Becoming Friends is now live!

2. Becoming Friends is now live! paper pack online version

3. what is Becoming Friends: Living & learning with Quakers? • an innovative learning project from Woodbrooke and Quaker Life • aims to support and nurture those who are new to Friends • helps newcomers develop an understanding of Quakerism, while exploring their own journey and connection with Friends - whether or not they are currently considering applying for membership.

4. two main elements: • a flexible, interactive course, available online and on paper • a range of ways for Quaker meetings to support newcomers as they learn - including Becoming Friends ‘companions’

5. for newcomers: • flexible learning materials, accessible online or on paper • options for working alone and with others • a choice of learning units and activities to suit a wide range of interests and learning styles • the chance to work at your own pace and for as long as suits you • on-line discussion groups, resources and links

6. meetings can offer newcomers a Becoming Friends ‘companion’ whose role is to: • support newcomers working with the learning materials • help newcomers find out more about Quakerism through sharing their own knowledge and experience, and helping to arrange conversations and interactions with other Friends • help newcomers reflect on the learning process and their own journey with Friends • help newcomers feel more rooted in their local meeting

7. for meetings • guidance about working with the Becoming Friends course • a framework for identifying, preparing and supporting Becoming Friends companions • access to courses and a support network for Becoming Friends companions • well structured opportunities throughout the Becoming Friends course for local Friends to engage newcomers in conversation, discussion and reflection

8. feedback from our trials... • “It made me talk to loads of other Friends...it gave me a good excuse to do what I wanted to do anyway.” • “Both of us ...learned so much through the Becoming Friends project and felt the whole experience had been a blessing.” • "I’ve found things I’d like to do myself and I’m a Friend of twenty five years’ experience. It’s stimulating stuff."

9. getting started with Becoming Friends • the online course costs £5 per person to register. Instructions for registering are at www.woodbrooke.org.uk/becomingfriends • the paper pack costs £10. You can order it from the Quaker Centre bookshop at www.quaker.org.uk/bookshop email:bookshop@quaker.org.uk phone: 020 7663 1030

10. to find out more... • go to www.woodbrooke.org.uk/becomingfriends • pick up leaflets and guidance for meetings from the Becoming Friends stall

11. the Becoming Friends course

12. an interactive, flexible learning experience: • experiential learning – true to the Quaker way • aims to avoid just taking a “here’s a good book to read” approach (but offers plenty of reading suggestions too!) • learners choose activities - so they learn in a way & at a pace that suits their learning preferences & life commitments

13. course activities • reading • watching video extracts • listening to audio clips • taking part in conversations with Friends in local or area meetings • online discussion forums & conversations • exploring Quaker & other websites • spiritual practices • reflection through conversation, writing & creative media

14. sharing & support Becoming Friends offers opportunities for newcomers to speak to Friends about spiritual questions or issues & share something of one another’s faith journeys: • reflecting with a Becoming Friends companion • talking to other Friends in the local area • engaging with Quaker websites • discussing issues in online forums • meeting in a small learning group with other newcomers or local Friends

15. a reflective journey • participants will be invited at regular intervals through the course to take time to reflect on what they are learning, both about Quakerism & their own spiritual journey • this ‘reflective’ approach fits well with the Quaker belief that experience is central to the spiritual life

16. course structure • Opening Unit - introducing the course, meeting the Becoming Friends companion & planning the path • Choose any of 8 topic based units • Closing Unit - reflecting on the learning, saying goodbye to the Becoming Friends companion & journeying on...

18. topic units have 3 types of activity

19. distinctives exploring the distinctive Quaker Way in relation to that topic • discovering finding out about some of the riches of the Quaker community and tradition - more about Quaker people, structures, resources & events • deepening opportunities for personal reflection & journaling, prayer or spiritual practice & spiritual friendship conversations each of these aspects of the learning process will feed into the others

20. Becoming Friends companion courses 2010 • 14-16 May 2010 Woodbrooke • 19-21 July 2010 Woodbrooke • 1-3 October 2010 Swarthmoor Hall When booking, please send a letter of support from your meeting.