Newtown Friends Meeting

 

Nine young adults, who turned twenty one during the past year, will be recognized by Newtown Friends (Quaker) Meeting at its “Quaker Homecoming” at noon after meeting for worship, December 28, 2008.   Each young member will receive a canvas replica of an Edward Hicks painting of The Peaceable Kingdom. 

 

The young members of Newtown Friends Meeting receiving their Hicks paintings this year in recognition of attaining their majorities as adult members of the Meeting are: Meagan Goodman, James (Jake) Harr, Toria Harr, Qiu Hong Hunsicker, Elizabeth (Ellie) Poston, Spencer Richardson, Lily Roza, Garret Voorhees, and Sarah Waitz. 

 

Edward Hicks, American folk painter, was co-founder of Newtown Friends Meeting in 1815.   As a Quaker minister, Hicks traveled throughout the area and often painted one of his  sixty versions ofThe Peaceable Kingdom for Friends who provided hospitality during his travels. The paintings are based on the Old Testament prophecy that in God’s peaceable kingdom, the lion shall lie down with the lamb and a little child will lead all creatures.  In the background of the painting is the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, arranging a treaty with Native Americans.

 

Hicks paintings are now highly valued and hang in leading museums throughout the country.  Edward Hicks’ Newtown home, a historic site,  is on Center Street, and his modest grave is in the burying ground of historic Newtown Friends Meeting on Court Street.

 

Newtown Friends Meeting also gives Bibles to children in the Meeting at age twelve and copies of the Quaker “Faith and Practice” to young people at age sixteen. 

 

Following the presentation, there will be refreshments in the Gathering Room of the Meeting House. The public is invited to attend all events.