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  • Western Half-Yearly Meeting (WHYM)

    Page updated on Saturday April 5, 2025.

    Invitation from the Clerk of WHYM

    Hello Friends,

    It’s the time of year when the thoughts of Friends in Western Canada and beyond turn to that most magical of gatherings, Western Half Yearly Meeting. We are excited to be holding our Spring gathering at Sorrento, BC, on beautiful Shuswap Lake, and on-line, on the coming May Day long-weekend, Friday, May 16th to Monday, May 19th. 

    To Friends and attenders who have not been to our gathering, this is a unique opportunity to meet Friends from BC to Saskatchewan, and sometimes beyond, and to worship with, and learn from, one another. If you are able to make the trip, or to join us on-line, we’d love to show you why so many Friends come back year after year. 

    I’d like to invite Friends who have been before to take a moment to think about a Friend that you think would enjoy WHYM and talk to them about the gathering and why they should attend. 

    What you’ll find at WHYM

    As usual, we’ll have time for worship, both in small and as a large group, intergenerational activities, and times to learn together. Singing and balancing (group gymnastics) and our childrens’ and teens’ programs provide fellowship for kids and youth, while freeing parents to participate in the broader gathering. Here’s the draft schedule. Please take a look, and feel free to email if you have questions. 

    In reading the Schedule, please keep in mind that all times are in Pacific Time, consistent with the time zone for Friends gathering in Sorrento. 

    If you’re joining us in person, the Sorrento Centre is a beautiful space, with a waterfront area on Shuswap Lake, accommodation ranging from private rooms to cabins to a bed in a shared cabana. 

    How to register

    There are two registration forms – for Sorrento ( https://whym-registration.ca/ ) and for the on-line gathering. Please fill out the correct form. Payments are to go to: WHYMpayments@viquakers.ca

    Friends who are attending on-line are asked to pay a suggested $15-20 per person attending, reflecting the costs to hold a hybrid event. Friends seeking to participate in on-line Worship Sharing will need to register by Tuesday, May 13th (see below if you are not familiar with this term). Otherwise registration for the on-line Gathering may occur until the start of Meeting.

    The deadline for Friends attending in person is Friday, April 25th. 

    Friends are invited, in registering, to propose one or more Special Interest Groups (see below if you’re not familiar with this term). Special Interest Groups are an opportunity to share or invite discussion on topics of interest. No training is necessary – just an excitement to explore a topic. Those present at Sorrento should think about whether and how Friends joining on-line can be included. 

    We recognize that coming in person to Sorrento can be a major undertaking, both in terms of time and financially. If cost is a barrier to your participating, please note: 

    • Tenting, booking a single bed in a shared cabana or arranging to share a cabana with other Friends are all cost effective choices for accommodation. Carpooling with Friends coming from your Meeting or Worship group may also be helpful. 
    • There is financial support available to Friends who would otherwise have difficulty travelling or attending. If at all possible, please ask your Monthly Meeting for support (talk to your Clerk) and for a letter asking Western Half Yearly Meeting for support.
    • If you are coming from Saskatchewan or further east, Friends often stay with Calgary Friends en route. If you don’t know anyone in Calgary to ask, feel free to email me, and I’ll put you in touch with Calgary Friends who may be willing to host. 

    As in recent years, we ask Friends attending in person to test for COVID before coming, and not to come if you test positive. Friends attending in person will be asked to mask during indoor portions of the Gathering. 

    If there is anything else we can do to help you feel welcome or to take the risk of making this trip, please feel free to email me. 

    A special welcome to new (or newish) WHYM attenders

    Coming to a long-standing gathering can be intimidating, but we hope that you will give this gathering a try. There are few opportunities in Western Canada to meet Friends outside our own Meetings, and WHYM is a unique opportunity to worship, learn, play and share together. We aim to be a loving community to people of all ages, backgrounds, races and sexual identities. You are more than welcome to join us on-line to see what it’s about, and if you’re ready to come to Sorrento, we look forward to meeting you in person at our gorgeous location. 

