Events of the Week

Morning Bible Study: Eden Grace

Eden Grace will lead the morning Bible study at this year’s annual session. Eden and her husband James are members of New England Yearly Meeting and have been serving Friends United Meeting in Kenya since 2004. Eden has a masters of divinity degree and has served in numerous leadership roles with New England Yearly Meeting and in FUM. She is very much an international Friend having served as FUM's representative on the World Council of Churches for 1998 to 2006.

Eden and James live with their sons Isaiah and Jesse in Kisumu, Kenya. They work in FUM's Africa Ministries Office alongside John Muhanji, the Africa Ministries Representative, as FUM seeks to enhance its ministries of evangelism, leadership training, communication, and global partnership in the African context.

For more information about Eden Grace visit her website at: http://www.edengrace.org/

Afternoon Bible Study: Michael Newheart

Michael Newheart, an Associate Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Howard University School of Divinity, will lead the afternoon Bible study. He teaches courses in Pauline thought, faith development and spiritual formation, prophetic ministry, and the historical Jesus. His most recent book was My Name Is Legion: The Story and Soul of the Gerasene Demoniac. His previous book, Word and Soul, a poetic commentary on the Gospel of John, was called “a turning point in biblical studies.” Michael, his wife Joy, and two daughters Anastasia (age 9) and Miranda (age 6), are members Adelphi Friends Meeting. He is the assistant clerk of the board of directors of William Penn House.

Orientation

New location; lots of questions. Once you get to FSU, be sure to keep your eyes open for notices about three brief orientation sessions planned for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday right after dinner. Check the Daily Minute.

Worship Sharing

The purpose of worship sharing at Baltimore Yearly Meeting is to provide occasions for spiritual deepening through shared, prayerful listening and speaking from one’s heart in response to queries related to the theme of the gathering. Your meeting with your group each morning can also be a way to develop new or deeper relationships with other BYM Friends. One group has a special focus for families to meet together. To join a group, just find the signup sheets on the hallway tables made available for group activities.

Interest Groups

Interest groups provide a way to gather informally to discuss topics of interest to Friends at Annual Session. These will be held on most afternoons at 4:15 p.m. Topics and locations are announced in the Daily Bulletin. These can be arranged for by dropping a note in the office mail pouch.

Interactive Quaker History

Did you know that Quakers once owned half of New Jersey? Did you know that Quakers were largely responsible for the Underground Railroad, and that one Friend had so many runaways going through his house that he got the nickname, “Station Master?” Did you know that Quakers invented the very first soup kitchens, to help feed those who hadn’t enough?

Come; join the Young Adult Friends of BYM on Wednesday afternoon as we take a step into the past, to meet the figures that made our religion what it is today. Feel like investigating? There’ll be clues to follow and items to find as we walk on a hunt through Quaker history. Or take a stroll through the living history exhibit and hear about the storied past of the Religious Society straight from the mouths of those who lived it! This activity is designed for all ages so everyone can enjoy it. There is much to do and learn Friends; will you come on this journey with us?

Outdoor Worship

As in past years, Young Friends will be gathering outdoors for a short meeting for worship from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. In the lovely new setting at Frostburg, Young Friends would like to re-invite all members of the community to join them for meeting at a central location.

BYM Bookstore

You can’t judge a book by its cover, but sometimes it's really nice to look it over. Here is your chance! A wide range of titles of interest to Friends of all ages is available. Additionally, crafts made by area Quakers and others are for sale. The BYM Bookstore is located on the ground floor of the Lane Center, next to the room where Meeting for Business is held. Hours will be published in the daily minute. Shop for yourself, shop for your friends and family, shop for your Monthly Meeting Library, but please shop!

The Daily Minute

Each day a BYM handout will be available on the lunch line giving highlights and updates for the events of the day. Other messages can provide helpful information for campus services or other news. With so many choices and so many people, this information is a great help!

Right Sharing of World Resources

(RSWR) is a Quaker-operated nonprofit that supports grassroots projects for economic development, particularly in the poorest regions of Asia and Africa. Its operates on the premise that God calls us from the burdens of poverty and materialism into the abundance of God’s love. Look for interest groups describing RSWR during Annual Sessions, (see the daily minute for details) and an opportunity to give financial support late in the week.

Give Yourself a Break

This is a rich program, all week. There is something for you to do every day from morning til night, except at siesta time, from 1:15 to 2:00 p.m.. There’s a reason for that - chill-out time is a good thing. Set the alarm and just snooze.

The rest of the time, try to pace yourself. Every one of us is going to miss something that we wanted to do this week. If you remember to breathe and stay relaxed, you will be more present for the things that you do attend, and get more out of them. Your own calm presence may send a pleasant message to others as well.