Mico Sorrel
Mico shared their story with us as part of our 2024 Impact Report.
In the Pacific Northwest, Mico Sorrel and other Friends refer to Philadelphia as “Quaker Mecca.” Mico attended many Gatherings in the East before they got the wild idea to plan one of FGC’s Gatherings a little closer to home. The first step — convincing a West Coast yearly meeting to host it. It was the early 2000s and there were no West Coast yearly meetings affiliated with FGC. Mico helped change that.
Mico grew up in Pacific Yearly Meeting at a time when there were few or no Quaker camps, schools or institutions. Most Friends were convinced Friends, without the traditions that come with older Quaker families. Mico was the only person in a family of six who didn’t enroll at Cal Berkeley; they made the bold decision to go to Earlham. Attending a Quaker college brought certain insights, like seeing how the Beanite tradition that was instilled in the first West Coast meetings had created a legacy of fierce independence.
Having become a member of FGC’s Long Range Conference Planning committee (LRCP), Mico was able to work with North Pacific Yearly Meeting — their then current yearly meeting — helping them to become hosts of the 2006 Gathering. That’s when Mico, along with Lynne Phillips from Vancouver, co-clerked the Gathering in Tacoma, WA. That Gathering was so popular they had to find extra housing and places for people to eat. “It was an amazing experience!” Mico recalls.
After clerking a Gathering, Mico returned to being a regular Gathering attender. They had a particularly powerful year when they attended for the first time after the death of their partner, Lynn Waddington. They found it was a great comfort to be among Friends who had also known and loved Lynn. In the intimate setting of a chanting workshop, and then amid some spirited bidding at the FLGBTQ cabaret auction, Mico had profound experiences with spiritual visitation that helped their heart to heal.
Mico attended the 2024 Gathering with three generations from their family. In 2013, their mom attended and they had four generations! “I think FGC is so important for the youth who don’t have peers their age at their own meetings,” they share. Seeing their grandkids finding themselves at home in the youth programs drives Mico to support the long-term viability of the Gathering.
At the 2024 Gathering, Mico attended the celebration of the Gathering Together campaign, where they were surprised to learn that FGC only knows of 144 Friends who have put FGC in their estate plan. “I’m one of those Friends! It’s not rocket science,” Mico shares. “FGC isn’t the only organization in my estate plan, but it’s one I care very deeply about. I care about its longevity and service to the spiritual life of the Religious Society of Friends.” With a look of encouragement, they add, “step up, Friends!”
Find out more about planned giving at fgcquaker.org/legacy.
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