Yearly Meeting Gathering 2026
The 2026 SEYM Gathering & Annual Sessions
April 1 – 5, 2026
Dayspring Camp & Conference Center 8411 25th Street East, Parrish, FL 34219
Hold Fast the Hope that Anchors the Soul
Our Yearly Meeting theme is taken from George Fox’s Epistle 314:
“And hold fast the hope that which anchors the soul, which is sure and steadfast, that you may float above the world’s seas; for your anchor holds sure and steadfast in the bottom, let the winds, storms and raging waves rise ever so high.”
We are feeling tossed by the raging waves of these tumultuous times. We feel overwhelmed by the grief we carry for the suffering of our neighbors, and outrage at the injustices that pile up daily. We need the kind of hope that can save us from despair and disempowerment, that builds our resilience and our communities — and anchors our souls in love.
All are welcome at our SEYM Yearly Meeting Gathering, where we come together in community in worship, workshops, worship sharing, business plenaries, and intergenerational celebration. In the Walton Lecture and Retreats, Leslie Manning will lead us finding the ground of our hope, exploring the synergistic and unitive relationship of our faith, spirituality and witness. Young Friends will enjoy a Youth Program with workshops, stories, arts and crafts, a ropes course, canoeing, and more. And the beauty of the native Florida environment always provides deeply nourishing sense of peace.
We hope you can join us! Registration is on a ‘pay as led’ basis — so that everyone in our community may have the opportunity to attend.
There will be more opportunities for virtual attendees this year! Stay tuned.
Our Speaker
Registration
Program
Youth Program
All the Details
The Walton Lecture & Retreats
Hold fast the Hope that anchors the soul
will be presented by
Leslie Manning
“Hold fast the Hope that anchors the soul, which is sure and steadfast, that you may float above the world’s sea.”
~from George Fox’s Letter to Friends in America (Epistle 314)
Leslie will speak from the silence, and from her experience, on how we can find and offer hope and healing to a world in need of both — how to balance the call to Spirit-led action with the need for contemplation and reflection, and how to cultivate compassion, uphold conviction and sustain community for the long term. She hopes that we will listen together for not only “what is” but also for “what is about to become.”
Retreat #1: Cultivating Compassion
In our first retreat, we will look at how we can cultivate compassion, with a focus on forgiveness and repair of relationships. Leslie will engage us in interactive exercises, some journaling prompts and movement to increase our ability to stand in increasing discomfort without losing our equanimity or connection with the Divine.
Retreat #2: Upholding Conviction
The world, our nations, our communities, our meetings, our families and loved ones, and each of us need each of us to do what we are meant to do — if it is what you need to do in this moment, for the next 2 years, or your life’s work — we need it! In this workshop, we will consider what space is yours to fill, and what courage do you already possess that will help you to fill that space. Note: You are invited to consider your comfort during this session, sitting on the floor, a warm cup of tea, cozy socks or other comforts are welcome. This workshop will include some writing, please bring your favorite notebook, journal, or electronic device, and writing tools. This workshop will include gentle movements with accommodations where needed.
Leslie Manning is a member of the Durham, Maine Monthly Meeting in New England Yearly Meeting. She is an interfaith chaplain working with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, a lifelong activist and a recorded minister among Friends. She aspires to “live in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars” by listening deeply, discerning what is hers to do and witnessing to that faithfully. She recently served as the Elder for the 2024-25 School of the Spirit program “Participating in God’s Power”.
Registration
Registration will be open January 25th – March 15th, 2026.
Virtual Registration will be open January 25th – April 1st, 2026.
Registration is on a pay-as-led basis. This is a way of acknowledging that wealth is not distributed evenly among us Quakers, and that we do not wish to exclude anyone from the Gathering based on their ability to pay.
Making this system work depends on those of us with the means paying our full cost, and adding a donation to help others attend. Meetings and Worship Groups can help by offering scholarships.
Scholarships: Check to see if your Meeting or Worship Group offers scholarships. See Scholarship information here.
For questions or changes to your registration, please email Phil Stone, Registrar or call/text him at (413)992-7991.
Payment Options: We encourage you to pay your total registration fees when you register online. You may also pay by check made payable to SEYM and mailed to: SEYM, P.O. Box 1062, St. Petersburg, Florida 33731-1062. You may also pay at check-in.
Program & Schedule
Our schedule officially begins with check-in on Wednesday, April 1st, at 3 pm. Committees are being asked to meet virtually prior to the Gathering, though they may also meet again in person at the camp during interest group time if they wish.
Virtual Schedule. We are expanding our online programming this year to include worship sharing, business plenaries, and the Walton lecture. Virtual sessions are indicated in blue on the schedule. We have a new audio system for all you Friends online!
Yearly Business Meeting
Yearly Business Meeting will be held in 6 plenaries over 5 days. All sessions will be hybrid.
