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Off to BYM

BYM=The annual gathering of Quakers from Baltimore Yearly Meeting, which happens in Frostburg, MD, not Baltimore (sorry Bruce Garrett) and involved Friends from Maryland and elsewhere..

I stand on the train platform in Hartford to begin the journey which will take me about eight hours.

On Saturday I returned home from a similar length journey when I flew to NYC from London . On both ends of that trip queer Quakers saw me off or met me. That helps stave off the detached lonliness that can accompany me on these trips. Spending time with Auntie Doris, Steve, Jon, Esther, Ruth Ann, William and Ken gave me the sense that I was home even when I was far away and raises for me the question "What is home?"

I awoke in my own bed last night and had no clue as to my location. I turned on the light and recognized my radio and lamp and the familiar stack of bedside books, but still felt puzzled.

Yesterday we had a smaller group at Hartford Friends Meeting since so many members attended New England Yearly Meeting. This will be the first time since 2002 that I will not be there.

I feel grateful for the train ride today as I have lots to process from my recent trip to Europe. I also have some exciting opportunties coming up for which I will need to do some writing. I hope to arrive at BYM centered and open to enter into yet another community--to worship, listen and share. (and hopefully blog and swim)

Comments

Liz in the Mist said…
Have fun at BYM! My pastor (Cliff Loesch from University Friends in Wichita) is riding his motorcycle up there to come visit BYM!
8:22 AM
Joe G. said…
I awoke in my own bed last night and had no clue as to my location. I turned on the light and recognized my radio and lamp and the familiar stack of bedside books, but still felt puzzled.

This is a typical feature of Multiple Personality Disorder (now know as Dissociative Disorder - I prefer the MPD label). :)

Have fun at BYM!
12:23 PM
Auntie Doris said…
I can verify Peterson has multiple personality disorder. I seem to have met most of his personalities (and voices) in the car on the way to Canterbury.
3:20 PM
Anonymous said…
Peterson,
Have you heard about what's going on at Mercy Ministries in Nashville, especially the Australian branch of Mercy Ministries? Apparently they are exorcising demons out of gays, lesbians, schizophrenics, and anorexics, among others.
Just thought you should hear about it.

Best wishes,
John Weaver
3:38 PM
Bruce Garrett said…
Awww... Ah well... Have a good time in Frostburg!
10:22 PM
Auntie Doris said…
I read this tonight and thought of you...

"Home is the center of my being where I can hear the voice that says 'You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests'- the same voice that gave life to the first Adam and spoke to Jesus, the second Adam; the same voice that speaks to all the children of God and sets them free to live in the midst of a dark world while remaining in the light." - Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming
7:22 PM
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