2026 Annual Sessions

Expanded Use of Worship Sharing Timeblock: In addition to the usual groups for worship sharing, during that block of time there will be opportunities to be part of other types of worship/spiritual development groups. These will include individual/meeting spiritual development discussion groups and a meeting for healing.

Schedule Shifting: (See schedule, it might be easier to understand by looking at it) In the afternoon, the block of time for “Free time/socializing/committee meetings” and for “Workshop/Worship sharing have been swapped.  The free time will now be right after lunch and run 1:00-3:15 p.m. Workshops will follow at 3:15-4:30 p.m. and then Worship Sharing and Discussion Groups at 4:45-5:30 p.m.

Note that this impacts the Wednesday and Saturday afternoon schedule. On Wednesday, while the registration/check-in desk will be open at 1:00 p.m., there will be free time for committee meetings/socializing/getting your tent/cabin/room organized until opening session that will run 4:00-5:30 p.m. The Saturday session for planning next year’s sessions will be right after lunch at 1:30 p.m.

In the morning, breakfast will start and end later. It will run 7:00-8:00 a.m., even on Sunday. There will be a 30 minute time after breakfast ends instead of 15 minutes, so that those doing meal cleanup will be able to finish their tasks and make it to Meeting for Worship. Meeting for Worship will start later and the business meeting will be shorter. Meeting for Worship will be 8:30-~9:30, with Business Meeting being ~9:30-noon.  Since business meeting is a meeting for worship with a concern for business, the worship and business parts will flow into each other and there will not be a break between them.

On Sunday morning, by making the breakfast time the same as on other days, the schedule ends up making everything 15 minutes early.

Dining Area Closing and Cleaning: To help ensure that people helping out cleaning up the dining area are able to get their tasks finished and be able to attend the programs scheduled after the meals as well as to be able to fully do the proper cleaning, food will be promptly removed from the serving tables at the posted ending time for the meal. The dining areas will be closed for cleaning ten minutes after the posted ending time for the meal and remain closed until 30 minutes after the posted ending time for the meal. Passing through the basement dining room to get beverages will be permitted during this closed time. So the dining areas will be closed 8:10-8:30 a.m. 1:10-1:30 p.m. and 7:10-7:30 p.m.

Reduction in available electrical camping spaces: Due to the construction of the new bunkhouse, for this year there will be a reduced number of camping spaces with electricity, as well as spaces for travel trailers not using electricity. We should have enough, though it might be tight. If you have a need for a camping space with electricity, please request the space with your registration and state the reason for the need. There might be a need to prioritize who gets the spaces with electricity (according to the prioritizing guidelines set for use of Clear Creek House lodging).  Next year, after the old bunkhouse is torn down, we will be back up to the previous number of spaces and may be even have more.

Link to view on white background

Adult    Children   All   V (Virtual Option)   R (Will be Recorded)

Workshops will be held 3:15-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

• Sign up to attend workshops in the check-in/registration area.
• A list workshops will be available in the check-in/registration area.
• There will be programs and activities for children during the workshop time.

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Repeating: all offerings will be the same
Independent:offerings are different, the first offering is not needed to attend the next offering
Continuous: offering after the first is a continuation of the first

Faith in Action with AFSC, Daniel Lakemacher (AFSC). AFSC Midwest Region staff will share about their efforts in peacebuilding locally and across the country. From the Youth Action Program’s focus on the intersection of environmental justice and militarism in Chicago to the newly formed intergenerational Freedom Futures Collective in St. Louis, staff will share how they are bringing community members together in collective action. Opportunities to reflect on Quaker involvement in the recent “Love as Action” series that hosted repeated events in St. Louis, Urbana-Champaign, and Chicago will also be considered. Thursday-hybrid & Friday (Repeating)

The Alaskan Native “Boarding School Experience” Cathy Walling, Maya Genaux, Janice Domanik, Beth Burbank. Many people think that the native “boarding schools”/assimilation camps were primarily a 19th or early 20th century phenomenon. Some actually persisted into the 1970s. Alaska Natives Jim and Susan LaBelle have graciously given permission to share a video of their personal stories told to Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting in 2023. Cathy Walling has requested that as many people as possible view this video prior to her plenary presentation Thursday evening. Link to information to watch the video, if not able to attend workshop.   Thursday

Practicing the Testimonies: Self and Society, Nathan Kleban  (RSWR). We all cherish the Quaker testimonies. This workshop will consider how the testimonies manifest—or do not—in our daily lives and meetings, what can be done to apply them more fully and faithfully, and how they relate to the larger systems and social structures. Thursday will focus on Stewardship, Friday on Equality, and Saturday on Simplicity and looking at testimony beyond SPICES. Thursday, Friday, Saturday (Independent)

Embrace a Child – Joining New England Yearly Meeting Friends to Support Quaker Orphan Education in Uganda, Alex Lippitt (Oak Park). This is an expansion of a 4-year-old education project in Uganda. Joining US supporters of the Care Children’s Academy under the care of Uganda Friends Church will be New England regional Quakers under the guidance of Diane Dicranian. The project will focus on the over 50 orphans in the 250-child school based on Quaker experience in Kenya. This workshop will provide an overview and focus on how individuals can contribute. Friday-hybrid

