tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14041973.post114170442206035540..comments2023-12-23T05:26:40.855-06:00Comments on Showers of Blessings: He who hesitates is lostPaul Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03483071863453025925noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14041973.post-1142350979217145732006-03-14T09:42:00.000-06:002006-03-14T09:42:00.000-06:00And as of March 10, there is yet again more news f...And as of March 10, there is yet again more news from FGC, about <A HREF="http://www.fgcquaker.org/gathering/update_31006.php" REL="nofollow">exploring creative, unprecedented ways</A> to include more Friends...<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>Liz, <A HREF="http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">The Good Raised Up</A>Liz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14041973.post-1141881586052519892006-03-08T23:19:00.000-06:002006-03-08T23:19:00.000-06:00Robin, thanks for pointing out the letter on the F...Robin, thanks for pointing out the <A HREF="http://fgcquaker.org/gathering/online_registration_closed.php" REL="nofollow">letter on the FGC website</A>. <BR/><BR/>I want to acknowledge that I was part of FGC's Central Committee when the question of a western Gathering was first considered... and during the subsequent years when the idea was tested, threshed, and seasoned, in various ways and by various "rings of discernment" within Central Committee. <BR/><BR/>The FGC letter seems to point to intellectual facts and analysis, but I want to say, from my own experience of serving on Central Committee, that I felt the group was faithful in our discernment at the time:<BR/><BR/>- Friends spoke to the concern that FGC not act out of fear, but out of faith;<BR/>- Friends spoke to the precedent of the wonderful response that occurred when the Gathering was first brought to the midwest;<BR/>- Friends spoke to the need to not worry so much about whether Midwestern Friends would come to a western Gathering. Heck, we have to travel anyway, so it doesn't matter if it's westbound or eastbound!<BR/><BR/>I realize that my recollection may color what actually happened--or that other Friends from Central Committee may see those earlier events differently from how I see them. <BR/><BR/>All of us need prayers--for the Friends who are frustrated; for the Friends who have to deal with phone calls and emails; for the Friends who want to help but don't know how.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>LizLiz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14041973.post-1141854813957153222006-03-08T15:53:00.000-06:002006-03-08T15:53:00.000-06:00We have still not received our paper copy of the r...We have still not received our paper copy of the registration materials, at my home in California. <BR/><BR/>My husband called me from a Quaker gathering last weekend and said, "Do our registration now. I heard it's filling up fast." Otherwise, I would not have registered nearly so fast. <BR/><BR/>The last time I thought about going to FGC was about six years ago, and there was still space right up until the published deadlines.<BR/><BR/>There is also now a letter to Friends on the Gathering website explaining what has happened.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14041973.post-1141797027159476262006-03-07T23:50:00.000-06:002006-03-07T23:50:00.000-06:00Yes; Liz has shared the letter from FGC (apparentl...Yes; Liz has shared the letter from FGC (apparently to its central committee) with our meeting. I'm gratified that they have acted in time to avoid a total fiasco. <BR/><BR/>I do think it is fascinating that the careful planning, including a professional market analysis, grossly underestimated the amount of interest in this Gathering. <BR/><BR/>As I recall, a similar thing happened in 1987 with the first Carleton Gathering where the anxiety was that no one would come as far west as Minnesota to the Gathering. A lot more did than were expected, and a huge response from Friends in the upper midwest produced a Gathering that was very successful, if crowded.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad FGC exercised prudence in its planning and projection, but I'm even more glad that the response was literally overwhelming. It is a very good sign.<BR/><BR/>Luckily, our Sacred Harp workshop has no upper limits (only room size, which we don't know about yet) and would be happy to absorb any overflow.Paul Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03483071863453025925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14041973.post-1141791396997956982006-03-07T22:16:00.000-06:002006-03-07T22:16:00.000-06:00As a workshop leader for this year's gathering, I ...As a workshop leader for this year's gathering, I received an email today from Liz Perch, the Conference Coordinator, saying:<BR/><BR/><I>Though registration is now closed, places are being saved for essential volunteers such as yourself, and members of your household.</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14041973.post-1141708508340912572006-03-06T23:15:00.000-06:002006-03-06T23:15:00.000-06:00Hey Paul.I'm hoping we'll hear some news from a ce...Hey Paul.<BR/><BR/>I'm hoping we'll hear some news from a certain blogger who may be more "in the know" than we are.<BR/><BR/>I can tell you that FGC was aware at how quickly things were moving with online registration, and I can say that I did hear from another Friend who is very closely connected to the goings-on about the Gathering that FGC was exploring how to respond... given that paper copies of the advance program weren't in mailboxes yet!<BR/><BR/>I would like to think that FGC was wise enough to <B><I>suspend</I></B> online registrations for the time-being, but then again, the online form doesn't use the word "suspend," does it?<BR/><BR/>I hope that rather than gripe, Friends will consider holding FGC, the Gathering Committee, and certain staff persons in the Light in the days ahead. I have Faith that more information is forthcoming... but I have enormous concerns that we'll find out how much "privilege" and "entitlement" we Friends think we have...<BR/><BR/>Here's a thought: what if we all turned in our online registrations and offered to be part of a lottery, after printed registrations are returned (with priority given to workshop leaders, program leaders, etc.)? <BR/><BR/>What does it mean to treat one another fairly and tenderly in a situation like this?<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>Liz, <A HREF="http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">The Good Raised Up</A>Liz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.com