What to Expect at 2024 Sessions

Schedule

This is the draft schedule, subject to change. A PDF for downloading and printing is posted at the bottom of this page.

Our Speakers

Bible Half Hours 

Genna Ulrich will present the Bible half hours. Genna (they/them), a member of Portland Friends Meeting, has a complicated relationship to the Bible. For a long time they didn't touch it, but then they got curious about being in conversation with other people witnessing to God, including far back in time. Genna has found stories in the Bible which challenge and inspire them, stories which speak to Genna's own condition and to our collective condition today. 

Plenaries

Lloyd Lee Wilson will be our Sunday afternoon plenary speaker. Lloyd Lee has been active in the public ministry since his youth on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, becoming a Methodist Certified Lay Speaker at age 14. He has been a recorded minister of the Gospel in four different monthly meetings and has written a great deal on Quaker faith and practice. He and his wife Susan presently live near Greensboro, North Carolina.

Toussaint Liberator will lead an all-ages drumming circle event on Monday night filled with performances, audience participation, and dancing.  
 

Choices: Workshops and Reflection Groups

Workshops and Reflection Groups will be offered as part of Annual Sessions happening August 2–7, 2024. Our 90-minute workshop and Reflection Group offerings provide an opportunity for Friends to explore their Quaker faith and make meaningful connections.

Reflection Groups are facilitated worship sharing opportunities gathering Friends around a shared theme, topic, or experience (e.g. "Parents of younger children").

The format for these opportunities varies. Some are on-campus at Castleton and some will be offered online via Zoom.

Meeting for Worship for the Conduct of Business

We will meet for the conduct of business Saturday through Wednesday. The Advance Documents (will be posted below in mid-July) contain the agenda and business materials as well as annual reports from staff and committees and other useful information. Please familiarize yourself with the business materials to prepare for business meeting.

Photos wanted!

As part of our opening celebration, we will be sharing a short slideshow of images of Friends from across our Yearly Meeting so that we will be able to "see" each other more clearly as we gather, including the faces of New England Friends who may not be able to participate in Sessions this summer. We invite you to contribute a recent image of yourself, your family, or your Meeting that brings you joy. Email photos to [email protected] by August 1. If the photo includes other people, please make sure you have their permission to share.

Bookstore

Again this year, we will have bookstores at Sessions. All proceeds benefit independent publishers, bookstores, artists, nonprofits, and our Yearly Meeting!

The general bookstore will be open Saturday to Wednesday. We stock lots of books by Quakers and other interesting people. You’ll also find buttons, bookmarks, t-shirts, espresso drinks—and plenty of hanging out. Have a free hour or two? Volunteer to work at checkout, tidy up, or recommend your favorite books to curious shoppers. No experience is necessary. Just check the box on the registration form and we’ll contact you. 

The Child and Family Bookstore, where you can find books and more for children, parents, grandparents and families, will once again be in Jeffords Hall with the general bookstore.

For Authors:

If you have a new book out, we would love to set up a reading or signing! Email [email protected].

For Consignment Sellers …

Contact [email protected]. The consignment coordinator will be sending out the forms and guidelines to everyone who has consigned in past years.

Art Show

Have art to display? Email Skip Schiel; more details can be found here.