IOWA YEARLY

MEETING OF FRIENDS (CONSERVATIVE) SEVENTH MONTH 29 TO EIGHTH MONTH 3, 2008

at

SCATTERGOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL

WEST BRANCH, IOWA

  

Theme:  FOLLOW THE LIGHT

 

Evening Collections - 7:00

 

Tuesday.  Mark Patton, West Branch Meeting, FWCC representative to FWCC Triennial in Ireland. His talk will focus on  “Friends work in the North and the political turmoil the Irish have been going through.”

 

Wednesday  Theoneste Bizimana, Rwanda Yearly Meeting, coordinator of HROC (Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities) in Rwanda.  He is also an AVP facilitator and co-writer of “After the Guns Have Stopped: Searching for Reconciliation in Burundi.”   (See www.aglionline.org)

 

Thursday  John McCutcheon, Quaker musician and songwriter.   In Concert.

 

Friday  Bruce Birchard, General Secretary of FGC.  “Some of My Experiences with the Spirit.”

 

Saturday  Program planned by Young Friends 

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Bible Study    Mornings (except First Day) 7:30  Nancy Irving will lead Bible study.

 

Late Evening-after 9:00   At the rise of the evening program, Friends are invited to sing. We use Rise Up Singing and the Quaker Hymnal. Bring books and musical instruments.   Snacks are served in the Dining Room.

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Meetings for Worship with Attention to Business

 

Wednesday  10:00

Meeting for worship followed by attention to business until noon

Appointments of Representatives, Caretakers, and Yearly Meeting Committees

Midyear Meeting Report

Interim Committee Report

AFSC Corporation Report

Epistles from Conservative Yearly Meetings

Selected readings of portions of Epistles from other Yearly Meetings

Thursday  9:30

Meeting for worship followed by attention to business until noon

FWCC Report

Publications Committee Report

Entertainment Committee Report

Archives Committee Report

Special Needs Report

Preliminary Peace and Social Concerns Committee Report, if needed

Advice and Queries

Friday  9:30

Meeting for worship followed by attention to business until noon

Discipline Committee Report

Trustees Report

Scattergood School Committee Reports (Director, Committee, Farm, Trustees)

Advice and Queries

Saturday  9:30

 Meeting for worship followed by attention to business until noon

Audit Committee Report

Yearly Meeting Treasurer=s Report

Peace and Social Concerns Committee Report

State of the Meeting Reports

Yearly Meeting Recorder Report

Meeting for Remembrance

 

Saturday  2:00

Meeting for Worship followed by attention to business

Junior Yearly Meeting Report and Epistle

Young Friends Report and Epistle

Representatives= Report

Epistles Committee Report

Nominating Committee Report

Exercise Committee Report

Final Minute

Sunday           Pre-Meeting   9:00   Nancy Irvin will speak on “Finding the Light.” 

            Meeting for Worship  10:30

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Afternoon Programs

 

Wednesday 2:00-3:30  Reports from Iowa Peace Network, Friends Committee on National Legislation, American Friends Service Committee

 

Wednesday  3:30-4:00 Discipline Revision Committee Report discussion.

 

Wednesday 4:00-5:00 Earthcare Witness Group:  "Is it time for Quakers to stop driving private cars?"

 

Thursday  2:00-3:00  John Mc Cutcheon :“Use of Cultural Tools in Organizing.”

 

Thursday 3:00-4:00 Kathleen McQuillen : “Seeking Peacemakers in the Holy Land.”

 

Thursday 4:00-5:00 David Drake:”Reflections of Civilian Diplomacy: Travels to Israel, the West Bank and Iran, conflict abroad and at home.”

 

Friday. As minuted in last years sessions, no interest groups are scheduled on Friday afternoon to allow either time for another Meeting with consideration for Business, or for fellowship.

Other interest groups may be scheduled spontaneously by asking the Caretakers for a place to have a gathering.

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First Day (Sunday)

Pre-meeting 9:00  Nancy Irving.

Meeting for Worship 10:30

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Information

 

When you arrive: Check in at the registration table in the Main lobby.  Sign the spiral notebook and make a nametag.  If you are a first-time attender, put a blue dot on it.  If you are staying on campus, find out your dorm and room number or campsite.

