Quaker

Wondering about life, faith, or just keen for some honest conversation? We’d love to invite you to Alpha at Crossway Boroondara. Alpha is a relaxed and welcoming space where you can explore life’s big questions—like purpose, God, and who Jesus is—through short videos and open, judgment-free discussion over 8 consecutive weeks. There’s no pressure, no expectations, and no such thing as a “wrong” question. Whether you’re just curious, new to faith, or returning after some time away, you’re really welcome. Come as you are, meet some great people, and be part of the conversation—we’d love to have you there. The night starts at 7pm with a free dinner.

* **Topic:** Journey to Open Lakehouse * **Date:** Thursday 23rd April 2026 at 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm * **Networking:** 6 pm - 6.30 pm and 7.20 - 8 pm * **Presentation Time**: 6.30 pm - 7.20 pm *(includes welcome, presentation 30 mins & community marketplace)* * **Location:** Thoughtworks HQ Level 35/360 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000 * **Ticket:** Free of cost, however, registrations and RSVP are required! * **Sponsor:** Thoughtworks **Journey to Open LakeHouse** This session explores the practical realities of migrating to an Apache Iceberg lakehouse to reduce analytics costs and minimise vendor lock-in. We’ll cover architecture choices, migration pitfalls, operational lessons, and the measurable outcomes of adopting open table formats. Ideal for data engineers, platform teams, and architects evaluating the next evolution of their data stack. **About The Speaker** Karel Alfonso is a Software Engineer with experience working with reputable organisations, including Block and Thoughtworks. He studied in Havana before moving to Australia around twenty years ago, where he has built a strong track record in software delivery, distributed systems, data platform engineering, real-time streaming, and technical leadership. Karel is known for his collaborative, friendly approach and is highly regarded within the data engineering community. He has presented at FlinkForward Seattle 2023, Programmable 2023, 2024 and other community meetups. We’re excited to bring the Data Engineering Melbourne Meetup group together for an evening with Karel and his insights!

Are YOU Ready and Willing to go further along your SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, without forcing yourself to FIND TIME TO READ ABOUT IT? ''A Course in Miracles (ACIM)" is The Channelled Works of Jesus / Isa / Yoshua (SAME HUMAN BEING - Named Differently By Different religions) from 1965 - 1972. It Supplements and can go beyond anything The Bible, The Koran and The Torah has taught you. Find Out if you are ready to experience TRUE Spiritual Growth Beyond Religious Teachings (THE ACTUAL PROMISED: SECOND COMING) that have been Edited, Re-Translated across One or More languages or Added to for The Suppression of Women. It Upholds the prophecies from those three mentioned holy books, but explains Truth more easily than they are able to for the ordinary 21st Century human being. We don't need to know esoteric teachings handed down by Mystical Schools, to RETURN HOME TO SOURCE ENERGY. You have free will to decide when you will commence your Journey HOME from Earth. We can Listen to Recordings of the above mentioned works. Alternatively, I also have DVD or CD recordings from Joseph Campbell, Deepak Chopra, Mother Theresa, Stuart Wilde, David Hawkins, Esther Hicks, Dennis Waitley, Gregg Braden, Wayne Dyer and Others. Topics that can be covered include: How "A Course in Miracles" came to be, Near Death Experiences, The Second Coming, The Evolution of Mankind's Spiritual Understanding, The Human Ego, Buddhism, The Christian Teachings EDITED FROM The Bible, Taoism, Ayurveda, Zen, Chi, The Bhagavad - Gita and Guided Meditations. This meet up is stated to last 3 hours, but as some can be too busy for that length of time, you are welcome to leave early, without it being a problem to me. NOTE: LEARNING SPIRITUAL TRUTH can be strange and stir up The Human Ego/ The Fake Will for some on this planet, but without putting in the time to do so, our Spiritual Growth is HINDERED GREATLY!!! SOURCE ENERGY IS ETERNAL AND IS ALWAYS UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING. There has never been and there can never be The Wrath of God or a Final Judgement Day where The Creator, God, Allah, Yhvh or The Man-like Figure with The Long White Beard surrounded by Angels, who support Him as He deals out what The Ego believes humans deserve. WE ARE ETERNAL SOULS CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER'S SOUL AND SOURCE ENERGY FOREVER. WE APPEAR TO BE LIVING IN MORTAL BODIES ON PLANET EARTH AT THE EFFECT OF THE HUMAN EGO, BUT IS THAT COMPLETELY TRUE?

