Illinois Yearly Meeting - Summer Gathering

July 25-29, 2007

Answering That of God

See the links at the bottom of this page for the full brochure and registration details!

Advance Documents:

• Guide To Terms for legal & property transition
• Transition Issues committee recommendations for transition from Trusteeship
• Environmental Concerns committee advance report
• Faith and Practice section on Marriage for 5-year provisional adoption
• Report of IYM's representatives to AFSC, AFSC Values statement

Addresses

Lucy Duncan will be the Wednesday night speaker. In her talk, Seeds and Fruits of the Spirit, she will tell stories of her own experiences of hearing the voice of God and working to respond faithfully in her daily life. She has been a platform storyteller since 1993. Lucy serves Friends General Conference as Associate Secretary for Programs and the Bookstore; many folks may know her from her e-mail newsletter Book Musings. She is a member of Goshen Friends Meeting of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

The Thursday night program will be a panel of IYM Friends speaking about how Spirit has led them to Answer That of God through their service activities. Friends on this panel will include Dawn Amos, Carol Bartles, Patricia McMillen and Roy Treadway.

The Saturday night speaker will be Paul Lacey. Paul is Emeritus Professor of English at Earlham College and currently serves as Clerk of the Board of Directors of the American Friends Service Committee. He is the author of several books, including The Inner War: Forms and Themes in Recent American Poetry and Growing into Goodness: Essays on Quaker Education, four Pendle Hill pamphlets, and two pamphlets published by Friends Council on Education. Paul is married with three grown children. He is a member of Clear Creek Monthly Meeting of Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting.

Margaret Katranides, of St. Louis Monthly Meeting will deliver the Plummer Lecture on Sunday morning.

Young Friends Program

Babysitting: Child care will be available during adult programs for children age 5 and under.

Wee Friends through Junior High School: A planned program will be offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9-12 a.m. There are recreation activities offered during the afternoon programs. The age groups are: 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, JH.

High School: The Youth Oversight Committee and High School (HS) age Friends (entering grade 10 through 2006 high school graduates) plan the program.

Adult Young Friends: The AYF group includes those who have graduated from the High School program but do not yet feel ready to fully participate in the adult program (approx. 18-35 years of age). Please indicate "AYF" in the "Age Group" section on the registration form if you consider yourself an Adult Young Friend. Two workshops are being offered by AYF's this year (William Alsup and Ruth Raffensperger). There will be an AYF worship sharing/get together one evening, an activity with the High School group, and an AYF outing. Contact Ruth Raffensperger for more information (ladyahhza©yahoo.com).

Workshops
(details below)

Thursday only

• Roy Treadway and Steve Walsh (IYM Environmental Concerns), Building Sustainability at Illinois Yearly Meeting

  Under the sponsorship of the Environmental Concerns Committee, this workshop will explore the spiritual value and practical considerations for constructing the new buildings at the Illinois Yearly Meeting site in a sustainable or "green" way. For 350 years, Friends have built their buildings reflecting their reverence for God, respect for simplicity, and care for the earth. We will examine the potential for incorporating efficiency and conservation, alternative energy sources, wise use of water, light, tender treatment of land, use of natural and renewable materials, recycling of wastes, and landscaping that reinforces beauty and efficiency. Cost for building and long-term savings will be discussed. Open to all.

• William Alsup, A Friendly Bible Study

  If people would bring their own bibles that would be wonderful, the more variations in translations the better. Open to all.

• Jim and Ginger Kenney (FCNL), Peacemaking in the Family, the Community and the World

  The amazing social, psychological, religious ad economic insights gained over the past 50 years have given us all powerful tools to use in our efforts to bring peace to our troubled world. Peace, of course, begins with our own life and relationships. The workshop will explore various aspects of this challenge.

• Elizabeth Mertic and Pam Kuhn (IYM Finance), Deciphering IYM Financial Statements: a Spiritual and Practical Approach

  This workshop will take a slow and hands-on approach toward understanding IYM financial statements. Thursday only. Open to all.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday

• Maurine Pyle, Brenda Koenig, Elke Narkiewicz, Quakers -- Not Just for Breakfast Anymore (How to do Outreach for Your Meeting)

  In story, song and symbol we will create new and more accurate images of who Quakers are today. These will be used to increase visibility of Quaker meetings and attract new members. Material is sequential; participants should attend all three days. Open to all.

