Evening Programs

Evening programs on Monday through Thursday will be held in the spirit of worship. Following singing and a few announcements, we will settle into silence out of which we will hear our speaker's message (or see the performance). We will return to silence to listen for any additional messages the Spirit has for us. Plenaries will end at 8:45, to allow parents to pick up children in Junior Gathering. Speakers will be available at 9:15 for informal discussions, additional sharing, and questions.

Evening Program Overview

George Lakey, Monday July 5
Phil Gulley, Tuesday July 6
A Quaker Showcase of Talent, Wednesday July 7
"Show Me the Franklins", Thursday July 8
Interest Groups , Friday July 9

George Lakey

Monday July 5

"Conflict as a Gift of the Spirit." With support from Central Philadelphia Meeting George founded Training for Change and led workshops in conflict areas on several continents. His first arrest was for a civil rights sit-in. He gave protective accompaniment to people threatened with assassination in Sri Lanka. Author of seven books, he does conflict research at Swarthmore College.

Phil Gulley

Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor and beloved writer and speaker from Danville, Indiana. His address, "Universalism: A Hope for Humanity", is the Elizabeth Watson Lecture and is sponsored by the Quaker Universalist Fellowship. Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. His work includes the acclaimed Harmony series of novels chronicling life in the eccentric Quaker community of Harmony, Indiana and the best selling Porch Talk series of inspirational and humorous stories. In addition, Gulley and co-author James Mulholland describe their progressive worldview in their books, If Grace Is True and If God Is Love. Phil's new book, If the Church Were Christian, will be available in February.

Showcase of Quaker Talent

We will be celebrating the variety of performance talents of Friends at the Gathering! More details, including information on making nominations, will be available online in February at www.FGCquaker.org/gathering.

Amanda Kemp &
Theatre for Transformation present
"Show me the Franklins! Remembering the Ancestors, Slavery and Benjamin Franklin"

Thursday July 8

"Stop hiding behind the podium!" Jemima shouts. Meet Scholar whose life is about to be turned upside down as Peter, Jemima, Abby and King, all held in bondage by Benjamin Franklin, teach her about remembering and forgiving. Funny, enlightening, and compassionate, this drama will leave you wondering "What are the Ancestors calling on me to do?"

"Show Me the Franklins!" has been touring for almost two years and has been mounted almost forty times at colleges, faith communities, schools, and community centers. Funded by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and numerous individuals, the play is part of Amanda Kemp's ministry to heal the wounds of slavery and racism. Kemp is a member of Lancaster Monthly Meeting.

Read some responses to "Show Me the Franklins!".

Interest Groups

Friday July 9

These small-group sessions often spark new leadings and insights. Choose from the varied topics offered by Quakers at work in the world—including peace, education, the military draft and conscientious objection, prayer, and the environment and stewardship of resources. To offer an interest group, submit a completed proposal by May 7. Proposal forms are available online or from the Gathering office.