The 2026 Michener Lecture with Susan Taylor.
Speaking from the silence and from her experience, Susan Taylor will lead us in exploring what contributes to the vitality and the power of Quaker community grounded in Spirit. As the soil in which a seed is planted influences greatly the health of a plant, so to do the elements of the foundation of a faith community contribute to its health. What soil is necessary for a flourishing Quaker faith community?
Every year, children get asked the same question on the first day of school: what did you do during summer vacation? This year, Florida teachers of young Quakers will receive an earful in response, because the SEYM youth stayed busy. Here are a few activities our young people enjoyed during the summer.
The 2025 Walton Lecture with Daquanna Harrison.
Daquanna Harrison challenges us to meet the moment with bold action, and to reach down deep to be empowered by our love for others and for God. Sharing stories from Black history and the experiences those who have been harmed constantly throughout our history, Daquanna warns that it is time to prepare for what’s coming, to be ready to do more. Who among us is ready to be a Harriet Tubman? Love calls us to protect and stand up for those who are being harmed. How deep is your love? For other people? For the Divine?
Beverly Ward, SEYM Field Secretary for Earthcare, has sent us this report on how the Miccosukee and people of faith are protesting the ICE detention facility in the Everglades:
A statement by Tallahassee Monthly Meeting, “Ongoing Inhumane Treatment of Immigrants, International Students and U.S. Citizens,” was published in the Tallahassee Democrat on Sunday, July 13th, under the title “Shame: Inhumane treatment of immigrants, international students, U.S. citizens.”
The 2025 Michener Lecture with Adria (Gulizia) DiCapua.
What does being faithful in listening and following the leadership of the Spirit in our Quaker Meetings and communities look like? How can we prepare ourselves to have faith in God to lead us into the future? What could it look like to move forward in response to the Spirit’s leading, resisting the urge to trust in our own skills and capacities and instead resting in divine presence and power?
