The Farmington-Scipio Regional Meeting Spring Gathering will take place Friday May 18th through Sunday May 20th at Watson Homestead in Painted Post, New York. It will be a weekend of workshops, worship, fellowship and activities to strengthen faith and grow a sense of community in Friends of all ages.
Click for an online registration form.
Quality programs for children and youth will also be offered. On the Watson Homestead campus there is a rock wall tower, a swimming pool, a prayer labyrinth, a fire circle and many other amenities for a fun and enriching weekend.
THEME
Our Theme this year is Faithfulness, Discernment and Change. You might want to be mindful of the theme as you anticipate our Gathering or put forward requests for Interest Groups, Workshops, or displays. There is a line for display requests on the form.
FOOD CHOICE
You will notice a change this year in menu choices. This follows from discussion at FSRM Winter Gathering that was generated by a Minute from Perry City Monthly Meeting regarding concern over treatment of animals and environmental hazards associated with factory farming. The spirit of this Minute is reflected in having the vegetarian menu the default choice. Anyone who wants the meat option can check the box provided.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many opportunities to volunteer. Please indicate your choice(s) on the registration form.
SPECIAL INVITATION FOR YOUTH
We have been busy listening and planning for a different, full, exciting program for youth and teens at Spring Gathering this year! Youth program opportunities begin with registration at 4 PM on Friday through the close of Meeting for Business at 1:15 PM on Sunday.
Besides the usual campfire/BONDfire, swimming, kite-flying and intergenerational activities, we will have drumming as a spiritual practice; Drumming the Journey with Cynthia Nado, open to youth through teens. Cynthia writes:
"Shamanism began thousands of years ago when humans communicated with everything around them, when they were fully connected to nature. We are light-filled beings who come from the light and when we shed this body we return to the light. Shamanism is not a religion, but a listening and understanding in a way that can bring healing and balance back into life. Around the world, in every culture, in every community there is a man or a woman who is a shaman who works to help everyone.
"There are two workshops on Saturday and the first workshop will teach you how to Journey. After some instruction, you will journey to the lower world to find a power animal and then to the upper world to find a spiritual teacher in human form. The second workshop will show you how to read stones. Then on Sunday, if the weather is reasonable, we will do a Medicine Walk.
"Please bring a bandana or cloth to cover your eyes and a blanket to roll up in."
Jungle Jeff will lead Silent Nature Walks in the Woods at 6:15 AM (yes, AM--it's optional!) on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a campfire cooking/baking session or two. David will lead pre-dawn and early evening stargazings, exploring inner space and outer space (astronomy/cosmology) guided by the Inner Light. The Climbing Wall will be open for a session, and the late night (9 PM) movie returns.
We look forward to hearing from you, on the registration form. Feedback from youth and teens will help us plan and fill out our schedule.
We are striving to offer new activities in addition to our favorites at Watson, along with time to get to know one another, varied pace and activity levels, and a wide spectrum of activities. Of course, we need a space to gather and hang out in a place that is just ours, too.
We hope that you will consider coming to Spring Gathering this year. This year's Youth Program Committee looks forward to hearing your interests and ideas, and having fun together in May!
--Your Youth Program Committee for Spring Gathering 2018, comprised of Friends from Collins, Fredonia, Orchard Park, and the wider world of Friends