Baltimore Yearly Meeting is the regional organizing unit for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the area of central Pennsylvania, Maryland, parts of West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. It is through membership in a Yearly Meeting that individual Quakers become connected with the larger Quaker movement worldwide. "In fellowship, in deep listening, in waiting worship, in commitment to each other, it richly rewards those who embrace the challenge of being a Yearly Meeting Friend." (2011 draft Faith and Practice)
Sarah Gillooly is the next General Secretary of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Baltimore Yearly Meeting is delighted to welcome Sarah M. Gillooly as its new General Secretary. The General Secretary Search Committee's selection was approved at a Called Interim Meeting on May 18, 2021. Sarah, who uses they/them pronouns, has served in a broad spectrum of leadership and programmatic positions in several large nonprofit organizations, including, most recently, as Vice President for State Outreach and Engagement at Americans United for Separation of Church and State; Director of Advocacy and Political strategy for the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina; and Strategic Manager for Health Finance for Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
The General Secretary Search Committee was particularly impressed with Sarah's experience, training and commitment to anti-racism and the implementation of anti-racist practices in staff supervision and program management. Sarah also brings deep experience in consultative services, complex budget management, organizational change and community organizing.
Sarah will complete a Master of Divinity degree from Earlham School of Religion in 2023 and has an M.A. in Women's studies from Loyola University in Chicago. Sarah is a member of Adelphi Friends Meeting, serving on the Nominating Committee and the Pastoral Care Committee there. The selection was made after a search process which included opportunities for Yearly Meeting members and committees to meet the candidates and give input. Sarah will begin their service to the Yearly Meeting on July 19th and will be attending Annual Session 2021 in August where people who don't know them can meet Sarah. Friends are invited to read more about Sarah in this biosketch, which was circulated during the search process.
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The Program Committee wants as many Friends as possible to participate in Annual Session programs this year. So we have adopted Pay as Led financing after its success at last year’s Annual Session 2020. A similar model is being used in our camping program.
By making Annual Session more financially possible for more people, we hope our community can become more inclusive and welcoming. Pay as Led financing acknowledges that while some Friends require assistance to participate, many others could pay more/give more than the rates that are set. We are aware that during the pandemic some Friends have been unemployed, living on their savings, or experiencing other financial hardships. Do not let a lack of funds keep you from participating.
The suggested Annual Session registration fee is $100 per adult (over age 18). As always, youth programming is free. This $100 fee includes the retreat, all programs during the week, and programs scheduled in the pre-session week. Donations above $100 will help other Friends participate.
Whether you attend a lot or a little of the Annual Session program, we invite you to prayerfully consider your own financial circumstances, and pay as you are led. You may be led to pay significantly more than $100, or less. It is up to each of us to individually discern what fee to pay. You will see the option to enter your fee on the registration page.
You MUST preregister to receive the technology link for any session. Registration is online only. If you need assistance, please contact the Yearly Meeting office or Barbarie Hill, the Registrar (registrar@bym-rsf.org). You may register throughout Annual Session, but must register for any specific event or session no less than 2 hours in advance to allow time to receive the connection information. We will not be posting them publicly due to security issues.
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