Illuminating Our Divine Connections
Religious Educators Institute
August 19–22, 2004. Camp Asbury, Silver Lake, New York.
A conference for Quaker parents and educators on spiritual nurture across the lifespan
As Friends, we honor the experience of God freely available to each person. How can we as Quaker educators and parents nurture the spiritual growth of Friends young and old so that each may have a meaningful relationship with God? How can we create meeting environments that are nurturing and welcoming to all? How might we live our faith in our homes so that all family members are nurtured in the Spirit?
Join us as we explore a variety of ways to illuminate our Divine connections. Participants will choose one immersion workshop to attend on both Friday and Saturday mornings and two interest groups for the afternoons. Time and space will be provided for additional interest groups which may form on site. Two Friends passionate about the Spirit will speak in separate plenary sessions. Children up through 12 years of age are invited to participate in the Junior Program and participate in scheduled intergenerational worship and activities. Come for a weekend of fellowship and fun as we share experiences of teaching and learning in the Spirit.
On this page:
Immersion Workshops
Please indicate your first choice in the space provided on the registration form, and choose an alternate should that be unavailable. Read the biographies of the workshop leaders.
W1: An Introduction to Godly Play
Offered by Laurie Rizzo, from New England YM
Godly play, developed by Jerome W. Berryman, is an approach to religious education/spiritual formation in the Christian tradition.The core of each Godly play session is a story told by one of the teachers and illustrated by simple, sensorial materials. Berryman has taken stories from the Old and New Testaments and re-told them in powerful and open-ended ways. In this workshop, participants will experience a complete Godly play session and taste a sampling of the stories. In small groups, participants will have the opportunity to learn and tell one of the stories.We will also provide opportunity for worship sharing and reflection on aspects of this approach that participants may wish to bring into the lives of their meetings and/or families.
W2: Opening to the Light: Adult Spiritual Formation for Friends
Offered by Beckey Phipps, from New England YM
Spiritual formation is the process that teaches us to open to the Light—to become receptive and responsive to the loving, sustaining guidance of God in our hearts. Our witness (testimonies) to each other and the world is the inevitable result of being transformed by this Light Within. If you and members of your meeting are spiritually thirsty, come and learn what many Friends have experienced by drinking deeply.We will consider a range of spiritual practices for reaching deep, open connection to the Light—through prayer, Bible study, spiritual friendship, journaling, artistic expression, solitude, and retreat, among others. We will also consider how spiritual disciplines prepare and equip us for ministries in the unprogrammed Quaker tradition.The sessions include presentation, discussion, experiential exercises, and worship.
W3: Daring to Teach Christianity
Offered by Gail Thomas and Chris Jorgenson, both from New England YM
Is teaching Christianity an issue in your meeting and in your home? Do you wonder what to say, where to turn, how far to go? Are you aware of our Christian roots, particularly in the words of George Fox? We’ll look at the blocks, and try to uncover the opportunities, in dealing with biblical material. Chris and Gail see this workshop as a time to share, learn, and create, and an opportunity to explore how one “does” Christianity, not just studies it.
W4: Equipping Practical Peacemakers of All Ages
Offered by Mary Lord, from Baltimore YM, and Liz Yeats, from South Central YM
This is an interactive workshop on how to teach the peace testimony as it applies in the everyday lives of members of your meeting. In our daily lives we all struggle to counter the “myth of redemptive violence” with the principle of seeing “some of God in everyone.” The workshop will teach and explore skills for practical nonviolence: how youngsters can deal with playground bullying; how adults make life choices while dealing with daily interactions; how we can each find our way to contribute to society through positive social action. Guidance will be given on how to adapt activities to different age groups as well as intergenerational settings.
W5: Enhancing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Our First Day Communities
Offered by Ernie & Vince Buscemi, both from New York YM
We will gather in worship under the guidance of the Holy Spirit taking steps toward ending racial and ethnic isolation and being more welcoming to adults and children of color in our communities.We will bear witness to truth, seeking to live our testimonies in the world. Our two interactive sessions focusing on empowerment will begin with a listening session, giving us all a time to be with the Spirit delving deeply and sharing our truth. Through discussion in large and small groups, we will plan activities and events that direct us toward greater diversity. Ending our time together,we will reflect prayerfully on how we are being called to fulfill God’s purpose to becoming truly inclusive. Our time together will create a space that continues to serve God’s dream for harmony between all people, bringing us closer to an illuminated Divine connection.
