Tuesday morning began with opportunities for outdoor worship, as well as the ever-popular Bible study group and the “Transformative Quakers” series, which examines the lives of prominent Friends. This year features the lives of Ham Sok Hon, Elizabeth Fry, Bayard Rustin, Henry Joel Cadbury, and includes a Friday discussion of the history of the testimonies.

PYM’s schedule this year is a little different, with the usual post-breakfast Meeting for Worship followed by a plenary session, instead being followed by worship sharing groups. Friends took to this change well, with Tuesday’s plenary devoted to the work of PYM’s Ministry & Oversight Committee. They led Friends in stretching exercises, as a way of physically engaging with this year’s theme, “Where Are We Stretched Anew?” They also shared excerpts from State of the Meeting reports highlighting where different meetings in PYM are being stretched or have stretched over the past year. Friends also laid down the work of the Futures Sub-Committee of PYM, which had been charged with exploring ways to improve and invigorate the life of the yearly meeting. Two new committees were charged with continuing that work- one with encouraging the development of stronger relationships between meetings and the Representatives Committee (RepCom; it functions similarly to IMYM and NPYM’s Continuing/Coordinating Committees), and the other with ongoing work to reinvigorate the Annual Sessions and life of the Yearly Meeting.

After lunch and a bit of free time, Friends convened for worship sharing groups. Each of the four sessions this year seeks to examine “the multidirectional relationships between ourselves, our Meetings and the world.” Tuesday’s queries focused on individual stretching within Meetings, and on what we do as individuals to overcome prejudice and racism. Wednesday’s queries address the Meeting in the world, including the query, “Do you feel yourself or your Meeting to be stretched too thin to address the violence and injustice of the world? If so, what are you doing about it?”

After worship sharing Tuesday, the Junior Yearly Meeting led Friend of all ages in lively games of elbow tag, screaming toes, and many other interactive games, while others decorated the surrounding sidewalks with brightly-colored chalk illustrations. Following dinner, there were opportunities to join in interest groups centered on a wide array of weighty topics. An interest group on aging was particularly well-attended, as was a “Power Walk”- an interactive exercise exploring the oft-hidden forms of privilege and discrimination found among us all (led by the Junior Yearly Meeting.)

Long conversations in affinity groups and outside on benches stretched well into the night, as did singing.

Wednesday morning’s plenary session began with the reading of New Zealand Yearly Meeting’s epistle. Naming Committee then presented several names for the Nominating Committee; if approved, the Nominating Committee will be full. Nominating Committee then presented the first reading of its slate, which was largely complete; a single slot on Ministry & Oversight remains, as do a few representative positions.

Both the Treasurer and Finance Committee gave brief reports. Finance Committee recommended a budget that is very similar to last year’s, with one notable change- a reduction in the assessment/contribution to PYM from individual Meetings in California & Nevada, from $90 to $87, and increases in the assessment for Hawai’i and Mexico City ($41 and $15, respectively.) PYM adopted a tiered system when it established the Youth Program Coordinator position, in recognition that Friends in certain areas would benefit more directly from the YPC’s work than others. The reduction in this amount is enabled by drawing down some of PYM’s ample reserves.

The treasurer noted that there has been a significant increase in the amount of PYM committee work done by conference call, with over 26,000 minutes of calls logged in the past nine months- or, enough minutes for two Quakers to talk nonstop for nine days straight! He also noted the yo-yo nature of the Annual Session budget, which some years is in the black, and in others is dramatically in the red. Finance Committee has been exploring ways to help flatten out these swings.

Friends then heard a hope-filled report from Tricia Sellick, AFSC’s Middle East Program Director. Tricia is based in Jerusalem, and talked about the youth work AFSC is leading in Isreal/Palestine. She noted that 60% of the local population is under 25 years old, which gives a decidedly different flavor to personal and family life, and that the optimism and openness of youth is one of the greatest strengths of AFSC’s peace-building work in this fractured region. (Friends in NPYM also has the chance to hear Tricia speak; this was the last leg of her West Coast tour.)