**Welcome to our Thursday Social + Language Exchange Meetup 🌍** We meet weekly at **La Di Da — 577 Little Bourke Street (Melbourne CBD).** We ask that you **purchase a drink at the bar** or **pay $3 at entry** to support the venue. *** ### 💬 Find your people (New!) Looking to practice a specific language? Post in the discussion using: * **#LearnSpanish** * **#LearnEnglish** * **#TeachEnglish** * **#LearnJapanese** * etc. 👉 This helps others find you faster and makes it easier to connect. *** ### 📲 Join our WhatsApp Community Stay connected before and after the event, meet people, and find language partners: 👉 **Join here:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ) *** ### ⏰ What to expect We consistently have **100–120 attendees** every Thursday (across multiple Meetup groups). People arrive at different times — **best time to come is between 6PM and 9PM.** Come solo or with friends — most people come alone and join conversations naturally. *** ### 🌏 Who attends? A mix of: * Native & non-native English speakers * International students * Backpackers & working holiday travellers * Professionals & expats * Local Australians You’ll meet people from: Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and more. *** ### 🗣️ Why join? 👉 A relaxed, social way to practice English 👉 Meet people from around the world 👉 No pressure, no structure — just conversations *** ### 🍕 FREE DRINKS & FOOD FOR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS! We’re looking for **friendly volunteers** to help welcome newcomers and keep the vibe social. 👉 You’ll get: * Free drinks (beer/soft drink) * Food (pizza, wedges, etc.) * A fun team to hang out with No experience needed — many of our volunteers are **first-timers too**. Interested? 👉 [www.Linguas.au/Volunteer](www.Linguas.au/Volunteer) *** 📲 **More info:** [https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU](https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU) or **@Linguas.AU**

THESE NIGHTS ARE for those Ready to gain more information about Spiritual Growth, THE JOURNEY. It has been slotted to run for 3 Hours, but anyone can stay the entire time or freely choose to leave early. I have DVD or CD recordings that help those interested get a far greater understanding about Jesus / Isa / Yoshua's Teachings (Same Brilliant man/ Eternal Soul when on Earth and named Differently by 3 Different Religions - Christian - Jesus, Muslim - Isa and Jewish - Yoshua). There are also DVD or CD recordings from Joseph Campbell, Deepak Chopra, Mother Theresa, Stuart Wilde, David Hawkins, Esther Hicks, Dennis Waitley, Gregg Braden, Wayne Dyer and Other Smart Spiritual and Gifted Teachers of The Human Mind. Topics that can be covered include: How "A Course in Miracles" came to be, Near Death Experiences, The Second Coming, The Evolution of Mankind's Spiritual Understanding, The Human Ego, Buddhism, The Christian Teachings EDITED FROM The Bible, Taoism, Ayurveda, Zen, Chi, The Bhagavad - Gita and Guided Meditations. We can workout on the night what to listen to or discuss to advance The Group Spiritually. There are Guided Meditations, The Entire - A Course in Miracles and many of The Current and Recently Departed Famous Spiritual Teachers on CD. There are also DVD's and CD's for learning how to control Emotions and Reduce Stress. NOTE: SPIRITUAL TRUTH can be stranger than what most humans call fiction on this planet!!! The Universal Source is "Unconditionally Loving for Eternity." There has never been and there can never be The Wrath of God or a Final Judgement Day where The Creator, God, Allah, Yhvh or any other given name, who deals out what The Insane Human Ego believes humans deserve. SOURCE ENERGY IS ETERNAL AND IS ALWAYS UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING, AS ARE WE THE ETERNAL SOULS CONNECTED TO IT, HOWEVER WE AS HUMAN SOULS APPEAR TO BE LIVING IN MORTAL BODIES ON PLANET EARTH AT THE EFFECT OF THE HUMAN EGO.

