The Gathering offers a wide variety of programs and events throughout the week, including workshops, programs for children and teens, evening speakers, Bible Half Hour and more.
Worship
May way open as we worship together at the Gathering. Opening and closing worship for the community book-end our week. There will be daily opportunities for worship. Groups like FLGBTQC and People of Color Center typically host worship or worship sharing opportunities during the week. Each workshop will include worship or worship sharing. As you prepare for the Gathering, consider how you might connect with Spirit within, broaden your concept of worship, and remain open to new ways of knowing the Divine, in this time of radical change. If you are willing to be considered as a worship sharing group leader, please volunteer at registration.
Bible Half-Hour
Bible Half Hour draws adult and teen Friends with many different beliefs, practices, and experiences with the Bible.
Workshops
Attenders may sign up for a week-long workshop when you register for the Gathering. Workshops meet Monday – Friday during Gathering from 9 – 11:45am.
Evening Programs
Adults gather each evening to hear a speaker or performer. On Friday night, Friends of all ages gather for an evening together – usually for a concert.
Anti-Racism Events
In 2017, FGC made a commitment to transform into an actively antiracist faith community. The Gathering unites with this commitment by offering a variety of antiracism events for Friends to participate in. There are standalone afternoon events, anti-racism training workshops, sections of the bookstore devoted to anti-racism and works by authors of color, and plenary sessions chosen to deepen the community’s commitment to anti-racism. There are also events focused on the healing and safety of Friends of Color.
Quaker Organization Exhibits and Presentations
Bookstore, Author Events, and QMart
The Gathering is an amazing place to purchase Quaker books and to support Quaker authors. Purchases from the Gathering bookstore directly support Friends General Conference. Quaker makers and vendors also participate in QMart, a consignment shop attached to the Gathering Bookstore.
About a dozen Quaker authors usually give book talks during the Gathering, as well. Most are sponsored by QuakerBooks, some are independent presentations, and some readings occur as part of the Lemonade Arts Center roster of activities.
Arts Events
Centers
The Gathering of Friends offers rooms for special interests and affinity spaces. You can count on there being centers for Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns (FLGBTQC); People of Color, and Nontheist Friends. There is also the Lemonade Arts Center, Quaker Earthcare Witness, a 12-Step Center, and the Healing Center.
Affinity Activities and Spaces
Children & Youth
Children and youth flourish in age groups at the Gathering. Children are in their own programs every morning (during adult workshops) and every evening (during evening programs) — except for the Friday intergenerational evening program. Learn more about the Junior Gathering children’s program.
Teens
High schoolers (starting with rising tenth graders) are housed in their own dorm, sign up for a morning workshop, have some high school specific activities and also may participate in many afternoon options. Learn more about the High School Program.
Adult Young Friends
The Adult Young Friends (AYF) program is a self-led intentional housing cluster and community of Friends age 18–35 who come together at the Gathering to inspire, create strong bonds of Friendship, and support the growth of Quaker leadership. Learn more about the Adult Young Friends program.
Friends of Color
At Gathering, there are times when Friends of Color assemble by themselves for mutual support around common interests, and other times where Friends of Color welcome the wider community to experience events at the People of Color Center.
Pre-Gathering Retreat
The Pre-Gathering Retreat for People of Color and their Families will be held in advance of the Gathering. The retreat is hybrid when Gathering is in-person. Learn more about the retreat.
People of Color Center
During the Gathering, the People of Color Center hosts programs each afternoon, some of which are open only to People of Color. Our intention for this time together is to create a space for People of Color to share their experiences in an environment where they can begin to heal as a community.
Housing Cluster
There is a People of Color housing cluster available to Friends of Color who choose this option, their roommates, and their family members who would like to be housed in a dorm near other Friends of Color and their roommates or family members. Housing clusters allow for ‘down time’ in community – often there is informal hanging out in lounges in the the afternoons or evenings. To be in this cluster, select it as your housing cluster choice on your Gathering registration.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Friends
The Gathering offers many opportunities for Friends in the LGBTQ community to assemble in fellowship and in worship.
Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns (FLGBTQC) is a Quaker faith community within the Religious Society of Friends that deeply honors, affirms, and upholds that of God in all people. FLGBTQC gathers twice a year–and one of those times is at the FGC Gathering!
At the Gathering, FLGBTQC hosts daily worship that is open to all, as well as social events.
Contact FLGBTQC at their website for further information about their events.
FLGBTQC also has a housing cluster at the Gathering – interested Friends can sign up when you register to stay in the same dorm together. Housing clusters allow for ‘down time’ in community – often there is informal hanging out in lounges in the the afternoons or evenings.To be in this cluster, select it as your housing cluster choice on your Gathering registration.