Some suggested reading

I thought I'd post some resources here for those of us who feel familiar with Quakerism but shaky on this Paganism stuff, or familiar with Paganism but shaky on this Quaker stuff, since our weekend is going to be all about where they intersect.

The first four items are resources I have suggested as advance reading for a workshop I'm facilitating at Friends General Conference Gathering this summer.

Faith and Practice

I highly recommend Faith and Practice. This is a "book of discipline" that a number of yearly meetings publish, and it is a good source of information and shared wisdom about Friends' testimonies, worship, practices, and history.

The version with which I am most familiar is Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's, which is available on-line here, or in hard copy through Quakerbooks of Friends General Conference.

I can also recommend Britain Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice, available on-line here, or in hard copy (you guessed it) from Quakerbooks.

For a list of Faith and Practice books of other yearly meetings, click here.

If there is a Quaker library in your area -- at a college or a local monthly or yearly meeting -- you will be able to borrow a copy.

The Spiral Dance

Starhawk's book The Spiral Dance: the Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess remains an excellent introduction to Paganism, particularly Witchcraft, as well as a good resource for experienced Witches looking to deepen their spiritual practice. This is available in hard copy only, although a large excerpt is available on-line here. Your local library may have it, or you might decide to buy it. Rather than buying from a mega-chain, please buy from an independent bookstore, either on-line or in person. BookSense is a good resource for independent bookstores. And one of my favorite independent bookstores, Quakerbooks (of course!) can order it for you as well.

"Christians in My Meeting Made Me Pagan"

This is Friend Daniel Hall's essay/posting to the QuakerPagan YahooGroup "about that conversion experience." It's available on-line here.

"The Syncretic Pagan"

This is Friend Laura Salmonstone's essay in the Witchvox Adult Pagan Essay Series about her spiritual journey and her spiritual life. It's available on-line here.

Some additional web-based resources:

Covenant of the Goddess
The Pagan Pride Project
Quaker.org
QuakerFinder.org (primarily, but not exclusively, FGC)

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I hope some of these resources are helpful for folks who are planning to come to our Gathering, or who are simply curious. Happy reading!

Ooops!

Well... your humble editor was working on a budget yesterday for non-profit fiscal year '08, which is the only explanation I can come up with for the date fumble. Yes, Great Waters is really happening in 2007 (not 2008 as previously posted). I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience my typo may have caused!

What is GWPFG?

What is Great Waters Pagan Friends Gathering?

~ a Gathering for and of Pagan Quakers/Quaker Pagans
~ Memorial Day Weekend 2007, Friday night through Monday afternoon
~ hosted by Huron Valley Pagan Friends Circle and supported by an international group of Quakers/Pagans
~ site is the Ann Arbor Friends Meetinghouse in Ann Arbor, MI

Although Ann Arbor Friends Meeting is not co-sponsoring this event, the Meeting holds the Gathering organizers and attenders in the Light with love. Huron Valley Pagan Friends Circle likewise holds Ann Arbor Friends Meeting in the Light with love as well.

What does "a Gathering for and of Pagan Quakers/Quaker Pagans" mean?

~The Gathering is open to Quakers, or those familiar with and in sympathy with Friends beliefs, testimonies, and worship, who experience That-Which-Is-Sacred primarily through Nature, the Earth and Her seasons, the Divine Feminine, the Goddess and the God, or other pre-Christian Deities, or who also identify as Pagan.

What's going to take place at this Gathering? How can I learn more? I would like to attend - how do I register?

~We will post a schedule as well as registration materials as soon as they are available.

What if I have questions that aren't answered here?

~Leave a comment! We will be happy to get back to you.

Welcome!

Welcome to Great Waters Pagan Friends Gathering! At our blog site, you will find the most updated information as soon as it becomes available.

You can receive an email notification each time an update is available! Click here to subscribe through FeedBlitz.

Thanks, and welcome!

Yours in Friendship,
Blessed be,
Staśa Morgan-Appel
for the organizers of Great Waters Pagan Friends Gathering