When I asked Friend Judy Wolicki if she would be willing to come to our First Day School class and meet with the children, she agreed without hesitation and already had a book in mind: Thy Friend, Obadiah by Brinton Turkle. Though we’ve talked a lot about Quakerism through the Meeting Meeting Friends program, we haven’t so directly spoken to each other about our identities as Friends – I imagined this would be a perfect opportunity to do so!

Judy read "Thy Friend, Obadiah" aloud

In this story, a young Quaker boy named Obadiah discovers the value of a friendship in an unexpected place.  It led us to explore all the people (and animals) we have as friends, and how you can discover that someone you didn’t know was your friend might be once you realize a commonality or shared experience between you.

After reading the story, we talked with Judy about what it means to her to be a Friend.  Everyone contributed to the conversation & the children made a list –

Being a Quaker, means you believe in:
– peace
– love
– making friends & playing with friends
– loving all the people of the world
– helping people
– helping the world
– being a good listener

I think its wonderful that our children have the Obadiah stories to read about their Quakerism through the experiences of this little boy; they seem so comfortable talking about it in a way I don’t think I did when I was their age.  Obadiah was able to offer help when it was needed, a universal experience that in many ways transcends this faith, but at the same time is so core to understanding it (at least I think so, working daily to help my little boys identify as Friends).

Drawing self-portraits, we're Quakers just like Obadiah!

And Judy was able to speak with those gathered in a way other adults hadn’t yet: she asked them questions, modeled good listening, explored their thinking alongside them, and offered ideas in a way that they genuinely seemed to understand (not an easy thing, remember Tiegan & Riona are just 6 and Gus is only 4).  A special  treat for me: my father – who only has 25+ years teaching First Day School – was in attendance this morning to assist.  Having my children know their grandparents are Quakers, too, is another way I get to demonstrate the importance of community and being connected to those around us, those we love, as practicing Friends.

“Meeting 57th Street Friends” is a special project at 57th Street Meeting (Chicago) that took place Oct 2010 – March 2011 where non-parent adult Friends visit with the Meeting children each month to share their reflections on Quaker life & identity today by exploring something they hold dear. A childhood memory, a story, a life lesson or a life passion – by sharing our experiences across the generations we are living in community.  Learning from each other about our lives is a way to move towards better understanding and our testimony to peace.