    A note about a couple of terms used in the schedule, above:

    • Worship Sharing or Fellowship – Worship sharing is a “contemplative spiritual practice” in which a small group of 4-8 people settle into a worshipful silence, and share together, “speak[ing] from their own experience with thoughtful pauses.” 
    • Special Interest Groups (SIG) – Any person attending WHYM may propose a Special Interest Groups as a space for Friends to explore an issue, activity or concern as a group. Sometimes the Friend hosting a SIG will offer instruction or initial thoughts, but often the Friend is merely identifying a topic for discussion or discernment. Friends self-select which SIG they will attend. 

    If you have any questions or concerns about the gathering, feel free to reach out to me at whym-clerk@quaker.ca. 

    A final request:

    Please extend this invitation to any Friend(s) or attenders you think might be interested in attending Western Half Yearly Meeting, along with a few words about why you think that they should consider joining us. 

    Sincerely,
    Rachel

    Rachel Singleton-Polster (she/her)

    Clerk

    Western Half Yearly Meeting

  • Resident Friend/s Needed

    Vancouver Island Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, in Victoria, BC, is seeking applicants for the position of Resident Friend, for a term of 2-3 years. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2025.

    The role includes responsibility for meeting the general public, assisting with rentals and other enquiries; light janitorial duties; liaison with the Quaker community; and gardening duties (to be negotiated). Must be able to handle basic communication by computer.

    The role is unpaid. Housing is provided in a 1-bedroom, unfurnished suite that is part of the Heritage Meeting House.

    Further information may be obtained from the Resident Friend Search Committee.

    To apply send resume and 2 references by email to resfriend-enquiries@viquakers.ca or by post c/o
    Fern Street Meeting, 1831 Fern St, Victoria BC, V8R 4K4. The closing date has been extended. The new closing date will be posted here when known.

  • Western Half-Yearly Meeting (WHYM) – Fall 2024

    To join the Zoom online meeting on Monday (click here).

    To view the schedule click here.

    To view the Business Meeting Agenda click here.

    To support the work of the Friends Women’s Association in Burundi:

    Canadian Monthly Meetings MAY SOON be able to get tax receipts for furthering the work of Friends Women’s Association Burundi by contributing to the shipping costs of a container of medical supplies to be sent to Burundi by Compassionate Resources Warehouse (an NGO charity out of Victoria, BC):
    https://www.crwarehouse.ca/

    FWA can receive donations through Global Giving
    (Note this organization does offer a Canadian charitable tax receipt)
    Global Giving:
    Health Clinic: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/providing-health-care-to-1000s-in-bujumbura-slum/
    Gender Equality: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/helping-girls-and-young-women-in-bujumbura-slum/
    Maternity Hospital: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/a-maternity-unit-to-save-2300-lives-in-burundi/

    Friends Peace Teams: https://friendspeaceteams.org/donate/ You can choose to direct your donation to the FWA’s work in Burundi.
    Please note CFSC is not a current financial partner of FWA

    Page updated on Thursday September 26th. This update contains information about Fall 2024 WHYM

    Please note: in-person registration closes Tuesday October 1st.
    To participate in online Worship Sharing please register by Saturday October 4th.
    Apologies from the web team for late posting.

    Dear Friends,

    With Fall in the air, can Thanksgiving and Western Half-Yearly Meeting (WHYM) be far off!? It’s time to make your plans to join in the richness of Quaker community.

    This WHYM will again have 3 components: online, in person, and hybrid (online access to in person sessions). The hybrid portion may not be as stellar as last year as we no longer have our super tech.

    WHYM is Friday evening October 11 to Monday morning October 14, 2024 (Thanksgiving weekend)

    In Person:

    Here is the information for the in person gathering taking place at Camp Kannawin on Sylvan Lake, near Red Deer Alberta. This is where we met last fall. Please read this information sheet carefully.

    Here is the registration form to attend in-person – Note: in-person registration closes October 1st if you want to eat, sleep, or be in Worship-Sharing groups.