If you want to attend online, please register for Virtual attendance here>
For the Agenda, Reports, and Zoom login,
See the Documents In Advance.
For general questions, please email Susan Wade, SEYM Administrative Secretary, or call her at 407-739-4150.
If you have an agenda item please email Bill Carlie, YM Clerk or phone him at (407) 840-9862.
All Ages Activities
Our intergenerational activities this year include:
Thursday night: intergenerational games & dance
Friday night: All Ages Talent Show, campfire
Saturday afternoon: Workshop
Family canoeing
Intergenerational outdoor games every afternoon.
Workshops
We are planning an exciting lineup of workshops! Stay tuned for more info.
Worship Sharing
Worship Sharing is an opportunity for small groups to deepen their understanding of life in the Spirit and get to know each other on a deeper level, through listening to each others’ experiences and insights in a worship-grounded setting. In a covering of silent worship, Friends share their responses to a query that provides a focus for the group. We listen deeply to what is shared, without discussion. Worship Sharing may last an hour, or less, depending in part on the size of the group.
Worship Sharing Quotes & Queries>
Bookstore
Books from Quakerbooks of FGC and SEYM Publications will be available for browsing and purchase from our Bookstore located in the Bishop Haynes Meeting Room, adjacent to the Lounge.
John Heimburg is our Bookstore Coordinator.
Youth Program
The theme for our 2026 Youth Program is
Love, Hope, & Action in Troubled Times
Youth have a great time being together! Youth Program leaders, volunteer staff, and parents work together to create a community where all young Friends feel included.
Activities include: High Ropes course (for ages 11+), journaling, games, intergenerational workshop, arts and crafts, family swim time and canoeing, nature walks, story time, intergenerational Talent show & Campfire (Thursday night), Community Dance (Friday night), Youth Meeting for Business, Epistle Writing, and an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday.
All youth are expected to participate in the youth program during their stay.
Youth must attend with a parent, guardian, or a designated adult sponsor. Youth need to bring a parent/guardian signed Parental Consent Form> in order to participate. Please bring completed forms with you.
If you need your child excused from classes, you can give this excuse letter to their school. The Gathering is a religious holiday for Quakers in SEYM.
Parents/sponsors are responsible for signing youth in and out of all sessions. Afternoon activities are optional. Parent/sponsors are responsible for youth any time they are not signed in for a youth program session.
All the Details
Before you register: Please carefully read and consider the housing options and charges. Housing on site is limited; please consider whether you can share a room or commute from home or nearby hotel. Note: Total registration fees are on a pay-as-led basis.
Be courteous and safe! Please read the SEYM & Camp rules before you arrive.
Dayspring Lodging
Dayspring offers both semi-private and private accommodations in cabins, houses, and dorms. There are also rooms for families of 3 or more. Cabins and houses have common areas including living areas, kitchens, and porches. Kitchens provide small refrigerators and coffee makers; no cooking is permitted. Coffee, filters, creamers and sugar are provided, but you may bring your own.
Dorms are located next to the Lounge and Dining Room. They have bunk bed cubicles (we will only use bottom bunks), which allow some degree of privacy. There are separate he/they and she/they dorm areas, each with bunk rooms, bath, and shower rooms connected by a covered porch. YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN BEDDING AND TOWELS. Beds are rather firm; bring a comfy topper if you need it.
Learn more about Lodging options here>
Meals are included in your lodging fees, beginning with dinner on your arrival day and ending with lunch on your departure day. You may add lunch for arrival day on the registration form. Note: Youth attending with families receive meals for free!
Lodging Fees:
- Couple/Family with Youth, sharing a room = $125/day/Adult, $75/day/Youth ages 4-18, Youth 3 or under are free. You may bring a travel crib.
- Private Room (includes linen & towels) = $165/day. The number of private rooms will be limited so we can house more people on site.
- Semi-Private (includes linen and towels) = $125/day/person.
- Dorms (bring your own linens & towels) = $90/day/person This is a real bargain, considering the rate includes meals ($48/day)!
Commuting
Friends may commute from home or a nearby hotel. The camp is about 30 minutes away from Sarasota and from St. Petersburg.
Friends staying at a hotel or commuting must also register to attend the Gathering, using the Commuter section in the site use option.
Commuter Charges: $35/day/adult, and $15/day/youth, which includes lunch on the days you attend. You can sign up for additional meals on the Registration Form.
Additional meals for Commuters:
- Breakfast $13
- Lunch $15 (included in your Commuter fee)
- Dinner $20
Hotels & Camping
Friends may commute from home or from a nearby hotel or campground. This may be a good option if you prefer more privacy, or if you have a roommate and would prefer a larger room to share, a desk, etc. Friends staying at off-site must also register with SEYM to attend the Gathering, using the Commuter section in the site use option.