Friday only

• Nancy Halliday (IYM Environmental Concerns), Canoe and Kayak Trip

  Under the sponsorship of the Environmental Concerns Committee, interested persons with either canoe or kayak will travel onto Hennepin and Hopper Lakes, just east of the Illinois River. In this restored wetlands, we will explore the natural setting, viewing species of birds, frogs, mussels, and native water plants with Rick Siebert, site manager. Canoes will be available for rent for $40.00 per canoe, or persons may bring their own canoes and kayaks. Older children accompanied by an adult and all adults may participate; all persons must have required flotation devices (provided when renting). Participants will experience exhilaration from physical exercise and spiritual refreshment from nature. Sign up at the time of registration for Yearly Meeting is required (especially for those renting). Open to adults and older children accompanied by an adult.

• Faheemah Thabit (AFSC), Death Penalty

  A description of this workshop will be available at IYM.

• IYM Faith and Practice Committee, Faith and Practice Introduction and Section on Membership

  Friends will review the current text of the introduction and section on membership for IYM's in-progress Faith and Practice, and have the opportunity to share with the Faith and Practice Committee their responses and suggestions for improvement. These texts were approved for a provisional period which will expire in 2008; workshop responses will help guide revisions before the texts are resubmitted next year in hope of more permanent approval. Open to all.

• Mike Conover, Worship for Healing

  Worship for Healing is a tradition within Friends General Conference, including workshops at FGC Gatherings. Names of those to be held in the Light will be solicited prior to settling into silence. Open to all.

Friday and Saturday

• Ruth Raffensperger, Facilitating Revealing in a Nurturing World

  This workshop will include discussion, journaling, drawing and some movement to explore many topics revolving around our spiritual journey being the nurturing core of our lives and how it integrates the parts in a whole. The workshop is continuous (different content each day) but participants are free to attend either or both days. Open to all.

Saturday only

• IYM Faith and Practice Committee, Meeting Organization and Structure

  Friends will review draft text on the organization and structure of meetings, for IYM's in-progress Faith and Practice, and will have the opportunity to share their responses and suggestions for improvement with the Faith and Practice Committee. Open to all.

• Carolyn Wilbur Treadway, Reversing the Climate Crisis

  This workshop includes slides from Al Gore's Oscar-winning film, "An Inconvenient Truth," and will examine the global, regional, and local aspects of the climate crisis. Saturday only. Open to Friends 10 and older.

Schedule

WEDNESDAY:
	Noon-6 pm	Registration
	2:00-3:30	Opening Session: Worship & Bus. Mtg.
	3:30-6:00	Free time for committees & socializing
	5:30-6:00	Singing on front porch
			Early supper for children, kitchen volunteers
	6:00-7:00	Dinner
	7:30-9:00	Movie Night for Kids
	7:30-8:45	Address by Lucy Duncan
	9:00		New attenders meeting (Reg. table)
	9:00-9:30	Registration desk open
	9:00-9:45	Snacks
THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY:
	6:30-7 am	Early Meeting for Worship
	6:45-7:45	Breakfast
	7:30		New Attenders Mtg. on Sat. (Reg. table)
	8:00-9:00	Meeting for Worship (Memorials are read at Saturday MfW)
	9:00-noon	Meeting for Business / Children's Program
	12:00-1:00	Lunch
	1:30-3:45	Craft tent/Recreation
	1:30-2:15	Worship Sharing Groups
	2:30-3:45	Workshops
	3:45-6:00	Free time for committees & socializing
	5:00-6:00	Registration Desk open
	5:30-6:00	Singing on front porch
			Early supper for children, kitchen volunteers
	6:00-7:00	Dinner
THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING:
	3:45		Finance Comm. Mtg. (east porch)
	7:30-8:45	Panel of Friends speak of how God has led 
				them to Answer That of God through service
	7:30-9:00	Campfire & Hayrack Ride
	9:00-9:45	Snacks
FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING:
	1:00		Environmental Concerns Canoe Trip
	3:45		Women's Theology Group Meeting for Worship, Business and Discussion 
	7:30-8:00	Registration Desk open
	7:30-10		Dancing on front lawn
	9:00-9:45	Watermelon served outside during dancing
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING:
	4:00		Area Planning Groups meet
	4:30-5:30	Variety Show
	7:30-9:00	Young Friends Service Project 
	7:30-8:45	Address by Jim Fletcher
	9:00-9:45	Snacks
SUNDAY
	6:30-7:30	Early Meeting for Worship
	7:30-8:30	Breakfast
	9:15-9:45	Registration desk open
	10:00-11:00	Plummer Lecture by Margaret Katranides
	11:30-12:30	Meeting for Worship
	12:30-1:30	Lunch
	1:30		Cleanup and Farewells

Please Join Us!

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