JanYM24 Programs

Programs for the Quakers Australia AGM and January mini-Yearly Meeting 2024

We have an innovative program for this special JanYM24.

Friday, 19 January, 2024

On the first night of the weekend, we will gather together in a Meeting for Worship preparing our hearts and minds for the evening and weekend ahead.

Next up is our first Friendly School with Jason MacLeod on “Compassionate Communication” exploring how we can build caring communities through respectful listening and compassionate communication.

We end our evening with an Epilogue, a short time for worship and reflection – a chance hold the blessings and insights of the day.

Saturday, 20 January, 2024

On Day 2, we have a full day of activities. We start with an all-ages Meeting for Worship that is a centered around a Faith & Play story offered by Jess Dundas and Robin McLean.

Next we have a Preparatory Session on Quakers Australia (QA) Finances which includes the QA Treasurer's report and other items for the AGM, with an opportunity for questions and sharing concerns. In a later Formal Session during this January Yearly Meeting the report will be put forward again for acceptance.

At 2:30PM AEDT / 11:30AM AWST we will have the first Formal Session, clerked by the QA Presiding Clerk, Bruce Henry. It begins with the Annual General Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Australia, known as Quakers Australia. This is followed by ‘Open Business’ (previously considered by Standing Committee) which everyone, not just named representatives, is welcome to attend.

We will gather together to discern the best way forward and seek to be moved by the Spirit in this Meeting for Worship for Business. If this is your first time at Yearly Meeting, this Formal Session is an opportunity to gain insight into Quaker processes and hear about the work of Friends.

In the afternoon we meet Cressida Hall, the new Executive Manager at Quaker Service Australia, and will also have an information session on the QA Travel Guidelines.

After some free time, join us for Quakers Got Talent 2024 with Clint de Young. We have a full program!  See what creativity bursts forth on stage!

Last but not least, join Friends at the Saturday Soiree, a convivial time hosted by Anna Wilkinson and Aletia Dundas for those who want to gather and yarn for a while. Everyone is welcome!

Sunday, 21 January, 2024

After our morning Meeting for Worship, we will go into another Formal Session at 11:30AM AEDT / 8:30AM AWST. Everyone is welcome to this session, where we will hear reports from the staff of the QA Office (Holly Dhynes, QA Communications; David Tehr, QA Coordinator); the Transition Implementation Working Group (TIWG); and Regional Meetings.

We have another full afternoon. At the start of the next session we meet Esther Hill, the new Principal of The Friends’ Schools.

This session continues with Sheila Keane leading us in a Friendly School on the topic of “Nurturing the Life of Our Meetings.”

To end the day and the weekend, we will have an Information session to hear about arrangements being planned for the in-person (and hybrid) July Yearly Meeting 2024 in Adelaide.

Join us for our Closing Reflection to share your feedback on this innovative mini-YM weekend together.

That’s it! That’s the weekend in a big nutshell. Are you excited yet!