Hotels:
SEYM will be reserving a block of rooms for a deeply discounted rate at the Hampton Inn Ellenton, 5810 20th Court East, Ellenton, FL — just 7 minutes from Dayspring. Rooms have two queen beds.
There are also budget-friendly hotels in Ellenton and also at the intersection of I-75 and State Road 64, just 12 minutes from Dayspring. (Note: The Super 8 in Ellenton is next to a truck stop.)
Camping:
Little Manatee River State Park easy commute from the Yearly Meeting location. Those who wish camp (tent or RV with electricity) will find it an economical alternative for under $40 per night for a family. Senior residents pay significantly less.
Friends staying at off-site must also register with SEYM to attend the Gathering, using the Commuter section in the site use option.
Commuter Charges: $35/day/adult, and $15/day/youth, which includes lunch on the days you attend. You can sign up for additional meals on the Registration Form.
Additional meals for Commuters:
- Breakfast $13
- Lunch $15 (included in your Commuter fee)
- Dinner $20
Meals
Meals are served buffet-style. Please take only what you need at your first pass through the line to ensure there’s enough for everybody. You can go back for seconds later.
Be prompt! Be in line outside the Dining Room when it opens. – we are allowed only one hour for meals.
For Dayspring Lodging, all meals are included in the costs of your room, starting with dinner on your arrival day and through lunch of your departure day. You may add lunch on your arrival day on the registration form. For Commuters, lunch is included for each day of attendance; you may add additional meals on your registration form.
Special Diets:
To request a special diet, you must fill out the ‘Special Diet’ section(s) on the SEYM registration form. The camp offers these special diets: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy free, and allergies.
Coffee:
Coffee & tea are available in the lounge 24/7, as well as in the Multi-Purpose Room and Classrooms A and B.
The kitchens in the cabins and houses have small refrigerators and coffee makers. No cooking is allowed. Coffee and filters are provided.
Food off campus: There are several restaurants near the camp. Please do not bring outside food back to the camp.
Camp Map
Program spaces we will be using:
- Dining is in Curry Hall
- Bishop Haynes Lounge: hang out anytime, coffee available 24/7
- Bishop Haynes Meeting Room: Registrar, Bookstore, SEYM Publications…and a piano.
- Outdoor Chapel: for early worship
- St. Thomas Chapel: for extended worship on Thursday
- Kline Hall: Adult program spaces — Multi-Purpose Room, and Classrooms A and B.
- Tripp Pavilion & Outdoor Pavilion: Youth Program
- Outdoor/Nature Trails: The Canopy Walk is available only as scheduled in the program. Other trails are the Point Trail and Stations of the Cross. And be sure to visit the Labyrinth!
- Pool is open only as scheduled. NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY – USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pool baths are in back of Kline Hall. You may be asked to sign a waiver to use the pool.
Location, Check in & Check out
Dayspring Conference Center
8411 25th Street East, Parrish, Florida 34219
Our group check-in time is 3 pm on Wednesday. We can’t give you your key before then, but you’re welcome to join us at the camp after 1 pm Wednesday.
Check in is at the Registrar’s table in the Lounge (see map); see the hours posted there.
If you will be arriving after dinner, please let the Registrar know ahead of time so you can make arrangements to get your key.
Check out time is 10 am. Please return your keys to the Registrar by 10am on the day of your departure. We will be charged a $25 fee for keys returned after 10am.
SEYM & Camp Rules
To be safe and considerate of other Friends and camp staff, please read these rules before you arrive, and go over them with your family.
Things to bring
- Masks (and COVID test kits, if you can)
- swimsuits and towels if you want to swim
- Water shoes if you’re going to canoe
- Toys for toddlers, children’s supplies (throw pillows, toys to share, soccer balls, etc.), and games for all ages.
- Musicians & Instruments needed for: the Faith & No Practice Band, Jammin’ on the Benches.
- A friend/Friend new to your Meeting. The SEYM Gathering is a great place to experience a welcome to the wider Quaker community and learn more.
- Documents-In-Advance (DIAs) for Annual Sessions. See Business Page>
- If you’re staying in the Dorms: bring your own linens and towels. A comfy mattress topper would be a bonus.
Questions? Contact Us
For more information, you may contact:
Gathering Co-Clerk: Vicki Carlie
email • (407) 388-4789
Gathering Co-Clerk: Liz Dykes
email
Registrar: Phil Stone
email Phil • (413) 992-7991
Adult Program: Brian Olson
email Brian
Youth Committee Clerk: Amanda Farrar
email Amanda
Bookstore Coordinator: John Heimburg
email John
SEYM Secretary Susan Wade
email Susan • (407) 739-4150
SEYM Youth & Young Adult Coordinator: Rachel Dellinger
email Rachel