Sign up by January 15! Register for FLGBTQC Midwinter gathering!

RantWoman is seasoning the following Invitation to attend the FLGBTQC Midwinter Gathering, to be held this year at Menucha retreat Center outside Portland OR
http://aquakerwitch.blogspot.com/2013/11/an-invitation-to-flgbtqc-mid-winter.html

The FLGBTQC website:
http://flgbtqc.quaker.org/

Info specifically about the upcoming Midwinter gathering
https://sites.google.com/site/flgbtqcmw2014/

Here's the basic problem: RantWoman is NOT led to attend herself. RantWoman has schedule conflicts. RantWoman IS led to exhort and cajole selected others toward attendance. Leadings on behalf of others are always risky, but here are RantWoman's observations in exhortation:

RantWoman particularly has leadings on behalf of a Friend who hardly ever goes to anything beyond her own Meeting except apparently once the PNQM Silent Retreat. RantWoman has suggested firmly that the Friend she has in mind GO, dip her toes in as far as she is led, be sure to go to whatever daily worship sharing option there is, absolutely, categorically NOT sign up to do ANYTHING beyond whatever minimal chores might be involved for the weekend and simply experience events.
In support of this leading, RantWoman invites readers: what would you tell someone attending FLGBTQC for the very first time?

RantWoman met many FLGBTQC Friends the year the FGC gathering was in Tacoma on the campus of PLU. RantWoman every day attended afternoon Meeting for Worship. Every day RantWoman experienced both something which made RantWoman roll her eyes and moan "Oh please" and also something which RantWoman was certain was the reason she had gone to worship. RantWoman seems to have a pretty high tolerance for "oh please" moments; this is one reason she sticks things out for the other wonder moments.
RantWoman again invites readers: What is your experience on the spectrum of reactions described here?

If RantWoman DID feel led to attend, RantWoman has one interesting mission in mind: RantWoman has a couple peers from outside Quakerdom who are college professors in different Bible Belt states. One in particular reports for various reasons that students feel safe to come out to her but she herself has no sense of how to help such students with their spiritual challenges. So if RantWoman DID attend, she might be looking for connections willing, discretely to accept referrals of such students.

RantWoman notes one opportunity which frequently comes up when herMeeting is discussed in the wider world of Quakers,the "how's your sex offender?" conversation. RantWoman has been around this topic enough times to have picked up a fair number of stories of other Meetings and Friends churches who have sex offenders among their worshipping community. RantWoman also notes the  reality that once in awhile at queer events one also encounters someone who has been branded a sex offender for having consensual sex with a partner of the same gender. RantWoman has no idea whether any such people might attend FLGBTQC, let alone whether they would identify themselves if they do. RantWoman nevertheless feels called to note the possibility.

If definitional complexities seem oh a bit much, RantWoman highly recommends a hike.  RantWoman knows there are hiking options on the grounds of Menucha itself. RantWoman also notes that Menucha is located on the road to Multonomah falls. If one needs a break from activities at Menucha, there are several gorgeous hike options at the different waterfalls and lookouts along the road to Multonomah Falls.

One reason RantWoman is not led to attend: Menucha has a glorious outdoor swimming pool with a view out over the Columbia gorge. RantWoman really, really, really likes swimming in that pool. Swimming in that pool is only allowed when weather has been above some minimum temperature for several days running. RantWoman thinks even with  global warming, the temperature had better NOT be above the minimum for the necessary number of days in February! Sigh.

Another feeble RantWoman excuse for not attending: maybe in preparation for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, RantWoman will hide out and meditate about the Russian national mood as far as gays and lesbians. Well, maybe.
Again, RantWoman regretably has schedule conflicts herself; that is one reason to keep telling other peopleabout the upcoming midwinter gathering!