W6: Tapping Teen Potential
Offered by Kri Anderson, from Lake Erie YM
Adolescence is an amazing time in the life of any person, and can be particularly exciting and challenging for Quaker youth.A major question during this time is “what do I believe?” RE programs can provide a foundation of experiences and queries which can help youth crack open their life experience and make meaning of their everyday existence.This workshop will provide participants with a framework within which to sculpt Quaker youth programming (middle and high school) for FDS and weekend retreats. By learning some critical components of successful youth programming, and practicing the application of these techniques to FDS curricula or other materials, participants will acquire the ability to create lively programs that enable youth to explore their inner worlds.There will be time for personal sharing of successes and frustrations, as well as resources that have been especially useful.
Interest Groups: “A” Set
(Friday, 2:00–3:15 pm)
Please indicate your first choice in the space provided on the registration form, and choose an alternate should that be unavailable.
A1: Walking the Talk: Quaker Parenting
Offered by Harriet Heath, from Philadelphia YM
Parents ask what guidance Quakerism offers them as they nurture their children in an unQuakerly world. Friends, representing over twenty monthly and four yearly meetings, banded together in the Quaker Parenting Project to compile experiences illustrating how Quaker beliefs, practices and testimonies have supported parents. Participants will have the opportunity of reflecting on these experiences and, hopefully, adding their own.
A2: Making Time for Young Adult Friends
Offered by Ian Graham, from Canadian YM
Young Adults typically are at least two distinct “cultures:” (1) college life and starting a first job and (2) beginning marriage and taking on a first mortgage! We’ll explore the issues of each, creating a workbook of ideas for resources to meet the social, spiritual, and intellectual inquiries of YAFs. Exploring the stages, values, and needs of these age groups will help us support their lifestyles around a Quaker meeting.We’ll identify the success factors for meetings to bootstrap their ability to respond.
A3: Preparing to Teach the Bible
Offered by Susan Jeffers, from Lake Erie YM
Meetings and RE committees often want to “do more Bible” but don’t know how to help teachers prepare.We will share experiences and suggestions for how to “jumpstart” engagement with the Bible, and also reflect on spiritual and practical challenges that go along with teaching the Bible in our meetings. Bring a Bible and your questions, concerns, ideas and observations.
A4: Involving Teens in the Life of the Meeting
Offered by Rob Duncan, from Baltimore YM
We will begin with a presentation of basic principles such as developmental stages among teens, qualities of an adult leader, setting proper boundaries and program content suggestions. The bulk of the time will be spent sharing stories of successes and failures, including photos and audio tape examples for show and tell.You are invited to bring examples and questions from your meeting’s experience.
A5: REsources for the Journey: Religious Education Materials for Friends Racial Justice Work
Offered by Paul Ricketts, from Ohio Valley YM
The FGC RE Committee sponsored a Consultation on Religious Education and Racism in May of 2003. One of the outcomes of the consultation was a commitment to develop a religious education resource catalog listing a wide range of resources to help meetings become anti-racist,multicultural faith communities.This workshop will present an introduction to this new offering from the FGC Religious Education committee, “REsources for the Journey,” and how we can use it in our meetings.
A6: Organizing a First Day School
Offered by Virginia Wood, from Ohio Valley YM
We will look at monthly meeting dynamics that facilitate successful First Day School programs. Participants will have an opportunity to review and discuss a listing of “best ideas” for setting up and maintaining a FDS program, suggestions for nurturing FDS teachers, and issues, such as abuse, that must be acknowledged by FDS programs today. Resource books will be available for review.
A7: Reducing the Likelihood of Physical and Sexual Abuse in Our Meetings
Offered by Chris Jorgenson, from New England YM
In this interest group we will lift up guidelines for religious education committees to consider when recruiting and providing accountability for teachers and youth leaders.We will look at steps meetings can take to create safer environments for children and youth in religious education programs.This interest group is not intended as a discussion group for survivors of sexual abuse.
Interest Groups: “B” Set
(Friday, 3:45–5:00 pm)
Please indicate your first choice in the space provided on the registration form, and choose an alternate should that be unavailable.
B1: Resources for Adult Study and Discussion, Especially on the Peace Testimony and Liberal Quaker History—Beyond Quakerism 101
Offered by Chuck Fager, from Baltimore and Philadelphia YMs
The facilitator will address some of the issues involved in more-than-superficial wrestlings with war and peace issues, and then talk about the shape of liberal Quaker history in the United States.Then there will be a show and tell with some printed resources and lists of good web resources. Participants will be invited to share their experience and aspirations for adult study/discussion beyond the basics, and what resources they can offer as well.There will be lots of information and information-sharing.
B2: Coming of Age in a Quaker Community
Offered by Su Hansen, from Lake Erie YM
Making the passage into adulthood is supported and celebrated in most cultures and religious groups. Making a passage as a Quaker provides some unique opportunities and challenges.We will explore how meetings can support our youth as they come of age.
