What is a Threshing Session?

There are moments in the life of every Quaker meeting when preparatory work needs to be done to pave the way to unity. Sometimes the need arises because a new idea needs seasoning; other times it is a way around an impasse. In either case, Quakers convene a threshing session.

The term comes from our agrarian roots; today we might better call it an airing session or perhaps a sharing session. The key to its effectiveness is that unity is not looked for and if found is left unexpressed – at least until the next business meeting lifts up the topic for discernment.

Sometimes hearing from everyone on an important topic requires more than one threshing session. The more thoroughly the process unfolds, the more certain we can be that the outcome has a solid foundation.

If you know what is going on, it is a time to share your experience. If the topic is new to you, it is a time to listen and share your reactions. The clerk’s job in a threshing session is different than in a meeting for business. Rather than listening for the sense of the meeting, he or she makes sure everyone has a chance to speak drawing out the reticent and limiting the time of too-ready talkers. Since nothing is going to be approved, minuting what is said is optional. Sometimes we do; sometimes we don’t.

The job of every participant is to speak from personal experience and not admonish one another. Anyone with dissenting views is encouraged to make them known. As our yearly meeting’s Faith & Practice says, threshing is a way to nurture community.