Honoring the Past, Living the Present, Envisioning the Future
This year’s annual sessions celebrates 150 years of Illinois Yearly Meeting at the historic meetinghouse near McNabb, Illinois.
The theme is “Honoring the Past, Living the Present, Envisioning the Future.” In this celebration, we are invited to remember and treasure the generations of regional Friends and their spiritual witness that ground our community in seeking Truth.
- In what ways have our forebears inspired you?
- What example might you leave for the Friends who come after you? Can you lead a workshop to
- How may the Divine be leading each of us as our spiritual ancestors were led?
Registration is open:
Link to on-line form || Link to download a printable form
Workshop Proposals Sought
Workshops that support this theme are being sought. Proposals for additional topics will also be considered. Workshops will be held on Thursday and Friday, 2:30-3:45 p.m. Proposals should be submitted by April 26.
Link to on-line proposal form || Link to text document form || Link to PDF form
Timeline of dates
- April 26: Workshop proposals due
- May 5: ILYM Campus Work Day
- May 14: Requests for Display space (online form), business meeting reports, State of Society Reports, and Memorial Minutes due.
- June 1: Date to please register by so we can appropriately plan for food and supplies.
- June 4: Advance Documents, State of Society Reports, and Memorial Minutes posted (Front Table Folders/Additional Documents section below).
- June 12: Online registration and registration to attend virtually ends; people can register on site for in-person attendance throughout sessions
- June 14-18: Site Preparation
- June 18-22: Annual Sessions
- July 13: Monthly Meeting Stats/Info form due (ilym.org/forms).
Remember to submit medical release forms for children/youth: online form || download to print
See the following “New for This Year” section below for:
- Information on (and participation in) the Art Show
- 150th Anniversary T-shirts (High Schooler fundraiser for AFSC Gaza relief work)
- Reduced Cost Hotel Rooms
- Adult Young Friends Travel Support
- Questions and Answers about Sessions document
2025 Annual Sessions Program Details
| On Wednesday evening, musical Friends from ILYM will entertain us with performances ranging from singing, to guitar, piano and recorders. They will also lead a singalong, so be prepared to join in the festivities. |  |
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On Thursday evening, we will be joined by a panel of Friends who have grown up in ILYM. Friends will share how ILYM has impacted their lives including stories of events or experiences that changed them. |
Friday evening will be the traditional dancing on the front lawn.
Saturday afternoon will be our 150th birthday party. There will be games, activities and cake!
Note: Due to the party there will no Worship Sharing or Workshops on Saturday.
| On Saturday evening, Thomas Hamm will speak to our theme. He will explain how Illinois Yearly Meeting came to be in the 1860s and 1870s and the Friends who organized it. He will explore the challenges they faced in trying to adjust their vision of Quakerism to a changing world. And finally, he will speculate about what lessons their experiences hold for us today. Tom is member of West Richmond Friends Meeting in Richmond, Indiana, and currently the clerk of the New Association of Friends. He has retired as Professor of History and Director of Special Collections at Earlham College . He is the author of several books and numerous articles and book chapters on Quaker history. |  |
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On Sunday morning, Beth Schobernd Carpenter will present the Plummer Lecture. Beth is a member of Clear Creek Monthly Meeting. She and her husband Duane enjoy a large blended family. Beth is a retired academic librarian and has served Clear Creek, Blue River Quarterly and Illinois Yearly Meeting in various capacities in her 40+ years as a Quaker. |
Art Show at Sessions
Part of the 150th Anniversary celebration will be an Art Show. Friends are invited to bring artwork to share. If you would like to have your artwork on display for others to view, please fill out the Art Show form (link info). Forms should be submitted before June 1. Additional details and coordinator contact information are on the form.