The **Waterside** has been transformed into a seven-level pub so let's check it out! We will be here at 6pm until as late as we want to be. Come along for relaxed socialising and making new friends in a change of scenery. 📍Location: Waterside Hotel, 508 Flinders Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 On the corner of King Street and Flinders Street Most people come along by themselves so don't worry if you don't know any of the other members. New people are always welcome. **How often do we have events? Weekly!** Join us at a different bar/pub each week to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend. Events are also on: Bartopia [https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/](https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/) Raiders of the Lost Bars [https://www.meetup.com/barraiders/](https://www.meetup.com/barraiders/) Bartopia [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/) Follow us on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/](https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/)

''A Course in Miracles (ACIM)" is The Channelled Works of Jesus / Isa / Yoshua (Same Human Being - Named Differently by Different Religions) from 1965 - 1972. It Supplements and can go beyond anything The Bible, The Koran and The Torah has taught you. Find Out if you are ready to experience Spiritual Growth Beyond Religious Teachings (THE ACTUAL PROMISED: SECOND COMING) that have been Edited or Re-Translated over many centuries or EVEN Added to for The Suppression of Women. It Upholds the prophecies from those 3 holy books, but Clarifies More Deeply where they don't seem able to FULLY for the ordinary 21st Century human being, who finds it difficult to understand esoteric teachings handed down by Mystical Schools. You have free will to decide when you will commence your Journey HOME from Earth. We can Listen to Recordings of the above mentioned works. Alternatively, I also have DVD or CD recordings from Joseph Campbell, Deepak Chopra, Mother Theresa, Stuart Wilde, David Hawkins, Esther Hicks, Dennis Waitley, Gregg Braden, Wayne Dyer and Others. Topics that can be covered include: How "A Course in Miracles" came to be, Near Death Experiences, The Second Coming, The Evolution of Mankind's Spiritual Understanding, The Human Ego, Buddhism, The Christian Teachings EDITED FROM The Bible, Taoism, Ayurveda, Zen, Chi, The Bhagavad - Gita and Guided Meditations. This event is stated to run 3 hours, but those not able to can leave early and this would never be a problem. The Nature of THE BIRTHER (ETERNAL UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING SOURCE) and The Nature of OUR ESSENCES (SOULS) are Identical (Made in God's Image). The Insane Human Ego is THE ORIGINAL MISTAKE. Our Goal is to use THE POWER of REASON to UNDO IT, while on Earth!!!

This is a chance to meet some peeps, hang out, chat, eat some snacks and maybe play some poker. Don't worry if you don't know how to play. We are happy to teach you. There's no charge and we don't use real money, but we do have prizes for first at each table. Cool drinks, snacks and chocolate will be provided. This is an alcohol free event.

In the spirit of Anzac Day, this Sunday's conversation will be about the subject of War and Peace. The discussion will be stimulated by quotations from the world's leading thinkers. As a special one-off offer, **meals and coffees will be on me.** **That's right, I am shouting!** So hope to see you on Sunday, note the new time of 10 am. Please RSVP by Saturday 10am if you are coming. Regards Vahid

**Who We are..... 🤝** Our journey to bring people together began in January of 2022. The group was started with a simple intention to gather and meet some likeminded people - connecting through the powerful act of meditation and sharing our genuine selves while sitting in a circle that represents equality, harmony and wholeness( *we believe everyone in the circle is a teacher and a student at the same time)*. And over the last 4 years of consistently coming together, we have fostered a beautiful, loving, dependable community where members from all walks of life have experienced a sacred space to sit in silence together and meditate, share their authentic selves, give presence to others and forge meaningful and long lasting connections. The Meditations are guided by Sana(co-founder and host), who is a Trained and certified meditation teacher by the Meditation Association of Australia, and has been guiding meditations for 3+ years in corporate and community settings. ✨ **Do you wish to....** * Experience a simple yet powerful meditation and breathing practice to find calm, relaxation and clarity * Connect with like-minded people in your local community and foster meaningful connections * Meet others who are passionate about growing, uplifting themselves, and supporting others * Share insights from your personal journey (or simply listen and learn) Or maybe you just want to... ☮️ **Spend your Sunday evening in a peaceful, zen space and meet new people? Bring a friend (or two!) and let’s connect.** **What’s on the evening’s flow?** * **Open meet & greet** – connect and settle in * **5 min guided meditation** to land into the space and connect within * **Sharing circle** (totally optional!) – share your thoughts or simply listen * **20-30 min guided meditation** – for relaxation and deeper connection **Where?** 📍 **250 George St, Fitzroy VIC 3065** Enter through the church gates. You’ll see a small garden on the left and stairs on the right leading up to the **Dance of Life Yoga Studio (first door on your right upstairs).** **What to bring?** * **Donation:** A contribution of **$10 or more is recommended**. Your donations directly help us cover venue, meetup membership and other costs, provide valuable resources, and keep this meditation community alive and growing. * **Warm jumper/jacket** (just in case!) * **Water** * **Any books/resources/inspiration you’d love to share** **Important Notes:** * Spaces are **limited**, so if you can’t make it, please update your RSVP to “Not going” or send us a quick message. * **No-show policy:** To keep it fair for everyone, repeat no-shows without notice may not be able to RSVP in the future. * Attendees under 18 must have a guardian present. **Everyone is welcome!** All ages (with guardians for under 18), backgrounds, genders, and experiences – no meditation experience needed. The event runs for about **2.5 hours**, but you’re free to come and go as you need.

