Now and Future of Quakerism: a 2/3rds Perspective

by Callie Janoff
Brooklyn Meeting

 

In early December of 2021 a group of Friends who self-identified as being in the “second-third” of life (ages 35-59ish) gathered in person at Powell House for a retreat. In addition to getting to know each other, resting, socializing (and some of us attending the NYYM Fall Sessions by Zoom) we spent time together considering our relationship to Quakerism and our Quaker communities. We remembered how we have been shaped, and what we have inherited from Friends who came before us. We considered where we find ourselves now, and how we see our roles. And we also dreamed about the Quakerism and Quaker communities we wish for.

 

What follows are lightly edited notes taken from our sessions that I’ve compiled. They are meant to summarize the collective voice of many Friends, and are not offered as an epistle or manifesto.

 

When we consider “what is our role, what might our role be as a generation, and what may not be my/our role/part,” we recognize that we have a lot of Quaker experience, that we are all “weighty Friends,” and that we are poised to acquire authority in our Quaker communities. Some of the ways that we see our role or our part are:

  • Bridge building
  • Leveraging networks
  • Not waiting to be given permission to do what we see needs to be done, instead to follow our leadings as if we could just do whatever we are called to
  • As “the sandwich generation” being able to communicate between generations, bridging by way of tech or other ways
  • Getting to know other Friends our age, even if they aren’t a part of our local Quaker community
  • Being a model for others
  • Acting on our want and need to know one another better, not just “what we do for Quakers”
  • Communicating what we learn and know back to other Quakers
  • Using creative channels to communicate

 

When we consider what we hope for Quaker communities of the future, in say 20 years, in a “blue sky,” anything-is-possible kind of way, these are some of the things we hope for:

  • Diversity in who “we” means
  • A focus on our unifying beliefs
  • A more fluid organizational structure that is flexible and has the capacity to change
  • Availability and acceptance of different ways to worship
  • A setting aside of behavioral creeds while retaining our testimonies
  • A narrative theology
  • Ability to learn how to be Quaker by “doing” Quakerism
  • Having normalized the providing of programming and support for Friends at every age and at every stage of life
  • Meetings that are more like “storefront churches” with meetings at different times besides Sunday morning
  • Pastoral leadership is done by a group, rather than individuals
  • Organizational shapes and visions are examined and possibly revised regularly—as frequently as every three years
  • More attention is paid to the crossover/connections between worship, business, and activities of a meeting
  • Having already done the personal and institutional work of anti-racism and queer inclusion, we can offer eldering as radical hospitality
  • A focus on getting to know each other in relational community
  • Normalization of small groups for spiritual support, such as faithfulness groups
  • Regular meetings for fellowship
  • Meaningful involvement in our community that doesn’t require being nominated to a committee
  • Moving away from geographically organized communities
  • Having a healthy relationship with money
  • Organizations that are simply organized and transparent
  • We trust and invest autonomy in each other, instead of second guessing a group’s leading or decision
  • Joy and fun are centered
  • We are bold in our anti-racism
  • Babies and children are included in the meeting for worship and we consider childcare inclusively
  • Our witness activities focus on new and different concerns as they arise

Friends who identify as a “Second Third” are invited to join us for our ongoing gatherings offered through Powell House. Visit https://www.powellhouse.org/second-thirds. Anyone of any age who shares our dreaming is welcome to contact the Second Thirds organizers Emily Provance, Regina Baird Haag ([email protected]), and Callie Janoff ([email protected]).