ILYM is a spiritual community of Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends. Though the individuals in this community attend some 21 affiliated local Meetings across four states, each summer the Meeting gathers in a retreat near McNabb, Illinois to worship together and to conduct the business of the community. This business includes issues related to lay ministry, religious education, the practice of faith, volunteer service, public witness, publications, Meetinghouse site improvement, and finances. The ILYM Meetinghouse is also the worship site for Clear Creek Friends, as well as for workshops, retreats and committee meetings.
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ILYM Bible Study
A monthly Bible Study for ILYM Friends will take place via Zoom on the 20th of each month, starting in November 2026 through spring of 2027. This first series of sessions will focus on Chapters 5-7 of the Gospel according to Matthew, known as The Sermon on the Mount. This seems appropriate, given that early Friends regarded these chapters to contain most of Jesus’ central teachings. Each session will begin at 7:00 p.m. (Central) and will conclude by 8:15 p.m.
Those interested in participating will be asked to commit to attending at least four of the first six sessions. Those who do so will be given a Zoom invitation and the readings in advance of that session. The readings will include several verses from the Sermon on the Mount along with a Quaker commentary and perhaps one or two selected Bible passages that are related to the main text. Participants will be expected to read all of those materials in advance of each session.
The format of the sessions will be as follows: The group will begin by entering into a brief period of expectant waiting worship. The facilitator will then ask those present to read the selected passage, with each participant reading one verse until reading of the passage has been completed. Then the facilitator will offer a query for those present to ponder and respond to if led. No one may speak twice until everyone has spoken who is led to do so, after which it will be opened up for discussion. If time permits, another query will be offered, for which the same process will be followed. The session will end with grateful closing worship.
Anyone interested in more information is should contact David Shiner via the Contact page.
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2026 Sessions Videos
Following are videos from the Thursday and Saturday night presentations, and the Plummer Lecture.
Confessions of a White Quaker Taking Unfolding Steps Toward Right Relationship with Indigenous People presented during 2026 ILYM Annual Sessions by Cathy Walling, Chena Ridge Friends Meeting, Alaska Friends Conference, Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lighting the Way Forward: Advocacy Through Dark Times presented during 2026 ILYM Annual Sessions by Larissa Gil Sanhueza, Young Adult Program Director, Friend Committee on National Legislation, Saturday, June 20, 2026
Plummer Lecture presented during 2026 ILYM Annual Sessions by Bruce Kanarek, Northside Friends Meeting (Chicago), Sunday, June 21 2026
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ILYM seeks an Inter-meeting Engagement Coordinator
ILYM invites applications from individuals interested in a part-time position as the Inter-meeting Engagement Coordinator. This a new position and the individual hired is not expected to perform all the items listed in the job description. This is an aspirational job description and the individual chosen will work with the Ministry and Advancement Committee to discern what is possible to accomplish with the limited number of hours. Applicants should submit a letter of interest that includes their qualifications. In addition, submit at least 2 letters of reference which can speak to the individual’s qualifications. Also submit a third letter of reference from the clerk of your meeting. Application due date is September 30, 2026. Link to detailed job description and application information.
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ILYM Monthly Virtual Meeting for Worship
There will be a yearly-meeting-wide virtual meeting for worship every month on the 10th of the month at 7:00 p.m. (Central), hosted by the ILYM Ministry and Advancement Committee. All are welcomed to attend. The first worship will be January 10, 2023.
Meeting Link, Meeting ID: 865 1735 0294; Passcode: 475983; Phone: 309 205 3325 US; 312 626 6799 US (Chicago); Meeting ID: 865 1735 0294; Passcode: 475983.
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Anti-Racism Café
What’s on your mind and in your hearts? Join us for an open-ended discussion of anti-racist work. There’s no speaker or agenda, so bring your beverage of choice and be ready to listen and share.
ILYM Racism, Equality and Equity Committee hosts a virtual Anti-Racism Cafe on the 15th of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Central). Link to join.
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Meeting for Healing
Illinois Yearly Meeting’s Peace Resources & Racial Equity and Education Committees hosts a virtual Meeting for Healing for the Future of America East via the Downers Grove Zoom Meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (Central). Zoom Link; Meeting ID: 973 0257 9831; Passcode: 000000.
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Faith and Practice
Illinois Yearly Meeting, founded in 1875, is a spiritual community of Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends. Individuals in this community attend some 22 affiliated local meetings across five states. Each summer the yearly meeting gathers in a retreat on its campus near McNabb, Illinois to worship together and to conduct the business of the community.
PDF format || Ebook format
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Concerning this Book of Faith and Practice
Early Quakers had a vivid sense of the Holy Spirit as an active presence, transforming themselves, their dealings with each other, and the entire world. They honored each person’s direct access to the Light, yet were aware of the frailty of human judgment. Their response was to develop practices of communal listening, seeking, and discerning. Meeting for worship, meeting for business, and some more specialized practices were all developed to allow the group to clarify and support individual guidance and revelation. Today, Quakers continue to revise, refine, and hand on their characteristic practices of corporate listening and waiting, because these practices work.
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A Brief Guide to Using this Book of Faith and Practice
As the name “Faith and Practice” suggests, this book is both a spiritual and a practical document. It articulates the historical and continuing faith of Friends; it also outlines recommended procedures regarding a wide variety of matters that local Quaker meetings are likely, and in many cases certain, to face.