Back and forth, back and forth, in a round pool enclosed by a wooden fence. My face tucked under the water’s surface. Hands and arms in a snow-angel rhythm then resting at my side. A human hiding in a fish’s world, until my lungs remind me this is not
Bike Ride Cycles Into Deeper Journey
A stash of dark chocolate and a fizzled group date brought new Cincinnati Friends Meeting (CFM) members Beth Brubacher and Jeff Bloomer together at Jewish Hospital, where he is a pulmonologist and she was a social worker. They circled each other for years, until Jeff’s friend from residency shared an
CFM Roots: Acquiring Land at Spring Grove
Since 1856, Cincinnati Friends had been burying their dead at their cemetery in Cumminsville. However, by 1875, there was growing concern that the city was encroaching on this area, and might prohibit further burials there. The Burial Committee was tasked with evaluating the situation and determining the commercial value of
CFM First Day Kids Explore Quaker Roots
After filling up at an oatmeal bar and a brisk run outdoors, First Day students settled into silent worship and sharing. They then took turns reading about the early Reading (England) Quaker children who held worship when their parents were imprisoned. Before the 1689 Toleration Act, Quaker worship was illegal
Seasons of Grief
Mostly, I sat and listened; to their pain, to their loss, to finding their way back to life, to each figuring out who they are now. I was moved and my own grief boiled up. I hadn’t lost a spouse, child or sister, but I witnessed the ravaging results of