Workshops at Annual Sessions, 2026

Workshops

Saturday, July 11, 4:00-5:30 PM

Clerking and Being Clerked  (also offered on Zoom)

Clerking and being clerked is a Quaker process of reaching inspired unity, which is more than secular consensus. We will explore how this can happen, with some suggestions and techniques.

Jane Snyder has clerked North Pacific Yearly Meeting 5 times and was clerk of Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas 2011-2015. She is a member of Multnomah Monthly Meeting and attends Bridge City Friends in Portland.

Quaker Action for a Just World: The work of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)  (also offered on zoom)

Come learn about the American Friends Service Committee and the many ways that Friends can get involved in its work to promote a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world. This workshop will spotlight AFSC’s Palestinian activism work, immigration justice programs, climate justice work, and more! Attendees will hear about AFSC’s resources and opportunities to partner with AFSC to be effective Quaker changemakers.

Ainsley Bruton (they/them) is the Quaker Engagement Coordinator at AFSC. In their role, Ainsley works to build and maintain relationships with Friends, Meetings & Churches, and Quaker organizations. Prior to joining AFSC, Ainsley served as an Assistant Director of Admission at Haverford College, their alma mater. Ainsley is also an alum of Westtown School, a Quaker boarding and day school in West Chester, PA.

Bonsai: an introduction to an Ancient Art Form  (in-person only)

Participants (limit of 8) will bring a tree, no more than 1 gallon size of a woody plant, a "training pot" with good drainage such as a nursery pot, old scissors or pruning shears and newspaper to work on. Due to the season, we will work on the beginnings of shaping the trees, maintenance and the future work of keeping it small.

Jim Miller, a member of Camas Friends Church took a class for seniors for 5 years through Portland Continuing Education by a local Master who was taught by his Chinese grandmother.  He has continued for 18 years and developed 40 Bonsai plants.   

Telling Our Stories  (in-person only)

Come to a lighthearted gathering to listen to and share our life stories - in two minutes or less! We will share our stories of favorite gifts, trying something hard, embarrassing moments, fabulous failures, wonderful surprises, best meals ever, worst meals ever, and more. Come prepared to share or pass on whatever subjects come up.

Leann Williams is a recorded minister of SCYMF and loves to create opportunities for building community.

Sunday, July 12, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM

Equipping Young Adults with Quaker Tools  (also offered on Zoom)

Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) operates in 4 cities: Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and Portland, OR. We invite you to learn more about this relatively young Quaker organization, what we've learned about working with young adults, and how you can support our work. 

Mike Huber (West Hills Friends) has been the program director of QVS since 2018.

The Practice of Neighboring  (also offered on Zoom)

What does it look like to be a good neighbor? We’ll explore who our neighbors are and our own histories of being a neighbor: seeing and being seen by one another, and how we respond out of our shared witness.

Since 1967, Right Sharing of World Resources has embodied Quaker concern for global inequity. Megan Fair is a Quaker from Ohio who has served as RSWR's Director of Advancement for three years. 

An Introduction to the Quaker journey with Godly Play and the development of Faith & Play  (in-person only)

The workshop will introduce Friends to Faith & Play and the foundation of its storytelling approach.  Friends will experience a story, explore the development of Faith & Play, and explore the various ways and venues Faith & Play has been used.  A dedicated time will be set aside for questions and discussion.

David Wakeley, clerk and trustee of Faith & Play and Stories and attender at Olympia Friends Meeting, is a trained storyteller and hospital chaplain.

Praying with SoulCollage®  (in-person only)

This intuitive collage process opens you to self-discovery, meditation, and wordless prayer. Through a simple guided process, we will create one or more prayer cards to use as windows into our own deeper communion with God.  Scissors, glue, mat boards, and a variety of images are provided, though you are welcome to bring your own images and photos to use. 

Ruba Byrd is the pastor of Eugene Friends Church and a spiritual director, who for many years has used music and the visual arts as transformative spiritual practices.