Dear Friends,

Greetings from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where I have been living for the past month as I visit Meeting after Meeting in this densely populated Quaker homeland!

Since last I wrote, I have shared music and ministry with the good folks at Blacksburg and Roanoke Meetings, the Young Friends of BYM, members of Stony Run and Bethesda Meetings, Lancaster Meeting, Kendal Retirement Community, The Haverford Quarter, Haverford College and Westfield, Chambersburg and Valley Monthly Meetings!

Though I will not bore you with detailed descriptions of each of these experiences, I can say that each group has received me well in their way, with open minds and hearts and excitement for the possibilities of combining faithful spirituality and modern contemporary poetry.

I am exactly halfway through my PYM trip and welcome prayers and good thoughts for the remainder of my journey here.

In other news, I have been blessed to have reconnected with passionate and faithful f/Friends in the area, who are helping to hold and develop my ministry – from accompanying me in my travels to helping record a music video and brainstorm about possibilities for t-shirts, stickers, etc.

And I am feeling VERY blessed to say that my most recent explorations have given me a solid sense of clarity about my work in the world. While the past few years of young adulthood has been a roller coaster of decisions about possible future vocations/careers, I can say now that I am firmly committed to continuing my path as an artist and musician, thanks in large part to Friends like you displaying passion and providing generous support.

So I am halfway through the PYM trip and it is time to start gathering information for my Fall trip in New England and New York Yearly Meetings. Please get in touch with me if you live in these areas and are interested in hearing/hosting/helping.

Woot! Be on the lookout for the next newsletter, lots of great stuff in the works here!

I leave you with a lecture that, as an artist, brings tears to my eyes each time I see it. Not a waste of time, I promise.

Olé,
Jon Watts