150th Anniversary T-shirts (High Schooler fundraiser for AFSC Gaza relief work)
150th Anniversary T-shirts: The ILYM High School Friends are conducting a fund raiser to both celebrate ILYM’s 150 anniversary and to raise money to support relief efforts in Gaza through the AFSC. Link for additional information || Link to site to order
Adult Young Friends Travel Support
ILYM can provide travel support for Adult Young Friends attending sessions. The request form and documentation should be submitted before June 25. Link for additional information, required documentation and contact information.
Reduced Cost Hotel Rooms for Sessions
ILYM has made an arrangement with Days Inn in Oglesby, which has set a room rate of $104 per night (plus tax) for rooms booked by May 18 when using the Group Code “ILYM.” In addition to this rate, ILYM will cover $30 per night for the booking. Link for additional information.
Questions and Answers about Sessions
Are the things about Annual Sessions you do not know or want more information/details? In addition to the "Annual Sessions Information" section and other sections below, a new document of question and answers about Annual Sessions has been complied that covers various questions, including issues about registration, transportation, food, lodging, child care, and much more. Link to view/download document.
Adult
Children All V (Virtual Option)
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 12:30-1:45 pm | Registration Desk Open |
| 1:45-3:45 |
Babysitting & Childcare in Play Area |
| 2:00-3:30 | Opening Session: Worship & Business Meeting (V) |
| 3:30-6:00 | Free time/committee meetings & socializing |
| 3:45-6:00 | Registration Table Open |
| 5:30-6:00 | Singing on front porch |
| 6:00-7:00 | Dinner (volunteers eat 30 min. early) |
| 6:30-7:30 | Registration Desk Open |
| 7:30-8:45 | Intergenerational Music Program (V) |
| 8:45-9:15 | Registration Table Open |
| 9:00-9:45 | Snacks (dining room) |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:45-7:45 | Breakfast (volunteers eat 30 min. early) |
| 8:00-9:00 | Meeting for Worship (Memorials are read on Sat.) (V) |
| 8:45-noon | Children’s Morning Program (parents
should check-in children at the check-in table) Babysitting for children too young for children’s program |
| 9:00-noon | Meeting for Business (V) |
| 12:00-1:00 pm | Lunch (volunteers eat 30 min. early) |
| 12:30-1:30 | Registration Table Open |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1:15-4:00 | Recreation activities, crafts &
programs for children Babysitting in the Play Area |
| 1:30-2:15 | Worship Sharing groups |
| 2:30-3:45 | Workshops (All-Ages) |
| 3:45-6:00 pm | Free time/committee meetings & socializing |
| 4:15-5:45 | Registration Table open |
| 5:30-6:00 | Singing on the front porch |
| 6:00-7:00 | Dinner (volunteers eat 30 min. early) |
| 7:15-9:00 | Children’s Program Babysitting for children too young for children’s program |
| 7:30-8:45 | Panel of Friends who grew up in ILYM (V)
Intergenerational program, childcare available. |
| 8:45-9:15 | Registration Table Open |
| 9:00-9:45 | Snacks (dining room) |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1:15-4:00 | Recreation activities, crafts &
programs for children Babysitting in the Play Area |
| 1:30-2:15 | Worship Sharing groups |
| 2:30-3:45 | Workshops (All-Ages) |
| 3:45 - 6:00 pm | Free time/committee meetings & socializing |
| 4:15 - 5:45 | Registration Table open |
| 5:30 - 6:00 | Singing on front porch |
| 6:00 - 7:00 | Dinner (volunteers eat 30 min. early) |
| 6:30 - 7:30 | Registration Table open |
| 7:30-10:00 | Dancing on front lawn, no childcare or babysitting |
| 8:45 - 9:15 | Registration Table open |
| 9:00 - 9:45 | Snack served outside during dancing |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1:15-1:45 pm |
Help Think about Next Year's Annual Sessions (Babysitting & Childcare available) |
| 2:00-4:30 | 150th Anniversary Party |
| 4:30-5:45 | Registration Table open |
| 4:45-5:30 | Variety Show (V) |
| 5:30-6:00 | Singing on front porch |
| 6:00-7:00 | Dinner (volunteers eat 30 min. early) |
| 6:45-8:00 | Campfire and S'mores for 5th grade and
lower (south fire ring) Babysitting for children too young for campfire. |
