8:30-9:00

Registration

9:00-10:30

Welcome

Morning address: Finding a Way Forward—Jay Marshall

The Gospel of Jesus Christ contains a powerful message—a message frequently neutralized in contemporary Friends meetings. Is it the result of too many generations inheriting the message without being captured by its spirit? Could it be that meetings lose sight of the purpose of the church? Does Friends’ operation within a non-creedal structure foster confusion instead of deeper experience of the Living Christ? In this session, we will consider ways to move beyond paralysis toward renewal and clarity of purpose that serves God’s work among us.

10:30-11:00

Break

11:00-12:15

Workshops (choose one)

A: How Vital is Your Meeting? - Jay Marshall

In this workshop, we will review key characteristics of vitality in Friends meetings as described in Where the Wind Blows. This will be an interactive workshop where individuals are asked to consider the condition in their monthly meeting and begin to imagine fresh possibilities.

Workshop Leader: Jay Marshall was recorded by North Carolina Yearly Meeting in 1985 and served as a Quaker pastor for 15 years before accepting his current role as Dean of ESR.

B: Quakers, Philanthropy and Applied Ethics, a.k.a. Convincement, Conversion and the Kingdom - Jennie Dove-Isbell

In this workshop, we will explore our awareness of and attitude towards money, and perhaps reframe these issues against the backdrop of Quaker history and the Christian world view of stewardship. Participants will engage in a simple survey for self-discovery, group discussion of personal experience, and view a collage of ideas from Friends of different eras all considering Christian identity defined and lived out.

Workshop Leader: Jennie Dove-Isbell is a third-year ESR student and currently works as Coordinator of Annual Fund and Constituent Relations for the seminary. She previously worked for 10 years in higher education fund raising. At ESR, Jennie has discovered a new intersection between her faith and gifts.

C: Looking Toward the Future; Living in the Present; Linking with the Past - Phil Baisley

Most meetings and churches see the need for visionary thinking if they are going to move successfully toward a bright future. However, effective stepping into the future requires grounding in an understanding of the meeting’s history, values, and uniqueness. This workshop will acquaint leaders with some tools for identifying who their meeting really is as they look toward discerning what God wants them to be.

Workshop Leader:Phil Baisley is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Studies at ESR. He has facilitated visioning workshops in Western, Wilmington, Indiana, and Northwest Yearly Meetings. Phil also pastors Williamsburg Friends (Indiana YM) and is on the editorial team for The Adult Friend.

12:15-1:15

Lunch on site

1:15-2:30

Workshop (choose one of above)

A B C

2:30-3:00

Wrap up