November 2009
William Penn House has become more than the sum of its parts. Our vitality is a reflection of our building bridges among Quakers and among other faith communities. Through our Washington Quaker Workcamps, we reach young people of many faiths and from secular as well as faith based schools. Through our taking a leadership role on the issues surrounding AIDS/HIV we are building bridges with evangelical Christians and communities across the globe. Through our efforts to reduce our ecological footprint, we reach out to others and set a small example of how a faith based business can be a corporate model. By opening our doors to guest from around the world we share our vision of community.
Brad Ogilvie, who joined the staff last year has a concern for communication across differences, particularly among friends. He has created a number of initiatives around AIDS/HIV education but also recently he is developing school programs-currently working with Baltimore Friends School, and Wilmington College.
Like us, WPH is concerned with being Green - both externally - developed tranquil peace garden in front, now developing a new rain garden in back; new Energy Star boiler and working on a demonstration green roof for back carriage house. Also transformed cleaning supplies.
The house has had record occupancy and they met their budget goals this year.
Checked out their website William Penn House/ You can also book a room, link with their blog, Pennmanship, and their Facebook page
Upcomimg events:
Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8, 9AM to 4PM - Workcamp Workshop. The world has changed greatly since the first Quaker Workcamps over 90 years ago. In this changing world, how can Quaker Workcamps continue to be a vital part of Quaker witness and service in a way that serves Quakers, brings Quakerism to and benefits the broader world? This workshop, open to youth and adults working with youth in schools, meetings and organizations, is an opportunity to creatively explore new ways to engage and serve for the present and into the future. There is no fee for this workshop. We can help arrange lodging for people coming from out-of-town.
Friday, November 13 - Life in the Service, 6 to 9PM. We invite you to join us for an evening of conversation with students from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. These students will be here to talk about their dreams for the world, selection of service as a vehicle for pursuing this dream, and what it means to be of service (people from other branches of the service have also been invited). We look forward to this being an evening for pacifists and people committed to a world without war, to listen with appreciative ears and to find common ground. $5 donation requested to cover the costs of pizza and drinks. RSVP requested so we can plan accordingly.
Potlucks (all potlucks are on Sunday evening, dinner at 6:30PM, presentations start at 7:30)
Potluck: Sunday, November 1 - Friends Peace Teams. Val Liveoak will be speaking about Friends Peace Teams' initiative, Peacebuilding en las Americas, and about the current situation in Honduras. PLA is working in Guatemala, El Salvador and Colombia with plans to begin a program in Nicaragua and Honduras next year. Friends Peace Teams does mostly Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) work, including developing a Latin American version of community based trauma healing work based on the Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC) from the Burundi and Rwanda work. Dinner at 6:30, presentation at 7:30.
