This page is for short updates from across our Yearly Meeting membership—individuals, committees, or other groups. We will also share news from other Quaker organizations from time to time.
Be sure to check out our quarterly newsletter, the Quaker Quill, for more news. Events hosted by Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting can be found on the Events page. You can also follow us on Facebook.
Want to see opportunities in other FGC yearly meetings? Check out the Quaker News Update – February 27, 2024 – Friends General Conference (fgcquaker.org).
Welcome Announcement
Hello Friends!
As noted in the introduction above, this new space on the website is meant for sharing updates that may be of interest to OVYM Friends. If you have something you’d like to share, you can email our Administrative Assistant, Susan Lee Barton, or use the form on this page.
For less time-sensitive news, consider sending a submission to Cecilia Shore for inclusion in the next edition of the Quaker Quill.
– Daniel Day,
OVYM Website Administrator
QEW Event: “Growing” Universalism talk by tom kunesh
September 16th, 7 PM Eastern Daylight Time
As nations worldwide expand their definition of personhood to include whales, bees, turtles, rivers, and nature as a whole, what effect do these legalistic inclusions of other ‘things’ as beings have on our theology of ‘soul’? Are governments developing the metaphysics of salvation faster than Christianity can keep pace?
Join us tonight for a thought-provoking talk with tom kunesh on Monday, September 16th at 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Pacific. tom, a seasoned activist and scholar, will explore the implications of expanding life-saving universalism and how it intersects with our theological beliefs.
To register: Growing Universalism w/tom kunesh – QEW (quakerearthcare.org)
Making Queer Quaker History Series
| This fall, AFSC is co-sponsoring the Making Queer Quaker History event series through Beacon Hill Friends House with Brian Blackmore, AFSC’s Director of Quaker Engagement. The series of lectures and workshops intends to share the often-untold stories of Quakers’ influence and involvement in the project of gay liberation during the mid-twentieth century. Bringing to light this crucial history offers the opportunity for us to reaffirm Quakerism’s commitment to inclusion and justice and bring the Quaker community together for further exploration of unexamined aspects of queer Quaker history. Lectures and workshops are being offered in a hybrid format (over zoom and onsite at Beacon Hill Friends House) throughout September and October. Tickets for all events are available on a pay-as-led/sliding scale. Learn more and register here! |
“Making Queer Quaker History” Lecture
“The Quaker Civilian Readjustment Committee: The first social service organization for gay people in the United States”
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7:30 – 8:30 PM EDT (online and at Beacon Hill Friends House)
See Beacon Hill Friends House website for details.
Discerning a Public Ministry: A Skills Workshop
Thursday, September 19 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Online led by Windy Cooler and Andy Stanton-Henry
Co-sponsored by Quaker Leadership Center and Powell House
Quaker Earthcare Witness Fellowship Hour
Join us on Friday, 20 September, 7pm EDT/4pm PDT, online
Most Monthly Meetings have a fellowship hour for dialogue and discussions – the QEW Fellowship hour is designed as a space to mimic this informal environment! Come as you are to discuss earthcare, spirituality, Quakerism, and catch up with other dear persons in our community. E-mail Miche for the Zoom link.
The Heart of Peace Presentation & Brunch
(for International Day of Peace)
Saturday, September 21
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM Onsite in the DeCou Room @ ESR for Brunch and Presentation
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Online via Zoom
Led by Diana Hadley and David Weatherspoon
You are invited to the 1st annual Heart of Peace Presentation & Brunch at the Earlham School of Religion, sponsored by The Betty Carter Peace Fund!* This event is free for everyone, whether you attend onsite with food or online, but we do need you to register.
The Quaker Leadership Center is grateful to our feature presenters Diana Hadley & David Weatherspoon, co-authors of the book, The Peace Class: A study of effective check-turning, neighbor-loving and sword-to-plowshare conversion.
They will share stories, ideas, and questions to help us find paths of peace in a divisive time like ours.
* The Betty Carter Peace Fund was established in memory of Betty Carter (Earlham College Class of ’79).
Making Queer Quaker History Lecture
“Towards a Quaker View of Sex: The First Public and Positive Evaluation of Lesbian and Gay Sexuality from a Religious Group”
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7:30-8:30 p.m. EDT, online and at Beacon Hill Friends House
See Beacon Hill Friends House website for details.
Bloomington Friends Host OVYM Fellowship Gathering
Saturday, September 28
Purpose: Building OVYM Community
Featuring:
- Experiencing the art of limestone carving
- Cooperative indoor games
- Outdoor games
- Live folk music
- Campfire with S’Mores and singing
Schedule:
- 10 AM gradual arrivals and games that can be joined in at any time
- 12 PM Lunch
- 1 to 4:30 PM Limestone carving and games
- 5 to 6 PM Dinner
- 6 to 8 PM Folk music
- 8 to 9 PM Campfire activities
Registration required for planning.
