ILYM is a spiritual community of Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends. Though the individuals in this community attend some 21 affiliated local Meetings across four states, each summer the Meeting gathers in a retreat near McNabb, Illinois to worship together and to conduct the business of the community. This business includes issues related to lay ministry, religious education, the practice of faith, volunteer service, public witness, publications, Meetinghouse site improvement, and finances. The ILYM Meetinghouse is also the worship site for Clear Creek Friends, as well as for workshops, retreats and committee meetings.
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2026 Annual Sessions
Living Our Faith
The theme, Living Our Faith, focuses on the ways in which Friends are actively living out Quaker testimonies.
Annual Sessions will be held Wednesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 21 on the ILYM Campus outside McNabb, Illinois. Some programs will be hybrid. Detailed program information will be available in mid-April.
Workshop proposal are being sought. Submissions should be received before April 20.
Link for additional information on sessions and workshop proposals: ilym.org/2026AnnualSessions.
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Women’s Weekend
The 2026 Women’s Weekend will held April 24-26, 2026 on the ILYM campus. Self-identified women of ILYM are invited to gather together to nurture themselves and each other, to enlarge our circle of friendship with other Quaker women, to hold each other in loving support, and to honor each other as they seek to grow in the depth of their being and in Light. The weekend will include Laughter Yoga, Sacred Listening, and nature walks to explore the sights, sound and smells of nature in relation to spiritual connection, prayer and contemplation. Links for document with further details and registration: Word format ; Fillable PDF format.
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2025 Sessions Videos
Following are videos from the Thursday and Saturday night presentations, the Plummer Lecture and a post-sessions virtual workshop.
Panel of Friends who grew up in ILYM held at Illinois Yearly Meeting Annual Session, Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Presented during 2025 ILYM Annual Sessions by Thomas Hamm, Retired Professor of History and Director of Special Collection, Earlham College on Saturday, June 22, 2025.
Beth Schobernd Carpenter of Clear Creek Meeting (McNabb, IL) presenting the 2025 Plummer Lecture, “Living in a Blessed Community” at the 2025 ILYM Annual Sessions on June 22, 2025.
Peter Lasersohn, Urbana-Champaign Friends Meeting presenting a virtual workshop on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
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ILYM Monthly Virtual Meeting for Worship
There will be a yearly-meeting-wide virtual meeting for worship every month on the 10th of the month at 7:00 p.m. (Central), hosted by the ILYM Ministry and Advancement Committee. All are welcomed to attend. The first worship will be January 10, 2023.
Meeting Link, Meeting ID: 865 1735 0294; Passcode: 475983; Phone: 309 205 3325 US; 312 626 6799 US (Chicago); Meeting ID: 865 1735 0294; Passcode: 475983.
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Anti-Racism Café
What’s on your mind and in your hearts? Join us for an open-ended discussion of anti-racist work. There’s no speaker or agenda, so bring your beverage of choice and be ready to listen and share.
ILYM Racism, Equality and Equity Committee hosts a virtual Anti-Racism Cafe on the 15th of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Central). Link to join.
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Meeting for Healing
Illinois Yearly Meeting’s Peace Resources & Racial Equity and Education Committees hosts a virtual Meeting for Healing for the Future of America East via the Downers Grove Zoom Meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (Central). Zoom Link; Meeting ID: 973 0257 9831; Passcode: 000000.