After lunch and worship sharing groups, Friends were invited to join in one of the many open committee meetings of the various PYM committees, from Finance to Children’s Religious Education. Evening brings another opportunity for interest groups, with an ongoing focus on racial justice issues, as well as groups discussing electronic communication among Friends and the work of FCNL, AFSC, and Quaker groups in Latin America and Hawai’i.

-a desire to acknowledge the already strong relationship between NPYM and FGC
-NPYM already uses many of their resources, and many Friends attend the Gathering
-a need for greater opportunities for spiritual growth, particularly for younger Friends

Comments of concern about affiliation included:

-appreciation for NPYM’s identity as an independent, unaffiliated yearly meeting, both for historicity and as a possible bridge-builder between Friends
-a desire to put resources of money and time into “home”- NPYM
-concern over the need to increase NPYMs annual assessment

Friends were not in unity with affiliating with FGC at this time, but they did approve seasoning the recommendation for a year.

Friends also heard a recommendation to affiliate with Quaker Earthcare Witness. This recommendation was approved, with limited funding for travel to the annual meeting.

The Population Stabilization minute returned to Friends with a number of revisions. However, Friends continued to raise concerns about the minute’s wording and emphasis on population growth (versus overconsumption.) Thought it was clear Friends wished to express concern over the state of the environment, there was no unity with the minute, and the issue was referred back to Peace & Social Concerns.

Worship groups on Saturday and Sunday continued exploring the theme of being practically spiritual, with queries such as, “What am I doing to build the beloved community?” and “What does dwelling in the Spirit look like in my daily life?”

Saturday afternoon gave Friends time for meetings, interest groups, a couple of service projects, or naps. Some attended the Meeting for Memorials. But many Friends were hastily preparing skits for Community Night!

After dinner, Friends young and old kept each other rolling the aisles with skits galore. A sign of the times- at least one of the skits from Community Night is up on YouTube!  Watch Bridge City Friends Meeting’s very funny “Bridge City in Exile“, especially if your meeting has moved or will be moving sometime soon.

Junior Friends held their traditional dance (joined by Young Adult Friends and a few hearty Older Adult Friends) after Community Night, followed by the joint JF-YAF Feast of Love, where participants feed one another (yes, there are drop cloths covering the floor!)

During Sunday morning’s closing plenary, Friends heard from the registrar. 283 Friends attended this year’s Annual Session. 32 of those were first-time attenders, 203 were adults, with 28 Junior Friends, 14 Central Friends, and 15 children elementary aged or younger. 135 hailed from Pacific Northwest Quarter, 124 from Willamette Quarter, and 16 from Montana Gathering of Friends (also a quarter).

Following the reading of epistles from children’s program groups, Junior Friends, and NPYM as a whole, there was a shifting about of chairs into a circle, and NPYM’s Annual Session closed with an hour of Meeting for Worship.

The Site Committee reported that NPYM’s Annual Session will meet again at PLU in 2012, Juy 18-22nd. Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, will be the site for Annual Session in 2013 and 2014.

In plenary 6, Friends heard from Junior Friends who traveled to Jamaica last summer on a service trip. Junior Friends worked with an international organization to plan the trip themselves, and spent over a week doing homestays and teaching American games and sports to children 6-16. They reported the immersive cultural experience was eye-opening and life-changing.

Friends also approved the Nominating slate and the budget, which included a $4 increase in the assessment. This increase was necessary to support an increase in the travel budgets for representatives to other Quaker organizations. There had been no increase since 1998. Friends expressed some concerns about the financial burden this would place on meetings; it was suggested that NPYM could send a fundraising letter to Friends, and that those who were able could increase their contributions to their monthly meetings in order to support the increased assessment.