| 7:15-9:00 | Campfire for Middle and High Schoolers
at the north campfire area |
| 7:30-8:45 | Presentation by Thomas Hamm (V) |
| 8:45-9:15 | Registration Table open |
| 9:00-9:45 | Snacks (dining room) |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 | Breakfast (volunteers eat 30 min. early) |
| 8:15-8:45 | Registration Table open |
| 8:45-9:45 | Reading of Epistles (children gather in front of the meetinghouse at 8:50) (V) |
| 8:45-12:30 | Babysitting/childcare for children too young for other programs |
| 10:00-12:15 | Middle Schoolers will attend Plummer Lecture and Meeting for
Worship 5th grade and lower will have childcare |
| 10:00-11:00 | Plummer Lecture by Virginia Schelbert (Middle Schoolers will attend) (V) |
| 11:15-12:15 pm | Meeting for Worship (Middle Schoolers will attend) (V) |
| 12:30-1:30 | Lunch (volunteers eat 30 min. early) |
| 1:30 | Cleanup and Farewells (individuals can start as soon as finish
eating) |
Groups for worship sharing will gather 1:30-2:15 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
Queries that will be used during those groups will be posted in early June.
There will be programs and activities for children during the worship sharing time.
Signing up for a worship sharing group can be done in the check-in/registration area.
Workshops will be held 2:30-3:45 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
A current list workshops will be posted in May. The full list will be available in the check-in/registration area.
Sign up to attend workshops in the check-in/registration area.
Some workshops are designated as intergenerational. There will be programs and activities for children during the workshop time.
Annual Sessions is a gathering of Friends that is supportive of families with children. Children’s Sessions provide the opportunity for children to experience various aspects of Quaker faith and life. There is no registration fee for children and youth ages 18 and under. A separate Children's Sessions Registration Form should be filled out for each child.
Wee Friends through Middle School
Morning Program: Small age-appropriate groups with two teachers, developed to be meaningful while giving children an opportunity to connect with other Friends of their age. During this time parents can attend Meeting for Business.
Afternoon Program: A variety of activities on different days include a craft and art tent, swimming, recreation on the lawn, and all-ages workshops. During this time adults can participate in workshops and/or worship sharing.
Evening Programs: Intergenerational programs on Wednesday, Thursday with a children's program on Thursday for younger children. Friday evening is all-ages folk dancing on the lawn.Campfires with s’mores and songs on Saturday. During this time parents can attend the evening plenary programs.
Sunday Morning Program: All children participate in the Epistles Reading. Middle Schoolers attend the Plummer Lecture and Sunday Meeting for Worship. After the Epistles Reading, 5th grade and under will be supervised by the babysitters/childcare and join everyone for the last minutes of worship.
Babysitting and Childcare
Babysitting and childcare will be available for children too young to
attend Children’s Sessions programs. Additionally, babysitting and
supervised play area time will be available during morning Meeting for
Worship (8:00-9:00 am) and worship sharing and workshop time (1:15-4:00
pm). Please consult the schedule at the check-in/registration table for a
full listing of times and programs.
Expectations for Young Friends & Families
In an effort to make Annual Sessions a joyful spiritual experience for all Friends, the following guidelines are intended to clarify expectations during our time together.
Parents/sponsors are responsible for supervision of their child/children during all times, except for Children’s Sessions. Parents/sponsors supervision includes meals, all-ages programs, and overnight. Families are encouraged to share in the care of their children—taking turns supervising children will allow the children to play and the adults to have their own time.
- The Children’s Sessions programs are planned assuming all registered young Friends will participate.
