Evening Programs

Evening programs on Monday, Thursday, and Friday will be held in the spirit of worship. Following singing and a few announcements, we will settle into silence, out of which the program will begin. When the presentation is over we will return to silence to listen for any additional messages the Spirit has for us. Plenaries will end at 8:45 pm to allow parents to pick up children in Junior Gathering. Presenters will also be available after the formal session for informal discussions, additional sharing, and questions.

2012 Evening Program Overview

Erik Cleven, Monday July 2
Bill Harley and Friends, Tuesday July 3
Interest Groups, Wednesday July 4
Noa Baum, Thursday July 5
The Fire & the Hammer, Friday July 6

Erik Cleven

The Spirit of Mediation: Conflict Transformation in Divided Societies
Monday July 2

Working in divided societies poses many challenges. What is the role of third parties? What are Quaker mediators called to do? Erik questions whether current approaches to peacebuilding may hinder people in achieving what they need most, namely the transformation of relationships, precisely because of the mediator’s goals of peace and reconciliation. Erik will speak out of the silence and share an alternative approach to the transformation of conflicts based on a reexamination of the Quaker Peace Testimony and his work with Transformative Mediation.

Erik Cleven is a member of Lafayette Friends Meeting and has worked for many years with interethnic dialogue in post-conflict societies. He is currently working on his PhD in Political Science at Purdue University studying ethnic violence in Kenya. (Photo by Kristin Cleven)

Bill Harley and Friends

All Together Now: A community sing for all ages
Tuesday July 3

Be part of a joyful and moving evening of song and spirit with a group of nationally acclaimed song leaders and singers for a night of group singing and community. Hosted by Providence (RI) Monthly Meeting Member and Grammy award winner Bill Harley, this assembly of fine musicians will take turns leading all assembled in song. Joining Bill will be his friends Kim and Reggie Harris, Sally Rogers, Howie Bursen, and Kim Trusty. From ridiculous children’s songs to simple rounds to stirring songs of freedom, the group brings over 200 years of performing to the stage. They’ll sound great, but the audience will sound even better. It will be a night to remember. (Harley photo by Debbie Block, Harris photo by Chris Andersen of Point of View Studio, Rogers photo by Jim Goodwin, Bursen photo by Sean Barry, Trusty photo by Erin X Smithers.)

Interest Groups

Wednesday July 4

These small-group sessions often spark new leadings and insights. Choose from varied topics likely to include peace and justice issues, international conflict and peace-making, education, economics, spirituality, and other Quaker concerns. To offer an interest group, submit a completed proposal by May 7. Proposal forms are available online or from the Gathering office.

Noa Baum

A Land Twice Promised
Thursday July 5

Storyteller Noa Baum, an Israeli who began a heartfelt dialogue with a Palestinian woman while living in the United States, weaves together their memories and their mothers' stories. She creates a moving testimony illuminating the complex and contradictory history and emotions that surround Jerusalem for Israelis and Palestinians alike. (Photo courtesy of Noa Baum.)

The Fire & the Hammer

by Tony Biggin and Alec Davison, directed by John Sheldon
Friday July 6

>This major choral work composed by two British Friends has been performed on both sides of the Atlantic on a number of occasions, most recently at the 350th sessions of New England Yearly Meeting last August. Dramatic passages from The Journal of George Fox alternate with songs based on these excerpts to provide a powerful glimpse into the Quaker movement that swept across England in the 17th century. New England Friends that formed the choir last summer will be joined by Friends from around the country, rehearsing together the weekend prior to the gathering. (Photo by Skip Schiel, teeksaphoto.org, skipschiel.wordpress.com .)

Join the choir! Indicate your interest by sending an email to firehammerfgc@gmail.com. The choir will rehearse Friday evening June 29 through Sunday afternoon July 1, and then again on Friday afternoon July 6—plus additional opportunities to practice during the week.

Hear 2011 Plenary Addresses

MP3 recordings of the 2011 plenary addresses are available for sale at www. QuakerBooks.org. Excerpts can be heard at www.fgcquaker.org/quakerpress.