Just like that and summer is here. Perhaps, like me, you are planting your seedlings this week. I love to lose track of time tending to my small patch of earth. It helps me slow down as I marvel at all the growing things. Having dirt under my fingernails reminds me that I am a part of ancient seasonal rhythms. Residents held our semi-annual Housie retreat this past weekend in Douglas, MA. They had a chance to play games, explore the woods, and connect with each other and our surroundings in ways that are hard to do in the busy day-to-day of House and city life. This moment of retreat is another ritual we do around the season change that gives us a break, lets us find ourselves, and connects us with nature. I hope you are able to find time to reconnect in these warm months, too. May you find time to be in the woods, or on a lake, or wherever you prefer to be surrounded by nature. May you find refreshment and peace there. And I hope you find new ways to connect with people at a wedding, or picnic, or graduation celebration, or just a walk near your home. May you learn something new about them and remember why you love them. May you learn something new about yourself. Have a s’more for me!
There's trusting the process/trusting the system, and then there’s stagnating in the system or process. As the world changes and as we all learn, process, and grow in different ways, it’s good to remember that the process or system only works if it actually works for everyone. For instance, I honestly really like our resident handbook. It’s thorough and it flows in a way that makes sense to me. It does not do this for all housies. It might not even be sufficient for most housies. The system can’t work if the users can’t access what they need in order to do what they need to do, right? If what we keep hearing is “we need this support” and “there should be a policy about…” and “I don’t know who to ask for this” when *I think* all the information is clearly presented in the handbook—then a change is needed. A handbook that was written decades ago when the world was a very different place—and there wasn’t even language yet for neurodivergence, for people having different learning and processing speeds and styles—is just not going to work in this current world. Adaptability as a leader isn’t just about rolling with the unexpected hiccups and finding a way through—although that’s definitely a huge part of it. Leaders also need to look at the folks we’re leading: what do they need to accomplish our goals? Sometimes we need to redesign the starting point. Or if we’re viewing life as a video game (and why not?)—sometimes we just need a better tutorial.
While we host meetings from a variety of organizations, we deeply value our Quaker connections. This past week we hosted the Good Friday Witness for Peace and Justice as we have for many years. Organized by Friends Meeting at Cambridge, Friends from the greater Boston area gather here for opening and closing worship. Vickie provided a simple lunch after a chilly day on Boston Common. This coming weekend we are hosting the House Board retreat where Friends and friends from around New England will meet to do the business of running the House. Also this weekend, I hope to attend the Visioning Day on Vibrant Quarterly Meetings. The House helped hold Salem Quarter during its sabbatical and we would love to be a part of getting it started up again. And in July, Jen will be delivering the Bible Half Hour at Friends General Conference Gathering. Our connections to our Quaker community ground our work, support our mission, and keep us connected.
Just like that and summer is here. Perhaps, like me, you are planting your seedlings this week. I love to lose track of time tending to my small patch of earth. It helps me slow down as I marvel at all the growing things. Having dirt under my fingernails reminds me that I am a part of ancient seasonal rhythms. Residents held our semi-annual Housie retreat this past weekend in Douglas, MA. They had a chance to play games, explore the woods, and connect with each other and our surroundings in ways that are hard to do in the busy day-to-day of House and city life. This moment of retreat is another ritual we do around the season change that gives us a break, lets us find ourselves, and connects us with nature. I hope you are able to find time to reconnect in these warm months, too. May you find time to be in the woods, or on a lake, or wherever you prefer to be surrounded by nature. May you find refreshment and peace there. And I hope you find new ways to connect with people at a wedding, or picnic, or graduation celebration, or just a walk near your home. May you learn something new about them and remember why you love them. May you learn something new about yourself. Have a s’more for me!
There's trusting the process/trusting the system, and then there’s stagnating in the system or process. As the world changes and as we all learn, process, and grow in different ways, it’s good to remember that the process or system only works if it actually works for everyone. For instance, I honestly really like our resident handbook. It’s thorough and it flows in a way that makes sense to me. It does not do this for all housies. It might not even be sufficient for most housies. The system can’t work if the users can’t access what they need in order to do what they need to do, right? If what we keep hearing is “we need this support” and “there should be a policy about…” and “I don’t know who to ask for this” when *I think* all the information is clearly presented in the handbook—then a change is needed. A handbook that was written decades ago when the world was a very different place—and there wasn’t even language yet for neurodivergence, for people having different learning and processing speeds and styles—is just not going to work in this current world. Adaptability as a leader isn’t just about rolling with the unexpected hiccups and finding a way through—although that’s definitely a huge part of it. Leaders also need to look at the folks we’re leading: what do they need to accomplish our goals? Sometimes we need to redesign the starting point. Or if we’re viewing life as a video game (and why not?)—sometimes we just need a better tutorial.
While we host meetings from a variety of organizations, we deeply value our Quaker connections. This past week we hosted the Good Friday Witness for Peace and Justice as we have for many years. Organized by Friends Meeting at Cambridge, Friends from the greater Boston area gather here for opening and closing worship. Vickie provided a simple lunch after a chilly day on Boston Common. This coming weekend we are hosting the House Board retreat where Friends and friends from around New England will meet to do the business of running the House. Also this weekend, I hope to attend the Visioning Day on Vibrant Quarterly Meetings. The House helped hold Salem Quarter during its sabbatical and we would love to be a part of getting it started up again. And in July, Jen will be delivering the Bible Half Hour at Friends General Conference Gathering. Our connections to our Quaker community ground our work, support our mission, and keep us connected.