- Parents/sponsors should notify the Children’s Sessions staff if their child will not attend any of the sessions indicated on the submitted registration form.
- If children choose not to attend or participate in any of the Children’s Sessions programs, their parents/sponsors are responsible for them while the Children’s Sessions program is held.
- Parents/sponsors should accompany children to Children’s Sessions programs, sign them in, and return to sign them out when the program is over.
- Parents/sponsors are expected to be on the ILYM campus at all times their child/children are in a program unless specific arrangements are made.
- If any young Friend has special needs (allergies, dietary, physical, emotional, behavioral, etc.) that may require special attention, please advise the Children’s Sessions staff and teachers responsible for that age group.
- A healthy simple snack will be provided during the morning and evening sessions.
- It is important for adult Friends to start and finish programs promptly; as otherwise parents/sponsors may have to leave the adult program before it is over.
- It is important to remember that Children’s Sessions are an integral program of Annual Sessions and not merely a service to accommodate adults while they attend programs.
- Medical Release Forms must be filled out for all children under 18 .Please use on-line form or fill out a printed form and mail with the registration form or bring with you.
High School Program
The Youth Oversight Committee and High School Friends (entering grade 9 through recent high school graduates) plan the program. Consult the Youth Coordinator for program specifics.
Adult Young Friends
The Adult Young Friends of ILYM are a group of 18 to 35 year old Friends led to maintain a sense of community. While a subgroup of adult Friends, AYFs participate as active adult members of ILYM. They welcome new members with open arms.
ILYM Annual Sessions is a gathering of approximately 200 people at the beautiful Illinois Yearly Meeting campus which is surrounded, to the horizon, by corn and soybean fields. On the south side of “Quaker Lane” is the meetinghouse, parking areas, several large tents, a farmhouse, and several outbuildings. The tents are used for the children’s programs, workshops, and outdoor dining. On the north side of the road is a campground which includes a parking area, a showerhouse, space for tents, 6 small cabins, and buildings used for High School and Middle School Friends.
Annual Sessions is primarily planned and managed by volunteers, so we ask everyone to pitch in. All Friends over age 10 are asked to sign up for at least two volunteer jobs during Annual Sessions, which might include helping during a meal, cleaning a bathroom, or helping with childcare or the children’s programs. Volunteer sign-up sheets are located near the registration table.
Please do not bring pets. Do not smoke in the buildings or on the grounds (including campground). Keep noisy activities away from Friends who need quiet. Respect the surrounding farm crops and property.
DIRECTIONS: The meetinghouse address is: 14365 N. 350th Ave., McNabb, IL 61335.
- From Champaign-Urbana: Take I-74 west to Bloomington-Normal, then I-39 north to Rt. 18 west. Near Magnolia, take Rt. 89 north. After Edgewood Park Golf Club on the left, turn right at the “Friends Meetinghouse” sign (Co. Rd. 350N). After about ½ mile, the meetinghouse is the large white building on your right.
- From St. Louis: Take I-55 north to Bloomington/Normal, then I-39 north. From here, same as from Champaign-Urbana.
- From Chicago: Take I-80 west past Ottawa, then I-39 south to Rt. 71 west, then Rt. 89 south. Go past McNabb about 1½ miles, and look for the “Friends Meetinghouse” sign at the first cross-street (Co. Rd. 350N) and turn left. After about ½ mile, the meetinghouse is the large white building on your right.
- By Amtrak: Transportion between the Princeton, IL, station and the ILYM campus can be arranged via the registration form.
ACCESSIBILITY: The meetinghouse has a ramped entrance
and wheelchair accessible restrooms. The showerhouse in the camping area
is also accessible, but you must go through a grassy area to get to it.
The dining room is in the basement and is not wheelchair accessible, but
meals can be served in the dining tent. First floor of Clear Creek House
is wheelchair accessible.
