| Description | The Intervisitation Committee was appointed in 1913 to strengthen the links between the meetings for worship across the geographical area covered by the Monthly Meeting. The focus of the committee was on smaller meetings that were in the process of being established or smaller meetings which were struggling to maintain a congregation, but later they also focused on meetings in outlying areas of both the monthly and Quarterly Meetings (as well as further afield), Friends who were isolated, members newly received into the Religious Society of Friends and those who wanted to know more about Quakerism. The committee sought members from the larger meetings to visit the smaller meetings, arranged and co-ordinated a schedule of visits throughout the year, as well as participating in visits to meetings and the homes of individuals themselves. It was hoped that by getting to know individuals at the meetings and gaining an understanding of their needs, it would be possible to strengthen the spiritual life of the meetings. The committee also arranged conferences and lectures, gatherings aimed at children and school-leavers, corresponded with isolated members, fireside gatherings (at people's homes) and organised fellowship gatherings during which a topic was introduced relating to the Quaker faith, followed by an informal discussion. |