 

Childcare - Childcare for preschool and younger children will be available Wednesday through Saturday,.  Childcare is not available during meals or on Saturday evening. Please indicate on the registration form when you need child care and if you need a highchair. 

 

Junior Yearly Meeting - Junior Yearly Meeting is for children ages 6-13, those entering first grade to those entering eighth grade in the fall.  Morning, afternoon and evening programs will include a number of crafts, swimming, a cookout and campout, cooperative games, Quaker process, peacemaking, a service project, and more.  Youth are asked to bring clothing appropriate for indoor/outdoor play, and appropriate for weather conditions. In addition, bring swimsuits, towels, flashlights, and bedding suitable for camping out.  Tents will be provided Carol Gilbert and Penny Majors are coordinators.  Also, to avoid inappropriate use of computers and to encourage community, Junior Yearly Meeting youth will be asked to refrain from use of the internet during Yearly Meeting. 

 

Young Friends - If by July 29, you have graduated from eighth grade or are at least 14 years old, if you are a 2005 high school graduate or somewhere in between, you are invited to attend Young Friends Yearly Meeting.  Plans include worship, business meetings, games, swimming, a Scattergood service project, video and pizza night, reading epistles from other Young Friends groups, writing our own epistle, sports, pottery making, overnight at the teen cabin, attending an evening collection with our own follow-up discussion and a dance.  We will also create a Young Friends Report and present it to the Yearly Meeting.  This is not just a report on the week=s events but also an opportunity to introduce items of business of importance to Young Friends.  Joseph Kieltyka and Flossie Cox return as Young Friends Coordinators.

 

Scents Friends are reminded that our goal is to make Yearly Meeting events fragrance-free, for the health and comfort of all of us.  Please refrain from using colognes, perfumes, and aftershave.  Friends are reminded to read the ingredients list on personal care products (soaps, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, hair gels, etc.) that you wear to our gatherings.  While the front label may say Ascent-free@ or Afragrance-free,@ a product with an ingredients list that includes Afragrance@ or Amasking fragrance@ most likely contains solvents that pollute our air and make it harmful for all of us to breathe.  Some Friends have become too sensitized to remain in the presence of these chemicals without getting severe headaches and other symptoms. 

 

Meals:  Meals are served in the dining room in the lower level of the Main.  Breakfast is 7:15-8.  The noon meal is 12:15-1.  The evening meal is 5:15-6, except for Tuesday night, when it is 5:30-6:15.  Snacks are served in the dining room after evening collection.  Meals will include healthy items that satisfy most diet choice indicators on the registration form.  Sunflower butter will be substituted for peanut butter in deference to those with peanut allergies.  We are not, however, able to meet all  diet preferences, and we invite those with exceptional food needs or preferences to bring their own food. 

 

Chores: Look for a sign-up sheet for meal tasks in the hallway leading to the dining room.  Yearly Meeting relies on volunteers for setting tables, serving, washing dishes and pots and pans, and supervising the game room.  We ask that everyone who is able sign up at least once. 

 

Special needs: If you have special needs and wish to have assistance at Yearly Meeting, please let the person at the registration table know.

 

Lights out: Please don=t socialize in the lobby after 9:30 p.m, because the school's cleaning staff need time to clean and be home by 10.  Dorms are to be quiet from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

 

Name tags: If you use a plastic holder, turn it in at the registration table as you leave, so it can be used next year.

 

Costs: There is no set fee for lodging, food, programs or childcare; but of course there are costs.  Our cost this is year is about $9000.  Divided among the 150 expected attenders makes that about $60 per person, or $12 a day.  Some cannot pay this much; some can pay more.  Please give according to your ability. 

 

Accomodations: Dorm rooms are basic, with bunk beds and shared baths. Those planning to stay in dorms need to bring their own bedding, pillows and towels.  We recommend bringing fans.  Other options include:

Camping on campus (limited electrical hookups)

Area Motels

Econolodge, West Liberty (319) 627-2171

Presidential Motor Inn, West Branch (319) 643-2526

Over 50 motels available in Iowa City or Coralville

 

Directions to Scattergood Friends School: From the east, take I-80 to Exit 259.  Go north on X40 about one-half mile.  Go west (left) on F44 for 3 miles.  Go one-half mile south (left) on Delta Avenue.