Goose Creek Friends

Newsletter November 2023

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

Queries for Eleventh Month – as well as congratulations for events to celebrate,

including welcoming six new babies with a card and
Listening a book. They also offered visits and meals for those
• When is it hardest for me to be ready who were ill or home-bound and provided donations
to listen? to Mobile Hope and Loudoun Hunger Relief. Judy
• To what extent do I open myself to the reported that they will be collecting gift cards again
risks of listening? this year for Mobile Hope for the holidays. Meeting
• How have I been changed by deeply listening approved the report with thanks.
to another, to God, to nature? Friends approved a holiday ornament-making event
• How does my own perception affect the way to be held under the care of the Religious Education
I understand what others say? Committee on November 19 at the rise of Meeting.
The Clerk will coordinate with Chuck Hough and
Adam Robinson on a date for the next discussion
Eleventh Month Monthly of a hearing assistance system. Chuck said that they
Meeting for Worship with will be sending out queries to Meeting on the topic
soon.
a Concern for Business
The Clerk reported on the passing of Lark Mason
The Clerk read a letter requesting membership in and asked for approval of use of the Meetinghouse
our Meeting from Sean Lloyd. He reported that on Saturday, January 13, for a memorial not under
a Ministry and Worship clearness committee had the care of the Meeting. Friends approved. Sara
visited with Sean and found him in a good spiritual Brown said she will contact Lark’s daughter Emily
condition. Meeting approved this membership regarding any assistance the Meeting community
request. Tim Brown, Elizabeth Evans, and Nancy might provide.
Robinson volunteered to serve as the welcoming
committee for Sean. Upcoming events were announced, including Part 2
of a Quaker history program to be held at the rise of
Debbi Sudduth provided the first report of the Meeting on November 12. The Christmas potluck
Nominating Committee, which also includes dinner was set for December 17 at 6:00 pm, preceded
Elizabeth Evans, Maria Nicklin, Carolyn Ormes, by a 4:30 tree trimming and bonfire and followed by
Martha Mason Semmes. Several committees need the gift exchange and carols.
new members, including Religious Education, Anti-
Racism, and Unity with Nature. She asked Friends
to contact one of the committee members with any
questions and to respond to the committee’s phone
calls and emails. The first reading of the 2024
committee list will be held at next month’s
business meeting.
Judy Ross presented the Meeting Cares Committee
annual report. The committee has continued its
mission of sending messages of care to those in need, Continued ☞
Goose Creek Friends Newsletter | November 2023 | Page 2

