8:30-9:00

Registration

9:00-10:30

Welcome and plenary session: Seed, Spirit, Substance: Encountering the Source- Jay Marshall

The names and metaphors for God are many—the best of these point beyond themselves toward One who is source of and resource for life. Encounters with the Divine have been the bedrock of Friends’ religious experience. These encounters are life-giving, life-changing, and ultimately, energizing—we can scarcely do without them. Biblical images and Friends’ testimony can provide guidance to contemporary Friends as we seek to give voice to our encounters with the Divine and to act on our leadings.

10:30-11:00

Break

11:00-12:15

Workshop (choose one)

A: What Can’st Thou Say? - Jay Marshall

This workshop will be experiential and participatory. Workshop participants will describe their experience of the Inner Light and the way those encounters shape their life.
Workshop Leader: Jay Marshall is Dean of ESR. Occasionally, he teaches Biblical Studies and courses in Quaker leadership. He has served as clerk of Indiana Yearly Meeting and was recorded as a minister by North Carolina Yearly Meeting in 1985.

B: All Scripture is God-breathed - Susan Jeffers

Traditional Quaker understanding of biblical inspiration turns on our experience of coming into the same Spirit which gave forth the Scriptures. In this workshop, we will consider how, today, we are instructed by the Bible, made wise unto salvation, and equipped for every good work.
Workshop Leader: Susan Jeffers teaches Quaker Studies courses as adjunct faculty for ESR ,and Biblical Studies courses for Bethany Theological Seminary and other Church of the Brethren institutions. She graduated from ESR in 1999 with an MA in Biblical Studies.

C: Quakers, Philanthropy and Applied Ethics, a.k.a. Convincement, Conversion and the Kingdom – Jennie Dove-Isbell

In this workshop, we will explore our awareness of and attitude towards money, and perhaps reframe these issues against the backdrop of Quaker history and the Christian world view of stewardship. Participants will engage in a simple survey for self-discovery, group discussion of personal experience, and view a collage of ideas from Friends of different eras all considering Christian identity defined and lived out.
Workshop Leader: Jennie Dove-Isbell is a third-year ESR student and currently works as Coordinator of Annual Fund and Constituent Relations for the seminary. She previously worked for 10 years in higher education fund raising. At ESR, Jennie has discovered a new intersection between her faith and gifts.

12:15-1:15

Lunch on site

1:15-2:30

Workshop (choose one of above)

A B C

2:30-3:00

Wrap up