PARKING: There is parking for campers on the north side
of the road at the front of the camping area. Vehicles should not be
driven into the camping area. There is parking on the south side of the
road for non-campers between the meetinghouse and Clear Creek House. This
includes a marked parking area for Friends with disabilities.
PHONE: The meetinghouse & Clear Creek House number is
815-882-2214. Non-local calls must be collect only. The ILYM mobile number
is 773-288-3066.
EMERGENCIES: Dial 911 for emergencies. St. Margaret’s Hospital is in Spring Valley: emergency number is 815-664-1464. Spring Valley is north on Rt. 89. There are several medical clinics in the area. Information will be available in handouts at the registration desk.
FEES AND SUPPORTING THE COST OF SESSIONS: Realizing that attenders represent a diverse community of people, ILYM has adopted a pay as led approach to covering the costs of Annual Sessions and to allow it to be affordable to a greater number of people. A daily fee has been calculated related to the cost of holding sessions and an estimated number of adults attending sessions, additionally a daily fee has been calculated for those only attending sessions virtually. Attenders, whether on-site or virtual are asked to reflect on the cost ILYM incurs for their attendance at sessions and pay as led in relation to this cost and their ability to afford this cost.
REDUCE DIRTY DISHES: Bring your own coffee cup or drink
bottle.
WHAT TO BRING: Musical instruments, recreational equipment, clothes for active wear, sun-screen, mosquito repellent, flashlight, rain gear, and linens (if staying in cabins or Clear Creek House). Showers are available for bathing. Coin-op laundry is available in Spring Valley.
VARIETY SHOW is on Saturday afternoon. This is a supportive group that is easily entertained.
NEW ATTENDERS MEETINGS: New attenders will be given an overview when checking-in. If you need information at any other time, check with the check-in/registration table.
TECHNOLOGY: There are no duplicating/printing facilities. Please bring what you will need. There is wireless internet available. The password will be displayed near the registration table.
TIPS FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN: You can bring
your smaller children to the dining room 5 minutes before scheduled
mealtimes to eat or you may go to the head of the line. It is hard for
small children to wait in line when they are hungry. We suggest that you
bring drinks and non-perishable snacks for times your children may be
hungry or thirsty and perhaps breakfast food if your children find it hard
to get up in time for breakfast in the dining room.
NOTE: A document with Questions and Answers about Sessions has been compiled. Link to download and review the document.
Come early and find out what fun it can be to work towards a common cause with a great bunch of people. Be a part of transforming 12 acres of land into a most useful site for hundreds of people.
Site Prep takes place on the days before the beginning of Annual Sessions. All ILYM Friends are cordially invited to help get the campus ready before the main event begins. Meals and housing during Site Prep are free, so come and enjoy good comradeship while building up your sweat equity. Site Prep begins Saturday June 14 and concludes after lunch on Wednesday, June 18 (you can arrive in the evening of Friday, June 13 but food service begins with lunch on Saturday). If you plan to attend, please fill out the online form or contact Brandon Harrington or Chris Goode. Information requested would be your expected days of attendance, your housing plans (tent, cabin, hotel, or Clear Creek House), and any dietary restrictions.
Site Prep begins Saturday, June 17, and concludes after lunch on Wednesday, June 21 (you can arrive in the evening of Friday, June 16).
If you plan to attend, please out following Site Prep Attendance form.
Site Clean-up: On Sunday, June 22, after you finish lunch, please plan to stay an hour or two after lunch and help with clean up.
Please fill out the following form
if you plan to attend site prep
Link to online site prep registration form in its own window.
Camping: There is a campground on the north side of the road that has a showerhouse. There is additional “primitive” camping south of Clear Creek House. The primitive camping area has one port-a-potty. Campers will need to use the showerhouse in the other campground for all other needs. Children should not camp in the primitive camping area because of safety hazards in area outbuildings. If you want to camp and need electricity, please indicate on the registration form. Cords should not be run from buildings to tents.
