Welcoming Parents to Quaker Meeting

October Conversation Circles

P

ARENTS AND GUARDIANS INCREASINGLY SEEK COMMMUNITY to give their children a sense of connectedness in this tumultuous world. Quaker Meetings can help parents feel welcome by offering consistent support according to the capacity of the Meeting or Worship Group. Meetings may offer children’s religious education on a weekly or monthly basis or simply be ready for children should they arrive. The Meeting may offer regular potlucks and Meeting retreats as an opportunity to enjoy intergenerational fellowship, or opportunities for parents to gather for mutual support. Meetings can also put parents at ease by making space for children in the Meeting Room and allaying parents’ concerns about children in Meeting for Worship. 

Join this conversation to share experience, questions and challenges of welcoming parents and families to Quaker Meetings and Worship Groups.

QUERIES

• How can we help parents understand Quaker culture around children and families and dispel misunderstandings?

• What welcoming practices can your community commit to doing consistently?

• What does your meeting have to offer that families may really need? (community, friendships)

• How do families in your meeting welcome other families?  (pizza/play night)

• How to encourage informal family to family gatherings, play dates, etc.?

• How do we deal with a sense of competition with other Sunday morning activities (sports, etc.)

• How can we help the community of children and youth welcome new children?

• How can we welcome back families who have drifted away?

RESOURCES