Since 1672, Baltimore Yearly Meeting Friends have come together every year to worship, to seek clarity, to support each other, and to act positively on the world around us. These opportunities are available to you at every turn at our Annual Session, from morning til night.

Although Friends’ silent way of worship can seem rather solitary, we have always desired to take on the joys and responsibilities of being together for our own growth and enjoyment, but also to strengthen our witness. For adults, our day begins with a refreshing worship sharing or Bible study time in small groups after breakfast. Next comes Meeting for Worship with Concern for Business, where we gather to tend to the administration of Friends’ affairs, while renewing and deepening our individual and corporate spiritual lives. Afternoon activities include a range of workshops and interest groups that offer many choices for learning and sharing Quaker approaches to important issues. You might also visit the Quaker book and crafts store, or attend a Quaker organizational presentation. Engaging evening speakers and recreational activities full of music and fun fill out an active schedule.

Childcare is available for infants and toddlers. For our young children there are morning classes full of exploration. Afternoon activities, from swimming to arts and crafts, ensure that children will be supervised and entertained. Other programs range from an all-age celebration to movies to outdoor games. Parents are responsible for taking children to class, picking them up before lunch, and ensuring that their children are enrolled in a program or are with the parent. Children may not be on campus unsupervised.

Children in rising sixth through rising eighth grades are part of the Junior Yearly Meeting (JYM) and have classes and activities of their own.

High school-aged teenagers (Young Friends) gather from Tuesday to Sunday in their own dorm. Young Friends (YF), Friendly Adult Presences, and the BYM Youth Secretary cooperate in a community based on caring, trust, and love. Young Friends hold their own Meetings for Business and workshops, and invite everyone to their nighttime Produce Department sessions and to the Saturday evening Coffee House. Young Friends should sign and submit the “Letter of Understanding” in the registration portion of this Interchange, if they will be on campus anytime during the week.

Are you thinking of trying us out for the first time? Each Monthly Meeting can offer three certificates for attendance at Annual Session for two free nights. If you have never attended Annual Session and would like to take advantage of this, please contact your Monthly Meeting Clerk or Ministry and Counsel Committee. Do not contact the BYM office, please.

After our week together, Friends will find they have a deeper relationship with Quaker values, a stronger skill set of Friends’ practices, and new ways of being a meaningful part of their Monthly Meeting community. Welcome to BYM Annual Session!