B3: Preparing the Teacher’s Spirit
Offered by Marlou Carlson, from Illinois YM
In planning for the experiential classroom, preparing the teacher’s spirit to be open to God’s leading is pivotal.We will explore how we can shift the emphasis from gathering craft materials to becoming vessels for the Spirit— from directing to guiding—from being “on” to being “in.”Time will be provided for sharing our experiences with each other.
B4: Bringing Religious Education Home
Offered by Mary Snyder, Iowa (Conservative) YM
Get acquainted with two new publications from Mary Snyder, especially for parents of grade school children and young teens.We will look at how this resource can effectively be used in the Quaker home, including home school families. Discover why this would be a good resource for elders and long-time Friends to hand to new families when they appear in our meetings.
B5: In Spirit with the Environment: Using Nature in First Day School
Facilitator to be determined
We will investigate how nature education can become part of the First Day School curriculum and explore ways to transform the outdoors into a First Day School “classroom.” There will be a short walk and other activities to demonstrate some of the opportunities for Spirit-led nature education.
B6: Meeting the Religious Education Needs of a Small Meeting
Offered by Sandra Charlotte Bales, from Illinois YM
How can young children become active participants in the life of a small Friends meeting? We will explore ways to make limitations work. Issues discussed will include: limited volunteers, resources and physical space.We will also discuss ways to include the entire meeting in our First Day programs. Handouts will include lesson plans that work for multiple age levels. Interest group limited to 15 participants.
Ad Hoc Interest Groups
We recognize that conference participants come with valuable gifts, experience, resources, and passions. Interest group time will be provided on Saturday afternoon for participants to facilitate interest groups that may form on location.
Speakers for Plenary Sessions
Friday: Niyonu D. Spann
Heart: Illuminating the Path to Wholeness
Niyonu Spann is the newly appointed Dean of Pendle Hill (a Quaker Center for Study and Contemplation). In the mid to late 1990s, after years of running diversity workshops, Niyonu began to allow a vision to come through—a vision of the interconnection of all living beings.This vision shook the foundation of “all of my ways of being in the world.” In the Spring of 2000, Niyonu led the first Beyond Diversity 101—a 5 day intensive transformational workshop.This new workshop design sought to elevate inter-connectedness within and without and to tell the truth about power in our society.
Out of this same powerful vision, Niyonu formed the music group, Tribe 1. Tribe 1 has performed throughout the country at Friends gatherings, peace and justice rallies, churches, schools and in Nicaragua. Niyonu loves “helping folks sing from their souls in ways they might have only thought possible in their dreams.”
A member of Durham Monthly Meeting in Maine, Niyonu currently worships with Friends in Philadelphia and New Jersey meetings. She received vocal training at the Oberlin Conservatory, then went on to receive her Masters in Organization Development/Human Resources from American University. Niyonu has raised four sons ranging in age from 18 to 31. She continues to love formal study and is now working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at the University of Creation Spirituality.
Saturday: Marlou Carlson
Experiencing and Responding to the Presence of God with Children
Marlou Carlson is deeply committed to helping children enter the Quaker way of worship.An educator for most of her life and retired from a career in public education, she holds degrees in elementary education and is also a graduate of School of the Spirit. Marlou is grateful for the many spiritual blessings arising from immersion in religious education. She organized First Day School for her monthly meeting, Duneland Friends, and clerked its Religious Education Committee. She has also served as clerk of the FGC and Illinois Yearly Meeting Religious Education Committees and has helped facilitate teacher training for Friends. In recent years she has been drawn toward experiencing the Presence with children as a companion on the journey and finding ways to facilitate the children’s responses to their experience.
Children’s Program
The children’s program (through age 12) will be a reflection of the adult theme of Illuminating Our Divine Connections, and sessions will be held whenever adults are in scheduled workshops or interest groups. Childcare will be provided for the smallest ones.
Worship
Worship at the institute, coordinated by Liz Yeats, will include opportunities for unprogrammed corporate worship each morning and evening, as well as intergenerational semiprogrammed worship on First Day morning. There will be worship sharing in small intergenerational “cluster groups” each morning. Space will be designated for silent reflection or small group worship at any time during the gathering.
RE Browsing and Shopping Opportunities
In addition to the richness of worship, the workshops, what the speakers will share, and informal conversations among Friends, there will be resource materials on display and available for purchase. QuakerBooks of FGC will provide an exciting array of books, curricula and resources relevant to the workshops and the overall focus of the conference.
About Camp Asbury
Camp Asbury, a United Methodist camp and conference center, is located on the eastern shore of Silver Lake, about one mile south of the village of Perry, New York and an hour southwest of Rochester. Website: http://www.campasburyny.com.