We may be able to offer indoor or outdoor space for an overnight stay and accommodate special diet needs.
Questions? Contact Christine Carver for more information.
Campus Friends Host Religious Education Workshop
Please save the date!
Campus Friends Meeting is hosting a Quaker religious education workshop for First day/Sunday school teachers and parents from 2 to 4 pm on September 28th. The workshop will be held in the Thorne Room at Wilmington Friends Meeting, 66 N Mulberry St, Wilmington, OH 45177.
The workshop will be led by Diann Herzog a member of Fall Creek Meeting (OVYM) and educator trained in the Montessori method. Attendees will be introduced to the Quaker Faith & Play curriculum.
More information will be provided to those who RVSP to Rhonda Pfaltzgraff-Carlson or Patricia Thomas by September 21st.
Childcare will be provided.
Making Queer Quaker History Workshop
“The Quaker Peace Testimony, Quaker Abolitionism, and Quaker support for Gay Rights”
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7:00 – 9:00 PM EDT (online and at Beacon Hill Friends House)
See Beacon Hill Friends House website for details.
Butterworth Farm Meeting, picnic and
all-round-good-time-in-the-country-day
October 6, 2024
Back by popular demand!
Morning tea (thanks to our local Aussies–it’s yum!) 10:00-11:00 a.m. EDT
Meeting at 11:00 a.m. EDT
Butterworth Farm, 9299 Sibcy Road, Maineville, Ohio 45039
Butterworth Farm is the home of Phil and Gretchen Stone, Nancy and Louis Neumann, and generations of Butterworths before them. The Butterworths were part of the Quaker migration of the early 1800s, leaving Virginia to settle in a state where slavery would never be allowed. Their farm was a station on the Underground Railroad.
The actual railroad, visible from the front porch, is now a paved bike path that extends for 70 miles, alongside the Little Miami River. Fall colors should be beautiful. Bring bikes or kayaks if you like. Kayaks can also be rented at Loveland Paddlesports (513-683-4611). We can wander around the family graveyard on the hill, and chat about the history of the farm. Last year, Al McGrew’s geologic creek walk received rave reviews. You can fish in the pond, or swim in the spring-fed (chilly!) pool. Musical instruments are welcome.
Please bring food to share after Meeting. Dishes and drinks will be provided. We could host some out-of-state guests who might not want to drive both ways in one day. If you have accessibility issues, let us know.
Please RSVP to Gretchen by phone or email before October 4.
Joint Quarterly Meeting October 19-20
Registration is now open for the Joint Quarterly Meeting at Happy Hollow Camp in Nashville, Indiana. Click the button below to register by the 4th of October.
Come join Friends for fun and fellowship at Happy Hollow Camp! Our time together will be spent in a beautiful, natural outdoor setting with options for hiking, games, singing, dancing, get acquainted activities, campfire, meals, crafts, Reiki and worship.
Cabins are rustic but clean and heated, or bring your own tent.
Please remember to bring bedding and personal comfort items like soap and towels, flashlight, folding chair, and any games you’d like to share. Musical instruments are welcome, with singing around the campfire on Saturday night.
Making Queer Quaker History Lecture
“Too Queer To Be Quaker:” The Limits of Liberal Quaker Inclusion of Lesbian and Gay People during the Cold War and Today.
Monday, Oct. 7, 7:30 – 9:00 PM EDT online and at Pendle Hill Conference Center
See Beacon Hill Friends House website for details. (Partnership with Pendle Hill Conference Center)
Making Queer Quaker History Workshop
“Queer Approaches to the Inner Light and Unprogrammed Worship”
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7:00 – 9:00 PM EDT online and at Beacon Hill Friends House
See Beacon Hill Friends House website for details.
Beacon Hill Friends House Ernest and Esther Weed Memorial Lecture: “Quakers and the Gay Rights Movement”
Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 – 3 PM EDT (online and at Beacon Hill Friends House)
See Beacon Hill Friends House website for details.
One-year Quaker Life Coordinator position at Ramallah Friends School
Ramallah Friends School is searching for a Quaker Life Coordinator. The Quaker Life Coordinator will serve under FUM’s Living Letters program and report to the Head of School. The coordinator will work to promote Friends values and spiritual life activities on campus, provide a ministry of presence, and nurture Quaker life programs beyond the school community. Ideal candidates should have a deep knowledge of Quaker faith and practice, have experience working with diverse groups in a school community, and be willing to live in Palestine for a one-year assignment.
Ramallah Friends School will provide a stipend, housing, and support for travel. Interested candidates should send resumes and a letter of interest to Karla Jay at karlaj@fum.org.
Click here to read the job description.
Want to see when committees are meeting? Check out our OVYM calendar. Want to add something to the calendar? Contact the OVYM office.
