SEYM Virtual Gathering 2020
April 8 – 12 • Online
Gather online with Friends from all over our region for a Virtual Mini-Gathering, to be held over the 5 days originally scheduled for our annual sessions: Wednesday evening, April 8th, through Sunday, April 12th. We will have worship sharing, workshops, youth program, and other opportunities for connection and spiritual enrichment. We know your schedule, energy, and needs may be unpredictable right now. Come for what will feed you. Drop-ins welcome!
Join Us Online
The Mini-Gathering is being hosted on Zoom, which allows participants to join with video and audio (requires internet access) or by phone (audio-only). If you haven’t used Zoom before or don’t feel confident on it, you can join the “Welcome and Zoom Basics” session at 3pm on Wed, April 8.
To join Virtual Mini-Gathering sessions online, you can sign up or drop in. You will need to download the Zoom app to your device, if you haven’t already done so.
Sign up here. It will help us to know you’ll be attending, and you will get an email with the Gathering’s link, Meeting ID and phone number.
or ‘Drop in’: Once you’re ready use Zoom on your device, you can ‘Drop In’ at the time of the session you wish to attend.
Meeting ID# 564 578 2875 • Dial-in 646-876-9923
New to Zoom? Learn the basics for your device, with links to tutorials. See ‘New to Zoom’ here>
Schedule & Workshop Descriptions
Click on the days on the left to see each day’s activities with workshop descriptions
Wednesday, April 8th
3 – 4:15 pm • Welcome & Zoom Basics
A brief orientation to the Virtual Mini-Gathering schedule, Zoom, and how we will use Zoom in our sessions. Planned to be accessible to the newest newbies and tech-nervous Friends, but more experienced users may learn something, too! Phone (407-850-8457) and email (YYACoordinator@SEYMQuakers.org) troubleshooting available if you have trouble accessing the session. Facilitated by SEYM staff.
7 – 8:30 pm • Opening Retreat
Building Resilient Communities Through Transformative Action
Facilitator: Sarah Freeman-Woolpert, FCNL Advocacy Teams Trainer
Thursday, April 9
9 – 10 am (Gather at 8:50) • Worship Sharing: Getting to God
Worship sharing is one of the opportunities at the center of our community-building and spiritual practice when we meet in person at the SEYM Gathering. To adapt this practice for an online venue, we will gather just before 9am in a shared Zoom meeting room, then be split into “breakout rooms” for small groups. An experienced worship sharing leader will accompany each breakout group. If possible, please arrive a few minutes before 9am, so we know how many groups to split into.Bilingual (Spanish/English) group option available.
Before you join us, please Download & Print the Worship Sharing Quotes & Queries.
11 am – noon • Faith & Play
Faith & Play with Elizabeth Croce
A story from the Quaker tradition, told using the Montessori-inspired “Faith and Play” method. Appropriate for kids of all ages, and their families. Facilitated by Elizabeth Croce.
3 – 4:15 pm • Retreat Session #2
Finding Resilience through Advocacy and Community
This Zoom workshop covers an update on FCNL’s young adult engagement work, and invites Friends to build advocacy storytelling skills you can practice right from home. FCNL staff will share about how we are continuing to lobby for the world we seek and an earth restored through virtual means. FCNL staff will lead participants through interactive exercises on articulating their own climate change stories and using stories to communicate with their elected officials and make a difference. We’ll conclude with key takeaways and an invitation to stay connected with the FCNL community during these uncertain times. Facilitators: Sergio Mata-Cisneros, Program Assistant for Young Adult Outreach, and Bobby Trice, Program Assistant for Quaker Outreach
7 – 8:30 pm Internet Film Festival for Young Adults (18 – 35ish)
Submit your pick for the best video (under five minutes) of the ENTIRE INTERNET, then join other SEYM young adults for a watch party of the selections! Send links to YYACoordinator@SEYMQuakers.org for inclusion. Young adults of about 18-35 only.
