Love is hard, but Scripture is clear. We are called to love our neighbors - all our neighbors - without exception.
How do we bring this cornerstone of Quakerism into our daily faith and practice? How do we broach hard conversations with our neighbors with integrity and respect? What does it take to find common ground and a movement to build the beloved community?
We discussed all this and more at “Building Bridges, Building a Movement: Loving Thy Neighbor in 2020.” We heard from two local Quaker guest speakers, Marcy Seitel (Adelphi Friends Meeting and Baltimore Yearly Meeting interim clerk) and JE McNeil (Friends Meeting of Washington), as they shared stories of how Friends are building bridges.
A Special Workshop Opportunity
Before the event, JE also hosted a workshop in the Quaker Welcome Center titled: “Conversations with the Other: How to Talk with People with Whom you Disagree Politically.” We practiced seven tools to help participants understand the importance of framing issues without bias, listening to people with different perspectives, and asking questions to get answers. JE is an attorney with a master’s in conflict transformation, and formerly worked with the Center on Conscience and War.
