On a sub-zero snowy January day in Bloomington, 46 Quakers met to renew the vision of Illinois Yearly Meeting. Adding zest to our gathering were seven children and a puppy. The theme of the day was homecoming. People said that going to the yearly meeting was like coming home for them. I recall that Clance Wilson, an elder of Clear Creek Meeting, once stood in worship and invited us all to see McNabb as our homecoming place. He hoped we would come not just once a year, but often. Clance’s vision is coming forth with clarity.

Who attended the vision workshop? Dick Ashdown, Dawn Amos, Carol and Bob Bartles, Andrew Bartles, Mary Bockler, Andrea Bretel, Peggy Boyer Long, Paul Buckley, Diane and Mike Dennis, Nancy Duncan, Ted Ehnle, David Finke, Meredith George, Mariellen Gilpin, Chris Goode, Claire and Laure Gunnell Goode, John Hackman, Daniel Hall, Julie Hile-Broad, Rachel Hile-Broad, Bill Howenstine, Chuck Hutchcraft, Bruce Kanarek, Margaret Katranides, Valerie Lester, Jeannie Marvin, Mark McGinnis, Patty McMillen, Neil and Grayce Mesner, Tim and Elke Narkiewicz, Bonnie Oulman, Helene Pollock, Maurine Pyle, Angie Reeks, Phyllis Reynolds, Chip Rorem, Lisa Schicht, Beth Schobernd, Kelly and Zach Schobernd, Erin Taylor, Carolyn and Roy Treadway, Sue Tursman, Sean West.

Our day began with a time of silent worship and prayer led by Neil Mesner. Then Bob Bartles gave a power point presentation (3mb) of our accomplishment since the last vision workshop held in December, 2001. Using a process of small and large group dialogs, by the end of the day our visual consensus with underlying themes and values became crystal clear to us. Our themes were: year round retreats and programs, unity with nature, safe recreation, safety for children, accessible lodging, kitchen and dining area, caretaker for property, communal spaces, inreach and outreach, connection with Clear Creek Meeting, and creation of an Advancement Committee. We also discerned our Quaker underlying values.

You may view photographs of our visual consensus, as posted on a wall. The photos give more details of what we said. These themes will serve as a framework for further discernment by the Ad Hoc Committee for the New Property, clerked by Beth Schobernd. We hope a vision statement will be forthcominng. You may follow our progress on a discussion forum at the ILYM website. Please feel free to comment as the vision statement is progressing.

Susanna Davison, our previous yearly meeting clerk once called ILYM “the little yearly meeting that could.” We have gotten to the top of the hill using our grit and gumption. Now another hill is rising up before us. We are up to the challenge.

Maurine Pyle, facilitator of the Vision Workshop