December 3: Important in corresponding with each other?  We have no idea

where this initiative might lead, but we don't think
discussion at Meeting for it's been tried before, and we’d love to see what
Worship with a Concern comes of it.  Please contact the BYM Unity with
Nature Committee at unitywithnature@bym-rsf.org.
for Business
Quakers and The Holy Spirit, November 28,
Hear ye, Hear Ye, join us on Dec 3rd to help us come 2:00-3:30 pm (Eastern Standard Time)
to clarity about whether/when to install a hearing
assist solution in the Goose Creek Meeting House! The Woodbrooke Center invites you to an online
session exploring the role of the Holy Spirit in
The Technology Subcommittee has researched Quaker faith and practice. Christy Randazzo and
solutions to assist hearing-impaired Meeting-goers Emma Condori Mamani will talk about their chapters
hear ministry and other spoken messages in the on this theme in The Quaker World, edited by C.
Meeting Room.  While they are not yet ready to Wess Daniels and Rhiannon Grant. This online event
propose a specific solution and vendor, they seek is pay-as-led. Woodbrooke is an international Quaker
conceptual pre-approval for a material out-of-budget learning and research organization based in Britain.
investment and for the aesthetic impact of installing They provide opportunities for learning, connection,
visible microphones in the Meeting Room.   All and worship which are rooted in the Quaker tradition
Goose Creek Friends are encouraged to join us for and open to all. To register:
this discussion of a proposed solution as we seek
clearness on the way forward.  https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/the-quaker-
world-quakers-and-the-holy-spirit/
Upcoming Youth Programing
Literary Pack for New “Turkey Con” – the fall retreat for high-
Attenders? school aged Young Friends – will take place
on Thanksgiving weekend at Alexandria Friends
The Ad Hoc Committee for Inclusivity and
Meeting. Youth Programs Assistant Clerk Ana
Accessibility has requested the Library Committee
Phillips will be supporting the Turkey Con along
to prepare a literature packet for new attenders who
with our Friendly Adult Mentors (FAM).
request recommendations for further reading. We
have prepared a sample packet. It is on the desk at The tentative fall retreat for Junior Young Friends
the back of the Meeting Room labeled as "sample" (“JYF Con”) – those in middle and junior high
and is a clear plastic zip lock bag. Please take a look school – has been postponed. However, stay tuned
and offer any suggestions or feedback.   for details about the winter JYF Con!
Also, we are compiling a list of recommended web
sites to include in the packet. Please email your
suggestions to chuck.hough@gmail.com. Thank you!
Autumn events at the Friends
Wilderness Center
• For more information and to make reservations for
From Baltimore Yearly Meeting these events, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/
Nature Notes: Calling All Quaker Farmers! friends-wilderness-center-58474394433
The BYM Unity with Nature Committee would like • All programs are offered free of charge although
to start a conversation among Quaker farmers and some programs might request reimbursement for
horticulturalists about their successes, problems, specific materials. While we honor this “no cost”
concerns, and ideas.  Friends have a lot to learn from pledge, we rely on individual donations to ensure
the farmers among us, and farmers undoubtedly that we can cover operating costs and continue to
could use more affirmation and support.  Would you offer services. Participants are asked to consider a
like to add your name to a list of farmers interested minimum donation of $10 per person for program
 Goose Creek Friends Newsletter | November 2023 | Page 3

attendance. Your generosity is always appreciated 

and will be paid forward. Cost should not be a barrier
to participation or access to nature.
Upcoming Events
Forest Therapy: Gratitude and Giving in Nature, at Goose Creek
November 11, 11-2:00
The harvest season has traditionally been a time to November 12
express gratitude for the bounty and benevolence
of nature. True gratitude arises from humility
Second Hour – Quaker History
and wholeness, a sense of connection to all life and the History of Goose Creek
and the earth around us. Jodi Good (https://www. Meeting, Continued
foresttherapypa.com/team.html) helps us restore our
Shortly after the rise of Meeting for Worship
connection to the natural world through a session
During September’s Second Hour we raced
of Forest Therapy. Expand your senses, open
through the history of Quakerism and Goose
your heart, give and receive the generous gifts of
Creek Meeting, reaching the 19th Century
accepting your place in the natural world.
Join our sprint to the present day!
Childcare will be provided,
HikeAsana: November 18, 12-4 and a soup lunch will follow
HikeAsana brings yoga poses and principles into
nature, deepening and expanding your hiking November 19
and yoga experience. This easy/moderate hike is
Holiday Ornament Making
interwoven with guided yoga poses, pranayama
Friends of all ages are invited to gather at rise of
breathwork, and yogic principles that invite
meeting in the First Day room to create handcrafted
participants to root down, stretch their branches,
ornaments which will trim the Meeting tree.
flow with the wind and water, and connect with
Ornament making on Nov 19 will include simple
the natural elements of the forest. The beautiful
guided as well as self guided crafts. Friends are
wooded trail wanders through moderately uneven
welcome to bring their own supplies to create
terrain with some elevation changes. Frequent stops
something unique.
and easy opportunities to shorten the hike offer the
opportunity to tailor the hike to different needs and
levels. HikeAsana is guided by an avid nature lover DECEMBER 10
and yoga instructor who shares her love of both Second Hour – Baltimore Yearly
practices. No yoga experience required.
Meeting’s Camping Programs
Led by the Religious Education
Meeting News Committee’s Subcommittee on Camping
Friends were sorry to hear of the death of Lark
Mason, formerly a Goose Creek Friend and still a DECEMBER 17
friend of ours. Lark lived most recently in Staunton, Christmas Celebrations
Virginia. Our sympathy to her daughters, Kathryn,
Emily, and Jenna.
at Goose Creek
4:30 Bonfire and tree trimming
6:00 Potluck dinner
Followed by a gift exchange
and Christmas carols
Page 4 | November 2023 | Goose Creek Friends Newsletter

