Save the dates for our 341st (virtual) Annual Sessions!
The Runway to Annual Sessions is filled with virtual workshops, Business Q&As, and a Collaborative Fair! The Runway begins the first week of May through the third week of July 2021.
The week of Annual Sessions is July 27 through August 1. Join us for a virtual gathering that begins with the 4th Annual Spiritual Formation retreat, followed by a week filled with All Ages Worship, business, five fantastic keynotes, an awesome Artist in Residence, Youth programs, Young Adult programs, Fellowship, worship sharing, Affinity Spaces, and Bible studies.
Details and registrations will be revealed very soon! To receive the lastest schedule of events, registration details, upcoming events and stories, please check this Annual Sessions page and sign-up for our weekly News & Events newsletter.
Yearly Meeting Poem 2020
Am I a little Quaker child like my ancestors? Am I a different Quaker now? “Give the Police Departments to the Grandmothers” give the meetings to the young people I found empty spray cans on the side of the road dancing in a pearly reflection of the sky. And there beside it the brilliant color of yearning etched graffiti Black lives matter will they listen will we listen will I listen this time. Some of us have always lived and found Spirit in the shadows. Some of us are just learning the shadows exist. Much ugliness has been exposed shadows protect fear, partly. We want it carefully, guarded. We invite worry and loneliness to reside with us in darkness. Our fear is us and our anger is us and we fight light. We fight until community breaks in, entering to dispel, bring light, in spite of our fear. A different narrative is possible. Imagination is the key to make us new. Leaning out of the shadows I can see the light light that blinds and warms. In the shadows things are clearer and cooler the outline of a shape you didn’t know was there. Grounding your feet to the earth. In the shadow’s dark matter, wait to be illuminated, Distant spirit of newborn stars, Voices struggle to speak, truth. Faith is the bird that sings for the dawn, While it is still dark out. It is dark out, is it not? Wait… what’s that I see on the horizon…? All of Creation, has its rightful place on Mother Earth, with a story - glory, acknowledgement, apology; joyfully, lovingly, simply being, where one belongs. Being faithful means turning away from the shadows to the Light. resting in the shadow of a threshold full of pause. Hands all around lifting holding guiding suspending waiting pushing saying: you will know Listen in the doorway feel the fullness of liminal space welcome the uncertainty faithful is in this place too. Lighting a candle chases away darkness, but you must tend its flame steadfastly so the wind doesn’t blow it out. — Zenaida Peterson
Download a printable version (.pdf) of this poem for your refrigerator or bulletin board!