reached out and asked our partners what is their most
urgent need, all of our partners unequivocally replied:
FOOD to tide us over until we are able to work.” RSWR
goes on to say, “We know this is a challenging time for
many of us–and may be a time when you are not able to
respond to this request. If, however, you are able to give,
please do so by visiting our website.”
(https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.
aspx?name=rswr&id=10)
From Friends General Conference:
The 2020 Virtual Gathering,
“Sink Down to The Seed Sown in the Heart”
June 28 - July 4
What is the FGC Gathering? The Gathering is a week of
Quaker worship, workshops, and community for all ages.
Friends come together from across the US and Canada
(and sometimes farther) to deepen our connection to
one another and the Spirit. The Gathering is typically
held on a college campus in late June/early July, and
location changes from year to year. Attenders range from
newborns to elders in their 90s and include both long-
time Friends (mostly from the unprogrammed, liberal
tradition), and those newer to Quakerism. In structure,
it’s part conference and part family camp. In content, it
provides an abundance of opportunities to learn about
Quakerism and to foster your spiritual life – and to have
fun together.
For information about the format and contents of
this year’s Gathering, and to register: https://www.
fgcquaker.org/connect/gathering
From Baltimore Yearly Meeting:
Annual Session 2020: Courage, Faith and Hope to
Love Across our Differences
Our Beloved Community – Meeting Together, Apart
July 27-August 2
Pre-Session meetings July 20-24
The Annual Session of Baltimore Yearly Meeting will
take place this summer, online or over your phone, in
your living room or on your porch, rather than in person
together at Hood College. The Program Committee
extends a warm welcome to Friends from all over BYM
to join in our worship, our corporate discernment of
Yearly Meeting business, and our fellowship and learning
during the opening retreat, in workshops, and at plenary
sessions. The overarching theme of Courage, Faith and
Hope to Love Across our Differences seems to be as
relevant now during this pandemic as ever.
We extend a special welcome to the children and youth of
BYM to connect with each other over a few days through
Junior Yearly Meeting and other youth programs.
This spring many Friends have experienced Meetings
for Worship and Business over Zoom or another video
platform. Most people can sustain attention in this online
format only for limited periods of time at once, and
for limited hours in any one day. To address the very
real limits to daily screen time, we are extending our
meeting time into the prior week (July 20-24). Pre-session
meetings may include presentations and discussion of
reports from committees and organizations, as well as
opportunities to participate in workshops.
The Program Committee wants as many Friends as
possible to participate in Annual Session programs this
year. We have been exploring the concept of Pay as Led
financing over the last year and will be using that model
to cover the expenses for our virtual Annual Session 2020.
By making Annual Session more financially possible
for more people, we hope our community can become
more inclusive and welcoming. Pay as Led financing
acknowledges that while some Friends require assistance
to participate, many others could pay more/give more
than the rates that are set. We are particularly aware that
this year some Friends have been unemployed, living on
their savings, or experiencing other financial hardships.
Do not let lack of funds keep you from participating.
The suggested Annual Session registration fee is $100
per adult (over age 18). As always, youth programming is
free. This fee includes the retreat, all programs during the
week, and programs scheduled in the pre-session week
Continued on next page g

