“A master class in Quaker process” – NYM’s Fall 2024 Interim Session

Regional Friends Mingle at Twin Cities Friends Meetinghouse

Excerpted from Twin Cities Friends Meeting November 2024 Newsletter

“A master class in Quaker process”: that’s how one Friend described Northern Yearly Meeting’s fall Interim Session, held at TCFM on October 25 and 26. Friends from throughout the Upper Midwest gathered in person and on Zoom. Here’s a taste of the fellowship and the careful decision-making that was shared.

Setting the tone on Friday evening, Caroline Kirchner led Friends in an exercise to reflect on “Wow moments” in our lives, and to notice the language we use to express Spirit.

The NYM clerks’ team led us in Saturday’s agenda. From left, recording clerk Julia Isaacs, clerk Shel Gross, and assistant clerk Barbara Dixson. Morning topics included committee business and participant reports from last summer’s Friends World Committee on Consultation conference in Johannesburg.

Opening the Business Meeting, Shel shared this thought from Rufus Jones.

“I am looking for a time, and I am not counting on it, when we shall have a Society of Friends not composed of a few awakened leaders and a body of unkindled quiescent members who move in the ancient grooves of habit and routine. But instead a live membership of persons who have thought out their principles of life and not merely adopted them second hand.”
– Rufus Jones, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, 1944

Mary Snyder hailed a Friend across the room during a break. David Minden and Becky Marty are co-clerks of NYM’s Annual Sessions Planning Committee.

The afternoon session began with updates via Zoom from Joyce Ajlouny of the American Friends Service Committee, thanks to our hybrid format. Michael Russelle was one of several tech coordinators making that possible.

Long-time friends Pamela Minden (who ran the microphone) and Barbara Dixson stepped outside during a break.

Vicki Berenson, NYM’s web clerk, paused for a moment with Shel Gross (also her husband).

Lunch is served! Marijke van Roojen was in the appreciative line.

In the kitchen, TCFM’s Pete Rode dried dishes (he also coordinated overnight stays), Mary Ann Crolley sorted silverware (she also managed the food), and Richard Fuller excelled in the dishpan.

Photos by Mindy Keskinen

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