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?
