Announcement to NPYM Friends About Annual Session
Sunday May 11th, 2025
Friends,
In light of a recent transphobic law the Montana state legislature passed in March, NPYM had a called meeting for worship for the purpose of business yesterday, Saturday May 10th. Enforcement of that law would significantly and adversely impact how we create our beloved community in the University of Montana (UofM) at Missoula, our proposed site for Annual Session 2025. We had a long spirit-filled and spirit-led threshing session with over 140 participants in Zoom. We centered the voices of transgender, non-binary, young and Montana Friends. After a break, we then proceeded to worship and discern the essential question of whether or not to proceed to meet in Missoula for Annual Session. After considerable discernment we united with the Spirit to proceed with our plans to meet at the University of Montana. To address how we can make our beloved community safer at UofM under this new law, an ad hoc committee for Safety at Annual Session at UofM has been formed with representation from young Friends, transgendered Friends, and Montana Gathering of Friends. To be the change we want in this world, I ask you to come to Annual Session and Montana. Let us fiercely show how we will create beloved community in spite of any laws that attempt to erase our identities. Let us show what lives in holy communion with the Spirit looks like and behave. Come to Montana. Come to Annual Session. Registration will be opening soon.
With warmest gratitude and hope,
Euclid Bautista
Rising Clerk NPYM