The Youth Committee also shared a written report, and spoke about their excitement regarding plans for the coming year. Their most ambitious project is the conduct an accurate census of the children and youth in NPYM, and to obtain reliable contact information for them and their families. This will further the Youth Committee’s work to make NPYM’s youth programs better-known and more accessible to families. The committee also noted that for the first time ever, they have a fundraising goal for the Youth Opportunity Fund, an endowed pool of money that provides small grants to support the spiritual lives of youth in NPYM.

Ministry & Oversight also offered a brief but energetic report, listing the slew of activities they have encouraged, sponsored and supported over the past year. Most innovative of these was conference call-ins to bring together Friends around a specific topics. They anticipate offering more of these in the coming year.

At the rise of plenary, Friends moved to the hallway, where dozens of Friendly organizations had staffed displays available to inform everyone of their missions and programs. The hallway buzzed with conversation for nearly two hours. Others took naps, went for walks, or in the case of Children’s Program, played Capture the Flag.

Evening interest groups, committee meetings, an open mic night, contra dance, and “Lavender and Grey” gathering of queer/allies all kept everyone engaged, entertained, and hopping from party to party. Ever the weighty ones, Junior Friends held a business meeting that lasted longer than any of these other activities.

After dinner, a brief introductory plenary session brought Friends together for a few housekeeping details and to join in some games designed to get everyone better acquainted. Friends were asked to arrange themselves in order month and day of birth- without speaking. This turned out to just be a warmup for everyone ordering themselves by year of birth without speaking. The sizable group of Friends born in the 1920′s won admiration and applause. Games were followed by an ice cream social, and all were invited to join in a round of Capture the Flag organized by the Junior Friends, though the total downpour and darkness considerably dampened enthusiasm for the game.

Thursday, 7/14/11

Friends with a stomach for daybreak gathered for early worship sharing, followed by breakfast and lively singing before the second plenary. Friends then heard a report on the activities of Coordinating Committee from the clerk, Elee Hadley. She spoke about the ways in which the restructuring of NPYM, initiated three years ago, played out with regard to decision-making, committee structure, and other aspects, and encouraged Friends to study the extensive self-evaluation conducted this spring by Coordinating Committee, posted on big boards in the hall outside. (The editor hopes that both the survey responses and Elee’s written report will be made available to Friends online at some future date.)
Friends also heard the Youth Committee’s first reading of a draft Youth Safety Policy. Developed by an ad-hoc committee over the past year, the policy is meant to address both legal liability and personal safety concerns regarding younger Friends. Eight pages in length, the document was emailed to Friends in advance; the committee invited Friends to meet with them to share suggestions and concerns before Saturday, when it will again be addressed in plenary.
As Clerk Janet Jump warned us at the beginning of the plenary, this Annual Session is weighted with many hefty topics! And so next on the agenda was a first reading of a minute on Population Stabilization, which Peace and Social Concerns has been seasoning throughout the yearly meeting during the past year. The draft minute reads:

WORLD population has been growing over 75 million persons per year, over 200,000 persons
per day, over 8,500 per hour. Previously, world food production managed to keep up with increases in human population. Now we are reaching or have exceeded the limits of arable land, ocean fish
populations, fresh underground water, fossil fuels, and other resources, and are crowding out the spaces and resources essential to other species. To accommodate the pressure of growing human population and consumption, forests are being cut down at the rate of 5,000 acres per hour, water tables are being drawn down at alarming rates, and wastes and poisons are polluting the air, water, and land at an increasing pace. Population growth is also a factor in persistent public health problems, poverty, crime, and wars.
In order to realize our Quaker vision of an Earth restored and a peaceful, just society, we must
seek ways to stabilize human population and consumption at levels that are sustainable for humans as well as other species.
To do this, we encourage efforts to end the structural inequalities that perpetuate poverty and
contribute to high birth rates, as well as voluntary measures to promote smaller family size and reduced consumption, including (1) adequate funding for family planning services worldwide, (2) raising the status of women, and better education for women and men, both of which are key to smaller families, (3)  support for those who choose adoption, shared childrearing, or celibacy, while honoring biological parenthood for those who choose that, (4) simpler lifestyles in high-consuming nations such as the United States, including fewer possessions, greater sharing, and more responsible choices in what we eat such as reduced consumption of meat, and (5) increased research on sustainable methods of food production, energy production, and other ways to meet human needs throughout the world without sacrificing the health of natural systems or the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
We believe that these and other voluntary approaches should be vigorously pursued now to avoid
the necessity of more coercive measures in the future to maintain a needed balance of resources between present and future generations of humans, and other species.
We urge Friends and others everywhere to join us in pursuing these and other population stabilization measures in our personal lives and in our local communities, states, and nations.

