Rutherford Place Meetinghouse, Meeting Room, Manhattan; September 19, 6:30-8pm

Rutherford Place Meetinghouse, Meeting Room, Manhattan; September 26, 6:30-8pm

The New York Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) stands at the  opening of a new relationship with our Quaker schools after a long and arduous independence process. While embarking to find a way forward, our diverse Communities were roiled this winter by the Friends Seminary leadership firing of a long-time teacher. This incident initiated a further series of related events. Our Communities are struggling with the feelings and concerns evoked.

Under the direction of the NYQM Ministry and Counsel Committee, the NYQM calls these Threshing Sessions in order to give members of our Communities the opportunity to express their thoughts, concerns, ideas and hopes for resolution over these occurrences. As a Body, in an accepting and open Worship environment, perhaps we can begin to envision growing into a new and evolving relationship with our Schools centered on shared Quaker practices and principles.  

The special role of a Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Threshing is to allow everyone to say what they think and feel. Threshing Sessions are not a time for decision-making, but for listening deeply to one another. It is a rare opportunity to hear different, sometimes difficult, thoughts. Threshing can enable us to speak strongly, yet be able to grow into new perspectives and find fresh ways to make difficult circumstances work for us.  

• Everyone in our extended Communities is welcome to attend.

• Everyone is free to state his or her views clearly, passionately and honestly.

• All contributions are received with respect and attention, seeking the truth they hold.

• All contributions are confidential to the attending group.

Nancy Britton, Clerk

New York Quarterly Meeting (NYQM)

Steven Monroe Smith, Clerk

NYQM Ministry and Counsel Committee