Last Updated on 2 years by IMYM Tech Lead
Update from the Presiding Clerk
After years of seeking, George Fox’s spiritual transformation occurred when “I heard a voice which said, ‘There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition’ and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy.” It is the experience and practice of Friends that this spiritual transformation can happen to anyone and everyone during silent, expectant worship, regardless of the words used to represent “Jesus.” The reality of this experience is the heart of Quaker light and life. Through communal expectant worship we can experience this connection and transformation. Of course, in the 21st century, the world is considerably different from (that of) George Fox’s day. We have more “noise” and distractions as a result of many factors including consumerism, mass media, social media, and rapidly progressing technological change.
Does the Quaker way (continue to) speak to our “condition?”
Come to Annual Gathering to experience (our beloved) community, relax, have fun, and together learn how to become the Quakers the world needs today.
Annual Gathering 2023 registration is open at imym.org.
The Way Forward Working Group
I began my term as interim presiding clerk in September 2022, with my term ending at the rise of Annual Gathering 2023. During this time, with the help and support of many Friends (thank you!), we have managed to continue much of the work of the yearly meeting. My other goal has been to facilitate a vision for IMYM’s future. If we accept that our yearly meeting is important to us, what do we want it to be? We have a wide range of options to consider, including: An entirely online, virtual community? A yearly meeting providing a wide range of services and support to our monthly meetings? A yearly meeting that supports and engages with the broader Quaker community of organizations? The Representatives Committee formed and has charged the Way Forward Planning group to discern a future for IMYM. The purpose of this work is for IMYM to come to unity on a shared future vision and structure at Annual Gathering 2024. The Representative’s Committee has developed an outline for an operating plan to complete the day-to-day management of IMYM through the rise of Annual Gathering 2024. My concern as Interim Presiding Clerk is that no one is in place and prepared to develop and do the detailed work of this outline.
In Light & Life,
Jerry
Annual Gathering Registration is NOW OPEN!!!
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Jon Watts of QuakerSpeak
Friends, come one, come all, to Intermountain Yearly Meeting Annual Gathering 2023, online and in-person at Ft. Lewis College, Durango, Colorado. Please join us Wednesday, June 21st through Sunday, June 25th. We’ll come together for daily worship sharing, meeting for worship with concern for business, awesome youth programs, excellent interest groups, all-ages special events, fellowship with friends, rejuvenation, and FUN, FUN, FUN.
Register Now
Monthly Meetings – soon check your postal mail for a special care package with an eye-catching event poster (to hang in your Meetinghouses) and event “tickets” you can share with your community to help encourage a full and lively Annual Gathering 2023.
The IMYM Peace and Social Justice Roundtable
The IMYM Peace and Social Justice Roundtable provides an online space for IMYM community members to share and discuss their personal, Meeting, or Worship Group peace and social justice interests, concerns, and projects. Please ZOOM with us on the last Saturday of every month at 2pm mountain time (Denver). Open to ALL Friends! Click HERE for more info!
Host Family Needed
We need a Host Family for our Heberto Sein visitor. IMYM hosts a delegate chosen by Mexico City meeting at our Annual Gathering each year. Ernesto de Jesús is our Heberto Sein visitor. IMYM needs a host family to assist with Ernesto’s participation in IMYM’s Annual Gathering. The host job is to provide hospitality to Ernesto as needed. This includes picking up at the airport, providing food and lodging for a day or so, transportation to and from Durango and the Annual Gathering, providing transportation back to the airport after the end of the Annual Gathering.
For more information contact Jerry Peterson, clerk@imym.org303-726-8960.
Friends World for Consultation (FWCC), Section of the Americas SOUTHWEST REGIONAL GATHERING VIA ZOOM MAY 6, 2023, 11 am Denver Time, 2 hours.
Traveling minister Emily Provance will help us explore the challenges of meeting via computer. Can we sense the “Presence of the Room” when the room has no walls? How do we maintain unity? The meeting will be conducted in both English & Spanish. All Friends are welcome. Click HERE for more info.
Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO)75th Anniversary Celebration
This June, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in New York. Since its inception, QUNO has worked with diplomats, UN officials, and community members to implement the original vision of peace and human rights enshrined in the United Nations’ Charter. Our commitment to lifting up diverse perspectives, insights, and concerns has led Quakers to be seen as trusted partners who create the space for new and creative solutions in response to global challenges. Click HERE for more info!