Some Friends expressed concern about some wording in the minute, raising the possibility that the minute might seem judgmental of those in developing countries, who are typically not Caucasian. The time for comments was brief, and Friends were asked to share their suggestions and concerns with the committee before it was brought forward on Saturday for possible approval.

The plenary closed with a brief introduction from the Epistle Committee.

Worship groups then met until lunchtime, considering queries relating to the organizing theme of the day, “Being practically spiritual in relation to myself.” One query was, “Which practices help me become- and which hinder me from becoming- more mindful of, more attuned to the workings of the Spirit in my daily life?”

In the afternoon, Friends chose from a half-dozen interest groups, ranging from a deeper discussion of the pros and cons of Friends General Conference affiliation to the concept of restorative justice. Plenary Three opened with singing, after which the ad-hoc committee charged with making a recommendation on FGC affiliation gave its presentation. Over the course of the past year, they learned more about FGC, and circulated this information among the monthly meetings and worship groups along with queries regarding affiliation. Ten meetings and worship groups replied, as well as a number of individuals. Responses in favor of affiliation expressed a sense that FGC reflects NPYM’s current identity, as well as a recognition that many in NPYM already benefit from FGC’s programs. Those with reservations raised concerns about resources of people and money (the committee estimates that a $4 increase in the NPYM assessment will be necessary to cover travel costs and the annual contribution to FGC), along with a valuing of NPYM’s history as an independent yearly meeting. Weighing the feedback they received, the committee recommended that NPYM affiliate with FGC- and also recommended that NPYM season the recommendation for another year. This issue will also return for further discussion during Saturday’s plenaries.

Friends also heard a report from the ad-hoc committee charged with considering affiliation with Quaker Earthcare Witness. The committee followed a process similar to that of the FGC committee (the procedure for affiliation with other organizations is detailed here) and received clear support for affiliation with QEW. This affiliation would likely require a $1 increase in the annual assessment.

The Nominating Committee then offered the first reading of the nominations slate. Though they have been hard at work, many vacancies remain on NPYM committees, including Epistle, Ministry & Oversight, Outreach & Visitation, and several others.

The Epistle Committee closed the plenary with readings from a half-dozen epistles. Each excerpt related to the question, “Who are you separated from? With whom do you long for reconciliation and connection?”

For the rest of the afternoon, Friends were free to walk or chat, or attend the meeting for representatives to other Quaker organizations, or stand in the very long line into the dining hall for dinner. Dinner was followed by an evening plenary, where the clerk introduced NPYM’s three representatives to the Friends World Committee for Consultation’s (FWCC) world gathering in April 2012 (Elinor Jordan, Joe Snyder, and Kate Jaramillo.)

Friends in Residence Micahel Birkel then spoke to the the Annual Session theme, “Being Practically Spiritual: The Integration of Inward Life and Outward Action”. A professor of religion at Earlham College, Michael has studied the writings of John Woolman and other notable early Friends forever three decades.  Originally invited to serve as NPYM’s Friend in Residence seventeen years ago, Michael was unable to attend then due to the birth of his son. Friends roared with laughter when the Friend introducing him said we were glad he could finally leave his son to join us. The laughter continued as Michel cracked several genuinely funny Quaker jokes.

