In addition to gathering for Silent Worship, we also gather to socialize, in service, and to learn from each other. See our newsletter for upcoming events.
Spiritual Discussions
We hold regular spiritual discussions, currently via Zoom. At each gathering we consider a different topic, with supplementary brief readings or online videos. A volunteer facilitator summarizes the material and poses queries for discussion. Topics have included “Are Quakers Mystics?”, “Spirituality and Nature”, and “Ways to Connect with the Divine”, plus a very popular Quakerism 101 series. See our newsletter for the next date and topic.
Book Club
Our book club has been holding book discussions since August of 2022. We currently meet on a weeknight evening via Zoom. We choose our books by consensus, with a focus on books that have a Quaker theme or character or are thematically “Quaker adjacent.” Selections have included:
- The Peaceable Kingdom: The Children of the Light, 1652-1653 by Jan de Hartog
- Sacred Nature: Restoring our Ancient Bond with the Natural World by Karen Armstrong
- Busara Road by David Halleck Sanders
- Delivering the Truth: Quaker Midwife Mystery #1 by Edith Maxwell
- The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction by Ben Pink Dandelion
- Sand in a Whirlwind: The Paiute Indian War of 1860 by Ferol Egan
- The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Carlton Abrams
- The Last Runaway, by Tracy Chevalier
- A Door into Ocean by Joan Slonczewski
- Falling to Heaven: A Novel, by Jeanne Peterson
- On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, & Getting Old, by Parker J. Palmer
- Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker: A Humble Stumble Toward Simplicity and Grace, by J. Brent Bill
- The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd
- The Barn at the End of The World: The Apprenticeship of a Quaker Buddhist Shepherd by Mary Rose O’Reilley
- How We Show Up, by Mia Birdsong
- The Dazzle of Day, by Molly Gloss
- The Friendly Persuasion, by Jessamyn West
- Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
See our newsletter for the next meeting date and details on our current book selection.
Potlucks
We hold potlucks most months, typically on the fourth Sunday of the month, after Silent Worship. While we aren’t all vegetarians or vegans, some of us are, and so our potlucks lean “veggie.” A list of the ingredients in your dish would be appreciated by those who have food allergies. We do have a small microwave, and we have a mini-fridge we use part of the year. We don’t have an oven or stove or large refrigerator for keeping food hot or cold during Silent Worship. You may want to bring something that is safe to keep at room temperature or that you can keep cool in your own cooler while we are in silence.
When the weather is nice, we hold our potlucks in the Meeting House Garden. When we’re planning to eat outside, we will set up the food buffet inside the Meeting House.
We don’t allow alcohol at the Meeting House, so if you want to bring a beverage to share, consider juice, soda, lemonade, or iced tea. We usually have coffee and hot tea available. We have cutlery and non-breakable plates for everyone to use; we always welcome help with the dishes!
Brown-bag Lunches
We hold occasional brown-bag lunches on a weekday. Bring your own lunch; tea and coffee will usually be available in the Meeting House. If the weather is nice, we might eat outside. When meeting in person isn’t prudent, we meet via Zoom. The Zoom link is sent out by email. Brown-bag lunches are usually smaller gatherings than our potlucks, and so can be a good way to get to know people better in a relaxed setting.
Gentle Exercise Classes
Rhonda Ashurst leads a series of gentle exercises from Tai Chi, Chi Qigong, and Yoga; she calls her class Embodying the Light. She’s held the classes in the Meeting House, via Zoom, and in Cole Park (at the intersection of Coleman Dr. and Wesley Dr. in northwest Reno.) If you would like to do the Embodying the Light practice on your own, the complete practice is now available on video. If you would prefer to do just a few forms or part of the class, shorter videos are on Rhonda’s website. Check our newsletter for upcoming classes via Zoom or in person. You can read more here.
