North Pacific Yearly Meeting’s Annual Session began Wednesday, July 14th with many carloads of Friends making their way across the Cascades, and several planeloads of Quakers pulling into Missoula International Airport. Some arrived early to attend Coordinating Committee; a number of Junior and Young Friends showed up early to participate in a clerking workshop. After dinner, a brief welcoming plenary opened the formal activities. After that children and adults alike were invited to participate in a lively hour of icebreakers, and interactive games.
Thursday morning’s plenary session brought the roll call of meetings; over 200 Friends are in attendance this year. Friends also heard the first reading of the budget, and the first reading of the nominations slate. Nominations Committee has worked hard all year to fill many positions on the slate, but there are still plenty of opportunities to serve- particularly on next year’s Annual Session arrangements committee. (Next year’s Annual Sessions will be at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.)
NPYM is trying out a new schedule this year, and so interest groups met in the morning on Thursday. Friends considered topics ranging from energy work to our country’s addiction to war. (A full list of topics is available at npym.org.) Montana Friends organized and hosted a simple lunch of rice and beans, which raised money for Right Sharing of World Resources. Worship groups met for the first time in the afternoon, considering queries relating to this year’s theme: “Practicing Hope: Living and Witnessing Our Testimonies.” Worship groups met in a wide array of formats: worship discussion, worship walking, worship singing, and more.
Friends then heard from Quaker organizations which have formal relationships with NPYM. It was FCNL’s turn to deliver a lengthier report this year; they shared a humorous skit to encourage Friends to become more effective lobbyists, and an FCNL choir rounded out the plenary session with a song.
The evening plenary brought an uplifting address from Bridget Moix, FCNL staff. She began with a story about how Friends are much like “un barquito grande- a little big boat. We are a small people with a great work, and that work is a ministry of hope to the world. Bridget stressed the importance of understanding the depth of the ocean of darkness we face today in order to face them head on, as Fox did in his day. And without the ocean of darkness, we would not be able to see the Light. Bridget reminded Friends that we are “a powerhouse”, and that practicing hope is a simple thing, one that breeds positive action. She ended by reminding us that “we are practicioners of ordinary miracles- practicing hope is just what we do as Friends.”
Friday morning, Friends young and old spread out across Missoula to participate in service projects in the community. They pulled weeds, organized donated materials, cooked meals for the homeless, reassembled donated bikes, and much more, delighting in the shared work and sense of purpose.
Afternoon worship groups again considered their responses to queries related to the ocean of darkness and light, and the afternoon plenary gave Friends the opportunity to hear from the many committees active at the Yearly Meeting level.
In the evening, Friends gathered to hear many talented musicians and singers share their gifts during the Open Mic Night, which was followed by lively contra dancing.