Friends Forward

Social media invites a curated persona and relies on external validation while the digital noise of constant stimulation deprives our brains of the silence necessary for deep listening and centering down before worship. Furthermore, a systemic dilution of Quaker education into social media-ready "values" or "SPICES" leaves students and teachers without the practices needed to navigate academic stress, anxiety and a general crisis of well-being. Most Upper School students at my Quaker school are so overwhelmed by the extrinsic demands of the college process that they do not participate in soulful engagement during meetings for worship. In fact, they sometimes resent being forced to take a break from the studying that could lead to their definition of success. There are colleagues too who wish they could have that extra time correcting assessments and preparing for class. The tyranny of perfectionism and its accompanying fear of vulnerability make true self-knowledge and compassion for oneself and others feel more like a risk than a prerequisite for a life of meaning and purpose. To what extent is our performance-based culture and our over-scheduled screen-filled lives causing a profound atrophy of our Spirit-filled soulscapes? And what can we do to elevate the soul's importance in our competitive winner-take-all world? There is no single answer, of course. But finding ways to slow down, to enter into silence, embrace nature, inculcate deep listening, discuss love and friendship, lift up our own weaknesses, applaud student kindness and caring, and engage in Spirit-led inquiry and worshipful sharing can at least help to nurture our ever receptive and redemptive Inner Light.

** This session will be repeated on Friday, July 10 during Workshop 4. **

Goals for Today-Exploring Quaker Protocols-Threshing
To deepen Quaker practices in our teaching and learning, and in how we engage with one another as a community. Engaging in a Quaker Protocol as a community is one way we can serve that goal.

What is "Threshing"?
"Threshing" means separating the "wheat from the chaff" and working toward collective discernment of a way forward. Quakers use threshing, usually in advance of decision-making or discussion on a topic that might be controversial or difficult.

GOALS include
to explore a topic using a protocol that encourages all voices and that leads to deepening focus on aspects of common interest;
to gain practice using this protocol with colleagues;
modeling a collegial learning practice;
to emphasize the importance of both sharing and listening
to gain practice in following the protocol so all have a turn.

What Threshing is NOT
We are NOT trying to come to any conclusions or resolutions, rather use protocol to gain clarity to help with further decision making.

Credit: Deborra Sines-Pancoe and Shu Shu Coasta, SPARC, Friends Council

**This workshop will also be held Friday, July 10 8:30-9:30AM.**