Young Adults in front of Sarasota meetinghouse. photo: K. Hersh
Friday, April 10
9 – 10 am (Gather at 8:50) • Worship Sharing: Working Through It
Worship sharing is part of our community-building and spiritual practice when we meet in person at the SEYM Gathering. To adapt this practice for an online venue, we will gather just before 9am in a shared Zoom meeting room, then be split into “breakout rooms” for small groups. An experienced worship sharing leader will accompany each breakout group. If possible, please arrive a few minutes before 9am, so we know how many groups to split into.Bilingual (Spanish/English) group option available.
Before you join us, please Download & Print the Worship Sharing Quotes & Queries.
11 am – noon • Youth Hangout Space
Youth hanging out! photo: N. Logan
Open social space for SEYM youth to connect with peers. Youth under 18 or still in high school only.
1 – 1:30 pm • Laughter Yoga
Experience the joy of unconditional laughter. No Jokes—No Kidding! Sense of humor not required. Laughter Yoga is the unique concept that anyone can laugh for no reason at all. Laughter is started as an exercise in a group. It soon becomes real and contagious. You will feel great as you get the most fun workout you have ever had. Led by Joel Cook (Treasure Coast)
3 – 4:15 pm • Project Drawdown for Quakers
A workshop with Beverly Ward, Field Secretary for Earthcare
Project Drawdown is a scientifically based, comprehensive plan of the top 80 solutions to begin to reverse global warming by 2050. The book, by the same name, sets out the solutions, the math and the economics of how we can actually do this in an inspirational and accessible way. The workshop will include an introduction to Project Drawdown and the Pachamama Alliance (the organization that put together the program), an opportunity to reflect on how we relate to global warming as Friends, information and a video clip of Paul Hawken, the book editor, introducing and explaining the Project Drawdown plan, and group discussions on what we as a Yearly Meeting, Monthly Meetings/Worship Groups or individuals may want to engage. Facilitators: Beverly Ward (Tampa) & John Heimburg (Deland)
Saturday, April 11
9 – 10 am (Gather at 8:50) • Worship Sharing • Being of Service
Worship sharing is part of our community-building and spiritual practice when we meet in person at the SEYM Gathering. To adapt this practice for an online venue, we will gather just before 9am in a shared Zoom meeting room, then be split into “breakout rooms” for small groups. An experienced worship sharing leader will accompany each breakout group. If possible, please arrive a few minutes before 9am, so we know how many groups to split into.Bilingual (Spanish/English) group option available.
Before you join us, please Download & Print the Worship Sharing Quotes & Queries.
11 am – noon • Animal Yoga • Youth Program
Animal Yoga with Gary Arthur
An energetic and physical session for youth to try out yoga inspired by our cousins in the animal kingdom! Led by Gary Arthur (Gainesville).
1 – 1:30 pm • Laughter Yoga • all ages
Experience the joy of unconditional laughter. No Jokes—No Kidding! Sense of humor not required. Laughter Yoga is the unique concept that anyone can laugh for no reason at all. Laughter is started as an exercise in a group. It soon becomes real and contagious. You will feel great as you get the most fun workout you have ever had. Led by Joel Cook (Treasure Coast)
3 – 4:15 pm • Bowels of Mercies (Colossians 3,12 KJV): Earthy Spirituality for a Time of Disruption
Balancing vulnerable with gutsy, offloading blame or shame for the way we are put together, somehow, in God’s image: Can we be real without getting gross, immune to shock and bullying, compassionate and fit to work together — through climate change, pandemic, and systemic collapse — seeking an earth restored? Facilitated by Ann Jerome (Deland) and Bob Allenson (Tallahassee)
7 – 8:30 pm • All-Ages Talent Show
Elizabeth Croce & Junior Friends
Share your talents with Friends of all ages, or just watch and cheer for others! Visual as well as performance artists are invited to showcase work. Email YYACoordinator@SEYMQuakers.org with your name and a description of the type and length of your act to sign up.
Sunday, April 12
3 pm • Open Worship
Since the SEYM Meeting for Worship is a recurring meeting, it has a different a meeting link and ID.
Sign Up is required.