Events

USFWI Northeast Region Spring Gathering

Subtitle
Keynote: Kenyan peacemaker Getry Agizah
May 24, 2024 - May 26, 2024

Location

Oakwood Friends School
22 Spackenkill Rd
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
United States

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Details

Calling all women to the United Society of Friends Woment Northeast Region Spring Gathering at Oakwood Friends School, Poughkeepsie, NY!

Theme: Blessed are the Peacemakers (Matt.5:7)

We are still working on the detailed plans, but here are the major components:

Friday, May 24: Gather for supper and evening of open worship and introductions

Saturday, May 25:

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast
  • 9 a.m. Early devotion led by one of our women
  • 10 a.m. Keynote speaker: Getry Agizah from Kenya will be giving her testimony on how she was able to help her country remain peaceful during their most recent presidential elections. Getry is a well-known peacemaker. Her will and heart are in peace work and she has worked for peace in Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, China, South Africa, Guatemala, and Ireland with Friends Peace Teams. Getry is now Program Director of FUM Africa, where she coordinates the Friends Church Peace Teams, manages FUM relationships with Samburu and Turkana, and oversees the Girl Education Project. That Project helps girls stay in school, teaches about the dangers of female circumcision, and shares reasons to avoid child marriage. She is a member of Malava Yearly Meeting and married with three children. 

Other activities:

  • Small worship-sharing groups
  • Time for all those women who are involved in helping prevent violence to share their ministries
  • Singing in various styles/languages interspersed throughout the program
  • A meeting of diaspora people in our area—a chance to meet Kenyans, Congolese, Jamaicans and others living/working in the Northeast region.
  • Opportunities to try programmed, semi-programmed, and unprogrammed types of worship among Friends.

Sunday, May 26: Final worship time and evaluation. 

Why do we prefer meeting in person? Will it be available online? 

We will offer some limited parts, such as the the keynote, online—but by gathering in person, we will have time over meals, and other times to share much further and deeper.

Cost?

It costs $100 for the weekend, which includes Friday supper, Saturday lunch and supper, and Sunday brunch. You will be housed two per room. For breakfast, we will bring our own simple breakfast items; refrigeration and a way to heat water are available. 

Please register as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, help spread the word and invite others to come along as a traveling companion!