He eventually turned Friends’ attention to practical spirituality- two words that can seem like a conundrum to many Friends, as there often seems to be a split in meetings between the mystics and the activists. Michael asked, “How can we integrate the inward life of prayer with an outward life of service?” Characterizing himself as a “guide to the attic” of Quaker history, he then shared examples from Margaret Fells letters and John Woolman’s journal, illustrating how each of them exemplified the integration of a deep spiritual life with the outward expression of their personal relationship with the Divine. His close readings of these texts drew out the richness of the language used by early Friends, and he asked those present to reach for the seeds of inspiration they offer even today by both example and word.

After Michael’s talk, campus fell quiet, with small groups scattered here and there in discussion, others in song. Almost the entire Junior Friends group- and a few very eager adult drivers/Friendly Adult Presences (FAPs)- went to a nearby theatre for an hours-long wait in line for the midnight premiere of the final Harry Potter movie.

October 29-31st

Twin Rocks Friends Camp
Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Cost: $125/person
full registration information coming soon!

From hardships with fundraising for building upkeep to simply having a loving, open conversation about how finances can better express Quaker values, it seems we are all struggling to find better ways of working together. Western Friend is delighted to be partnering with Friends Fiduciary Corporation and Northwest Yearly Meeting to once again bring Friends this practical and Spirit-centered exploration on financial issues facing Friends’ meetings, churches, and organizations.

The workshop will feature sections led by Betsy Muench, co-editor of The Treasurer’s Guide for Religious Organizations, Connie Brookes and Melissa Stoner, experienced staff of Friends Fiduciary Corporation, and Jill Hoyenga, clerk of Eugene Friends Meeting’s dynamic Finance Committee. Friends will also have ample time to talk with others from meetings, churches, and Quaker organizations over meals and during facilitated peer group discussions, as well as opportunities to wander the woods and beaches of Twin Rocks.

Sessions will cover a number of topics, including:

Fostering open conversations about money in your Meeting
Budgeting as a reflection of our Friendly priorities and values
Nuts and bolts: reading and crafting financial reports
Socially responsible investing for Meetings and organizations

Who should attend this workshop? If you have an interest in money matters in your Meeting, this workshop is for you! Treasurers and finance clerks will find it especially helpful, but the sessions are designed to interesting and accessible to anyone who wants to learn more about Spirit-led financial decision-making.

To reserve space and for more information please email editor (at) westernfriend (dot) org. We will
contact you with registration information, including cost and times, as soon as those details are available.

Want to advertise this event at your Meeting? Download the flyer here:

Finance_flyer

After Thursday’s usual early morning activities- including a “Transformative Quakers” session on Thomas Kelly- Friends gathered for open worship, then worship sharing groups. Friends considered queries such as “To what extent am I truly “engaged” with others in the Spirit? Can I discern the difference between engagement and obligation (or tolerance)?”

In the afternoon plenary, Friends heard the first reading of the epistle, followed by a longer discussion of the proposal from the Futures subcommittee. Friends expressed concerns about several aspects of the proposal, most notably shifting decision-making about the annual budget to the Representative Committee.

Friends closed the afternoon with Meeting for Memorials. The sound of bagpipes called Friends to the plenary hall from afar, and the children’s program laid down blankets and toys in a half-circle at the front of the hall, so the children of Pacific Yearly Meeting were present and encircled by those present. Friends were particularly moved to see beloved Friend Ellie Huffman join them for the memorial. The names of those who passed away during the past year were placed on the wall, and read aloud in turn.

Dinner brought some unanticipated excitement in the form of a fire alarm in the dining hall. After dinner, Friends joined in all sorts of celebrations: Friends in Unity with Nature celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the committee’s formation with vegan chocolate cakes, fresh strawberries, and plenty of good conversation and laughter. Across the way, the all-ages dance engaged Friends—many of them in togas and animal costumes- in several hours of dancing and a very competitive (in a Quakerly fashion, of course) limbo contest. A few others made a point of visiting landscape artist and birthright Quaker James Turrell’s Skyspace installation on neighboring Pomona College’s campus at sunset.