The camp features a variety of accommodations, from cabins with two or three rooms for 2, 3 or 4 conference attenders, with indoor toilets and showers to lodge-style double rooms with shared baths.All accommodations have electricity. None of the rooms are air conditioned, but pleasant August nights should make for comfortable sleeping. Friends may even want to bring an extra blanket! The accommodations are clean and attractive but not elegant.
A small number of tent sites are available for attenders. Parking is available for RV’s, but no hookups are onsite.A nearby state park provides more traditional camping facilities for those wishing to stay off campus. Please see the FGC website at http://www.fgcquaker.org for more details after May 1.
Buffet style meals will feature primarily vegetarian cuisine, with local fresh sweet corn and home baked desserts.We will not be able to provide extensive menu alterations for special diets, but will try to provide limited refrigerator space if you wish to bring supplemental food.
Canoe rental, hiking trails, a swimming pool, volleyball courts, and ball fields are available at the center for recreation.
Getting There
Camp Asbury is easily reached from the New York Thruway (I-90). Complete directions and a map will be included with the registration confirmation materials.
USAirways will provide discounted fares to Rochester.Call 877-874-7687 and request Goldfile number 65162961.Amtrak also serves Rochester from Toronto and New York City. FGC will arrange for shuttle transportation from Rochester for flights and trains arriving before 8 pm on Thursday, August 19. Return transportation to the airport and train station will accommodate Friends whose departure times are later than 11 am on Sunday, August 22.
Special Needs
Camp Asbury has limited accommodations for wheelchair users. Most accommodations are on the first level. Friends with mobility impairment and other special needs are encouraged to describe their situation when registering so that appropriate housing assignments can be made or other services arranged as possible.
Please Register Early
To facilitate planning, Friends are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Please mail the enclosed form; no registrations by FAX or email, please.You can also download a registration form (see below). Short biographical sketches of conference facilitators will also be available online after May 3.Any family registrations must be postmarked no later than August 2. Adults, please contact FGC after August 2 to make sure there is still room for you to register.A $20 late fee will be applied to registrations postmarked after August 2.
Refunds
If you cancel your registration in writing (email, fax, or postmarked letter) on or before July 12, all funds except contributions will be returned less a $10 processing fee. If you cancel after July 12 and not later than August 11, a $50 per registration form cancellation fee will apply. If you cancel after August 11, no refunds will be made.
Financial Aid for Attenders
Friends General Conference has limited scholarship assistance available for those who cannot afford the full cost of the institute. Friends are encouraged to seek help from their monthly, quarterly and yearly meetings. Please state your need when registering, and register early if financial assistance is requested.
FGC is grateful for the many individual gifts which make conferences such as this affordable for many.When you register, please consider making a contribution if you are able. Even those who are not able to attend may direct a donation to the institute’s scholarship fund.
Tentative Schedule
Thursday,August 19
2:00 PM Registration opens for REI participants
6:00 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Welcome
8:00–8:30 PM Cluster groups get acquainted
8:30 PM FGC book table opens
8:30–9:30 PM Informal gathering time
9:30–10:00 PM Collection (evening worship)
Friday,August 20
7:00 AM Early worship
7:30–8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30–9:00 AM Cluster Group worship sharing
9:15–11:45 AM Immersion Workshops (children in Children’s Program)
NOON Lunch, rest, recreation, book table
2:00–3:15 PM Interest Group “A” (children in Children’s
Program)
3:20 PM Break
3:45–5:00 PM Interest Group “B” (children in Children’s
Program)
5:15–5:45 PM Bible Half Hour
6:00 PM Dinner
7:15 PM Intergenerational Plenary with Niyonu Spann
8:30–9:30 PM Informal gathering, book table
9:30–10:00 PM Collection (evening worship)
Saturday,August 21
7:00 AM Early Worship
7:30–8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30–9:00 AM Cluster Group worship sharing
9:15–11:45 AM Immersion Workshop (same as Friday) (children in Children’s
Program)
NOON Lunch, rest, recreation, book table
2:00–3:15 PM Participant-led Interest Groups (children in Children’s
Program)
3:20 PM Break
3:45–5:00 PM Impromptu interest groups, free time for adults, book table
(children in Children’s Program)
5:15–5:45 PM Bible Half Hour
6:00 PM Dinner
7:15 PM Plenary with Marlou Carlson (children in Children’s Program)
8:30–9:30 PM Informal gathering, book table
9:30–10:00 PM Collection
Sunday,August 22
7:30–8:30 AM Breakfast
9:00–9:30 AM Cluster Groups’ final meeting
9:30–10:30 AM Family Worship
10:30 AM Closing
11:00–Noon Pack and clean rooms
NOON Lunch and “good-byes”
Registration Form
You
can download a conference registration form.
The form is in Adobe Acrobat PDF formal. You may need to install the free
PDF reader to view this form. It can be found at:
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