The first was looking at social media, this was in the context of 'Creating Community' by Jennifer Barraclough. One of her points was that community and place were linked together. I suppose my answer would be a cautious yes, but only if we account for virtual spaces. In our group we heard a powerful account form someone who had 'Aspergers' and found the way into the social world came through online contacts and friends. It is a shame we did not really get round to thinking hard about the nature of our online identities and how the develop. To me this can fundamentally rob us of our abilities to be prejudiced.
The second was a group looking at Clerking. Are Clerks Leaders of Servants? It is so useful for me to sit and talk with others who do the same thing and encounter the same problems. For some this might not be the most riveting area but for those who end up sitting at Table it can be quite dominant in their lives. I wish we had more sessions like this.
There is a last comment here for anyone who is grumbling about tickets. Think carefully about how you can protect parents, who have to care for their children, the needs of less physically able Gatherers and those who come for the day. I have heard a lot of complaints but few suggestions as to an alternative. I have heard of someone who gave her ticket (to an oversubscribed group she really wanted to go to) to another who was feeling lost and left out. I know of a lot of people who are now standing back and waiting to see where there are activities that are being underused. Do you follow the Light in this or do you follow the devices of your own will?
I assume my good friend Les meant to say - are clerks leaders OR servants rather than leaders OF servants. I would say they are both leaders and servants. Quakers have tended to be mistrustful of leaders but we need leadership within the society to help enable change to come about. We have many fine leaders in the society and they should feel empowered rather than constrained.
ReplyDeleteOh and on the subject of tickets - being a bit rebellious I just tend to turn up to events even if all the tickets are gone - if there is still space I am allowed in, if not I move on elsewhere. I went to one event without a ticket as they had all gone but there was still space for at least 50 more people.
I'll sign off with just one thought - this has so far been a very inspiring YMG - thank you to all who have worked so hard to put it all together
Hello Wombler thanks for your reply. I did mena 'or'these Blogs are squeezed into odd corners of time.
ReplyDeleteIf clerks are servants then who is the Master-in discussion the Light was seen as one and The Meeting as another, or so it seemed. When Clerking works well the Meeting, Clerk and Light are one...Unity. 'Leadership' is undoubtedly part of Clerking. For me this is is 'ascribed' leadership: it is given by those in the Meeting and lasts as long as it is given and no longer. The trust that the Meeting places in this Clerk makes his knees tremble, I feel both humble and inadequate. Why Clerking works in our Meeting it is because of the Meetings support of the Clerk-It is the Meeting that makes the Clerk and not the Clerk who makes the Meeting.