2023 Annual Sessions

with Cai Quirk

We grow up with many narratives fed to us about how the world is supposed to be, but so often these tales are limited or false versions of deeper truths. Oppression has narrowed gender to a binary, but together we can weave new narratives to invite healing and freedom for us all.

Using poetry and photography from Cai Quirk’s series Transcendence and ‘Beyond Pink and Blue’ as catalysts, we will explore aspects of gender that are far more expansive than the binary. Visual and written metaphors use new ways of thinking to help people reach deeper into their subconscious to stretch and expand limiting beliefs that hold us all back, no matter our gender. These methods can then be used to heal other such wounds caused by various forms of oppression. Restoryation — creating and learning healing narratives to replace harmful ones — is imperative for communities that want to be truly welcoming. People of all genders are welcome in this workshop.

There will be a section of the workshop with themed small groups. If you would like to do the following prompt for taking self-portraits ahead of time, you’re welcome to (don’t worry, it can be fun!), and if you don’t wish to do the prompt, there will be an alternative theme for small groups at the same time in the workshop and you don’t have to read any further.

Self-portrait prompt: with any photo-making device (a phone, digital camera, disposable camera, grandkid’s phone), please make two self-portraits (or as many as you need until you like two of them)... one that includes your body in some way (could be your whole body, only head and shoulders, even just your hand), and one that is representative of you but doesn’t have your body in it (the photo may include favorite clothes or items, a place that is special to you, several objects arranged together, etc.). If you would like additional guidance, you may consider the following: “What color in the rainbow does my deepest self connect most with right now in this moment? How can this color become part of my photo?” Please bring your photos with you to the workshop in some format (on a device or printed).

with Cindi Goslee / Religious Nurture & Education

As Friends we believe that Spirit-led meetings for business are a path for finding our way and for identifying and using our gifts. Cindi Goslee, a member of Louisville Friends Meeting, will facilitate.

with Rhonda Pfaltzgraff Carlson

Institutionalized injustice fuels conflicts that arise in organizations creating multi-dimensional conflicts. While eradicating structural and institutionalized injustice may appear impossible, Friends can use their gifts to make a difference by understanding and addressing these conflicts in the contexts where they work and serve.

The purpose of this workshop is to help leaders, staff members, and volunteers understand and address the multi-dimensional conflicts that institutionalized injustice creates in organizations. The workshop will begin with a presentation that provides a broad overview of structural and institutionalized injustice. Then, it will discuss the ways that institutionalized injustice influences and manifests itself in organizations. Next, pathways that help people understand and respond to multi- dimensional conflicts in organizations will be shared so these conflicts can be meaningfully resolved. After the presentation, participants will be encouraged to test, critique and develop the proposed pathways through consideration of examples of the multi-dimensional conflicts that they have witnessed or experienced.

Rhonda Pfaltzgraff-Carlson, PhD is a convinced Friend and member of Campus Friends Meeting, which is dually affiliated with Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting (OVYM; FGC) and Wilmington Yearly Meeting (WYM; FUM). In this workshop, Rhonda will share knowledge from organizational studies that she believes will add value to the on-going call for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and society. She believes this conversation is consistent with Friends’ testimonies of integrity, equality, peace, and community. Rhonda carries a multi-faceted concern for spiritual well-being and religious wounding. She provides spiritual direction for people who seek to deepen their relationship with the Divine.

with Diann Herzog

We will examine what is needed for a healthy and well-functioning spiritual ecosystem, including the gifts and talents provided by Spirit. We will begin with large group reading and presentation, move into break out groups for discussion, have quiet time for writing and reflection and regather for group sharing. Diann encourages Friends to bring any book or writing that they have found inspirational on the subject of stewardship. She also encourages Friends to bring a pen or pencil and some paper or a journal in which they can write.

Diann Herzog, member of Fall Creek Meeting (through thick and thin) for 23 years and affiliate member of Ohio Yearly Meeting, Conservative for 20 years. She has served on several YM committees, including Children's Committee, Planning, Religious Education and Nurture, and Nominating. As well, she has also served as clerk of Whitewater Quarter, Joint Quarterly Planning and FGC Worship Committee.