What I love about our Yearly Meeting has been aptly captured by this year's State of Society report. It is our willingness to seek truth faithfully together, knowing that we can and will hear God though we struggle with different languages and perspectives, and to put our faith into practice both individually and collectively as we act in the world.
We use the name New England Yearly Meeting to mean the network of Friends and Friends communities in New England of which you are a part, including but not limited to those who gather in August for Annual Sessions and those who serve on Yearly Meeting committees throughout the year. We are all members of one another as we seek and act faithfully everyday.
I would like to share a few of the highlights from our 351st Annual Sessions that took place this August. It was a time of joy, compassion, forgiveness, healing, and building community for all ages as we worshipped and worked together. We shared powerful Bible Half Hours, anchor groups, coffeehouse, interest groups, laughing and learning with children, and bookstore delights. You can read more in the minutes, available online.
This year:
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Cuban Quaker Pastor Dikson in his plenary inspired us "to pay less attention to our internal differences, and turn to the work that awaits us outside;"
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Steve Chase challenged us to envision a community free from dependence on fossil fuel — just, ecologically sustainable, and spiritually satisfying;
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In our preliminary approval of the chapter on Corporate Discernment for the forthcoming revised Faith and Practice, we wrestled with the concept of standing aside;
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Four Friends shared deeply personal journeys with issues relating to our struggles with Friends United Meeting;
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Greg Williams and our Racial, Social, & Economic Justice Committee challenged us to engage in issues of environment, immigration justice and racial equality;
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We moved forward to lay down the New England Friends Home;
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We renamed the Christian Education Committee to Quaker Youth Education Committee;
We explored what structure might better connect monthly meetings and Yearly Meeting throughout the year; -
We approved continuing the special financial arrangement allowing meetings to withhold contributions to Friends United Meeting when supporting the Yearly Meeting;
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Although not in unity about how, the concern of creating a space for discernment and witness in a larger body at times other than Annual Sessions was brought forward;
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Young Adult Friends further addressed Climate Change in their epistle;
You will find additional information in the minutes distributed to your meeting or on the Sessions web site. I look forward to worshipping and working with you throughout the coming year.
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updated November 28, 2011