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Epistle of New York Yearly Meeting, 2000To Friends Everywhere, Greetings!Jubilee! Jubilee! This was the call to our Yearly Meeting, and before we arrived, we knew about certain shifts to our normal schedule. These changes provoked reactions as different as the personalities from which they came. Friends experienced some loss of opportunity for deliberating matters of business, and also realized a number of unexpected gifts. Joy, spontaneity, celebration of old and new friendships, music, laughter, deep conversations, reflection, and bathing in the Spirit were all part of the character of our gathering. There were puzzled looks of disorientation on the faces of many Friends when they realized that there were hardly any business or committee meetings to attend. Unexpected blocks of time were theirs to enjoy in the spirit of Sabbath rest. Additional worship and opportunities to focus on listening to God were abundant. Like a treasured song reclaimed, we examined our testimonies of traditional Quaker values in vocal ministry, and heard many messages of strong leadings: Seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing; Attending to our responsibility to the poor and imprisoned; Preserving the environment; Challenging the powers of materialism; Preceding business meetings with longer periods of worship; Taking a stronger stand against the death penalty in the United States; Mentoring our young Friends. These were some of the divinely given advices received with great emotion. Friends, our summer sessions at Silver Bay were blessed in many ways. We proceed in respect for each individual's spiritual journey. Our prayers for you go forth with this epistle. In Loving Friendship, Victoria Baker Cooley Clerk 305th Sessions 7th Month 30 - 8th Month 5, 2000, at Silver Bay, New York 635 Friends in attendance, including 193 Youth Plenary Sessions: Jubilee Welcome for Friends Concern for Simplicity as a Social Witness Concern for Relationships Among Ourselves Concern for Leadings Concern for Relationships with Those Whose Experiences We Do Not Share How Does the Truth Prosper Among Us? 21 Intergenerational Study Groups: Simplicity and Good Order in Financial Stewardship John Woolman’s Remembrance: A Plea for the Poor Quaker Bolivia Link: A Practical and Spiritual Response to World Poverty Connecting with Bolivian Women: Its Challenges and Spiritual Benefits Photography Proclaiming Jubilee Being in Nature Intergenerational Bible Study Quakers and Jubilee Anger and forgiveness Care-giving and Receiving The Old Wise Woman Quaker Witness to the World: AFSC – FCNL – QUNO On Behalf of New York State Migrant Farmworkers Political Activism From High School into Circle of Young Friends Quaker Community and the Myths of Our Time Make a Joyful Noise AVP’s Transforming Power Wait Patiently upon the Lord Progress and Poverty 21 Worship Sharing Groups Bible Study was led by Paul Anderson of George Fox University. The lives of Leanna Chase Goerlich and Iceline Curtis were celebrated in memorial worship. Registered Visitors: Yukiko Backes, Japan Yearly Meeting Barbara Simmonds, Northern Yearly Meeting Sherry Register, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Barbara Hirshkowitz, Friends General Conference Marcia Boone, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Pamela Barratt, Baltimore Yearly Meeting and Quaker Bolivia Link Kenneth Barratt, Great Britain Yearly Meeting and Quaker Bolivia Link Viv Hawkins, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Allison Randall, New England Yearly Meeting Bill Walker, New England Yearly Meeting William Taber, Ohia Yearly Meeting (Conservative) Dwaine Williams and Becky Williams, Friends United Meeting William Galvin, Center for Conscience and War James Breasted, New England Yearly Meeting |