Wrightstown Meeting invites public to Coffeehouse Musical Evenings

Wrightstown Friends Meeting welcomes one and all for the second of its Coffeehouse Musical Evenings at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.

The free event will be held outdoors behind the Wrightstown Friends Meeting House, 535 Durham Road, Newtown.

Families are welcome to bring picnics, blankets and chairs. Coffee, tea and additional light refreshments will be offered; donations are accepted, not expected. There is a playground available for little ones.

All interested musicians and poets are invited to sign up to perform by emailing wfm.coffeehouse@gmail.com no later than July 26.

“We really want to bring people in and let them know they’re welcome,” said Michelle Hunter, clerk of the Outreach Committee.

As a part of its rejuvenated outreach effort, Wrightstown Meeting began its Coffeehouse Evenings in May. The first event welcomed many members of the surrounding communities, musicians as well as those who enjoy listening to music and socializing.

The idea is based on the 1960s-style coffeehouses, where coffee was served and members of the public came to play acoustic folk music, read the occasional poem, and listen to music while socializing with friends.

Today’s musicians play and sing in a variety of genres, and from time-to-time the audience chimes in. Time will be provided for socializing, as well, and visitors can repair to the Social Hall on the same property in case of rain.

“The inspiration for these events is to welcome any and all, so as to build stronger relationships with the community,” said Jeff Cogshall, an Outreach Committee member. “We’d like to make Wrightstown Friends Meeting a welcoming place for the community, and to expand that into spiritual exploration.”

Wrightstown Friends Meeting’s Outreach initiatives include Coffeehouse Evenings, Conversation Evenings, and occasional DIY workshops that feature activities such as pie-making and candle-making.

For information about upcoming events, visit the Wrightstown Friends Facebook page or find Wrightstown Friends events on meetup.com, where it is possible to join and sign up for reminders.

Wrightstown Friends Meeting has been a part of the Bucks Quarter Quaker community for over 300 years.