    Online:

    Here is the registration form to attend online – Note: online registration will remain open.

    Everyone:

    Schedule is here.

    Please let me know via WHYM Clerk (whym-clerk@quaker.ca) if you have any questions or if any of the forms or links do not work!

    Celia Cheatley
    Pinch hitter for Fall WHYM 2024 Clerk, co-Registrar, Food arrangements, etc., etc.

    To join the Zoom online meeting see updated links at the top of the page...

    To view the schedule click here.

    To view the Business Meeting Agenda click here.

    Friends attending are asked to abide by the Canadian Yearly Meeting Community Agreement.

    The message history on the WHYM google group is here.

  • Library

    This is a place holder page for the Meeting library cataloging project, and for the catalogue itself!

    The Meeting catalogue is here (LibraryThing).

    South side of library

  • Positions

    Appointed Positions within
    the Vancouver Island Monthly Meeting

    holding wrists in a circle
    Wrists in a circle

    Email addresses for each role and committee are at the bottom of each Fern Street News, or on the bulletin board in the Meetinghouse.

    Appointments are made by the Monthly Meeting following  recommendation of its Nominating Committee.   New appointments are normally confirmed in June and usually begin at the beginning of September. 

    The list of current appointments is available from the Admin Clerk or a member of the Nominating Committee.

    Clerk, Presiding:

    Prepares the agenda and the business to be presented to the Meeting for its consideration.   In the manner of Friends, presides at the Meeting for Worship for  Business. (See page  for description of M4W4B)

    Clerk, Recording:

    Creates minutes in collaboration with the clerk; and records and maintains the minutes of the Meeting for Worship for Business.

    Clerk, Admin:

    Supports the work of the Presiding and Recording Clerks. Receives much of the Meeting’s correspondence.

    Communications committee:

    (2 to 4 people) is responsible for the Meeting’s website (viquakers.ca), directory, Fern Street News, and a variety of other communication and outreach issues, including Internet and other technology in support of blended meetings.

    Education and Outreach:

    Currently inactive (2-4) Initiates and/or coordinates educational opportunities that deepen the experience of spiritual and community connectedness within and beyond the Meeting. They may assist others to carry out their leadings to enrich our community life. This committee may reach out to the larger community, creating or responding to opportunities to connect with Quakers. 

    Finance Committee:

    (2 or 3 people) Responsible for the finances of the Meeting including supporting the Treasurer and Bookkeeper’s accounting of revenue, allocation of resources, and preparation of a spending forecast. Approves requests for financial support for travel.

    Finances: Reviewer:

    Periodically reviews the practices and records of Finance Committee and the Treasurer.

    Finances: Treasurer:

     (1 person)  Receives and disburses funds as directed by the Meeting and keeps an account of all monies received and paid out; issues appropriate tax receipts; meets Federal Government requirements for reporting and maintenance of our tax exempt status.   Attends and is supported by the Finance Committee.

    Finances: Bookkeeper:

    Deals with all matters in support of the Treasurer — especially the tracking of all financial transactions, banking, weekly collection of donations, bill payments — but not the Federal Government reporting requirements.    Attends and is supported by the Finance committee.

    Fern Street News Editor:

    (1 person, with the support of Communications Committee)  Edits and distributes a regular newsletter with personal, local and national Quaker news and related information.  Attends and is supported by the Communications Committee.

    Librarian:

    Maintain the Meeting library of books, magazines, and electronic resources (in Victoria) that are available to members/ attenders from any worshipping group.

    Marriage Registrars:

    (2 people) Who have to be registered with the Provincial Government.   Administer legal, reporting, and recording requirements for Quaker marriages under the care of the Meeting.   Currently shared with Cowichan Valley Quakers.

    Ministry & Counsel (M&C):

    (4 or 5) Nurtures the spiritual life of the Meeting and focuses the attention of the Meeting on needs of individual members and our community as a whole; oversees weddings, requests for membership and memorial meetings, as well as Pastoral Care, Children’s Committee and welcoming newcomers.

