Tuesday, 18 November 2014

C is for Christmas and the Celebration of Light




Yes it's November and I am talking about Christmas.   the Quaker commitment to our event The Celebration of Light.

If you have never experienced or helped with this event yet, please consider coming

There is :experience the Peace garden lit with hundreds of small candles
                same with craft for children
                the same with storytelling and music making for the children
                the same with craft for the children

There is also refreshments for adults and children

This event is entirely free and supported by Wellington Quaker Meeting and the Area Meeting Members

Take a look at last year's preparations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3NuWgY8EQw

Celebration of Light
 
Quakers have organised this event for the people in Wellington and beyond. It is intended as a secular event.  The Peace garden which is used as a quiet place to sit and reflect in The Quaker Meeting House Wellington ( next door to the One Shop), is transformed by greenery and hundreds of tiny candlelit lanterns. People who know about it come back year on year.  We intend it as an alternative Christmas Celebration, that of appreciating light in the darkness and the silence. ( there is little light pollution in the Quaker Peace Garden ).  Children are often overawed by the experience. We invite peopled to come and look on the same day the lights are switched on in Wellington ,  Children are particularly welcome One of the features is to walk the spiral of light and perhaps reflect on the non commercial meaning of Christmas and our love for one another and all living things including our own planet.
 
Children and the Celebration of Light
 
We have various things to interest the children
Nov 26th there will be craft and free coffee and tea for parents.  Craft will be making Christmas decorations using mirror card.
 
Dec 3rd there is storytelling and music which the children are invited to join in the music making. This year the story is Hans Christian Anderson's" the Snow Queen." Many children are familiar with the film Frozen. Frozen was derived from this story and it is a lovely story. HCA wrote stories of hope and love.
 
I shall also be reading my story available on my website, www.zoe ainworthgriggbooks.com It will be about "The Fabulous Miss Flimp" with free illustrations by Sue Hammond Lovatt to colour  of Miss Flimp in a fairy  dress.

For a free ebook "Christmas and Miss Flimp"
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=zoe+ainsworth-grigg
 

Friday, 14 November 2014

B for Bread and butter pudding,burgers,bangers,BBQ's and banquets

One of the most pleasurable things that we can do as Quakers is to offer our F/friendship and hospitality.

" Do you recognise the needs and gifts of each member of your family and household, not forgetting your own? Try to make your home a place of loving friendship and enjoyment, where all who live or visit may find the peace and refreshment of God's presence." A&Q 26

Now we have an opportunity to raise money for our new Meeting House in Taunton

through the enterprising site with the link below, and have an enjoyable social experience as well. Do join us by inviting people to dine, breakfast or lunch and sending them the site link.  There are recipes on the site too. Why not throw a Christmas or New Year Party?

http://www.dinner4good.com/WestSomersetQuakers

All money raised at this crucial time will be warmly received .  We have money towards the project of £750,000 plus to datea nd we need the last £25,000 to make our vision for the future become a reality.

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

A is for Action

How do Quakers take action to increase our decreasing numbers? Here in Somerset we have problems of declining numbers and our Meetings are getting statistically older.

We have embarked on a very ambitious project.  We want to refashion Taunton Meeting House so that it is an example of sustainability within the community.  We also want to encourage young people to use our facilities as well as welcoming our established friends who already use our building.

We are nearly at the threshold of this exciting adventure and we need the last £25,000. We already have raised £500,000 plus and have more money pledged.We urgently need this money to go ahead after three years of fundraising. Can you help by donating just a little?

https://www.fundsurfer.com/project/QuakerMeetingHouse

Take a look at our plans as I am sure you will be impressed.

http://youtu.be/7yEq7hmx6Ts