COLLEGE PARK QUARTERLY MEETING --- M&O COMMITTEE

Quaker Cluster Meetings                                (January, 2003)

Bring neighbor Monthly Meetings together for sharing, community and
service.

What are Cluster Meetings?

Cluster Meetings are gatherings of Friends Monthly Meetings that are
located relatively close to each other.  Shorter travel distances make it
easier for Friends to get together, offering opportunities to get to know
one another and learn how Spirit is working among other groups of Friends.

Why have Cluster Meetings?

Visitation among Friends is an old Quaker tradition.  This gives us
opportunities to meet new Friends, to learn how other Meetings do things,
to share ideas and visions, and possibly to develop joint efforts that
small Meetings may not be able to undertake alone.  Being with a wider
group of Friends also can lessen the feeling of isolation that small
Meeting sometimes have.

What happens at Cluster Meetings?

The gathering may be for one day or a weekend.   Monthly Meetings can take
turns in hosting Cluster Meetings.

Some possible activities may include

Worship          Potluck          Presentations
Service projects Outdoor activities     Worship sharing
Peace concerns   Workshops        Getting to know each other

Suggested Cluster Meetings for these geographical areas:

Northwest California (Redwood Forest - Apple Seed - Napa Sonoma - Humboldt)

North Coast (Mendocino - Ukiah - Lake County - Willits)

Northeast California (Reno - Grass Valley - Sacramento - Chico - Redding -
Davis)

North Bay (Berkeley - Strawberry Creek - San Francisco - Marin - West
Marin)

South Bay (Santa Cruz - San Jose - Palo Alto)

Central Coast (Central Coast - SLO - Monterey Peninsula)

Delta and San Joaquin Valley (Fresno - Visalia - Delta)


Suggested dates for Cluster meetings.

Several Meetings and Worship Groups have already been meeting together
("Cluster Meetings") on the 5th Sunday during a specific month.  In 2003
the "5-Sunday" months are March, June, August, and November

If requested, the Members of the CPQM - M&O Committee may help in
facilitating these Cluster Meetings.