A Follow-Up tale, and Something Fun too!

Right, so, it seems to me only fitting that I should post something in follow-up to the meeting that we had, what, a week and a day ago now? My, how time does fly... poor Coyote is feeling pretty beat right now, like an old dog. Therefore, instead of doing what he should be doing (say, finals/papers) he's gonna blog. Logical, no?

We convened, more or less, at Seven of the Clock post meridiem (that would be nineteen hundred hours for you 24-hour folks) in the Quigg worship room, the Gathering Area having not enough seating or the preferred atmosphere for what we were intending. Which, of course, was somewhat nebulous, at least in the outset. Basically, if I understand what happened correctly, we came together to talk about and share our feelings regarding the perceived breaking of trust in the community, and what we hoped to do as a community in order to re-establish said trust so that we could move forward as functional; what we were not intending was a discussion of Robert's situation, or of Marie Vandenbark's history class. Both were obviously very important elements and would have a bearing on what was said understood, but those specific issues were not intended to be the topic of main discussion/sharing. After some brief introduction and a slight bringing up to speed of what had been happening, we entered into a period of worship, with Micki... well, clerking might be one way of putting it, but pastoring would, methinks, be a more apt descriptor of her function, for which I am deeply appreciative. Question was raised regarding the nature of trust and what that would look like, but things didn't really seem to be going anywhere. Then a Friend asked, hoping not out of line, if we could back up a bit. She was, Friend said, not acquainted with everyone in the room and thought it would be beneficial for all (herself included, natch) if we introduced ourselves and, much more importantly, spoke briefly on our connection to all this and why we had come to the community meeting/what each hoped to accomplish. And we did, not going around the room necessarily, but each speaking when moved and in turn.

Turns out, this suggestion was positively *brilliant* and no doubt Spirit-led. It was during this time that it was revealed to me how hurtful the Gossip Blog had been from the outset due to prior connotations of gossip; however well-intentioned, such a Blog could not have helped do some damage. I must concede, with some remorse and shame, that not all share the sense of humor of myself or James Nayler. Who, by the way, outed himself to the community and publicly apologized for his unintended exacerbation of QuakerWorldNow's apparent... difficulties. I too apologized for the community as one of those who "bit" on the Blog, so to speak. Some also spoke to the deeply personal and ongoing attacks they had been subjected to by QuakerWorldNow, including Craig (though QWN did not know who he was specifically) and Erin, as I mentioned last post (and hope she doesn't mind my mentioning). This was helpful for those who were unaware of anything beyond the initial few e-mails and the Gossip Blog e-mail. Some Friends spoke to feeling unsafe and vulnerable at ESR because of the threats they felt they had received; others spoke to their bewilderment regarding how something so simple (in their eyes) could have such an effect. Some came in an attempt to rebuild trust and community; some came seeking safety and support, comfort for their wounds; some came to offer support and hopefully comfort though they might not have known everything. I went that night to support my friends; I went because I wanted a release of the frustration, anger, fear for friends that had been growing as I learned more. I went seeking absolution for the guilt of feeling angry and threatened on behalf of my friends, the guilt that it had been someone else, not me, who had been hurt and felt threatened, (I would rather be a tank [def. 1]) and as I was there I asked for absolution of the shame that grew in me as I heard Friends talking about how the Gossip Blog hurt them unawares.

Sorry, got a bit sidetracked there. Anyway, as I said this suggestion was a very good one and it was an excellent way to get out information and clear the air, in a sense. There was some brief discussion about the community and the raw pain that was in the room was brought up, but honestly I think most of the work was done in the sharing. And... I'm not sure what else to say about the meeting. It went well. I think most people came away feeling very good about it, if not disturbed about what had happened to some people, and some healing certainly took place.

Changing subjects entirely now, since I should post about something more entertaining methinks. So Coyote was on the Interwebs recently surfing about, and look what he found! Now, for those of you unfamiliar with LOLcats, well, there's a perfect example attached to this post actually. But yeah, there it is. A Kitty pidgin Bible, I kid you not. I about fell out of my chair, and not because I was leaning back too far (though that does happen often - the leaning back, not the falling out I mean). Who has the time on their hands... I know it's a wiki, but still, why? Why, I say, "translate" the Bible into something rather ridiculous. I mean, I'm a fan of Lolcats, and if you read my blog you'll no doubt see more (ohs the noes!), but the Bible?! Still, it's funny. Well, for a bit. Read a few verses, heck read a chapter, and see what you think. Hopefully you giggle or guffaw. If not, well, Coyote tries, but does not always succeed.

And, I'm done. Tis late. Goodnight dear readers!