 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 (XXXX 5) |
Planning for our 2003 Sessions of Yearly Meeting has given the Annual Sessions Planning Group a deep sense of the Spirit at work. This is a time in which Friends are being profoundly challenged in finding Spirit-led ways to be active participants in building peace — locally, nationally and internationally. The response of many Friends throughout our Yearly Meeting to that challenge is encouraging and inspiring. Our vision for our Sessions involves starting a conversation now with Friends throughout our monthly meetings around the theme of “Finding the Power to Make Peace in Every Aspect of Our Lives.” We trust that the Holy Spirit will be at work in that conversation and guide us into deeper reflection and action when we come together as a full community of Friends. Planners for the children’s program have also embraced this vision and will be developing curriculum materials to run parallel to the overall theme.
There will be a one-day session of Yearly Meeting on Saturday, March 29, 2003. Then in the summer the PYM family of Friends will gather at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, from Tuesday, July 29, to Sunday, August 3, for worship, business, workshops, social activities, and children’s programs. Plan now for your summer vacation time.
Wilson College is 50 miles southwest of Harrisburg, about three hours’ drive from Philadelphia. The college has a beautiful dining hall with large circular tables each seating 8 persons for friendly conversational groupings. Some of the dormitories are directly connected with the dining hall, allowing convenient access for Friends who have trouble walking longer distances. Dormitory rooms have dividers affording some privacy even between roommates. Three classroom buildings provide spaces for the Children’s and Young People’s Program and for interest groups for adults. PYM will have a choice of two large rooms for plenary sessions: an 800-seat air-conditioned auditorium and a 600-seat chapel.
A longer description of preliminary plans for the 2003 Annual Sessions is being sent to the clerk of each Monthly Meeting. The planners look forward eagerly to each Friends’ participation in forming our agenda. The Planning Group has asked the Meeting on Worship and Ministry and all Friends to hold in the Light these upcoming 323rd Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and the planning for them.
Arlene Kelly
Central Philadelphia Meeting
Clerk of Yearly Meeting
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM