WORKSHOPS on JAMES NAYLER
The Skeleton in the Quaker Closet

Ria Hawkins, a member of Bethesda Monthly Meeting, has a leading to bring the life and writings of James Nayler to the Meetings within Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Bethesda Friends Meeting has embraced this ministry, and Ria would like to share her excitement about Nayler, whose actions led to the shaping of Quakerism as we now know it. He was a prolific and profound writer and worked closely with George Fox. His effective preaching made him a preeminent leader in the minds of many, leading to rivalry between the two men. His ride into Bristol in the manner of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem led to his punishment and imprisonment by parliament and to his disgrace among Friends.

Ria would like to offer a 5-6 hour workshop when we can look Nayler’s life, the events that led up to his ride into Bristol, and his subsequent trial and punishment. We can also read some of his writings, and consider what they say to us at the beginning of the 21st century. Ria feels they are as relevant now as they were in the 17th century. The workshops would be a mixture of lecture, discussion, small groups, and reading aloud.

This material can be tailored to suit the needs of any individual Meeting, and the questions for discussion can be selected according to the Meeting’s interests. If a Meeting cannot schedule a workshop on this scale, Ria can select items from it to suit shorter time slots, but the longer format is strongly recommended.

For more information contact Ria Hawkins at: guill@infi.net, or contact Stephanie Koenig.