Community is an essential part of Quaker life, and indeed is upheld as one of our Testimonies. We worship and wait upon Divine guidance together, we work in committees together, we shovel snow together (well, a few much-appreciated souls do), and we certainly like to eat lunch together. However, sometimes we are so busy working together that we have neither time nor opportunity to get to know one another as individuals, to learn of special joys, sorrows, talents and interests. 

Friendly 8s are informal groups of – would you believe? – approximately 8 people, who get together a few times over the course of a few months for the express purpose of getting to know one another better in a social, totally non-demanding setting. Ideally, we have a few old-timers combined with a few more recent arrivals in each group.  There is a designated convenor for each group who serves as the initial contact person, but the role of host rotates among the members of the group, and hosts remind the group about the get-together at their respective houses. We ask that each group retain the same people over the course of 4 months.

These gatherings might be potluck suppers, picnic lunches (we’re talking spring and summer here), going to a movie together, playing games, bird-watching, playing Scrabble … it’s up to the interests and imagination of each group. Generally, the gatherings have taken place on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, but again, it’s up to the calendars and availability of the members of each group. Families with children are welcome, and in the past have sometimes formed their own group, taking field trips to parks and doing other child-friendly activities together.

We urge all who are interested in being part of the deeper and richer community of CHFM to sign up and participate. Sign-ups will be announced soon, both in announcements after meeting for worship, in the newsletter and on this website. Ask any member of the Outreach Committee for more details.