Fall Sessions 2010

New York Quarterly Meeting

Welcomes Friends to NYYM Fall Sessions

November 12–14, 2010

New York Quarterly Meeting Friends invite you home, to Flushing, where Friends have been gathering since 1657. Fall Sessions 2010 will be held November 12–14. Friday and Sunday we will meet at the Flushing meetinghouse, 137-16 Northern Blvd., and on Saturday at Flushing High School, one block away at 35-01 Union St.

This part of Flushing features many places of historic interest to Friends, in a bustling neighborhood consisting of many different Asian immigrant communities, so we revisit our past, in the midst of the energy of the present as we look to the future. Friends are invited to a walking tour of the area on Friday afternoon. Details will be in October InfoShare and on the Web.

Minutes of Fall Sessions 2010

Click the following to view the Fall Sessions 2010 Minutes.

Documents of the Sessions

See the Resources at the bottom of this page.

Registration:

To register online, fill out the registration form, save it under a new name, and e-mail it as an attachment to flushingregistrar [at] gmail.com. Then determine the amount (registration plus meals) and click the “Buy Now” button (below), to pay via PayPal.

To register by mail, fill out the registration form and mail it with your check, made out to New York Yearly Meeting, to Yonathan Dessalegn 65-40 108th St. #2A, Forest Hills NY 11375.

Friends are reminded that financial considerations should not discourage them from attending. Travel and housing support, including assistance with Flushing YMCA accommodations, is available from the NYYM Equalization Fund. Please indicate on your registration form the amount requested.

Nearby Lodging:

Flushing YMCA, 138-46 Northern Blvd., Flushing NY 11354; 718-961-6880 x 133, www.ymcanyc.org (one block from the meetinghouse and Flushing High School). Note: Flushing YMCA offers special group rates to guests registering at least two weeks in advance (earlier is better!) with a one-third deposit by credit card. Discounted rates are $50 single, $65 double, and $75 triple. Let them know when you register that you’re attending Fall Sessions.
Red Roof Inn, 36-31 Prince St., Flushing NY 11354; 718-886-8884 (two blocks from the meetinghouse & five blocks from Flushing HS). $129.99 + tax per night.

Hospitality:

Arrangements are being made for limited hospitality. Friends wishing to stay overnight Friday and/or Saturday, please indicate that on your registration form.

Travel to Flushing:

This location is extremely well served by public transportation, and Friends are urged to consider traveling by public transportation.

By rail: Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and the Long Island Rail Road all will take you the Penn Station terminal in Manhattan. From Penn Station, take the 1, 2 , or 3 subway train northbound one stop to Times Square and then take the 7 train to the last stop at Flushing–Main Street. Alternatively, from Penn Station take the Long Island Rail Road to Flushing–Main Street on the Port Washington Line.

By bus: Take the bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 8th Ave. and 42nd St. in Manhattan. Walk 1 block east to Times Square and take the 7 subway train to Flushing–Main Street.
From the subway or LIRR station in Flushing: short walk from subway or LIRR station
The Flushing–Main Street Station of the #7 subway is wheelchair accessible, with escalators and elevators at easternmost exit. After you reach the street level, go to the corner of Roosevelt Ave. and Main St., walk north along Main St. four blocks to Northern Blvd., then turn right and walk east for ½ block to the meetinghouse, almost directly across the street from the Flushing Town Hall.
From the Long Island Rail Road Flushing–Main Street Station (an elevated station, not wheelchair accessible), after you come down the stairs, walk to the end of the block to Main St., turn left, and walk north for six blocks to Northern Blvd., then turn right and walk east for ½ block to the meetinghouse, almost directly across the street from the Flushing Town Hall.

By Plane: The closest airport is La Guardia. Either take a taxi or take the number 48 bus, which stops at every LGA terminal and terminates at Flushing Main St. subway station at Roosevelt Ave. and Main St. Walk four blocks north to Northern Boulevard, turn right without crossing Northern Boulevard, and walk ½ block to 137-16 Northern Boulevard.
Bus fare is $2.25 or $1.10 for senior citizens and disabled persons with Medicare cards. This fare can most easily be paid in coins (not pennies).

By Car: Please check www.mapquest.com or maps.google.com for directions to the Flushing meetinghouse, 137-16 Northern Blvd., Flushing NY 11354 and nearby Flushing High School, 35-01 Union St., Flushing NY 11354.

Parking: Street parking is limited in Flushing, and finding a space can be challenge. There are parking garages, including a municipal lot, nearby. The Flushing YMCA provides free parking for its guests. Here is information for three nearby parking accommodations within walking distance of Flushing Meeting and Flushing High School:

Display and committee space requests:

Contact Naomi Paz Greenberg, 718-261-9382; naomipaz [at] nyc.rr.com.

Inviting Youthful Friends to Fall Sessions!

Fall Sessions will include programs for two age groups, 6–11 and 12–18, that combine fellowship, fun, games, and worship.

Age 6–11: All youth ages 6–11 are welcome and encouraged to participate in the day-long program for their age group on Saturday, November 13. Facilitators Natalie Braun, Mia Kissil Hewitt, Mark LaRiviere, and Katherine Wood have some fun activities planned for that day, including arts and crafts, games, community building, and other surprises.

We’re especially pleased to announce that Mark LaRiviere, a known and respected painter in the art world, will share some of his joy/knowledge/ experience as an artist by doing an art project with us.

Please complete the registration form (in Sept. Spark or here) as soon as possible so that we know you are coming and can plan accordingly! As a reminder, this program is taking place on Saturday only, and all kids will be housed with their parents on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Opportunities for  12–18 year group will also include two overnights in the 316-year-old Flushing meetinghouse, a community-service project, and participation in committee and business session meetings.
So far, adult and younger Friends facilitating this group are Margaret Lew, Sam and Gabe Obermayer, Noah Pomerselig, Peter Close, Mike Clark, Franklin Crump.

If you have questions please contact Margaret Lew, [email protected]; 917 539 6338 or Peter Close, [email protected]; 203-861-0264.

Medical and contact form is here.

Schedule for the Youth Program for Ages 12 –18 at Fall Sessions will roughly be:

Friday night:
5:30–7:00: Arrive at Flushing meetinghouse with sleeping bags, etc. Potluck dinner with all ages.
7:00 on: Introductions, community building games,

Saturday morning:
Breakfast at the meetinghouse (just our group)
Service projects (to be determined) and/or a mini AVP (Alternatives to Violence) workshop.

Saturday Lunch, afternoon and dinner–we will join the rest of Fall Sessions at Flushing High School (1–2 blocks from the Meetinghouse) for lunch and committee meetings.

Saturday Evening: Some may choose to remain at the high school for Nurture Coordinating Committee and some may choose to return to the meetinghouse for evening activities and a possible baking project, joined later by those attending Nurture CC.

Sunday Morning:
All Fall Sessions events, breakfast, and lunch will be at the meetinghouse. We will join the adult sessions from 8:30–10:00 and then have a youth business meeting from 10–12, followed by lunch.

Resources