Sunday, Feb. 28 at 9:45 a.m. at the Newtown Quaker Meetinghouse Young Quakers and Their Mentors to Discuss "Walking the Walk"

Newtown Meeting Young Quakers and Mentors to Talk About “Walking the Walk”

On Sunday, February 28, at 9:45 a.m. six young Quakers and their Quaker Meeting mentors will answer the question: Which Quaker Testimony has been the hardest to embrace in your every day life? Everyone is invited to attend. (www.newtownfriendsmeeting.org). Quaker worship will follow the program at 11:00 a.m.

Quakers have no creed, religious hierarchy, or commonly required theological beliefs. Quakers believe that each individual is able to have a direct relationship with God, that this relationship can result in the “continuing revelation” of truths, and that each person should strive to have one’s life reflect this relationship with the Divine as much as possible.

Over the 360 years of history of Quakers, some generally accepted “Quaker Testimonies” have evolved -- expressions of how one’s daily life should reflect (testify to) one’s religious beliefs. Young Quakers today often refer to these Quaker testimonies as “SPICES” -- Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Equality, and Stewardship.

Each young person and adult on the panel will be asked to respond to the same question: Which Testimony (which of the SPICES) has been the hardest to embrace in your daily life?

Represented on the panel are young Quakers ranging in age from 12 to 16 years who attend both Newtown Friends School and public schools. They are:Will Buxton of Newtown, Emily Hulihan of Newtown, Hannah Grant of Newtown, Kelly Fabian of Newtown, John Ratliff of Pennington, NJ, Zac Simogy of Yardley, and Lucia Weatherill of Langhorne.

This program is part of Newtown Quaker Meeting’s commitment to intergenerational communication and one of the creative ways it has been addressing the intergenerational “GAP.”

Elizabeth Hurst, a local behavioral therapist who works with children, families and adolescents at Newtown Family Center on State Street, will moderate the panel.

Hurst said, “In preparation for this, the young people have been working to understand not only how to express their views on topics that can be complex or controversial but also why it is important for their voices to be heard. They have grappled with questions such as ‘How does Quakerism affect what you do in your everyday life?’ and ‘Does Quakerism influence your priorities in how you spend your time.’”

Elizabeth Hurst added, “These 45 minutes will be a unique opportunity for the adults to look through a younger person’s lens.” There will be a question and answer period after the presentation.

Newtown Friends Meeting co-founded by “Peaceable Kingdom” painter and Quaker minister, Edward Hicks, in 1815, is open to all who wish to attend. Regular First Day Education classes (Sunday School) for all ages begin at9:45 a.m. and Meeting for Worship begins at 11 a.m. Childcare is provided.