QWC Epistle 2009

To All Friends Everywhere:

Greetings from the sixth Quaker Women's Conference on Faith and Spirituality. Sponsored by the central states Yearling Meetings of Great Plains Yearly Meeting, EFC-Mid-America Yearly Meeting and South Central Yearly Meeting, the conference was held at Camp Heart O' Hills near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on November 5-8 2009.

As crimson and ocher leaves trembled above us in the autumn light, forty-three programmed and unprogrammed Quaker women came together to reflect upon "the infinite love of God" and to follow the example of George Fox in "speaking to all conditions." Jennie Isbell, representing Earlham School of Religion, joined us as an active participant.

The conference aimed to help us draw closer to God and each other, to build bridges across the spectrum of Quakerism, to strengthen Quaker witness through women's voices, and to trust that the inward Teacher, the Christ Within, the Inner Light, the Holy Spirit would be present to guide us.

Presenters of the first program, "Two Journeys, One Ocean," modeled and then engaged us in a frank and loving dialogue between programmed and unprogrammed Friends.

In programmed worship Friday night, a Friend inspired us with her testimony of God's light holding her as she journeyed through and recovered from breast cancer. For her this journey was "Not About the Ocean. It's About The Light."

The second program session, "A Journey From The Ocean of Darkness to the Ocean of Light" featured one Friend's account of the importance of her faith during a series of extra-ordinarily difficult family-related crises. Another Friend described the work of Evangelical Friends Church Mid-America in supporting Kibimba Hospital in Burundi.

Throughout the weekend we shared aspects of our spiritual journeys in the small home groups that provided a more intimate place for us to reflect upon the themes of the conference. Here we could discuss our thoughts and feelings about each presentation, practicing the candor and compassionate listening the conference encouraged.

Friday night coffee house provided light-hearted fun together and enjoyment of our sisters' musical, story-telling, and creative writing talents. On Saturday morning one Friend led us through a series of playful and invigorating physical exercises which, if practices regularly, could keep us strong physically and support our spiritual fitness as well.

There were many workshop opportunities. Some of us found our inner actor in the improvisation workshop. Other workshops addressed reactions to the Iraqi refugee situation, provided an opportunity for scripture reading in the manner of Ohio Conservative Friends, taught skills in compassionate communication and compassionate listening to help identify our special gifts.

There was opportunity to do yoga each morning and a workshop on using Reiki for self-healing. Some of us spent an afternoon at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Talequah where we learned about the Cherokee Nation's history and its cultural and spiritual traditions.

An informal songfest ended our last night together, offering another opportunity for sharing joy.

Throughout the weekend we had ample opportunities to worship together. We worshipped in the style of Friends in programmed worship on Friday, in unprogrammed worship on Saturday, and on Sunday in a blended worship incorporating both programmed and unprogrammed elements. We shared meals, talk and laughter. We shared photo opportunities and awards of flowers especially commemorating our 10th year (6th biennial conference). We learned from and listened to each other in structured and unstructured settings, helping us achieve the goals of drawing closer to God and each other, and building bridges across the spectrum of Quakerism.

Submitted by Epistlists Elisa Dale and Kathleen Cairns
Approved by the Sisters of the Conference November 8, 2009