Weaving Community

A conversation with Bec Cormack

Editor’s Note: I was the coordinator for Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) in Portland for two years. QVS is an organization close to my heart because it offers young people a valuable experience serving in nonprofits and living in community with other young people, while being supported by and exploring Quaker meetings.

In my twenties, I was on a religious migrant visa in the United Kingdom, volunteering in the gardens and kitchen at the Findhorn Ecovillage in Forres, Scotland. My time there was life-changing, but it didn’t give me a coherent résumé or a way to employ myself outside of kitchens. I left there without knowing how to care for myself as a working adult outside of a spiritual community. I also left behind the network of people who could guide me toward appropriate work.

QVS manages to offer fellowships to young people that balance the spiritual aspects of service with the worldly needs of a young person, such as getting a job after college. I’m so excited that Western Friend is welcoming a QVS Fellow part-time this fall. Bec Cormack will be living in the Portland house and also serving with Friends Incubator for Public Ministry. Here is a conversation we had this summer, edited for length and clarity.

Caitlin: What is your Quaker background?

Bec: I don't have a very extensive Quaker background—it really started four years ago when I began at Guilford. I was raised Catholic, kind of in a Catholic bubble, and hadn't really explored other religious groups or spirituality.

When I got to college, I really connected with Wes Daniels and Liz Nicholson here at Guilford. A lot of my friends were in the Quaker Leadership Scholarship program. I resonated with the idea of the Light in other people and holding people in the Light. The respect for silence was so cool, too.

Within this past year, I started going to Meeting once in a while at New Garden Friends Meeting right across the street. Brenda, a Guilford alum who serves there, has been super awesome and loves welcoming students.

Applying to Quaker Voluntary Service was a bit like, "Oh, I'm not officially a Quaker, but I really like Quakerism and want to understand and explore it more." So I don't have a long background, but I'm eager to learn. I'm excited to see what the meetings are like out in Portland, find one I really enjoy, and build community there.

Caitlin: What draws you to serve with QVS?

Bec: I didn't know exactly what my next steps were after graduating. My friend Grace just finished her QVS year in Philly and came down for our career fair in March. I was sitting in our coffee shop and jokingly said, "Give me the QVS spiel."

She and her housemate started talking about it, and I thought, "What do I have to lose? Why not apply?" She really loved it, my younger sister lives in Portland, and I had this untouched interest in Quakerism that I didn't fully tap into during college. I thought it would be a great way to explore a new city, explore my spirituality, and grow over a year with a bunch of cool people. My initial interview went really well, the stars aligned, and now I'm here!

Caitlin: You’ve mentioned to me that your younger sister lives in the Pacific Northwest. What else are you excited about regarding living out here?

Bec: My younger sister, my only sister, is named Melissa. We have a very close relationship, so being on opposite sides of the country has been hard. Now we're going to live 20 minutes away from each other. I’m excited to navigate a relationship with her as adults in a new place.

I also have two cousins out there who have kids. Having a family network for shared meals and getting to hang out with my younger cousins is going to be really beautiful.

Moving to North Carolina made me realize how much I need green space and nature. Being in Portland is going to be awesome for spending time outside. I make an annual bingo card at the start of every year, and one of my slots was "Go swimming in the Pacific Ocean." I put that on there before I even knew I was moving to Portland.

I'm someone who likes to get things done. Seeing physical, tangible spaces come to life through your work is really rewarding.

Caitlin: What are you looking forward to regarding serving with Western Friend and Friends Incubator?

Bec: I really enjoy graphic design, drawing, and printmaking. I'm excited to bring that creativity into project ideas with you and Windy Cooler. Since Western Friend is focused on the West, getting to connect with the Quaker community in that region is something I'm really going to enjoy. I had such a wonderful initial conversation with both of you that I'm just plain excited to work together.