Dear extended community of Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting,

The Peace and Social Concerns Committee would like to invite you all to participate in a virtual "Friendly 8s" experience via Zoom at 7:00 on Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!).

Friendly 8s, for those who are unfamiliar with the concept, are a number of potlucks organized by a meeting, each bringing together approximately eight members and attenders for social connection and occasionally to consider a set of queries or engage in some other activity. (There are a number of variations on the theme among Quakers.)

In this time of social distancing, Peace and Social Concerns would like to invite Friends to try out the experience via Zoom. We will gather in one Zoom room and shorty thereafter our host will divide us into our "potluck" breakout rooms with approximately eight participants each. (Feel free to eat during the event!)

Friends from our committee have developed queries around the theme "What is the Earth Asking of Us at this Moment?" If you would like to reflect on them in advance of the gathering, they appear below.

If any of you would be willing to serve as a sort of "worship sharing leader" for one of the breakout sessions, please let me know (see contact information below), and I can share guidelines with you.

The Login information for the Zoom meeting is: 
Meeting URL:  https://zoom.us/j/305096515?pwd=c1dwZUVGdW9MTkRBM1dib1oyUW5zZz09

Meeting ID: 305 096 515
Password: 004751

Dial in number:  +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Warmly,

Sara Palmer
sarasusa@gmail.com, 215-680-3658 cell/text
She/her/hers, they/them/their

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Queries for Earth Day Friendly 8s: What is the Earth Asking of Us at This Moment?

What have you learned about the Earth and yourself during this time? What has surprised you? Have you noticed any changes in our natural environment as a result of the shutdown?

What have you learned about your community (both Quaker and beyond?)

What have you been grateful for, and what has been hard?

What does Earth Day mean to you now? Is it different from what it's meant to you in the past?

What changes in our lives do we observe that can bring us into new/transformed relationship with Earth?

Given that this has been a global experience, what challenges have we uncovered regarding how we will respond to core needs such as interpersonal touch, social connection, shared community resources, healthcare, and care for the Earth?

How do we ground ourselves and prepare to move forward as a community?