Merion Friends Meeting
Blog Layout
Arts and Healing
Merion • Mar 12, 2019
"Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization's radical voice." -Paul Robeson
At Meeting for Worship last week, the role of the arts in healing physical, psychic and spiritual trauma inspired several of the messages.
“Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice.”- Paul Robeson
Inspired by a member’s visit to the Paul Robeson House and the great man himself
Greek drama for healing trauma, and the importance of Bearing Witness. A performance for members of 2nd Bn The Parachute Regiment saw actors use sections of fifth century BC plays by Sophocles to try to get soldiers to talk about issues such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Digital Epistles from Merion
Silent Vigils held to honor the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless known and unknown victims of injustice were organized by Laura Jackson and Melinda Yin. Members, attenders, and allies have been standing in front of the Meeting House from May 29 to June 13, from 30 to 60 minutes in groups of 2-16. The Sisters of Mercy and their friends, joined in the second week. Their spiritual mission encompasses a commitment to social justice, with 5 interdependent critical concerns. These are: non-violence, the earth, immigration, anti-racism, and the condition of women.
Sasha Chavchavadze, 65, worships from Wellfleet, Mass. .