The Decline and Renewal of Quakerism, Tom Rockwell (Western YM). This workshop will explore the sociological reasons behind the decline of American religious institutions, general differences that have arisen from these changes, and how to respond effectively through becoming an outward-facing meeting. The workshop will feature a lot of discussion and presentation, including some exercises to help participants explore the strengths and weaknesses of their meetings. Friday, & Saturday (Independent)

Alaskan Quakers Seeking Right Relationships, Cathy Walling, Maya Genaux (Alaska Friends Conference). A conversation with Cathy and Maya, of Alaska Friends Conference, about their ongoing work as Accountability Partners listening for ways to step forward into further healing and repair with Alaskan Natives. This is a journey with a vision towards spiritual transformation through relationship. Friday & Saturday (Continuous)

Monthly Meeting Treasurers and Finance Committees, Val Lester, Judy Jager (ILYM Finance Committee). Monthly Meeting Friends responsible for financial management at their meetings will compare procedures, ask questions and become acquainted. Saturday-hybrid

Quaker Connect: Meetings Expanding the Testimony of Equality, Jade Rockwell (FWCC). Quaker Connect is a new program of FWCC Americas that supports meetings to find new life through experimentation and deeper engagement in local community. The workshop will talk about signs of decline that many meetings are facing and how they are finding vitality once again. The workshop will share some about the program, including what has happened as it begins the second year with 20 meetings and churches participating from seven countries. How can this model help stuck meetings find new life? Saturday

Spirit for the Earth in Poetry, Noel and Sarah Pavlovic (Dunland). Poetry can enliven the spirit, inspire our minds, and move hearts. The focus of the workshop will be on poetry about relationships with the earth in its many forms. Friends are invited to join a spirit-led workshop of reading poetry. Bring your favorite poem to share or one that you have written. Participants will hold these gifts of inspiration in their hearts and minds while sharing out of the silence. Saturday

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h: hybrid; x: in-person only
Repeating: all offerings will be the same
Independent: offerings are different, the first offering is not needed to attend the next offering
Continuous: offering after the first is a continuation of the first

4:45-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is a time set aside for worship sharing groups and other types of worship/spiritual development groups. Worship sharing queries that will be used during these groups will be available during sessions. Signing up for these groups can be done in the check-in/registration area.

Thursday & Friday: Worship Sharing Groups & Discussion Groups to sharing practices between monthly meetings.

Saturday: Worship Sharing and Meeting for Healing.

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:  Children's programs and/or childcare will be provided during the adult evening programs. Wednesday is an all-ages program. Friday is dancing on the lawn for everyone. Saturday will be a campfire with s’mores.

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 the workshop and worship sharing time (3:00-5:30 pm).

Please consult the schedule at the registration/check-in 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.

Information and form for Adult Young Friends to request travel support.

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/check-in 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. The nearest emergency room is OSF Emergency Center, 111 Spring St, Streator, IL 61364815-673-2311 (25 minutes/22 miles). Streator is south on 89, then east on 18. Additional Medical Locations:  OSF PromptCare (Urgent Care), 1650 Midtown Road, Peru IL 61354, 815-538-1351 (22 minutes/ 22miles). Peru is north on 89, east on 63 then north on 251; OSF PromptCare (Urgent Care), 535 Park Ave East, Princeton IL 61356, 815-875-4531. OSF Saint Clare Medical Center, 530 Park Ave East, Princeton IL 61356, 815-875-2811. Both 30 min/26 miles. Princeton is north on 89, west on 71 then north on I180. Information is also 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.

Additional Questions about Sessions?

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 13 and concludes after lunch on Wednesday, June 17 (you can arrive in the evening of Friday, June 12 but food service begins with lunch on Saturday). If you plan to attend, please fill out the online form or contact Erin Taylor or Barb Lawhorn at ErinandBarb@gmail.com. Information requested would be your expected days of attendance, your housing plans (tent, cabin, hotel, or Clear Creek House), and any dietary restrictions.

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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.

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. 

Camping spaces with electricity or travel trailers : For just this year there will be a reduced number of camping spaces with electricity and spaces for travel trailers not using electricity. If you have a need for a camping space with electricity or for a travel trailer, please request the space with your registration and state the reason for the need.

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.

The Bunkhouse:  There is a  bunkhouse which can hold 24 people. It used by high school Friends and chaperons during sessions.

Motels
Off-Site housing information on March 13. Prices increase closer to sessions. 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.

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.

Use Contact form to send a request to be added the subscription list. Please include your name and meeting along with your e-mail address. You will have the option to sign up for this when registering.

Late registration online for in-person and for virtual attendance closes June 11.

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 11.

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.

Link to on-line registration

Link to download PDF registration form

Link to download additional Medical Release and Children's Sessions forms

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 and reports from Quaker organizations and gatherings

• Harassment and Sexual Abuse Policy

• Files for “Help Think about Next Year's Annual Sessions go to ilym.org/planning.
  • Site Overall Coordinator Form (Chicago North)
  • Program Overall Coordinator Form (Chicago South)
  • Food Overall Coordinator Form (BRQ)