Epistles

of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
of the Religious Society of Friends

• Baltimore Yearly Meeting 2002
  "Friends gathered on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, July 29-August 4, 2002 for the 331st Annual Sessions of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. In our opening retreat, ably led by Claudia Wair, we considered what it means today to be Children of the Light and what Friends bring to the world. We found joy in blessed community, buoyed by the vibrant presence of younger Friends, including 12 children in the nursery program. The vitality and growth of our Yearly Meeting was reflected in an eclectic program of workshops, interest groups, and worship sharing. A campus accessible for all Friends aided participation in these activities." (more...)

 
• Baltimore Yearly Meeting 2003
  "Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) gathered at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 29 Seventh month to 3 Eighth month, 2003, for our 332nd Annual Sessions. The weight of the world’s violence lay heavy upon our spirits as we were challenged by our theme, “Called to be Peacemakers.” During the Yearly Meeting retreat, Fran and Ed Norton guided Friends to reflect on the spiritual source of the peace testimony by posing the query “What does it mean to ‘mind the Light’?”. In small worship sharing groups, we spoke of remaining faithful to the Light when darkness seems to prevail within our Meetings or our world." (more...)

 
• Baltimore Yearly Meeting 2004[PDF]
  "Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends gathered at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia from 26 Seventh month to 1 Eighth Month, 2004, for our 333rd Annual Sessions. Friends found ourselves challenged by the theme for this Annual Session, “Inclusive or Exclusive? Meeting God in Everyone.” Spirit-led ministry throughout our sessions reminded us of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, whose message of radical inclusion led him to minister among the poor, the outcast, and the voiceless of his time. We asked ourselves how have we excluded others in our past, and what must we do to remedy the injustices we see today in our world." (more...)