Adult and Family Forums and Events 2026
Go to Google Calendar for regular activities and Meetinghouse use.
Bible Study 2026 - Quaker Style - 9:45am to 10:45am
We will continue with our Bible Study through the fall, winter and spring but with fewer sessions due to other programming. We are reading the Book of Luke. All are welcome, even if you have not participated before. Bibles are available at the Meetinghouse or you can bring your own. We are using the Quaker Method of Studying the Bible by Joanne and Larry Spears. Dates and passages are listed below. Dates may change if we are able to add more time slots at the 9:45am to 10:45am hour.
Bible Study will start promptly at 9:45am on the following Sundays
9/6/2026 – Luke 9: 1-9
10/4/2026 - Luke 9: 10-17
11/1/2026 – Luke 9:18-36
12/6/2026 – Luke 9: 37-45
After we read the passage, we ponder the queries below.
1. What is the author's main point in this passage? (MAIN POINT)
2. What new light do I find in this particular reading of this passage of the text? (NEW LIGHT)
3. Is this passage true to my experience? (TRUTH)
4. What are the implications of this passage for my life? (IMPLICATIONS)
5. What problems do I have with this passage? (PROBLEMS)
Summer/Fall Book Group
Book Study - Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
August 3, 6:30-7:30pm, Ch. 9 - 12
September 14, 6:30-7:30pm, Ch. 13-16
October 5, 6:30-7:30pm, Ch. 17-20
November 2, 6:30-7:30pm, Ch. 21 and Epilogue
Parable of the Talents...We are born, Not with purpose, But with potential.
This dialogue is taken from the opening paragraphs of the Nebula Award winner for Best Novel by Octavia E. Butler, which is the sequel to "Parable of the Sower." The story continues the saga of Lauren Oya Olamina as she, and those who are surviving alongside of her, make their way in a United States that is startlingly similar to the one we find ourselves living in currently...
Where: 2nd Floor of Meeting house and Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84401584935?pwd=9rUuDVOdGJEnnpv6k2RwWdl3DG44ag.1
August 30 and September 13, 2026 - Changing the Conversation
Changing the Conversation offers a deep canvassing training program that will help you develop your own story, and teach you how to open and hold a real conversation with someone at risk of not voting. This organization will be sharing their work with us on August 30 at noon followed by Q&A during hospitality. They will also present during our monthly Business Meeting on September 13th followed by Q&A during hospitality.
September 18 - 20, and September 25 - 27, 2026,
Harrisburg Free Palestine Film Festival
Celebrate and learn about Palestine and its people at the Harrisburg Free Palestine Film Festival, September 18-20 & 25-27.
Six houses of worship are coming together to screen for free six films about the struggle for Palestine and to educate about its people. As we near three years of the genocide in Gaza, join us to watch these important films, and to discuss them as a community.
To register and for more information and screening times go to hbgfreepalestine.org
To download the flyer click here.
September 20, 2026, 9:45 to 10:45am - Reflections before the Election
Ruth Seitz and Renee Borgos will facilitate this session.
Why this topic? As responsible citizens, we Quakers vote... and also believe that "there is that of God in everyone." On this foundational belief, we embody Love and Truth as a force for Justice.
Justice in an election means every citizen has a right to vote. Fear can challenge exercising that right in this election.
Let's seek to be spiritually grounded in Love as we see a swath of fear and separation threatening this election. Let's turn to the stories of Quakers who non-violently worked for justice in politics. What tools served them?
How do you settle yourself when fear rushes in? How can you have a Love-centered mindset before this election?
Join our hopeful circle at 9:45am for learning and sharing.
Renee' Burgos is an ESL teacher in a K-8 school in Philadelphia. Ruth Seitz is a retired integrative health coach. Both are members of Harrisburg Meeting. Both have worked as poll workers in past elections.
September 27, 2026, 9:45 to 10:45am - Quaker Mysticism -more to come
October 16, 2026, 5 to 7pm – Live Music with themes of Peace and Social Justice by doug morris at 901 N. 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 (Part of 3rd in the Burg) - NOTE the location!!!
The Harrisburg Quakers & Messiah Lutheran Church welcome you to enjoy live consciousness music with themes of Peace & Social Justice performed by musician doug morris. 5 to 7pm at 901 N. 6th St., Harrisburg, PA.
doug (who asks that the letters in his name not be capitalized)...is a true Renaissance man, and veteran of the US military with a Ph.D. who only recently retired from West Chester University where he lectured and taught in the world of Critical Pedagogy. A former jazz guitarist who now focuses his talents on the music of the people, drawing inspiration from artists like Woody Gutherie and Bruce Springsteen, who is the subject of a book he is authoring, doug has been a featured musician on many a Friday night in the 'Burg.
Off-street parking and refreshments are free, and there will be ample opportunities to join in song and interact with a broader community of people who support the arts and the City's social scene. So be there in October to add your voice to our songs of hope and joy.
October 18, 2026 AND October 25, 2026, 9:30 to 10:45am
(Note earlier start time)
Join Tom Gates from Lancaster Friends Meeting for…
“A Romp Through Quaker History”
It can be hard for newer Quakers (as well as long time attenders and yes – even members) to get a sense of the complexity and richness of Quaker history. And yet understanding that history is important to gaining a fuller appreciation of today’s Quakerism. The sessions are meant to be as painless as possible (even fun!), while grounding Quakers in a shared understanding of our history.
Part I (Sunday October 18 – 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.): Seventeenth Century Origins. We will look at the political and religious background of the emergence of Friends in the 1650s, as well as some of the critical events, and end with a review of several “theories” about the emergence of Quakerism.
Part II (Sunday October 25 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.): Nineteenth Century Origin of Quaker Diversity. We will pick up the story by looking at “the long 18th Century” of Quaker history (from the death of Fox in 1691 to the schism of 1827), some of the background and consequences of the divisions in the 19th century, and the origins of modern Quaker diversity (Orthodox, Hicksite, Wilburite, and all that).
Tom Gates is a retired family physician and medical educator. He is a member of Lancaster Meeting, where he serves on the Worship and Ministry Committee. Tom is the author of several Pendle Hill pamphlets and a recent book, Turning Toward the Victim: The Bible, Sacred Violence, and the End of Scapegoating in Quaker Perspective (Wipf and Stock, 2025).
November 15, 2026, 9:45 to 10:45am - Meeting Jesus Again for the First time
We will look at themes from Marcus Borg’s book with the same title. Borg was the Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University. It is not necessary to have read the book.
“For ultimately, Jesus is not simply a figure of the past, but a figure of the present. Meeting that Jesus – the living Jesus who comes to us even now – will be like meeting Jesus again for the first time.” Marcus Borg
November 22, 2026, 9:45 to 10:45am - Music with Marci!
Thanksgiving and Gratitude!
Join Marci Pickering for a joyful time of singing. We will be looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
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