In this episode of Quakers Today we ask, Outside of Quaker Worship, where do Quakers seek inspiration, spirituality, and community? Whether you're looking to understand the charismatic charm of megachurches, the deep-rooted history of Pendle Hill, England or the mysticism of Howard Thurman, this episode invites listeners to broaden their horizons and embrace the myriad ways the Spirit speaks to us. You will find a complete transcript of this episode in the show notes at www.QuakersToday.org Listen as host, Peterson Toscano and his guests delve into Quaker spirituality beyond the confines of traditional Quaker worship. Quakers and Mental Health: Join Carl Blumenthal as he shares an intimate connection between Quakerism, spirituality, and mental illness, revealing his personal struggles with bipolar disorder and how it intersects with spiritual highs and lows. This is just an excerpt from the QuakerSpeak video entitled, Quakers, Spirituality, and Mental Health. You will find a full version of this QuakerSpeak video on the YouTube QuakerSpeak channel. Or visit Quakerspeak.com. Carl’s also has written about Quakers and mental health for Friends Journal. "The reason I'm interested in the connection between Quakers and mental health is that George Fox himself, I think, was going through, you might call it an existential crisis, you might call it a severe depression when he found himself on Pendle Hill." -Carl Blumenthal Intersections of Faith: Modern Reflections on Ancient Roots: Sara Walcott and Andy Stanton-Henry discuss their unique spiritual influences—charismatic worship and paganism—and how they find common ground in their differing beliefs. Can we listen without prejudice and let the Spirit move us in surprising ways? We navigate the realms of Charismatic Christianity, embodied spirituality, and even witchy traditions, exploring how Quakerism might be embracing an animistic world view and listening to fresh winds of the Spirit from unexpected places. Dig Deeper The Pendle Witches from The History Press “For a long time ‘witch’ hadn’t necessarily meant ‘evil’, and could often be used interchangeably as a term for a healer or wise woman, and though Demdike and her family had received accusations of casting curses from their neighbours before, it was an event in March 1612 that caught the attention of Pendle’s justice of the peace, Robert Nowell, and sealed the family’s fate.” Quakers, radicals and witches: a walk back in time on Pendle Hill by Chris Moss for The Guardian Sara Wolcott If Quakers Were (Also) WitchesWorkshop Sara led at Ben Lomond Center, If Quakers Were Witches Sara Jolena Wolcott, M.Div., directs the eco-spiritual ministry, Sequoia Samanvaya. She teaches on circular time and origin stories, especially the intersections of colonization/climate change/spirituality. A member of Strawberry Creek Meeting in Berkeley, California, she lives with her partner alongside the River That Runs Both Ways (Hudson River). Andy Stanton-Henry All the Way Back To George Fox: Experimenting with Quaker Charismatics Friends Journal Author Chat Video with Andy Stanton-HenryKen Jacobsen’s review of Andy’s book Recovering Abundance: Twelve Practices for Small-Town Leaders Andy Stanton-Henry is a writer, Quaker minister, and chicken-keeper. He holds degrees from Barclay College and Earlham School of Religion. He carries a special concern for rural leaders, leading to his recently published book, Recovering Abundance: Twelve Practices for Small-Town Leaders. A native Buckeye, Andy now lives in East Tennessee with his spouse, Ashlyn, blue heeler Cassie, and 11 laying hens. A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman: Dive into Loretta Coleman Brown's new book, What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman, which highlights the transformative spirituality of the black American theologian and mystic, Howard Thurman. Discover a road map to psychological and spiritual freedom. Read the review by Ron Hogan. After the episode concludes we share voicemails from listeners who answered the question, When it comes to activism, do the ends justify the means? Question for next month Outside of Quaker Worship, where do Quakers seek inspiration, spirituality, and community? In this episode you heard about Quakers looking outside the Religious Society of Friends for something more. They are asking, “Is something missing in Quaker worship?” It may be something we once had that is now lost. Some may be seeking new infusions of influences for a new time in history. Peterson has often heard Quakers say something like, “I attend Quaker meetings for worship, AND I also…” then they tell him about the other faith traditions or spiritual practices that feed them, center them, or enhance their Quaker faith and practice. What about you? Outside of Quaker Worship, where do Quakers seek inspiration, spirituality, and community? And if you are not a Quaker, Outside of your usual ...