My friend Chris (100 Coffee Movement) and I are putting together a super relaxed “make new friends” hangout at Carlton Gardens with some fun park games (frisbee, bag toss, music and more) 🌿🎶 If you’ve got a game you love, bring it along! 🎯 The idea is simple: enjoy the outdoors, have a laugh and meet some new people 😊 Come solo, bring a +1, or bring a whole crew - whatever feels right for you. We will be there to ensure everyone feels welcomed, included and gets to connect 🤝 Meeting Pin: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3oaqAs5gAoz5EKV6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3oaqAs5gAoz5EKV6) If you can't spot the group on the day, feel free to call Arjun: **0448 474 277** 📞

​Looking to meet people in Melbourne or practice a new language? Get your Tix: [https://luma.com/e6skphya](https://luma.com/e6skphya) ​Aloha Melbourne is a fun and welcoming weekly social where backpackers, expats and locals come together to connect, chat and make new friends. ​The venue energy is international, social and lively, which makes it especially strong for newcomers to the city. ​Come solo or with friends, most people come alone and quickly meet others. ​**Highlights** * ​Meet internationals, backpackers and locals 🌍 * ​Practice languages in a natural way 🗣️ * ​Karaoke 🎤 * ​Board games and icebreakers such as Jenga, Uno and more 🎲 * ​Pool, ping pong and darts 🎱 * ​One free drink included 🍸 * ​Fun, high-energy but still social vibe ​**How it works / flow** ​Arrive, use your included drink and join a conversation. ​The event is easy to join for solo attendees and works especially well for backpackers and internationals. ​Games and karaoke help break the ice quickly. ​Join the group chat to connect before the event 💬 [https://chat.whatsapp.com/J7UUKaYxxtY6EQQX3xz6IR?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J7UUKaYxxtY6EQQX3xz6IR?mode=gi_t&utm_source=luma)

**Let’s catch up and take an afternoon break.** **Grab a coffee or snack and let’s chit chat! Gayle and I will bring adult coloring books and/or a simple craft if you’d like to unwind and relax.😊**

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

Hey Everyone! Let's meet at Belle's Bread Bakery and Cafe. There is lots of free parking and easy access to the cafe and many shops and restaurants as well. This is a great way to meet new and old friends while chatting about life and practicing English language speaking skills. All are welcome and encouraged to join us anytime between 11am and 1pm. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

We are excited to host Guided Meditations on Sundays at 6 pm in our Ashram/Gallery/Home! !! !! Everyone wants to know what kind of God we worship and what kind of meditation we do. We worship the GOD that LOVES US! We understand that god is an energy and it lives in us as us. Our meditations guide others to actually experience that energy! xoxo We don't just talk about peace, love and affection, we experience it :) Also we are a home not a business, so we enjoy building community one friend at a time. We always build in time for people to mingle & develop friendships! xoxo Much Love, Frank Tennyson Namaste, Frank Tennyson http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/f/9/9/600_447824953.jpeg

**We'll hike 3.4 miles on the Killdeer and Yellowlegs Trails - both out and back gravel trails. If we want more mileage we can repeat an out and back. Pace of around 3.5 mph, no one left behind and those who want to go faster sure can!** **As always optional lunch after.** **This is the second Metro Park in the lineup - with 21 to go (plus more are being added).** **Also I have a conflict and am not available so have asked Karin to lead!**

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.