RantWoman is deeply humbly grateful to receive a couple documents ahead of time from the Quarterly Meeting Planning Committee. Readers, please though bear with RantWoman's need to "fix" things.
1. RantWoman made printed copies in large print. This will work better for RantWoman and probably for others around her than high-speed chatter splattering out of one of RantWoman's devices all over rooms because RantWoman hates headphones.
2. As long as RantWoman was fussing in Word, RantWoamn also decided to add headings and then experiment to see what Mr. JAWS finds in Word and when RantWoman makes an HTML file for pasting into the blog. Preview says what RantWoman has done will work.
3. As long as RantWoman was "fixing" some technological things, RantWoman OF COURSE was also called to enhance the content.
4. RantWoman actually found the need to add headings to the longer document helpful: in the process of figuring out where RantWoman would find it helpful to have headings, RantWoman actually got more of the document read than she might on the fly in an interest group.
Enjoy?
*Nurturing
the Light in each other*
As Quakers, we strive to recognize and uplift “that
of God” in ourselves and in one another. In addition, continuing revelation is
central to our community. We are all in the process of learning how to support one
another’s Inner Guide, as we each change and grow, too.
In that spirit, the Quarterly Meeting planning
committee from University Friends Meeting wishes to offer several guidelines
and reminders for this weekend:
*1. **Ask before touching someone. *
Create a culture of consent by asking for permission
to hug someone, touch their shoulder, etc., and by allowing the person space to
say “no” without guilt. People may decline touch for any number of reasons, and
nobody owes anyone an explanation for saying “no.”
RantWoman comment:
Ableism warning: if someone looks like they need
help, ask whether help is needed ; if yes then provide the help requested. If
the offer is declined, respect the person’s choice about how to do things.
Especially
tirade-worthy:
“grab the blind person and bless them.”
Query:
Are there other sensory, disability or
touch-specific points Friends might wish to share?
*2. **Respect people’s pronouns and bathroom
choices. *
Over a year ago our Yearly Meeting approved a Minute
of Inclusion that reads, in part:
“We recognize that when we embrace the Light within
the full spectrum of gender identities in our meeting, our worship deepens and
our community is enriched. As part of our evolving struggle to live our
testimony of equality, North Pacific Yearly Meeting minutes our commitment to
becoming and affirming, safe, and nurturing place for everyone to live fully
that which the Spirit is leading them to be. We extend our loving care to
people of all genders... We will continue to educate ourselves and our
communities and take appropriate action to bring about a more equal world.”
There are many ways to support trans and gender
non-conforming people: one way that we can do this is by honoring people’s
preferred pronouns (e.g. “she/her/hers,”
or “he/him/his,” or “they/them/theirs,” or “zie/hir/hirs”). Please consider
including your pronouns on your name tag, and correcting yourself and others
when you notice someone being referred to with the wrong pronouns. It is not
the end of the world to make mistakes, and we all do it occasionally; it’s
usually best to offer a quick apology and move on with the conversation.
Men’s and women’s bathrooms can be physically and
socially dangerous (and therefore anxiety-provoking) for trans and gender
non-conforming folks. If you are using a bathroom with someone who doesn’t seem
to be in the “right” place, please keep your thoughts to yourself. Everyone
deserves to pee or shower in peace.
RantWoman Comments:
Please bear with the possibility that some Friends,
especially Friends who have studied more than one language or lived in more
than one culture regard the subject of pronouns as an essay question.
If you really cannot bear sharing a bathroom with
someone for any reason please consider finding another restroom or visiting at
a different time.
Query:
Is anyone besides RantWoman interested in
conversation / discernment / meeting for worship with attention to howling
about how bad bathroom design is bad many ways?
*3. **Take care of yourself. *
The concepts of white supremacy, justice, and
punishment have deep historical roots and intense personal and spiritual
implications. We will likely have disagreements and difficult conversations.
Pay attention to the difference between discomfort and danger. You are strongly
encouraged to maintain boundaries that keep you safe, while also leaving
yourself room to grow and learn. Please do your best to respect others’
boundaries as well.
RantWoman Comment:
If mentioning God or colliding with the phrase “What
does God require of you?” or any other language for someone’s spiritual and
worship experience is going to distress you, please consider yourself held in
the Light. Please also realize that the problematic language is not necessarily
just going to disappear.
Query:
What language do we personally use for difficult
situations?
What helps us hear that of God in others?
Posts
