Quaker Blog

Planning for 2023’s Yearly Meeting – July 8-13

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Canadian Yearly Meeting 2023 will take place July 8-13 online and at the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. An overview of the schedule is now available on the Yearly Meeting in Session site. Registration is not yet open, but it will soon be added, with lots more information, to that site.

Canadian Yearly Meeting (CYM, also known as Yearly Meeting in Session) is a blended gathering once a year for all Canadian Quakers and those interested in or new to Quakers. Its Business Meetings are the main decision-making body of Quakers in Canada. There’s also lots of time for fun and games, music, socializing, and sessions focusing on spiritual development, social justice, and Quaker history. This year, the gathering will include Quaker study sessions, worship, the Sunderland P. Gardner keynote lecture, programming for children and youth, and special interest group workshops.

Online Course: Quaker 101 – Introduction to Quakers

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We are offering an online Quaker 101 course “Introduction to Quakers and Friends’ Ways” in 6 sessions starting April 1. This is a Friendly (pun intended) course for people interested in learning about Quakers and the ways of Canadian Friends. The course is meant to be an experience, more so than an academic course. There is no testing or examination!

The facilitator Jackie Bonner will meet with participants once a week, for six weeks, for approximately an hour and a half to worship, discuss, and reflect on various topics.

The cost of the course is $100. If cost is a barrier to entry, participants are encouraged to contact their local meeting for financial assistance.

Topics include but are not limited to: 

  • Introductions and the Basics of Quakers
  • Experiencing Spirit
  • Early Friends
  • Testimonies
  • Meetings
  • Business Meetings, and
  • Living the Spiritual Community

Students will receive an email from the facilitator with a small reading along with thoughts, tasks, and questions to reflect on throughout the week.

Oh, and don’t worry… the silence is included.

Registration & Details

To register (and pay!), go to Canada Helps.

Registration closes March 28. A minimum of 12 members is needed for this workshop, so please register early if you plan to attend.

Dates: April 1, 15, 22 & 29 and May 6 & 13, 2023
Time: Saturdays 1:00-2:30 pm (Atlantic)

Jackie Facilitator

Facilitator Bio

Jackie Bonner has been part of the Quaker Community since 2017. She simply started going to Quaker Meetings and never stopped. She has taught in the public school system for over ten years and has recently completed her Masters in Counseling Psychology. She has a deep love for nature, the mountains, and reading.

Jackie is excited to have the opportunity to spend time with people and explore Quakerism, maybe even throw in a Quaker joke or two. Jackie resides in Sydney, Nova Scotia the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. She lives with her daughter, partner, and plants.

Welcoming our new Communications Coordinator 

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Join us in welcoming Holly Spencer to the new role of Communications Coordinator for Canadian Yearly Meeting. 

Holly has worked for non-profits in the peacebuilding and anti-arms trade movement for the last five years, including Peace Direct in London and Stop Fuelling War in Paris. She is a peace activist who has protested many weapons fairs.

Holly has experience supporting small teams with all their communication needs, including working freelance for Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) organizing online events! She recently finished a three-year term as co-clerk on the Quaker United Nations Committee for the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) Geneva.

Holly is a member of France Yearly Meeting, having grown up in the south of France. She just moved to Canada from the UK and is keen to get to know everyone and the amazing things Canada offers. Holly enjoys all things food-related, crafting, board games and the great outdoors.  

Hiring a Communications Coordinator

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We are looking to hire a Communications Coordinator.

This new part-time position (0.6 FTE) coordinates communications for the Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and is accountable to CYM’s General Secretary-Treasurer.

Canadian Yearly Meeting (CYM) of the Religious Society of Friends is the formal name of the main organization of Quakers in Canada. Quakers are a faith group. CYM is made up of different meetings, groups, and committees. Quakers within the worship community do most of our work with CYM’s paid staff support.

Job Description

Broadly speaking, the work includes:

  • managing website content for Quaker.ca
  • developing communications strategy and priorities, formalizing communications processes, and generating creative content ideas
  • collaborating with a broad array of volunteers, CYM staff, contractors, and service providers

Experience we are seeking

The ideal candidate will have:

  • two or more years of experience in a similar or related position; non-profit experience is an asset.
  • a relevant degree or diploma (formal communications education or training is an asset)
  • strong digital skills and ability to produce, edit, and/or manage communications content using various communications software
  • proven skills in working both independently and as part of a team and in editing others’ work in a collaborative, supportive manner
  • strong organizational abilities and time management skills and have no problem with tight deadlines, multi-tasking, and prioritizing workload
  • a willingness to pitch in where needed to get the job done

Other important details

To view or print a more detailed job description, open the Job Description – CYM Communications Coordinator (PDF).

Location: Ottawa preferred, but we are willing to explore remote work with occasional travel for the right candidate.

Hours: 24 hours per week. While some availability during regular Eastern Time work hours will be necessary to collaborate with colleagues and some weekend and/or evening work may be required to collaborate with volunteers, work hours for this role are flexible.

Compensation: $55,000 annually, pro-rated to 0.6 FTE or 24 hours per week ($33,000 annually). CYM offers health benefits and RRSP contributions.

How to Apply & Deadline

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to  before 9 am December 16, 2022. While we thank those who apply for their interest, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.