Details
Calling all women to USFWI Northeast Region Spring Gathering at Oakwood Friends School, Poughkeepsie, NY!
Theme: Blessed are the Peacemakers (Matt.5:7)
Why these dates? We decided at our last USFW NE region meeting to hold it this time in May. Holding it next to the Memorial Day weekend helps those who are working and can’t get off work on other weekends.
Why at Oakwood Friends School? Train service available to Poughkeepsie to avoid long distance driving (better for the environment); cheaper accommodation costs compared to Woolman Hill and Powell House; has a good technical department that can help us hold a hybrid event.
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 $70 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.
The school requires a guarantee by May 1st that 25 of us will come in person.
Meanwhile, help spread the word and invite others to come along as a traveling companion.
More information about the gathering and a registration form are attached.