(July 20-24). Whether you attend a lot or a little of the
Annual Session program, we invite you to prayerfully
consider your own financial circumstances and pay as you
are led. You may be led to pay significantly more than
$100, or less. It is up to each of us to individually discern
what fee to pay. You will see the option to enter your fee
on the registration page.
Registration is online only. If you need assistance, please
contact the Yearly Meeting office. You may register
throughout Annual Session but must register for any
specific event or session no less then 2 hours in advance
of that session to allow time to receive the connection
information. You must preregister to receive the
technology link for any session. We will not be posting
them publicly due to security issues.
For more details, and to register: https://www.bymrsf.org/
events/annualsession/registration.html
Annual Session Queries:
• How do we move past the fears that paralyze us to
engage the challenges we face?
• How do I love my neighbor?
• How do we move beyond our divisions and find
common ground for moving forward?
• How do we find the courage to pursue equality?
• How do we love responsibly?
Fundanna-wrapped Book Sunday Books. Photo by Carolyn Unger
Goose Creek Friends Newsletter | June 2020 | Page 3
News and Notes:
Welcome to the world, William Francis Parris! He
was born on June 7 to Camilla and Jacob Parris.
Congratulations to Camilla and Jacob, and to the baby’s
grandmother Eleanor Welsh.
It’s graduation time! Here are Goose Creek’s recent
graduates. (And please, if you know of others, let me
know! –Ed.)
• Theo Ernst Hochmuth, son of Amy Oliver and Jamie
Hochmuth, from Loudoun Valley High School. Theo
plans to attend NOVA.
• Benjamin Gordon Sachs, Newton North High School
(MA), son of Tracy and Peter Sachs and grandson of Beth
Welsh. Ben plans to attend the University of Colorado.
• Sarabeth Lawrence Walker, Loudoun Valley High
School, daughter of Libby and Mark Walker and
granddaughter of Beth Welsh. Sarabeth plans to
attend NOVA.
The Meeting House is still closed, and Goose Creek
Friends are meeting for worship on First Day mornings
via Zoom. Possibilities for outdoor summer worship (in
addition to online meetings for worship) are being looked
at, and this will be discussed at Meeting for Worship with
a Concern for Business next month. Friends who have not
joined us online are badly missed! At the same time, it has
been wonderful to see Friends far from Lincoln who have
been able to join us virtually.
Join our Meetings for Worship via Zoom
Meeting ID: 831 2561 7378
Password: 726758
The login is the same each week!
From the Religious Education Committee:
Staying Connected with Families
Please join us this month for
The Every Problem Has A Solution Quilt Project
Friday, June 19 at 4:00 PM via Zoom
This project is for everyone. We are very excited to
see how the spirit will guide this project and see the
beauty of our community coming together during
these hard times to make something beautiful.
Parent Get-together
Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 AM via Zoom
This is a great time to get to know the other parents and
catch up. This is a non-judgmental space where you can
feel free to ask questions and gain support. We are all here
for each other and while we haven’t been able to meet in
person for some time we look forward to seeing you.
Page 4 | June 2020 | Goose Creek Friends Newsletter

Sundays Facing Bench

Meeting for worship at 9:45 a.m. JUNE
First Day School at 10:00 a.m. Debbi Sudduth
Fellowship at 10:45 a.m. COVID-19 NOTICE JULY
All of our in-person Meetings for Carolyn Unger
Wednesdays Worship, First Day School, and
Discussion Group at 7:00 p.m.
Discussion Groups are postponed until
further notice. However, Meetings for
First Day School
Worship are being held via Zoom each Until we can meet in person,
lesson plans, activities, and
Calendar week. See calendar below.
resources are posted weekly on
JUNE our website to download and use
at your family’s convenience.
6.14 Sunday 9:45 am Meeting for Worship via Zoom followed http://www.goosecreekfriends.
by a short Book Sunday program at 11:00 org/first-day-school/
6.17 Wed. 6:00 pm Religious Education Committee via Zoom
6.19 Friday 4:00 pm Every Problem has a Solution Quilt
Project via Zoom
6.21 Sunday 9:45 am Meeting for Worship via Zoom
6.27 Saturday 11:00 am Quaker Parenting Get-together via Zoom
6.28 Sunday 9:45 am Meeting for Worship via Zoom
11:00 am Ministry & Oversight Committee
meeting via Zoom
June 14, 2020
7.05 Sunday 9:45 am Meeting for Worship via Zoom
Followed by Meeting for Worship
with a Concern for Business
NEWSLETTER
BIRTH The Goose Creek Friends Newsletter
is published monthly by the
William Francis Parris, on June 7, 2020, to Camilla and Jacob Parris, Goose Creek Friends Meeting,
20 Maple Street, Warren, RI 02885 18204 Lincoln Road, P.O. Box 105,
Lincoln, VA 20160.
CLERK
Rich Weidner, 540.554.2747
“The fathomless depth of the listener who can go beyond rich.blacksmith1@gmail.com
words, who can even go beyond the conscious meanings ASSISTANT CLERK
behind words and who can listen with the third ear for what Allen Cochran, 540.338.6485
Cochransstone@aol.com
is unconsciously being meant by the speaker, this fashion
TREASURER
of attentive listening furnishes a climate where the most Brian Burgher
unexpected disclosures occur that are in the way of being goose.creek.treasurer@gmail.com
miracles in one sense, and the most natural and obvious NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Catherine Cox, 301-471-5330
things in the world, on the other.” – Douglas Steere, 1955 blycox@comcast.net
WEBSITE & FACEBOOK
www.goosecreekfriends.org
https://www.facebook.com/
Quaker Jargon of the Month Goose-Creek-Friends-Meeting-
150892438287560/?rc=p
“To LAY DOWN” DONATIONS
To lay down: To discontinue. This is an old Friends term, still used, Please direct donations for
Goose Creek Friends Meeting to
for officially discontinuing something. It might refer to a matter Brian Burgher, P.O. Box 105
as minor as laying down a project or an ad-hoc committee, or as Lincoln, Virginia 20160 - OR -
donate online: http://www.goose-
momentous as laying down a meeting. creekfriends.org/please-support-
goose-creek/