Sundays Facing Bench

Zoom Meeting for Worship at 9:45 a.m. In-person November
Meeting for Worship at 9:45 a.m. For the weekly Zoom link, Rich Weidner
contact Chuck at chuck.hough@gmail.com zoom
First Day School & Oakdale Nursery, 10:00 a.m. Chuck Hough
Patricia Barber
Wednesdays ***
Discussion Group at 7:00 (Zoom). For more information,
contact Chuck Hough: chuck.hough@gmail.com
Calendar
NOVEMBER
11/05 Sun. 11:00 am Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
11/08 Wed. 5:00 pm Religious Education Committee Meeting (via Zoom)
11/12 Sun. 8:30 am Peace & Social Concerns Committee meeting
11:00 am Second Hour: Quaker history & the history of Goose
Creek, followed by a soup lunch
11/18. Sat. 1-5 pm Ministry & Worship retreat
11/19 Sun. 11:00 am Holiday Ornament Making NEWSLETTER
11/26 Sun. 11:00 am Ministry & Worship Committee meeting The Goose Creek Friends Newsletter
is published monthly by the
DECEMBER Goose Creek Friends Meeting,
12/01 Fri. 5:00 pm Religious Education Committee meeting via Zoom 18204 Lincoln Road, P.O. Box 105,
12/03 Sun. 11:00 am Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business Lincoln, VA 20160.
12/10 Sun. 8:30 am Peace & Social Concerns Committee meeting
CLERK
11:00 am BYM Camps presentation for families and Friends
Allen Cochran, 540.338.6485
12/17 Sun. 4:30 pm Bonfire and Christmas tree trimming Cochransstone@aol.com
6:00 pm Christmas potluck dinner and carol sing
TREASURER
FIRST DAY SCHOOL Brian Burgher
goose.creek.treasurer@gmail.com
11/05 (Grades 6-12) Discussion group: The Afterlife, part 1 of 3
(Grades PreK-5) The C in SPICES, part 1 of 4 NEWSLETTER
11/12 (Grades 6-12) Discussion group: The Afterlife, part 2 of 3 EDITOR
(Grades PreK-5) The C in SPICES, part 2 of 4 Catherine Cox, 301-471-5330
11/19 (Grades 6-12) Discussion group: The Afterlife, part 3 of 3 blycox@comcast.net
(Grades PreK-5) The C in SPICES, part 3 of 4
WEBSITE &
11/26 (Grades 6-12) Discussion group: Navigating the Holidays
(Grades PreK-5) The C in SPICES, part 4 of 4 FACEBOOK
www.goosecreekfriends.org
OAKDALE NURSERY https://www.facebook.com/
(Infant - PreK) Each week children enjoy games, stories, crafts, and play Goose-Creek-Friends-Meeting-
150892438287560/?rc=p

“The fathomless depth of the listener who can go beyond words, who DONATIONS
can even go beyond the conscious meanings behind words and who can Please direct donations for
listen with the third ear for what is unconsciously being meant by the Goose Creek Friends Meeting to
Brian Burgher, P.O. Box 105
speaker, this fashion of attentive listening furnishes a climate where
Lincoln, Virginia 20160 - OR -
the most unexpected disclosures occur that are in the way of being donate online: http://www.goose-
miracles in one sense, and the most natural and obvious things in the creekfriends.org/please-support-
world, on the other.” – Douglas Steere, 1955 goose-creek/