Friday

The morning’s schedule was much the same as previous days, with today’s Transformative Quakers session featuring Anna and Howard Brinton. The final day of worship sharing featured queries relating to spiritual engagement and engaging constructively as Friends with the rest of the world.

The afternoon plenary session brought a report from Unity with Nature on their 25^th anniversary. Originating in response to an inspiring address at PYM’s 1985 Annual Sessions, given by Friend Marshall Massey, PYM’s Unity with Nature Committee was part of the roots for the wider Quaker environmental movement and the organization known today as Quaker Earthcare Witness. Clerk Joe Morris also shared a forward-looking “report” from the Unity with Nature committee of 2035. (A fuller version of Unity with Nature’s history and future will appear in a future issue of WF.)

This plenary also offered a round two of consideration on several items of business. Friends heard again from Naming and Nominating Committees (there’s still an opening on Children’s Program!) Nominating asked for approval of a minute assigning PYM’s Ministry & Oversight with the task of considering the appropriate number of representatives to Quaker Organizations currently receiving more than one rep. This minute was approved; M&O is to report back next year.

Friends revisited next year’s annual budget, courtesy of the Finance Committee and Treasurer Ed Flowers. They presented a slightly revised budget, based on recommendations arising from the open committee meeting conversation the previous night. After some deliberation, Friends approved a budget of roughly $140,000 for the entire year, and an increase in the assessment to $90 for CA and NV Meetings, $40 for HI and Guatemala meetings, and $10 for Mexico City Meeting. These differences in assessment are largely related to which Meetings benefit from the hiring of the youth program coordinator.

Friends heard from the Peace and Social Order Committee, which has sponsored numerous interest groups at Annual Sessions. Friends approved several minutes relating to Anthony Manousos’ traveling ministry on interfaith work.

Afternoon interest groups ranged from “Quakers and Charitable Contributions” to “Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping: Building a Nonviolent Peaceforce.” Dinner, then the lively entertainment of many many skits and songs at Community Night.

Again the larks of PYM rose early to join in outdoor worship, Bible study, or the “Transformative Quakers” series- Wednesday’s notable Quaker being Anthony Benezet, advocate of public education and ending slavery. After breakfast and open worship, worship groups considered queries such as “Do I accept and provide eldering in a humble and loving spirit?” and “Do I look for ways to build bridges and nurture trust within my Meeting and beyond?”

The Junior Yearly Meeting of PYM (ages 13-18) spent a portion of their morning engaging in intensive coversation groups called “chat boxes” considering topics such as “Quakers and the Future”, Quakers and God”, and “Quakers and Christianity.” They found the exercise so fruitful they decided to post the notes from each chat box in the plenary hall, and then invited adults to join them in similar discussions over dinner that evening.

After interest groups on topics ranging from “Virtual Discernment: Electronic Communications and Friends’ Processes” to the single-payer approach to health care reform, Plenary II began with a lively report from Statistician Lee Sisson. In all, there are currently37 Monthly Meeting in PYM, and 13 Worship Groups. Three Meetings have over 100 members; six have ten or fewer. Three Meetings- Chico, Visalia, and San Diego- reported growth rates of 10% or more this year. Overall membership in PYM is down by 13, to 1,449.

Friends then heard a report from the Treasurer. Noteworthy items included:

-       PYM has taken in roughly $64, 000 in registration fees for this years gathering, and has paid out roughly $99,000 to Claremont McKenna College. Some refund may be coming back to PYM once the final bills are settled. (PYM does have $113,000 in reserves.)

-       Last year, PYM recognized the need to increase its income in order to fund the new Youth Program Coordinator position. Rather than raising assessments, Meetings and individuals were asked to make contributions. PYM received $45,000 in Youth Program Coordinator funds from Meetings, and an additional $2,700 from individuals.

