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Western Young Friends New Year’s Gathering 2019-2020

Author(s):
Nate Secrest
Issue:
On Separation (November 2019)
Department:
Letters

Dear Friends:

Leaves are falling, apples are ripening, the days are getting shorter. That can only mean one thing: New Years Gathering is just around the corner!

This is an annual Quaker gathering to welcome the new year with worship and community. The Gathering lasts five nights and alternates between being held in Northern California and Southern Oregon.

Western Young Friends was founded in 1975 by young people from Pacific and North Pacific Yearly Meetings. While there is no formal tie to other Quaker bodies, WYF has many participants who are members, attenders, or former children of monthly meetings. The WYF New Year’s Gathering is multi-generational, and open to all ages.

All participants share the work of the gathering, including meal preparation, childcare, and workshop facilitation. WYF conducts enough business to care for each other during the Gathering, create an epistle, and ensure the planning of the next Gathering.

Each year, we have workshops or interest groups led by participants of the gathering. Anyone can lead an interest group, so start thinking about ideas. Some examples of previous workshops and interest groups are: harm reduction, environmental concerns, peaceful economics, Quaker process, dance, tarot, nature walks, Tai Chi, sign language, massage, and various aspects of spirituality.

Gathering starts with dinner on the 28th of December and ends after breakfast on the 2nd of January.

WHEN: 12/28/2019 – 1/2/2020

WHERE: Camp Woolman in Nevada City, CA

WHO: You! And your friends who are Young Adult Friends, Young Adult Friends at heart, and any others who you think will contribute to making the gathering wonderful.

REGISTER: www.newyearsgathering.org

– Nate Secrest, Redwood Forest Meeting (PYM)

New Years Gathering Young Adult Friends YAF

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