Cabins: There are 6 cabins with no electricity with room for 8 people each in bunkbeds. There is one cabins with electricity with room for 4 people in bunkbeds. Cabins may be filled to capacity depending on demand. Individuals with specific needs (e.g., mobility issues, small children, cannot camp, CPAP, other special reasons) will be given preference for cabins. If you have a special reason for needing a cabin, include it on the registration form. Towels, sheets, blankets, and pillows should be brought.
Clear Creek House: There are 7 lodging spaces in the Clear Creek House for up to 16 people. Rooms may be shared. Individuals with specific needs (e.g., health and mobility issues) will be given preference. If you have a special reason for needing to stay in Clear Creek House, include it on the registration form. Towels and sheets should be brought.
High School Bunkhouse: There is a large bunkhouse which can hold up to 40 high school Friends and chaperons.
Motels
Off-Site housing information as of March 20. You may be able to find better rates and additional places. Also AirBnBs can be found. Rates listed are for 1 person for one weekend night. Prices are subject to change and do not include tax. Some people have success calling them when a web booking indicates they are fully booked.
Note: Reduced Cost Hotel Rooms for Sessions: ILYM has made an arrangement with Days Inn in Oglesby, which has set a room rate of $104 per night (plus tax) for rooms booked by May 18 when using the Group Code “ILYM.” In addition to this rate, ILYM will cover $30 per night for the booking. Link for additional information.
| City | Name | Address | Phone | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oglesby | Days Inn | 120 N. Lewis Ave. | 815-883-9600 | $101 |
| Oglesby | Best Western | 900 Holiday Ave. | 815-833-3535 | $117 |
| Peru | Super 8 | 1851 May Rd. | 815-223-1848 | $66 |
| Peru | Fairfield Inn | 4385 Venture Dr. | 815-233-7458 | $149 |
| Peru | La Quinta | 4389 Venture Dr. | 815-244-9000 | $139 |
| Peru | Hampton Inn | 4422 N. Peoria St. | 815-220-8400 | $136 |
| Peru | Holliday Inn Express | 5253 Trompeter Rd. | 815-224-2500 | $1827 |
| Peru | Quality Inn | 5240 Trompeter Rd. | 815-223-8585 | $106 |
| Wenona | America's Best Value | 5 Cavalry Dr. | 815-853-4371 | $76 |
Stay informed about what is happening in ILYM. Get updates and further details on Annual Sessions programming Subscribe to the once-a-month e-newsletter.
Send a request to illinoisym⊗ilym.org. Please include your name and meeting along with your e-mail address. You will have the option to sign up for this when registering.
Registration is open
Link to on-line form || Link to download a printable form
On-line registration closes June 12.
You will be able to register for in-person attendance
at the registration desk during sessions.
You will not be able to register for virtual sessions after June 12.
ILYM uses a pay as led approach to cover the costs of sessions. A per day adult fee of $55 reflects a representative amount if received by each adult attender that would be needed to cover the cost of Annual Sessions. There is an alternative representative fee of $15 per day adult fee for virtual-only attendees. ILYM does not assess a fee for children and high school attenders. Considered costs include expenses for meals, on-site housing, programs, and infrastructure for on-site and virtual components.
During on-campus Annual Sessions there is a series of folders on the entry table. These folders contain additional documents for use during Annual Sessions. Links to the content of these folders follow below. Links will be active when content is available.
- Minutes of business sessions
- Supplementary and late arriving documents
- Schedule updates and additions
- State of Society Reports
- Memorial Minutes
- Minutes from Fall
Continuing Committee and Spring
Continuing Committee
- Epistles from other yearly meetings
- Files for “Help Think about Next Year's Annual Sessions go to ilym.org/planning.
- Site Overall Coordinator Form (BRQ)
- Program Overall Coordinator Form (Chicago North)
- Food Overall Coordinator Form (Chicago South)