Wednesday-Saturday
Mornings continued to begin with chilly fog and bagpipes. For the early birds, there were opportunities to join in early worship or in “Transforming Quakers” study of weighty Friends such as Lucretia Mott and Joel Bean. After breakfast, Friends joined in open worship, with children’s program departing fifteen minutes in. Worship sharing questions continued to focus on Friends’ experiences of community. And meals continued to feature a wealth of vegetarian and locally-grown food options, as well as an array of signs informing Friends about the ways in which our food choices matter to the planet.

In afternoon plenary sessions, Friends heard reports from various committees. Highlights included:

• Nominating Committee brought a nearly-full slate for approval.
• Finance Committee presented a budget based on an increase of the assessment from $32 to $38. This budget, totaling approximately $72,500 in expenditures, was approved.
• Site Committee announced PYM’s 2010 Gathering will be at Claremont McKenna College, July 26-31st. There will be no camping, but they estimate the cost will be comparable to or lower than the 2008 session.
• Peace and Social Order presented two minutes for approval; one against the expansion of the war in Afghanistan (which was approved), and one on health care reform which was discussed, modified, and approved.
• The registrar reported approximately 335 attendants at this year’s gathering.
• Ministry & Oversight reported hearing of many meetings engaged in a year of discernment and in interfaith work with other organizations. They also noticed a growing interest in outreach.
• Religious Education reported the results of their survey of meetings, which indicated the greatest needs are for a critical mass of children in a given meeting, more ready-to-go-curricula, and for ongoing volunteer support from adults in a meeting, particularly from those who are not parents. They are working on assembling resources, and invite Friends to learn more about their work on the PYM website page dedicated to religious education.

Friends also heard more about various concerns relating to the wider body of Friends. AFSC reported on the work they continue to do in the face of incredible financial challenges—they face 50% budget cuts this coming year, and many regional offices are being closed or merged. FCNL also reported on both the joys of working within a friendly administration and the financial challenges they face. Alternatives to Violence (AVP) – California reported on their ever-growing network of facilitators and ongoing work offering workshops on nonviolence in now sixteen prisons across the state.

Much plenary time and energy was devoted to an often-difficult discernment around a proposal to hire a youth programs coordinator for Pacific Yearly Meeting. Friends labored, listened, seasoned their concerns, asked questions at an interest group, and found that way did open to move forward. Pacific Yearly Meeting approved hiring a youth program coordinator to serve youth 10-35 years of age at the yearly, quarterly, and monthly meeting levels of PYM. The Coordinator will also work to help address youth safety issues in PYM. Monthly meetings will be asked to increase their contribution to PYM to $76; a line item in the PYM budget will also be available for accepting individual contributions to support the approximately $55,000 position budget. Finance Committee indicated confidence that funding for the first year could be supported through the PYM reserves if necessary. The position was approved on a three year trial basis.

Though one interest group time slot was canceled due to further discussion of the youth coordinator proposal, Friends did have at least one opportunity to explore topics ranging from war tax resistance to deepening worship in a monthly meeting or worship group. Vanessa Julye of FGC continued to share her ministry on racism with PYM Friends for the fourth year; Friends of color shared in fellowship and wrote an open letter to PYM that was shared in the daily gathering bulletin. Representative Committee also had an aopportunity to meet with the Futures subcommittee of Ministry and Oversight, which presented a draft proposal for revamping the structure of the yearly meeting. The course of the discussion revealed a deep interest in this work, and in discerning the vision and purpose of the yearly meeting.

An intergenerational dance, lively skits and musical numbers at Community Night, a tabling fair where Friends learned more about the many Friends’ organizations in action in PYM rounded out the activities of the gathering. The epistles from children and youth programs, heard Saturday morning, reflected a great deal of fun as well as a real deepening of Spirit, particularly among the middle school group. After lunch, Friends enjoyed the first clear skies and warm sun since arrival on Monday, then packed and headed for home with many warm farewells.