Bridge City Friends Meeting
State of Society Report
2024
Bridge City Friends Meeting is a community of Friends based in inner SE Portland at the Architectural Heritage Center (AHC). Typically, we number 10 – 12 Friends in-person and 6-8 screens of Friends on zoom, both on “blended worship” Sundays and on “plain worship” Sundays (no technology at AHC). The ages of our participants range from 40’s – 80’s, with most falling in the above-60-aged grouping. Occasional visits by Quaker Voluntary Service fellows or other younger souls significantly increases our age diversity.
We note many strengths in our spiritual condition. This spring we undertook a reorganization of our monthly meeting work into functional teams, consolidating and simplifying the slate for the upcoming nominating cycle. The enthusiastic work of small ad hoc groups to re-envision our structure attests to our commitment to interact with one another. We value joining together to accomplish the Meeting’s work. More than half of our attenders participate in Meeting for Worship for Business.
Bridge City Friends’ lives are interwoven with one another. A number of clearness and support committees work with individual Friends addressing practical and spiritual needs. Weekly worship online meets some Friends’ health and mobility limitations.
Our recognition of ongoing need of online worship connections with some Friends challenged our community. After various trials we settled on the technological components to include our entire community in worship and business sessions. We use zoom on a laptop computer, connected to the Polycom (camera and soundbar), and a projector and screen. As our Covid considerations recede (the masking mandate for worship softened to a recommendation), we hope to be more welcoming to some Friends and improve vocal clarity for others. We look forward to warmer and drier weather when outdoor worship can be held in home and public park settings.
BCFM recently formed small groups of 4-6 Friends for a series of gatherings, some over meals, and reconnecting fellowship. Online and in-person attenders are intermixed, knitting individuals together once more in our vibrant community. Some groups use queries in the worship sharing format to deepen relationships.
BCFM members contribute to the wider Quaker world through active participation in Willamette Quarterly Meeting and North Pacific Yearly Meeting, and Friends’ programs QVS, FCNL, AFSC, and FWCC. This work broadens our understanding of and connections with Friends worldwide. Quaker Voluntary Service links us with the younger generation of Friends as they serve local social service/non-profit organizations.
Our last All-Meeting Retreat in May 2023 reviewed the past roots of BCFM, noted the present realities, and looked toward the future. We look ahead to continued meaningful community experiences, rooted and grounded in love, as we proceed.