-       Friends approved augmentations to the budgets for several PYM Committees which went over budget this past year.

Finance Committee followed with a proposal for next year’s budget. In order to create a balanced budget that does not dip into reserves, they are proposing raising the assessment (amount paid per member of a Meeting to the Yearly Meeting) from $38 to $96. This increase reflects the inclusion of full funding for the Youth Program Coordinator position. Friends were invited to attend an open committee meeting that evening to further discuss the proposal.

Vanessa Julye, a Friends from Friends General Conference who has been laboring for the past five years with PYM Friends on issues of racial equality in the Society of Friends, shared some reflections on her time with PYM. She thanked Friends for welcoming her into their family, and read aloud an open letter to PYM from Friends of Color, which was written and shared in the Daily Miracle at last year’s PYM Annual Sessions. She then outlined a handful of steps PYM could easily take in order to continue the work of racial healing among Friends, and invited everyone to continue to consider her a resource, though her time with PYM has come to a close. (More of Vanessa’s talk will be in the October issue of WF.)

Friends also heard a brief report from the Futures subcommittee of PYM’s Ministry & Oversight. This subcommittee has been working for several years to determine how the structure of the Yearly Meeting might better support the spiritual growth of its Meetings, and brought forward a proposal for a number of changes. (Available online here- title begins “PYM Ministry and Oversight…”.) Friends were invited to attend an open committee meeting that evening for further discussion.

After dinner, Friends attended open committee meetings (including one for PYM’s new Latin American Concerns Committee), participated in affinity groups, checked out the lovely AFSC-sponsored bookstore, and sang well into the night.

Friends gathered on Monday for the opening plenary of Annual Session. After brief opening remarks from clerk Marilee Eusebio, the roll call of Meetings was read. A few more introductory remarks and some wrangling with the noisy air conditioning system, and the plenary closed. Friends were free to spend the remainder of the evening settling into their dorm rooms, walking Claremont McKenna’s lovely eucalyptus-lined campus pathways, or sitting at picnic tables, deep in conversation.

Tuesday began early for many, with some Friends joining in early morning outdoor worship, a free-form Bible study group, or the ever-popular “Transforming Quakers’ series. (Tuesday’s notable historic Friend was Mary Dyer.)

After breakfast, Friends joined in open worship as a whole gathering, which was followed by worship sharing groups. The groups considered queries relating to this year’s theme, “Engaging One Another in the Spirit”. Lunch was followed by Plenary II, where Naming and Nominating Committees gave their initial reports. Nominating Committee appealed to Friends to help them help themselves! They also expressed appreciation for having had a full complement of committee members for most of the year, which made their job easier. Friends new to PYM committees, either as clerks or as members, were invited to attend a workshop for committee clerks on Friday.

George Lakey, a guest speaker from the “other” PYM (Philadelphia), then spoke to the gathering’s theme. He pointed out that the process of engagement with the Spirit is greater than the sum of the parts, and asked, “What sets people free to experience the Spirit?” George then spoke to four points or practices which can support the development of this freedom: recognition that Friends as a community are tasked with building a container for the Spirit; that we are called to be present in the moment; creating the container for the Spirit around and through individual and community accountability strengthens the container itself; and that we must have the trust and willingness to struggle together. (A transcription of George’s talk will appear in the the October issue of WF.)

Friends of all ages then joined each other outdoors for a lovely couple of hours spent playing intergenerational games, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, and laughing and talking in the sunshine. After dinner, interest groups met on topics ranging from Indonesia after the Civil War to finding that of God in other species. George Lakey led many Friends in lively group renditions of popular Broadway songs, while Young Adult Friends held Meeting for Worship for Business and still others gathered round with guitars and “Rise Up Singing” for more song. Junior Yearly Meeting played a couple of hours of Capture the Flag in the dark, and it is rumored they also played “Wink” until 2am. Just another typical day/night at PYM…