    Nominating:

    (2 or 3 people nominated by a Naming committee as vacancies arise at the end of individual terms) Develops and presents a list of nominations for consideration by the Monthly Meeting.  The committee recommends candidates who can best serve according to their talents, interests, and the Meeting’s needs. Volunteers are encouraged to inform Nominating regarding their special interest for service.  May also bring forward names for Canadian Yearly Meeting service.

    Personnel:

    (1 person at large, plus 1 person named by M&C and 1 by Property committee).  Supports and supervises the service of the Meetinghouse Residents, including selection and periodic review.

    Property:

    (2 or 3 Victoria Friends, plus the Resident Friend).  Responsible for the maintenance of the Meetinghouse and grounds, and providing guidelines for the use of the Meetinghouse by outside groups.  Encourages engagement of all Friends in this work.

    Records:

    (1 or 2 Friends). Responsible to keep our archival records in good order; submits records to CYM or Provincial archives; maintains the registry (book) of members, marriages, births, deaths; recommends and implements policies for retention of records and schedules. 

    Representative to Canadian Yearly Meeting (CYM)

    (1 plus alternate) Serves as a member of Representative Meeting, the body which acts for CYM between Yearly Meeting sessions. 

    Resident Friend(s):

    Lives on site, responds to phone enquiries; opens, closes and cleans the Meetinghouse; supervises use of the Meetinghouse by Friends and other groups; and much more!
    Please respect their privacy and use the Meetinghouse phone number for Meeting business.  Please contact Property Committee with concerns.

    Trustees:

    (3-4 people, appointed for a five year term). Named as holding the assets of the Meeting, and the Meetinghouse property is registered in their names.   Financial responsibility is ultimately in their trust, as are insurance, property taxes and the Dorothy Webster Trust (for education).   They submit an annual report to Meeting for Business and ensure a periodic financial review is undertaken.

    Webminder:

    (1 or more people).  Maintains the Meeting website and supervises use of the Meeting’s Zoom account.  Under general guidance and support from Ministry & Counsel and Communications Committee.

    Other Roles in
    Victoria Friends Meeting

    holding shoulders in a circle
    hands holding shoulders in a circle

    These positions are created by the Victoria community and change from time to time. 

    Appointments are made on the recommendation of the Nominating Committee and are typically confirmed in June and commence their work in September.

    Those below are listed alphabetically by position or committee.

    Childcare:

    ( 5 or more people). Make suitable childcare arrangements for First Day school.

    Closers:

    ( 1 or 2 people) Coordinate provision of ‘in person’ Meeting closers.

    Education and Outreach:

    (2 or 3 people) Arranges regular and occasional development activities for Friends and visitors, in close coordination with Program Committee.

    Ecology Group:

    (As led) Has an action-oriented focus on ecology.

    Greeters:

    (1 person) Coordinate provision of greeters before the ‘in person’ Meeting.

    Hospitality:

    (2 or 3 people) Ensure provision of snacks after Meeting, and cleanup. Note: This is a facilitation role.

    Memorials:

    (1 person) Memorials for all Friends and a yearly All Souls Memorial.

    Music:

    (2 people) Facilitates singing of hymns & songs (before Meeting once a month and at Christmas).

    Peace Earth and Social Action Committee (PESAC):

    (open to all members/ attenders) Addresses various issues of political/social concern, as identified by the Meeting or PESAC individuals.  Supports, and recommends VIMM donations to, non-Quaker ventures that are consistent with Friends’ concerns.

    Program Committee:

    (2 or 3 people) Responsible for planning regular or periodic community activities and special events or workshops. Etc… Coordinates with Education and Outreach.

    Youth:

    (Several Friends recommended by Nominations committee). Contact for young friends. Facilitates programming, such as workshops, hikes, parties.

    Zoom/Tech hosts:

    (4-6 people) Open and close the Zoom space, provide spiritual ‘holding of the space’, welcome participants before Meeting for Worship and lead announcements at the end. 

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